JPH07210284A - Digit input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the digit errors due to increase of the number of digits by inputting each digit of the supplied numerical data through each digit input part. CONSTITUTION:For instance, one of keys K1-K4 showing the numbers 1-4 is inverted to an H level from an L level in terms of its operating state. Thus the operating states of all keys showing the numbers smaller than that of the inverted key are inverted to H levels. When the H level is inverted to the L level, the operating states of all keys showing the numbers larger than that of the inverted key are inverted to L levels. These operating states are written into a key state holding part. Then a digit input part 6 turns on a light emitting part 2 of the key kept at an H level among those keys K1-K4 stored in the key state holding part. At the same time, the parts 2 of the keys kept in L levels are turned off. Thus it is possible to always handle the numerical data with a positional concept and to prevent the digit errors due to increase of the number of digits.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digit input device which is easy to use even for an abacus expert.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an input device for inputting a digit of a numerical value in an electronic computer or the like, generally, a numerical key corresponding to each of the numbers 0 to 9 is pressed.

[0003]

However, since such an input device treats numerical data to be input as a list of numbers 0 to 9 in which the scale is ignored, if the number of digits increases, an error in the digits at the time of input will occur. It is easy to occur.

On the other hand, the abacus is superior to the above-mentioned input device in that it always treats numerical values with the idea of place, but requires a great deal of skill in multiplication and division, and the addition and subtraction are abacus, and the multiplication and division and memory functions use a calculator. There are many abacus users who use it. However, the calculation result of the calculator cannot be directly reflected on the beads of the abacus.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a digit input device capable of handling numerical values with a sense of place and utilizing the convenient functions of a calculator for abacus functions. I am trying.

[0006]

According to the present invention, 1 to 5 are arranged on the surface of the main body in the order of showing the numbers 5, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
A key for indicating the number, a light emitting portion provided for each key for indicating each number, a switch provided for each of the keys for indicating each number and outputting a signal by operating the key for indicating the number, and this switch And a key state holding unit capable of storing the key state indicating the above-mentioned number as an operation state which is alternately inverted to the "H" level or the "L" level each time the signal is input. When the operation state of any of the keys indicating the numbers 1 to 4 in the section is inverted from the “L” level to the “H” level, it is smaller than the inverted key of the 1 to 4 keys. When the operation states of all keys indicating the number are inverted to "H" level and inverted from "H" level to "L" level, 1 to
A key state determination circuit that inverts the operation states of all keys showing a number larger than the inverted keys of the four keys to the “L” level and writes the states in the key state holding unit; A digit input unit including a light emission drive unit for turning on the light emitting unit of the key whose operating state is "H" level stored in the key state holding unit and turning off the light emitting unit of the key having the "L" level It is a digit input device characterized in that a plurality of are provided.

[0007]

In the digit input device of the present invention, each digit of the numerical data to be inputted can be inputted by a plurality of respective digit input sections, so that the numerical data can always be handled with the idea of scale. It is possible to prevent a digit error due to an increase in the number of digits.

In addition, each digit input section is provided with a key indicating the number of 1 to 5 in the order of indicating the number of 5, 1, 2, 3, 4 from the top in a form corresponding to the abacus, and each key is attached to each key. Is provided with a light emitting unit. Further, the key indicating the numbers 1 to 5 is provided with a switch for outputting a signal each time the key is operated, and this switch is alternately set to "H" level or "L" level each time a signal is received. It is connected to a key state holding unit which can be inverted to store the operation state of the key indicating each number.

Further, there is provided a light emission drive section for turning on or off the light emitting section provided on the key indicating each number based on the operation state of the "H" level or "L" level key in the key state holding section. It is provided.

As a result, each time the key indicating the number 1 to 5 is operated, the light emitting portion of itself is repeatedly turned on and off.

A key state determination circuit acts on the key state holding unit. The key state determination circuit is provided with keys 1 to 4 when the operation state of any one of the keys 1 to 4 in the key state holding unit is inverted from the “L” level to the “H” level. , The operation state of all keys showing a number smaller than the inverted key is “H”
When the key is inverted to the level and is inverted from the “H” level to the “L” level, the operation state of all the keys showing the number larger than the inverted key among the keys 1 to 4 is “L”. The state is inverted and the state is written in the key state holding unit.

As a result, with respect to the keys indicating the numbers 1 to 4, the light emitting portion of the operated key itself repeatedly turns on and off, and when the light emitting portion of the operated key changes from off to on, All keys showing a number smaller than the operated key are lit. On the contrary, when the light emitting section changes from lighting to extinguishing, all the keys showing a number larger than the operated key are extinguished.

That is, according to the present invention, the operation corresponding to the bead insertion state of the abacus is turned on by turning on the light emitting portion of each key and the operation corresponding to the lowered state is turned off. It is possible to reduce two types of conflicting finger operations, such as the bead insertion and the bead lowering, to one of the key pressing operations.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the input device of the present invention is exemplified as a device adopted in a desktop computer C.
The keys K1 to K5 indicating the number of 5, the light emitting portions 2 provided on the keys K1 to K5 indicating the number of 1 to 5, and
Switch S1 provided on keys K1 to K5 indicating the number of 5
To S5, a key state holding unit 3 that receives signals from the switches S1 to S5, a key state determination circuit 4 that detects the state of the key state holding unit 3 and performs a predetermined process, and the key state holding unit 3 It is configured by providing a plurality of digit input units 6 each including a light emitting drive unit 5 capable of turning on and off the light emitting unit 2 based on the above state.

In the present embodiment, the keys K1 to K5 indicating the numbers 1 to 5 have a vertically long rectangular shape, and in FIG.
Key K5 indicating 1 key K1 indicating 1 key K indicating 2
The keys K3 indicating 2 and 3 and the key K4 indicating 4 are arranged in this order.

The keys K1 to K5 indicating the numbers 1 to 5 are provided with light emitting portions 2 each of which is formed of a light emitting diode or the like and is exposed to the outside. In this way, the light emitting unit 2 is
In addition to exposing the keys K1 to K5 indicating the numbers 5 to 5, each of the keys K1 to K5 may be made of a translucent material and housed therein for the purpose of protecting the light emitting unit 2.

As an alternative to the light emitting diode,
It is also possible to use a liquid crystal such as a liquid crystal whose color change can be controlled by an electric signal.

A key K5 indicating 5 and a key K1 indicating 1
The gap between and is larger than the gaps of keys K1 to K4 indicating the other 1 to 4 to clarify the difference between both keys K5 and K1 and display the number indicated by the key on the surface of each key. It may be omitted or omitted.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to fulfill the function of the computer, in addition to the keys K1 to K5 indicating the numbers 1 to 5, the display section 12 capable of displaying the current input value in segments and the four arithmetic operation keys 14 are provided. An erase key 15, a computer power switch 16, a display switch 17 for turning the display unit 12 on and off, an equal key 19, and a memory group operation unit 29 that can be used for memory calculation. It is provided.

The memory group operating section 29 is composed of a first memory group operating section 26 and a second memory group operating section 27. However, since both have the same configuration, one of the second
The memory group operation unit 27 will be described.

The second memory group operating unit 27 has 1 of 0-9.
A memory number that can operate 10 numeric values stored in 0 kinds of registers (not shown), and can display which of 0 to 9 registers is the operation target in 7 segments. A display unit 20, a memory delete key 21 capable of deleting the contents of the register displayed on the memory number display unit 20, and a memory capable of incrementing the register pointer and displaying the contents on the display unit 12 each time the operation is performed. A call key 22 and a memory add / subtract operation key 23,
24 and a memory full addition key 25 capable of adding all of the stored registers.

The contents of the register can be erased all at once by pressing the memory all erase key 30.

Further, in this embodiment, by providing 20 digits 18 composed of the keys K1 to K5 indicating the numbers 1 to 5, it is possible to input 20 digits, and the ones digit is P.
1 (the 7th digit from the right in FIG. 1), P2 (the 10th digit from the right), and P3 (the 13th digit from the right) can be selected. In this embodiment, the one set to P1 is illustrated.

The keys K1 to K5 indicating the numbers 1 to 5 are provided with switches S1 to S5, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2, and these switches S1 to S5 hold a key state via a key input circuit 8. Input to the part 3.

The key input circuit 8 includes the keys K1 to K5.
Each of, determines whether or not the pressing operation for a predetermined time,
If it is operated for a predetermined time or longer, the operation is regarded as a valid key operation, and a signal is output to the key state holding unit 3.

Each time the key state holding section 3 receives a signal from each of the key input circuits 8, the key operation state is alternately inverted to the "H" level or the "L" level as the key operation state corresponding to the received signal. You can let me remember.

Here, the "H" level means a voltage signal higher than an arbitrary threshold value and a voltage signal lower than the "L" level.

A key state determination circuit 4 is connected to the key state holding unit 3. The key state determination circuit 4 includes keys K1 to K1 indicating the numbers 1 to 4 in the key state holding unit 3.
When the operation state of K4 is inverted, the inversion signal H is received from the key state holding unit 3.

The inverted signal H specifies the inverted key and includes information indicating whether the inverted key is inverted to the "L" level or the "H" level, and the key state discrimination circuit 4 which has received the inverted signal H. When the reversal of the operation state of the key is reversed from the “L” level to the “H” level, the number of keys K1 to K4 indicating the numbers 1 to 4 is smaller than the reversed key. The operation state of all the keys indicating is inverted to the “H” level, and the write signal R for writing this state in the key state holding unit 3 is output to the key state holding unit 3.

On the other hand, when the "H" level is inverted to the "L" level, among keys K1 to K4 indicating the numbers 1 to 4,
The operation state of all the keys showing a larger number than the inverted key is inverted to the "L" level and the write signal R is output in the same manner as above.

The light emission drive section 5 receives the operation state of each key in the key state holding section 3, lights the light emission section 2 of the key at the "H" level, and emits the light emission section of the key at the "L" level. It works as if 2 is turned off.

By configuring the digit input section 6 in this way, it is possible to visually represent the operation of inserting and dropping the beads of the abacus by turning on and off the light emitting section 2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the digit input section 6 includes the segment section 11 including 8 segments and the display drive section 1 respectively.
0, the one connected to the key state holding unit 3 via the bus line B is illustrated.

The display drive unit 10 includes the key state holding unit 3
From this state, the digit value can be determined and the value can be displayed on the segment unit 11. Also, the segment part 11 is
It is arranged directly above each digit and on the display section.

According to such a configuration, in addition to the display corresponding to the abacus of the light emitting unit 2, the digit can be confirmed and the operability is further improved, which is preferable. On the other hand, in order to reduce the size of the device, the display driver 10 and the segment 11 are used.
Then, the display unit 12 can be omitted.

The value of each digit is the bus interface 7 ...
It is input to the CPU 9 via the and can be used in the computer processing described later.

Further, the operation signals of the four arithmetic operation keys 14 and the like are inputted to the arithmetic key input section 13 and then to the CPU 9 through the bus interface 7.

Therefore, the computer C of this embodiment can be used as a pseudo abacus or as a computer.

First, when used as a pseudo abacus, the key K5 indicating 5 is five beads of the abacus, and the keys K1 to K4 indicating the numbers 1 to 4 are regarded as one bead, which are the same as those of a normal abacus. Do the operation.

For example, as shown in FIG.
When entering "390", the digit "2" in the hundreds digit is 2
When the key K2 indicating 1 is pressed, both the light emitting portion 2 of the key K2 indicating 2 and the key K1 indicating 1 light.

Similarly, for the digit "1" of the tenth digit, the key K1 indicating 1 is pressed, and for the digit "0" of the thousand digit, no key operation is required. The "3" in the hundreds digit is the key K3 that indicates 3.
Keys K1 to K indicating the numbers 1 to 3 by pressing only
The light emitting parts 2 of 3 are both turned on, and the "9" in the tens digit is 5
By pressing the two keys, the key K5 indicating "4" and the key K4 indicating "4", the light emitting portions 2 of all the keys K1 to K5 are turned on together.

In the display drive unit 10, the digit input unit 6 is used.
The digit value is received from the key state holding unit 3 and displayed on the segment unit 11. At this time, the digit with the largest digit and the ones digit (P1 in this example) among the entered digits are displayed. The CPU 9 controls to display "0" at the digit in between.

It can be said that the key in which the light emitting portion 2 is lit is in the same state as that of the beads that have been placed in the abacus, and it can be visually appealed by a means different from the abacus that moves ordinary beads. .

The CPU 9 can directly write the value of a digit to the key state holding unit 3 via the bus interface 7 and the bus line B as a calculation result described later. , ROM and the like.

The input value "210390" is changed to "277".
When adding "600", it may be operated in the same manner as the abacus. That is, in order to input "9" in which "6" is added to "3" in the hundreds's digit, the key K5 indicating 5 and the key K1 indicating 1 are pressed, and all the keys K1 to K1 The light emitting unit 2 of K5 is turned on.

Further, "7" which is obtained by adding "7" to the digit "0" of the thousands place is pressed by pressing the key K5 shown by 5 and the key K2 showing 2 and pressing the keys K1 through K2 and 5 showing 1-2. The light emitting portion 2 with the indicated key K5 is turned on. Similarly, enter "8", which is "1" in the place of ten thousand digit, by adding "7", by pressing the keys K5 and K3, and "2" in the place of digit "2" of the hundred thousand place.
Input "4" with "4" added by pressing the key K4 indicating 4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting unit 2 can perform display corresponding to the beads of abacus.

If "400000" is subtracted from this state, "4" may be subtracted from the hundreds of thousands to obtain "0". All the light emitting parts 2 of the keys K1 to K4 indicating the number of 4 are turned off, and the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

Next, when the input device is used as the input means of the computer, when the four arithmetic keys 14 are pressed after inputting a predetermined numerical value in the above procedure, the value input up to that point is stored in the RAM or the like. Is temporarily stored in the storage unit (not shown), all the light emitting units 2 are turned off, and the next numerical value is awaited.

After inputting the next numerical value, the CPU 9 performs a well-known calculation based on the four arithmetic operation keys in which the numerical value input last time by pressing the equal key 19 and the numerical value input just before pressing the equal key are input. Then, the results are displayed in segments on the display unit 12 and can be used as a well-known computer.

Further, the calculation result is also displayed on the light emitting unit 2, so that the calculation result can be obtained by reading the light emitting unit 2 even when the display unit switch 17 is turned off.

As described above, the computer of this embodiment can be used as a pseudo abacus, and in particular, addition and subtraction can be used in the same manner as an abacus, and multiplication and division are easy to use by using a computer function. Can improve.

In this embodiment, the one adopted for the desk-top computer has been illustrated, but by omitting all the four arithmetic operation keys 14, the display unit 12, the memory group operation unit 29, the CPU 9 and the equal key 19, the electronic calculator will be used. It can also be used as an abacus. In the present embodiment, the keys are those that can be pressed against the calculator from above, but other than this, the present invention is not limited to those that can be slid in the girder direction like the movement of the beads on the abacus. It can be transformed.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to handle numerical values with the idea of place and to simplify the operation of fingers when inputting. In addition, by turning on and off the light emitting unit, it is possible to express the same movement as the beads of the abacus, and it is possible to improve the usability for the expert of the abacus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 input device 2 light emitting unit 3 key state holding unit 4 key state discriminating circuit 5 light emitting drive unit 6 digit input unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A key for indicating the number of 1 to 5 arranged in the order of indicating the number of 5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the surface of the main body, and a light emission provided for each of the keys for indicating the number. Section, a switch provided on the key indicating each number and outputting a signal by operating the key indicating the number, and a signal of this switch for receiving an “H” level or “L” for each signal input. A key state holding unit that can store the state of the keys indicating the respective numbers in the levels as an operating state that is alternately inverted, and the operation state of any one of the keys indicating the numbers 1 to 4 in the key state holding unit When the "L" level is inverted to the "H" level, the operation states of all the keys of the keys 1 to 4 which are smaller than the inverted key are inverted to the "H" level. And when it is inverted from "H" level to "L" level A key state determination circuit that inverts the operation states of all the keys of the keys 1 to 4 showing a number larger than that of the inverted keys to the “L” level and writes the states in the key state holding unit; A digit consisting of a light emitting drive unit for turning on the light emitting unit of the key whose operating state is "H" level stored in the key state holding unit and turning off the light emitting unit of the key having the "L" level A digit input device comprising a plurality of input sections.