JPH0377525B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a key input device that uses one input key for two or more input functions, and in particular sets conditions for returning to a normal input function depending on the type of input key. It is an attempt to make them different.

[Conventional technology]

In electronic desk calculators, computer keyboards, radio control units, and the like, it is common to multiplex the input functions of each key in order to make effective use of limited space. For example, in the conventional keyboard shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of input keys 1 has the normal input functions (referred to as the first function) A ₁ , B ₁ ,
When inputting C ₁ , ... and pressing shift key 2 (also called function key) for mode switching, these input keys 1 change to another input function (second function) A ₂ , B ₂ , C ₂ ,... The current mode is displayed, for example, on a part of the display section 3 ("SHIFT").

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

By the way, there are many methods in which the shift state is automatically canceled by pressing shift key 2 and then pressing any input key 1, but in this case, the second function is changed to A ₂ , A ₂ , A ₂ , ...or A ₂ , B ₂ , C ₂ ,
. . . When using the key repeatedly, it is necessary to press the shift key each time, which increases the number of key operations, which is inconvenient. Therefore, a method has been considered in which, once the shift key 2 is pressed, the shift state continues until the shift key 2 is pressed again. However, if all the input keys become like this, when the input key is used for the second function, three key operations (shift key twice, input key once) are required to return from the setting, so this also applies. It's inconvenient.

The present invention attempts to solve this problem.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a plurality of input keys each having an independent normal input function, a shift key that switches the input key to another function different from the normal input function, and a shift key that is operated after the shift key is pressed. input key is the first input key, or
the second input key; and if the first input key is pressed after the shift key is pressed, the input key is automatically returned to the normal input function; key input control means that controls switching of the input key to the other function when the second input key is pressed after the key is pressed, and the input key is switched to the other function until the shift key or the first input key is pressed; It is characterized by having

[Effect]

As shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard section 10, a display section 20, a microcomputer section 30, a controlled object 4
In the system consisting of 0, the microcomputer section 30 has programs for key input processing from the keyboard section 10, display control for the display section 20, and various controls for the control target 40. Explain.

In the present invention, among the input keys of the keyboard unit 10, the input keys used in the shift state are identified into two types, and the input function is switched and controlled. For example, the second
For input keys whose functions are infrequently used, once they are used for the second function, they will automatically return to the normal input state from the next time, but for input keys that are used frequently for the second function, it is difficult to determine how many times the second function is used. Even if you use it, it remains in the shifted state, and to release it, you must operate a key other than this type of input key. In this way, the pre-shielding point of the two conventional methods can be solved.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which the controlled object 40 is a radio transceiver section.

The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 31, a ROM (read-only memory) 32 that stores various programs, and a data storage device.
Interface circuit 3 used for connection with RAM (random access memory) 33 and input/output devices
Consists of 4.

Figure 3 shows the operating section (keyboard section) 10.
2 is a front view of the LCD display section 20. FIG. Operation unit 10
has six input keys 11 to 13 and one shift key 14. Of these, CH.UP and CH.DOWN are
This is an input key 11 for selecting 16 channels (CH) in an UP direction or a DOWN direction. Similarly, SCAN is
SQUELCH is a squelch, and MONITOR is each input key 12 of the monitor. However, these are the first functions, and those displayed above each input key are the second functions. For example, VOL.UP means volume up, VOL.UP.
DOWN is the volume down. Similarly PROGRAM
is program, LOW POWOR is low output, HIGH
POWER is high output. PRIORITY
There are also input keys 13 that have only the first function. This key can also be treated as a type of input key 12 with no second function.

The input keys 11 and 12 are multi-functional input keys, but in this example, the input key 11 is used frequently, and the input key 12 is used less frequently. Therefore, when the shift state is entered by pressing the shift key 14, the shift state is automatically canceled when any of the input keys 12 is pressed, but the normal state is not returned even when the input key 11 is pressed. In this case, to cancel the shift state, press the shift key 14 or press the input key 1.
Add the condition of pressing 2.

The display section 20 has a channel display 21 showing the current channel number, a shift display 22 showing the shift state, and a second shift display 23 showing the second function of the input key 11. 1st
The second function of function and input key 12 is not displayed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of key input processing executed by the CPU 31, and corresponds to the key arrangement shown in FIG. The "normal state" relates to the first function of each of the input keys 11 to 13, whereas the "shift state" refers to the processing after the shift key 14 is pressed.

Among these, the input key 11 branches to the "second shift state", and the other input keys 1
2.

According to the input key classification and input processing, for example, when adjusting the volume with the input key 11,
You can press VOL as many times as you like after pressing the shift key 14.
You can press UP or VOL.DOWN. Furthermore, when using the second function of the input key 12, the shift state is automatically canceled by operating that key, which is convenient. In addition, shift key 14 → input key 1
The shift state can also be canceled by operating the input key 1 in the order of 1→input key 12. In this case, in the example of Fig. 4, input key 1
The first function of No. 2 is executed. However, when moving from volume adjustment to channel switching, use the shift key 14.
→ Input key 11 → Shift key 14 → Input key 11
You need to operate in this order.

Although the above example describes the case where one input key has two functions, the present invention can also be applied to a case where two or more shift keys are provided and one input key has three or more functions. Furthermore, input processing by a microcomputer can also be performed using hardware.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention has the advantage that the operability of a key input device in which one input key has multiple functions can be improved in accordance with the frequency of use of each key. Furthermore, according to the present invention, an input key can be returned to its normal input function or maintained in a different function with just one shift key, so cost and space savings can be achieved without using any other dedicated shift keys. be able to.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of its main parts, Fig. 4 is a flowchart of key input processing, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional keyboard. In the figure, 10 is the operation unit (keyboard), 11 to 1
3 is an input key, 14 is a shift key, 20 is a display section, and 30 is a microcomputer section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input keys each having an independent normal input function, a shift key that switches the input key to another function different from the normal input function, and when the shift key is pressed. Identifies whether the plurality of input keys operated later are a first input key or a second input key, and when the first input key is pressed after the shift key is pressed; The input key automatically returns to the normal input function, and if the second input key is pressed after the shift key is pressed, the input key is changed to the shift key or the first input key. A key input device comprising key input control means for switching control to the other function until the key is pressed.