JPH0658620B2 - Keyboard input device with floating foot switch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a keyboard as an input device such as a word processor, a workstation or a data terminal for inputting characters, symbols, figures, etc. using the fingertips of both hands. Regarding input devices, special keys (e.g., keys other than English characters and Kana characters) that are located outside the center of the keyboard surface
The present invention relates to a keyboard input device for performing high speed input using a foot switch according to the work content of the input.

[Conventional technology]

The keyboard layout of the keyboard input device is such that the most frequently used ordinary keys (alphabetic and kana keys) are located in the center of the board, and special keys (keys other than ordinary keys, such as punctuation marks, readings, line feeds, and conversions). , Keys for controls, etc.)
Are usually placed around the key.

As for this arrangement relationship, the key arrangement is usually an electric typewriter,
The layout of special keys is often different depending on the model, while the layout is generally common in word processors, workstations, data terminals, etc. As is clear from the fact that is higher than the special key, it is a universal arrangement in the keyboard input device.

For this reason, the latter is delayed by several tens of percent or more between the time required to press the normal key alone and the time to press the normal key including the special key. Especially for skilled operators (people who type the keyboard input device), it is possible to memorize the standard keys with both hands (type the keys without visually recognizing the keyboard surface of the keyboard input device). Although it is a high speed, it is difficult to memorize by tapping a special key due to the long moving distance of the fingertip and its position depending on the keyboard input device. Doubled.

This is because it is necessary to always return the index fingers of both hands to a fixed position (usually the letter F for the left hand and the letter J for the right hand) on the board of the keyboard input device in order to efficiently perform memorization. Is also a trivial matter.

However, the frequency of keystrokes of special keys may be very different depending on the contents of work performed using the keyboard input device. For example, when using a word processor or workstation as an English typewriter, a shift key (also called an alphabetic key depending on the model) or a line feed key, a key for converting Kanji or phrases in Japanese processing, etc. These are keys for cursor movement keys in graphic processing, such as control keys and shift keys for (source program editing) processing.

In order to deal with these problems, a foot switch is connected in parallel to a key switch of a specific key, and the foot switch is operated by a foot, so that the keystroke of the specific key can be performed without moving the fingertips of both hands. A method of performing the method has been proposed in the past (for example, JP-A-55-87223 and JP-A-56-851).
37, JP-A-59-90136, JP-A-59-183426, JP-A-6
0-39270, JP-A-60-205734, JP-A-61-43322, JP-A-62-92020).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, since these methods specify the key connected to the foot switch, they have a problem that they do not function effectively when the work content changes. This is because the keystroke frequency of dozens of special keys changes greatly depending on the work content, so if the relationship between the foot switch and the keys is specified, the special keys that are frequently used and the special keys operated by the foot switch will not match. This is because the practicality of the foot switch is hardly recognized.

For example, when a word processor is used instead of an English typewriter, when editing a Japanese sentence, and when editing a table, the frequency of keystrokes of special keys is completely different. Further, in the case of a workstation, its work contents cover various works such as graphic processing, table processing, Japanese document processing, English typewriter, editing of software programs, etc., and their keying frequencies are also different.

On the other hand, a method has been proposed in the past that attempts to solve the above problems by switching the relationship between the foot switch and the special key with a switch (for example, JP-A-56-151580).
issue).

However, this method uses a rotary switch for the switching because it is premised that there are only a few switching patterns. Since this rotary switch is switched by rotating the switch, only a few to a dozen or more can be physically selected. However, there are dozens of special keys. Therefore, even in this method, the improvement of the keystroke speed by the foot switch is not permitted except for the work contents which are limited in advance.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make the relationship between a foot switch and several tens of special keys floating so that they can be completely arbitrarily selected, and to make them various. It is possible to realize the optimum relationship between the foot switch and the special key for each work content, and thereby realize the most efficient keystroke according to the arbitrary work content.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

For this reason, the present invention is a keyboard input device that enables input of a part of a plurality of keys arranged on a keyboard by operating both the part of the keys and the foot switch. A replaceable cartridge is connected between the foot switch and a code generator that generates a code corresponding to the part of the key, and the cartridge is combined with the part of the key and the foot switch. It is configured by including a combination unit set with.

〔Example〕

Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment thereof. In this embodiment, a key switch a _N (N is 1 to n, and n is a foot to be described later) that is opened and closed by tapping one special key A _S (S is 1 to s, s is the number of special keys). A foot switch b _M (M is 1 to m, m is the number of foot switches) is provided in parallel with the number of special keys that can be connected to the switch) via a floating connection portion C formed by a cartridge. Switch b _M
Can be directly opened and closed by the vertical movement of the foot B, the horizontal movement of the foot B, or a combination thereof. The above n is, for example, several tens,
m is 1 to several.

Thus, without pressing the special-key A _S by fingertip, by opening and closing the foot switch b _M, it can be realized keying same operation as the operation of the key switch a _N by of the special-key A _S.

FIG. 2 shows that the connection between the floating connection C ′ and the foot switch b _M is made using the relay d _M , and the foot switch b _M
The operation similar to that of operating the key switch a _N by energizing the power source f _M to operate the relay d _M by the operation of is realized.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the floating connection portion C of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is an explanatory view when the cartridge E realizes the correspondence relationship between a large number of special keys and a small number of foot switches. Is.

The floating connection portion C is provided between the key switch _a 1 ~a _n and the foot switch _b 1 ~b _m, any footswitch _{b N (1 ≦ M ≦ m} ) and any key switch a
_{It has} cartridge terminals a ₁ ′ to a _n ′ and b ₁ ′ to b _m ′ for connecting _N (1 ≦ N ≦ n). Also,
Correspondence relation of those connections, that is, the combination of the combination portion E1 for connecting m terminals to any m terminals of the n terminals is to change the wiring or switch in the cartridge E inserted into the cartridge terminals. It can be set arbitrarily by switching.

Therefore, by preparing a plurality of cartridges E having different combination parts E1 for each business content and replacing them according to the business, it is possible to realize optimum connection for many business content.

Figure 4 is' a view showing a cartridge terminals in this case is terminal a ₁ corresponding to the key switch a ₁ ~a _{n 'floating} connection portion C of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and ~a _n' Relay d
The _first terminal _c 1 corresponding to ~d _m '~c _m'. Everything else is the same.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the keystroke of a special key, which is a factor for reducing the keyboard input speed, can be realized without using the fingertips of both hands by using the cartridge most suitable for the task content. The keyboard input speed can be greatly improved for each content.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram when one foot switch and a corresponding key switch of a special key are directly connected in parallel, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram when indirectly connected in parallel.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the details of the floating connection portion of FIG. 1, and is an explanatory view when the correspondence between a large number of special keys and a small number of foot switches can be changed by a cartridge, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of FIG. It is the same explanatory drawing of a floating connection part. A _S …… Special key, a _N …… Special key key switch,
B ... foot, b _M ... foot switch, C, C '... floating connection, d _M ... relay, E ... cartridge, E1 ...
… Combination part, f _M …… Power supply.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard input device capable of inputting a part of a plurality of keys arranged on a keyboard by operating either a part of the keys or a foot switch. A replaceable cartridge was connected between the foot switch and a code generator for generating codes corresponding to the some keys, and a combination of the some keys and the foot switch was set in the cartridge. A keyboard input device with a floating foot switch, characterized by comprising a combination section.