JPH064199A - Method and device for forming key pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is an object to provide a key pattern creating method and device which can display a layout of a created key pattern and confirm the layout actually displayed. [Configuration] Create a key pattern to correspond to each key,
The created key pattern is displayed on the display unit 16.
At this time, when the display position of the displayed key pattern is instructed from the input unit 12, the instructed display position is used as the display position of the key pattern file 17
Store in -4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key pattern creating method and device for creating a key pattern for a terminal device having a touch panel, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a terminal device having a touch panel capable of inputting desired information by displaying a key pattern on a screen and touching the key portion. Creation of a key pattern on the touch panel of such a terminal device is performed by connecting an external device such as a host computer to the terminal device and starting a key pattern creation program on the host computer. Thus, using the font data file of the host computer, the BIOS key pattern data file, the created key pattern data file, etc., the key pattern to be displayed on the terminal device is created or edited and registered in the key pattern data file of the terminal device. Was.

Such a key pattern creating program manages the created key pattern by a key pattern number, and has a setting / editing function as described below. (A) Setting of key mode The minimum key unit that scans the keys on the touch panel is defined. (B) Font mode setting The character size of the key pattern is specified, and the size of the key pattern matrix also differs depending on this size. (C) Overwriting setting When a key pattern designated for overwriting is displayed, the key pattern display located below the key pattern is displayed without being hidden by the upper key pattern. (D) Setting of the original screen When the sub screens of the terminal device are overlapped or moved, they are hidden,
Set whether or not to save the original screen in order to restore the protruding data. (E) Setting of outer frame Set whether to add an outer frame to the displayed key pattern. (F) Setting of meshes It is set whether to display meshes (various dot patterns) inside the displayed key pattern. (G) Keypad setting This is used to specify the modification of the keypad to be displayed. The frame is used as a display frame, a non-display frame, a shadow is not added to the frame, the corners are rounded or not rounded. Set whether or not to display in white. (H) Key matrix editing mode The key units of the touch panel are combined to create an arbitrary keypad, or the keypad is separated to return the key unit. (I) Key top editing mode The characters that can be used as key tops by setting the key top are based on the characters set by the key mode and font mode settings, and the number of characters that can be set on the keypad is the number of combined key units. Is determined by. (J) Return code edit mode The return code (code generated corresponding to the key) corresponding to each key on the touch panel is set. (K) Key pattern creation area setting mode Sets or cancels the key pattern creation area (area where the keypad can be specified). (L) Key pattern reference mode The already created arbitrary key pattern is displayed. (M) Key pattern copy mode The created arbitrary key pattern is copied.

The key pattern file created using the above setting and editing functions is converted into a format that can be handled by the terminal device and transferred from the host computer to the terminal device.
In this terminal device, when the key pattern is used in an arbitrary application, the key pattern file is stored and registered, and the position (coordinates) to be displayed and the key pattern number are designated so that the desired position can be obtained. A desired touch panel can be created by displaying the key pattern.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following drawbacks. (1) Although a plurality of key patterns created by the host computer can be displayed on the terminal device, the layout of key patterns (key pattern layout) that are important for the appearance and operation of the key pattern display on this terminal device. Layout), display on the terminal device, or fill in a layout sheet that is prepared for determining the layout in advance and that corresponds to the format of the display unit of the terminal device, and display position Had to make sure. (2) In order to display the key pattern at an arbitrary position of the terminal device, the basic software O of the terminal device is used.
Using the display function of S (operation system),
I had to decide where to display the key pattern.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and displays the layout of the created key pattern,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a key pattern creating method and device capable of confirming an actually displayed layout.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a key pattern creating apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a key pattern creating apparatus for creating a key pattern for displaying a key pattern and inputting desired information by instructing the key pattern, and creating a key pattern associated with each key. Display means for displaying the key pattern created by the creating means, instructing means for instructing the display position of the key pattern displayed on the display means, and the display position instructed by the instructing means for the key pattern. And a storage unit that stores the display position as a display position.

In order to achieve the above object, the key pattern forming method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, a key pattern creating method for displaying a key pattern and creating a key pattern for an input device for inputting desired information by instructing the key pattern, the creating step of creating a key pattern corresponding to each key And a display step of displaying the key pattern created by the creating step,
The method includes an instruction step of instructing a display position of the key pattern displayed in the display step, and a step of setting the display position instructed by the instruction step as a display position of the key pattern.

[0009]

In the above structure, a key pattern associated with each key is created and the created key pattern is displayed. At this time, when the display position of the displayed key pattern is designated, the designated display position is stored as the display position of the key pattern.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a host computer which is an external device for creating a key pattern for the terminal device of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an external device such as a host computer, and a key pattern creation tool file 1
Start the program stored in 7-3, perform editing work such as creating or changing any key pattern,
A key pattern file 17-4 for registering the created key pattern is created. In addition, the key pattern stored in the created key pattern file 17-4 is transmitted to the communication interface 14 on the terminal device having the touch panel.
Can be transferred via.

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that analyzes necessary data and commands in order to control the entire external device 1, and the input unit 12 is composed of a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a key pattern to be created. Enter the data and commands of. The ROM 13 stores a control program for the external device 1 and various data. The communication interface unit 14 sends and receives data to and from other external devices and peripheral devices. A data bus 15 is used for exchanging data between the CPU 11 and each unit. A display unit 16 displays data, commands, etc. analyzed by the external device 1.

A RAM 17 is used as a work area for storing data and font information used in the control program and for information processing. A font data file 17-1 stores font data of characters to be displayed on the display unit 16. A BIOS key pattern file 17-2 stores the key patterns supported by the BIOS. Reference numeral 17-3 is a key pattern creation tool file, which stores a program for creating a key pattern to be displayed on the terminal device and registering it as a file. Reference numeral 17-4 is a file for storing the created key pattern, which is a file created by the key pattern creation tool file 17-3 and stores the key pattern created and output to the terminal device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for displaying the layout of the key patterns in the program for creating the key patterns of the touch panel of the terminal device.

In step S1, a key input waiting process for selecting a function in the key pattern creating program is shown. When any one of the function selection keys of the input section 12 is depressed, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is checked whether or not the key pressed in step S1 is an end key. When the end key is pressed, the process ends, and when the layout display key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the number of the key pattern to be displayed (indicated by the area 501 in FIG. 5) and the display unit 16 are displayed.
When the position (coordinates) to be displayed in is designated, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is identified whether or not there is a key pattern with the number specified in step S3. If there is a key pattern with the specified number, the process proceeds to step S5, and if not, the process returns to step S3.

In step S5, the key pattern data table 301 is written in the individual information area 408 of the keypad displayed in the key pattern table of the number specified in step S3 of the created key pattern file 17-4. Read out more necessary data and perform step S
Go to 6. In step S6, the data of the key pattern table read in step S5 is analyzed, then the process proceeds to step S7, and based on the data analyzed in step S6, the key pattern is displayed at the designated display position on the display unit 16. Is displayed and the process proceeds to step S8. Then step S
In 8, the layout display is terminated or waiting for key input for function selection. If the layout display end key is selected, the process returns to step S1. If another function selection key is selected, the process returns to step S1 to perform the layout display. To continue.

FIG. 3 shows the created key pattern file 17
4 is a diagram showing an example of a format of -4. This data format is roughly classified into an index section 300 in which address data for the number of registrable key patterns is stored as a table, and each key pattern are stored. It is composed of a data table section 301.

FIG. 4 shows the data table portion 301 of the created key pattern file 17-4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example of a data format of a data table of each key pattern of. Each of these data items will be described below.

The font number 400 designates the character size displayed on the touch panel of the terminal device, and the size of the matrix of key patterns also differs depending on this character size. The key mode number 401 defines the minimum key unit that scans the keys on the touch panel of the terminal device. Each of the number of key unit rows 402 and the number of key unit digits 403 indicates the number of rows and the number of digits in the key pattern creation area. Key flag 404
Indicates presence / absence of overwrite setting, original screen save setting, outer frame setting, and mesh setting. Individual information start address 405
Indicates the start address of the individual information. Individual information size 4
06 indicates the data size (byte number) of the individual information.
The key top character string 407 indicates character information used in the key top. The individual information 408 of the keypad number (No.) n is the return code set for the key,
Maximum key position digit (lower right digit number in keypad), maximum key position row (lower right row number in keypad), minimum key position row (left and right row numbers in keypad), keypad modifier The information indicates whether or not there is a frame, a shadow, a chamfer, or a blank.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a layout display example of key patterns in an external device such as the host computer of the first embodiment. Here, the key pattern of the number designated by the input unit 12 is selected from the already-created key pattern file 17-4 at the designated position (coordinates) on the display unit 16.
By displaying on the touch panel, it is possible to confirm the layout of the keys on the touch panel before transferring to the terminal device.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 designates an instruction area for instructing a key pattern to be displayed, in which the key patterns with numbers 30 to 32 are instructed, and that portion is displayed in reverse. Reference numeral 502 denotes an instruction area for instructing the calling of the display pattern. The key patterns of the numbers 30 to 32 thus read are displayed at the designated position.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the key pattern creating program for the terminal device, by displaying the created key pattern in the layout, the terminal device can be displayed without actually displaying it on the terminal device. It is possible to confirm the arrangement of the key pattern in. This can improve the quality of the key pattern and the efficiency of creating the key pattern.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the external device has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted and only different parts will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the layout display process of the key pattern in the external device of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Steps S11 to S18 are the same as steps S1 to S8 in FIG. 2 described above, and therefore description of these steps will be omitted. In step S19, when the display end of the layout is instructed, the position (coordinates) at which the key pattern displayed at that time is displayed on the terminal device is displayed as the display position X coordinate of the data table unit 301 of the number corresponding to the key pattern. 701 and the display position Y coordinate 702 are stored, and the process returns to step S11.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data format of each key pattern in the data table portion of the key pattern file 17-4 of the second embodiment, omitting the description of the parts common to FIG. Only different data items will be described.

Display position X coordinate 701, display position Y coordinate 7
Reference numeral 02 indicates the upper left coordinate position of the key frame when the key pattern is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example in the processing for displaying the layout of the key patterns and recognizing the coordinates of the display positions in the key pattern creating program of the host computer in the second embodiment. Here, the key pattern with the specified number is displayed at the specified position (coordinates) from the already created key pattern,
The case is shown in which the coordinate values are read from the key pattern file.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 501 designates an area for instructing the display of a key pattern, in which the key pattern numbers 30 to 32 are instructed in the same manner as in FIG. Reference numeral 801 denotes an area for displaying the display position (upper left corner) of each key pattern. For example, the key pattern 802 of number 30 is displayed at the address (50, 25) and the number 31
Key pattern 803 is (100, 75), number 32
The key patterns 804 of are displayed at (150, 125), respectively. Here, by changing the display address of each of these key patterns from the input unit 12, the layout of the key patterns can be changed. When the area 805 for setting the address value thus set is designated, this address is stored in the display position X coordinate 701 and the display position Y coordinate 702.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
The created key pattern can be displayed in a layout and the display coordinates of each key pattern can be confirmed. This allows
Even if these key patterns are not actually displayed on the terminal device, it is possible to confirm the arrangement and display condition of these key patterns on the terminal device, thereby improving the quality of the key pattern and making it easy to create the key pattern. There are advantages.

The actual display position (coordinates) of the key pattern is not the display processing of the key pattern display position performed by the (business) application of the terminal device, but the display position information stored in the key pattern file. Is displayed, the load on the (business) application can be reduced.

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
A terminal device which is an embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the terminal device of the third embodiment.

Reference numeral 91 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire terminal device 90, which executes various controls described later in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 93. An input unit 92 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse. A ROM 94 is used as a work area of the CPU 91 and temporarily stores various data. Reference numeral 95 is a system bus that connects the CPU 91 and these units, and 96 is a display unit such as a CRT or LCD. still,
When the input unit 92 is composed of a touch panel, the display unit 96 displays the key pattern above the input unit 92. Reference numeral 97 is a communication interface unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from a host computer or another terminal device, and 98 is a memory card reader / writer, which can input / output data to / from a mounted memory card 99. it can. The above-mentioned key pattern is transferred and stored in the memory card 99, for example.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of reading data stored in the memory card 99 and displaying it on the display unit 96 by the terminal device 90 will be described.

First, in step S21, the input of the function selection instruction from the input section 92 is waited, and when the key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S22, and a specific key is pressed to instruct to display the contents of the memory card 99. Determine whether or not When a specific key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S24,
Memory card 9 by memory card reader / writer 98
It is determined whether or not No. 9 is attached, and if not attached, the process proceeds to step S28, the display section 96 displays that the memory card 99 is not attached (see FIG. 12), and the process proceeds to step S26.

When the memory card 99 is mounted, the process proceeds to step S24, and the data necessary for display is read from the information table of the memory card 99 which stores the information of the memory card itself. Next, in step S25, the data read in step S24 is analyzed, and the display unit 96
The contents of the memory card 99 are displayed on the screen (see FIG. 11).
Next, in step S26, the display process of the memory card 99 is completed, and the process waits for a key input from the input unit 92. If any key is pressed here, the process proceeds to step S27, the display of the memory card 99 displayed on the display unit 26 is erased, and the process returns to step S21.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of the contents of the memory card 99 displayed on the display unit 96 in this way.

Here, a volume label indicating the name of the memory card 99, a card size, a size in use, a free area size, etc. are displayed. The volume label is used to identify the type of the memory card 99 by the user of the terminal device, the application program running on the terminal device, and the like. The card size is the memory card 9
9 shows the total memory capacity that can be stored. The used size indicates the capacity of the memory card 99 when the application and the data file are already stored. The free space size is the memory card 9
9 shows the newly storable capacity.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the display unit 96 when the memory card 99 is not attached. In addition, at the time of this display, the operator is informed that the memory card 99 is not mounted by an alarm function (for example, a warning sound or a buzzer is sounded or a display frame is blinked) of the terminal device. May be.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
The contents of the memory card can be displayed at any time according to the request of the user of the terminal device.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the memory card is 1
Although the case of one sheet has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the case where a plurality of memory cards can be connected.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the layout of the created key pattern can be displayed, and the layout actually displayed can be confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a host computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a layout display process of a key pattern in the host computer of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of a key pattern file of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of a data table section in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a layout display of a key pattern of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying a layout of key patterns in the host computer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of a data table portion of a key pattern file of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example in which a key pattern is laid out and displayed on the host computer of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing memory card reading and display processing in the terminal device of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the contents of the memory card of the third embodiment are displayed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example when the memory card of the third embodiment is not attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 External Device 11,91 CPU 12,92 Input Unit 13,93 ROM 14,97 Communication Interface Unit 15,95 Data Bus 16,96 Display Unit 17,94 RAM 17-1 Font Data File 17-2 BIOS Key Pattern File 17 -3 Key pattern creation tool file 17-4 Created key pattern file 90 Terminal device 99 Memory card 300 Index part 301 Data table part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key pattern creating apparatus for creating a key pattern for an input device for displaying desired key patterns and inputting desired information by instructing the key patterns, and creating a key pattern associated with each key. Creating means, display means for displaying the key pattern created by the creating means, instructing means for instructing the display position of the key pattern displayed on the displaying means, and the display position instructed by the instructing means. And a storage unit that stores the display position of the key pattern. 2. A key pattern creating method for creating a key pattern for an input device for displaying a key pattern and inputting desired information by instructing the key pattern, the key pattern corresponding to each key is created. A creating step, a displaying step of displaying the key pattern created by the creating step, an instructing step of instructing a display position of the key pattern displayed in the displaying step, and a displaying position instructed by the instructing step. And a step of setting the display position of the key pattern.