JPH06161632A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to switch and use two input systems in a keyboard by providing an input part, a storage part, a display part and a decoder which are possible to be switched to either one of an A system or a B system. CONSTITUTION:As the systems inputting in an information processor such as a word processor, etc., there are a thumb shift system (an A system) and a JIS system (a B system). When the input operation of a word processor is performed, the input operation of characters, etc., is performed after a keyboard 2 is switched to a desired input system at first. Therefore, an input part 3 is operated and, for instance, the A system is selected. An inputted signal for mode designation is stored in a storage part 6 and a pertinent mode is displayed on a display part 1. A switch part 5 switches the signal from the keyboard 2 to a decoder A7 of the A system which is pertinent to the mode stored by the storage part 6. When the input part is depressed, the A system and the B system are alternately switched and the display light of a designated system is turned on.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard of a word processor, a personal computer or the like, and relates to a device for switching an input system between a thumb shift system and a JIS system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods have been used for a keyboard for inputting characters and the like in a word processor (hereinafter referred to as a word processor), a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), or the like. The person who operates these devices is accustomed to any one of the multiple input methods, and thus uses the keyboard of that user's easy-to-use input method. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare multiple types of keyboards for word processors and personal computers, which requires a storage place for unused keyboards, and there are problems such as the cost of purchasing multiple keyboards. .

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to cope with a plurality of keyboard input systems by switching one keyboard.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a keyboard for inputting characters and the like, an input section for switching the keyboard to either the A system mode or the B system mode, and the input section. A storage unit for storing a mode switching signal from the display unit, a display unit for displaying a mode keyboarded in the storage unit, an A type decoder and a B type decoder for converting a signal from the keyboard into a character code, A switching unit for switching a signal from the keyboard to the A-type decoder or the B-type decoder by a mode switching signal of the storage unit, the input unit, the storage unit, the display unit,
It is composed of an A-type decoder, a B-type decoder, and a control unit that controls the switching unit.

[0005]

According to the above construction, either the A mode or the B mode is switched by the input section. The storage unit stores the input mode setting signal. The display unit displays the mode stored in the storage unit. The switching unit switches to the decoder corresponding to the mode stored in the storage unit.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a keyboard which is operated to input characters and the like into a device such as a word processor. Three
Is an input unit for switching the keyboard 2 to either the A system mode or the B system mode. A storage unit 6 stores the mode setting signal input from the input unit 3. 1 is a display part,
The mode stored in the storage unit 6 is displayed. Reference numeral 7 is an A system decoder, and 8 is a B system decoder, which converts a signal from the keyboard 2 into a character code. A switching unit 5 switches to a decoder corresponding to the mode stored in the storage unit 6. A control unit 4 controls the input unit 3, the storage unit 6, the display unit 1, the keyboard 2, the A system decoder 7, the B system decoder 8, and the switching unit 5. A keyboard of the A method 10 is shown in FIG. 2, and a keyboard of the B method 19 is shown in FIG. In the figure, 11 is an "extended function" key, 12 is a "tab" key, and these two keys are common to both the thumb shift system and the JIS system. Reference numeral 17 denotes an input unit for designating either key method. Reference numeral 18 denotes a display unit, which is an A system 10 and a B system 19
Are identified by two corresponding indicator lights 18. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 13 is a "shift left" key, and 14 is a "shift right" key, which are used when inputting a voiced sound. Reference numerals 15 and 16 are "blank" keys, which are used to input a blank. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 is a "blank" key, which is used to input a blank. Reference numeral 21 is a "Hiragana" key, which is used to input Hiragana. 22 is a "katakana" key, which is used to input katakana. In the above configuration, when inputting to a device such as a word processor, the keyboard 2 is switched to the input method desired by the user, and then the input operation of characters and the like is performed. Therefore, the input unit 3 is operated to select, for example, the A method 10. The input mode designation signal is stored in the storage unit 6,
The mode corresponding to the display unit 1 is displayed. The switching unit 5 switches the signal from the keyboard 2 to the A type decoder 7 corresponding to the mode stored in the storage unit 6. In addition, when the input unit 17 is pressed, the mode A and the mode B are alternately switched. Then, the indicator light 18 of the designated mode is displayed, but instead of the indicator light 18, it may be displayed on the display screen of the device. Further, the input unit 17 may be provided at a place other than the top surface of the keyboard to prevent erroneous operation.

[0007]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the A method and the B method can be switched and used with one keyboard, it is not necessary to prepare two keyboards as in the conventional case, and a keyboard not used can be used. The storage space is not needed, and the cost for one keyboard is not needed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a keyboard device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an A-type keyboard of the keyboard device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a B-type keyboard of the keyboard device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 display section 2 keyboard 3 input section 4 control section 5 switching section 6 storage section 7 A method decoder 8 B method decoder 10 A method keyboard 11 "extended function" key 12 "tab" key 13 "shift left" key 14 "shift right" Key 15 “Blank” key 16 “Blank” key 17 Input section 18 Indicator 19 B type keyboard 20 “Blank” key 21 “Hiragana” key 22 “Katakana” key

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard for inputting characters and the like, an input unit for switching the keyboard to either the A system mode or the B system mode, a storage unit for storing a mode switching signal from the input unit, and the storage unit. A display unit for displaying a mode of keyboarding the keyboard, an A-type decoder and a B-type decoder for converting a signal from the keyboard into a character code, and a signal from the keyboard for the mode switching signal of the storage unit. Switching unit for switching to the B-type decoder or the B-type decoder, the input unit, the storage unit, the display unit,
A keyboard device comprising an A system decoder, a B system decoder, and a control unit for controlling a switching unit.