Patent ID: 8031179
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: G06F,G09G

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for an operation panel which includes a key switch matrix having a plurality of key switches arranged in rows and columns, each row having a first signal line, each column having a second signal line and each key switch being operable to couple the first signal line to the second signal line; a first display unit; and a second display unit having a plurality of display elements each of which is connected to the first signal line, the control apparatus comprising: a first control unit configured to include an output terminal for outputting a signal to the first signal line and an input terminal for inputting the signal of the second signal line corresponding to each of the plural switches; a second control unit configured to include a first input terminal for inputting data output from the output terminal through the first signal line corresponding to each output terminal of the first control unit and a second input terminal for inputting a command signal which gives instructions to input the data from the first signal line, and configured to control the display on the first display unit based on the data, wherein the first control unit executes first processing in which a logic level signal based on the display of the second display unit is output to each first signal line, and a first pulse signal of a logic reverse to the logic level signal output to the first signal line is successively output at a predetermined time interval for every display elements, second processing which evaluates each signal level of each second signal line in synchronization with the first pulse signal, and third processing in which a second pulse signal based on the display of the first display unit is output between a timing of a previous first pulse signal and a timing of a subsequent first pulse signal when an instruction is given from outside of the control apparatus.