JPH04195513A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible for a keyboard operator to repeatedly reproduce once executed keyboard operation by simple operation by providing a microprocessor with a function for writing inputted key data in a memory, a means for reading out data from the memory and a function for outputting data to an information processor. CONSTITUTION:A start key 2 for instructing the write start of key data in the memory 8, an end key 3 for instructing the write end of data in the memory 8, an initializing key 4 for instructing the initialization of the memory 8, and an output key 5 for reading out the key data stored in the memory 8 and outputting the read data to an information processor 10 are mounted on a keyboard. A microprocessor 6 controls the writing/reading of key data in/from the memory 8 based upon the instruction of the start key 2, the end key 3, the initializing key 4, or the output key 5. Thereby keyboard operation once executed by a keyboard operator can be repeatedly reproduced by simple operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a keyboard connected to an information processing device.

C. Prior Art Conventionally, this type of keyboard does not have a data storage function. Therefore, data input through key operations, that is, key data, is output to the information processing device as is.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Since the above-mentioned conventional keyboard cannot store key data, in order for a keyboard operator to re-execute a keyboard operation that has been performed once, the keyboard operator has to perform the operation again from the beginning.

Therefore, when repeatedly inputting a key that has been input twice,
There has been a problem in that keyboard operations are complicated and a burden is placed on the keyboard operator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard that allows a keyboard operator to repeat a keyboard operation once performed many times with simple operations.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides a keyboard that is connected to an information processing device and includes a microprocessor that performs key input control, including a memory for storing key data input from the keyboard, and a memory for storing key data input from the keyboard, and a method for starting writing of the key data to the memory. a start key for instructing the microprocessor, an end key for instructing the end of writing to the memory, an initialization key for instructing the initialization of the memory, and reading the key data stored in this memory and for the information processing. The microcontroller is provided with an output key that instructs the device to output the data, and controls writing and reading of the key data to and from the memory according to instructions from the start key, end key, initialization key, and output key. This is a keyboard characterized by being provided in a processor.

[Effect]

In the present invention having such a configuration, when the start key is pressed, key data input from the keyboard is stored in the memory. Storage of this key data in memory continues until the end key is pressed.

When the output key is pressed, the key data stored in the memory is output to the information processing device. When the initialization key is pressed, the memory is initialized.

〔Example] Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a keyboard 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
In addition to the general key IA, numeric keypad IB, etc., there are also a start key 2, an end key 3, and an initialization key 4, which are part of the features of the present invention.
and an output key 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, the early keyboard 1 includes a microprocessor sensor 6 that controls key input, keys IA and IB1, and keys IA and IB1.
It consists of a key matrix 7 connected to each key provided on a keyboard such as 2.3.4.5, and a readable/writable memory 8 for storing key data.

The microprocessor 6 scans the key matrix 7 and outputs the input key data to the information processing device 10 as a key data output signal 9.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the firmware of the microprocessor 6 of FIG. Key input control 1 (Sl)
Now scan key matrix 7, wait for key input,
If there is a key input, the corresponding key data is generated.

With this key data, the input key is set to initialization key 4.
(S2), and if the input key is initialization key 4, initialize the successive pointer, write pointer, and mode for controlling the memory 8 by setting them to 0 (S3), key Return to input control (Sl).

In S2, if the input key is not initialization key 4, it is checked whether it is start key 2 (S4);
If the input key is start key 2, set keyboard 1 to monitoring mode (mode = 1), which is memory write mode, initialize the write pointer (SE
I), return to key input control (Sl).

In S4, if the input key is not the start key 2, it is checked whether it is the end key 3 (S6). If the input key is the end key 3, the keyboard is changed from the monitoring mode to the normal mode (mode - Return to O) S7)
, return to key input control (Sl).

In S6, if the input key is not the end key 3, it is checked whether the input key is the output key 5 (S8); if the input key is not the output key 5, that is, the input key is the start key 2, If it is not the end key 3, initialization key 4, or output key 5, the input key data is output to the information processing device 210 as the key data output signal 9 (S9).

After this, it is checked whether the keyboard 1 is in the monitoring mode (SIO), and if it is not in the monitoring mode, the process returns to key input control (Sl).

At 510, if the keyboard 1 is in the monitoring mode, key data is stored in a storage area whose address is the value of the write pointer in the memory 8 (Sll), and the write pointer is incremented by one (S12). ),
Key input system? Return to II (Sl).

In S8, if the input key is the output key 5, it is checked whether the key data to be output exists in the memory 8 by checking whether the write pointer is at the initial value (0) (
S13). If the write pointer is the initial value, there is no key data in the memory 8, so the key input control (Sl)
Return to

In S13, if the write pointer is not the initial value, the key data is present in the memory 8, so the key data is output. To output this key data, first, the successive pointer is initialized (S14).

The key data is read from the storage area whose address is the value of the successive pointer in the memory 8 (S15).

This key data is output to the information processing device 10 as a key data output signal 9 (S16).

Thereafter, it is checked whether the value of the successive pointer is equal to the value of the write pointer (S17). If the value of the successive pointer is different from the value of the write pointer, the successive pointer is incremented by one (518) and processes such as S15 and S16 are performed. Each process of S15 to S318 includes, in S17,
This process is repeated until the value of the successive pointer becomes equal to the value of the write pointer, and all the key data stored in the memory 8 is output. After outputting all the key data, return to key input control (Sl).

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, simply by pressing the start key 2 or the output key 5, input key data can be written to or read from the memory 8, so the operation is simple.

Since the key data in the memory 8 is saved until the initialization key 4 is pressed, the same key data can be repeatedly output using the output key 5.

By pressing the end key 3, writing to the memory 8 can be ended.
Of the input key data, only the frequently input key data can be stored and output, so that key input can be performed efficiently.

A memory 8 is provided within the keyboard 1, and writing of key data to the memory 8 and output to the information processing device 10 are controlled by a microprocessor 6 within the keyboard.

Therefore, the keyboard 1 of this embodiment can be used in various types of information processing devices and has high versatility.

Note that in this embodiment, a start key 2, an end key 3, an initialization key 4, and an output key 5 are newly provided separately from the general key IA and the numeric keypad IB, but the present invention is not limited to this. Generally, in the keyboard 1, one key has multiple meanings and is used in combination with a shift key, control key, etc. Therefore, the start key 2 or the like may be set to any key such as the general key IA.

The firmware of the microprocessor 6 is not limited to that of this embodiment, and may be any firmware that can realize the instructions of each key.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides a keyboard with a memory that is read and written by a microprocessor, and provides the microprocessor with a function of writing input key data to the memory, a function of reading it from the memory, and a function of outputting it to an information processing device. This has the effect that a keyboard operation once performed by a keyboard operator can be repeated many times with simple operations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the keyboard of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the keyboard, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the firmware of the keyboard's microprocessor. l...keyboard, 2...start key, 3...end key, 4...initialization key, 5...output key 26...
・Micro Pro Sensor, 7...Key Matrix, 8・
...Memory, 9...Key data output signal, 10...
Information processing device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a keyboard that is connected to an information processing device and whose key inputs are controlled by a microprocessor, the keyboard is provided with a memory that can be read and written by the microprocessor, and the key data input by the microprocessor from the keyboard is written into the memory. a start key for instructing the microprocessor to start writing the key data to the memory; and a start key for instructing the microprocessor to start writing the key data to the memory, and a function for reading the key data written in the memory and outputting it to the information processing device. The keyboard is further provided with an end key for instructing to initialize the memory, an initialization key for instructing to initialize the memory, and an output key for instructing to read the memory and output to the information processing device.