Coded data generation or conversion – Bodily actuated code generator – Including keyboard or keypad
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-31
2001-08-21
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2735)
Coded data generation or conversion
Bodily actuated code generator
Including keyboard or keypad
C341S023000, C341S022000, C708S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278384
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a keyboard control method for the purpose of controlling a keyboard which is an input device for an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and to such a keyboard, and more specifically to a keyboard control method and keyboard control apparatus that are effective when performing high-speed input.
2. Description of Related Art
In keyboards in the past, the basic arrangement is that in which a key code is output, this corresponding to the usage of a single key. However, there are many cases in which a plurality of characters, symbols or the like are assigned to one and the same key for the purpose of outputting a plurality of key codes, in which case after one key, for example a control key, is stricken (pressed), the above-noted single key, to which a plurality of characters, symbols or the like is assigned, is pressed, thereby selectively outputting one of the pre-established key codes.
In controlling this type of keyboard in the past, in order to output one key code from a plurality of key codes assigned to a multicode key, it is necessary to press a control key (usually a shift key) either before or almost simultaneously with the pressing of the multicode key, so that if the control key is pressed after pressing the multicode key, because the pressing of the control key does not take effect, only the key code for the usual character or symbol of the multicode key is output, the desired and pre-established key code not being outputtable by this method.
In the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI)No. 8-241155 there is language describing an input method whereby it is possible to reliably verify the input of a plurality of keys, even if they are pressed simultaneously.
In the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI)Nos. 1-118917 and 7-239740, there is language describing a keyboard (key input apparatus) in which two keys are pressed simultaneously.
In both of these examples of prior art, a specific key code is obtained when a specific key is pressed first, following by the pressing of another key within a short period of time thereafter.
In the above-noted prior art input method, when performing high-speed input, it often occurs that a key that is to be pressed first is pressed simultaneously, or that a key to be pressed first is pressed after the other key, which was to be pressed after the first key. This type of input is incorrect, and requires correction.
Incorrect input and the correction input that it requires represents a loss of time to an operator performing high-speed input, and is devastating problem in terms of work efficiency.
In view of the above-noted drawbacks in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard control method and a keyboard control apparatus which enables the input of a desired key code that is included in a multicode key, even if one key, such as a control key, which should in principle be pressed first, is pressed after another key, such as a multicode key.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the above-noted object, the present invention has the following basic technical constitution. Specifically, a first aspect of the present invention is a keyboard control method for a keyboard that is provided with a single multicode key to which are assigned a plurality of character or symbol codes and a control key for the purpose of selecting a pre-established prescribed code from the plurality of codes of the multicode key, whereby when this keyboard is operated, by pressing the control key either almost simultaneously with or immediately before the pressing of the multicode key, a prescribed code is selected from the plurality of codes that are assigned to the multicode key, and whereby even if the time of the pressing of the control key is delayed with respect to the time of the pressing of the multicode key control is performed so that the pre-established prescribed code of the multicode key is output.
A second aspect of the present invention is a keyboard control apparatus that has a keyboard which includes a single multicode key to which are assigned a plurality of character or symbol codes and a control key for the purpose of selecting a pre-established prescribed code from the plurality of codes of the multicode key when it is pressed either almost simultaneously with or immediately before the pressing of the multicode key, a key pressing time delay detection means for detecting the time of pressing the control key and the time of pressing the multicode key, a threshold value setting means which stores a threshold value with regard to the delay time, a comparison means for comparing the threshold value with the delay between the pressing time of the control key and the pressing time of the multicode key, and a key code generation means which, generates said key code in response to an output of the comparison means, by determining a pre-established prescribed code data of the multicode key being valid, if the delay time is smaller than the threshold value.
By virtue of the above-described configurations, in a keyboard control method and keyboard control apparatus according to the present invention, even if a key, such as a shift key or a control key, that should be pressed first is pressed after a key, such as a multicode key, that should be pressed afterward, if the shift or control key is pressed within a certain time period after the key that was to be pressed afterward is pressed, a judgment is made that the specific key code that is assigned to the multicode key and which was to be selected by the above-noted control key is still valid, this key code being output, so that in effect correction is made for the pressing time delay, within a specific range.
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Japanese Office Action issued Dec. 14, 1999 in a related application with English translation of relevant portions.
Horabik Michael
NEC Corporation
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Wong Albert K.
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