IT202100013025A1 - Device connectable to a keyboard of a computer equipment to command an action to said equipment according to the force applied by a person in performing a typing act on said keyboard - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Description of the INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

?Device connectable to a keyboard of a computer equipment to command an action to said equipment according to the force applied by a person in performing a typing act on said keyboard?

Field of application of the invention

The present invention finds application in the information technology sector. Pi? precisely, the present invention relates to computer equipment (such as for example electronic calculators commonly referred to as "computers") provided with a keyboard.

The present invention relates, in particular, to a device connectable to a keyboard of a computer equipment to control an action to said equipment according to the force applied by a person in pressing a key of said keyboard. The present invention also relates to a system comprising the aforementioned device and a plurality of of software for its management.

Review of known art

As known, a person can? give commands to the? unit? process of a computer? equipment equipped with a keyboard by pressing the keys of the latter. In order to expand the set of the aforementioned commands (which can be given by a person by pressing the keys of a keyboard), keyboards have been conceived in which the pressure of a key, i.e. the completion of a so-called ?typing? act, involves s? the issuing of a command, but variable according to the force applied to the key in carrying out the typing act. In other words, have keyboards been conceived in which pressing a key produces different effects on the computer equipment to which the keyboard is? connected as a function of the force with which the key is pressed. Such a keyboard? described, by way of example, in US patent application 2017255276 A1.

The note keyboard mentioned above ? For? somewhat complex since? each key you want to be ?sensitive? at? intensity? of the force applied to it by performing a typing act must integrate, or be combined with, a force sensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, with the expression ?computing equipment equipped with a keyboard? we refer, by way of example, not only to the so-called ?personal computers? connected to a keyboard via cable or in? wireless, but also to so-called ?portable computers? integrating a keyboard connected to a monitor generally in such a way that these two components can rotate with respect to each other.

Purposes of the invention

Purpose of the present invention? that of overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks by indicating a device which can be reversibly connected to a keyboard of a computer equipment to command an action to said equipment according to the force applied by a person in pressing a key of said keyboard, without the need to that each key of said keyboard integrates, or is combined with, a force sensor.

Incidentally, asserting that a device ? reversibly connectable to a keyboard does it mean that the device ? connectable to the keyboard and disconnectable from it an indefinite number of times.

Summary and advantages of the invention

Object of the present invention ? a device that can be reversibly connected to a keyboard of computer equipment,

said device comprising:

? a plurality? of support elements each of which is reversibly connectable to said keyboard in such a way that, when each of said support elements ? connected to said keyboard and the latter rests on a plane to allow a person to perform a typing act (i.e. to allow a person to use said keyboard by pressing at least one key on it), said keyboard rests on said plane at least at of said support elements (i.e. in such a way that said keyboard can be rested on a surface, for use of the same, by means of said support elements),

each of said support elements comprising at least one transducer suitable for transducing into a first signal of an electrical and analog nature a force with which said support element ? pressed against a surface when each of said support elements ? connected to said keyboard and the latter rests on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements,

said first signals being commensurable quantities each of which is the greater, in absolute value, the greater ? the strength with which, when each of said support elements ? connected to said keyboard and the latter rests on a plane at least in correspondence with said support elements, said support element including said transducer emitting said first signal corresponding to said quantity, is pressed against said plane;

? a first adder connected to each of said support elements in such a way that said adder receives each of said first signals following an emission thereof respectively from said transducers, said first adder being suitable for carrying out a weighted sum of said first ones signals cos? to obtain a second electrical sum signal,

said sum performed by said first adder being weighted by means of predetermined coefficients and respectively associated with said first signals;

? analog to digital conversion means suitable for (i.e. included in said device so as to, i.e. connected to the other components listed above of said device so as to) convert into a digital signal, sampling at a frequency not lower than 10 Hz and preferably not below 1kHz: ? said second signal, so that? said sum performed by said first adder is analogical

or

? each of said first signals before they are received by said first adder, so that? said sum made by said first adder is digital,

said conversion means being suitable for converting said first signals into respective digital signals by sampling the latter at the same frequency and in a synchronous manner,

so that? said second signal is digital,

and so what? said first signals emitted in a continuous and analogical way by said transducers when each of said support elements ? connected to said keyboard and the latter rests on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements, are converted, with the passage of time, into a succession (understood as a sequence of elements that follow one another over time) of said second digital signals ;

? a memory suitable for storing at least one of (i.e. at least one value assumed by) said second digital signals of said sequence,

said memory being managed according to the ?First In First Out? (also known by the acronym ?FIFO?),

said memory being connected to

? said conversion means, if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal

or a

? said first adder, if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals,

such that said second digital signals are entered into said memory when and in the same sequence in which they are issued from

? said conversion means, if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal

or from

? said first adder, if said converting means are suitable for converting each of said first signals;

? a second negative weight digital adder connected

? both at

? said conversion means, if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal

or a

? said first adder, if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals,

? both to said memory

in such a way that said second adder is suitable for carrying out, in the same sequence in which said second digital signals are emitted by

? said conversion means, if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal

or from

? said first adder, if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals,

a difference between:

? a minuend corresponding to one of said second digital signals of said sequence, when emitted (ie at the time of its emission) by ? said conversion means, if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal

or from

? said first adder, if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals,

and

? a subtrahend corresponding to said second digital signal of said sequence entered into said memory immediately prior to said second signal corresponding to said minuend,

what? to obtain a succession of third digital difference signals;

? first comparator means connected to said second adder and suitable for comparing each of said third signals, in the same sequence in which they are emitted by said second adder, with at least a first predetermined threshold,

said first threshold being such that when one of said third signals ? higher than the first threshold, there? does it mean that a typing act begins or ? in progress on said keyboard,

so that? when one of said third party signals ? not higher than said first threshold and ? immediately followed, in the succession of said third signals, by a plurality? of said third signals, in succession, higher than said first threshold, there? is to mean that, and said first comparator means ascertain that, a typing act has begun on said keyboard,

and so what? when one of said third party signals ? higher than said first threshold and ? immediately followed, in the succession of said third signals, by one or more? of said third signals, in succession, not higher than said first threshold, there? does it mean that, and said first comparator means verify that, a typing act on said keyboard ? terminated;

? calculation means connected to said first comparator means so? to be suitable for knowing, from said first comparator means, when a typing act on said keyboard begins and when it ends,

said calculating means being also connected to said second adder and being suitable for

? interpolate, starting from a succession of said third signals between the beginning and the end of a typing act, a continuous pattern as a function of the time of said third signals between the beginning and the end of said typing act and for

? perform differential calculations and/or integral calculations on said continuous pattern of said third signals for each typing act on said keyboard, so as to emit, for each typing act on said keyboard, a fourth digital signal which is the greater, in absolute value , how much greater ? the force with which each of said support elements is pressed against said plane as a result of performing said typing act on said keyboard,

a succession of keystrokes on said keyboard involving an emission, by said calculating means, of a succession of said fourth signals; ? second comparator means connected to said calculation means and suitable for comparing each of said fourth signals, in the same sequence in which they are emitted by said calculation means, with a second predetermined threshold or more? second pre-established and increasing thresholds,

said second comparator means also being reversibly connectable to said computer equipment such that a transceiver of data is possible between said second comparator means and a unit? of processing of said computer equipment. Incidentally, stating that the second comparator means can be connected reversibly to a computer equipment, it is meant that the second comparator means can be connected to said equipment and disconnected from the latter an indefinite number of times,

execution of a typing act on said keyboard such that said fourth signal associated with said typing act is higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, said second comparator means, when connected to said computer equipment, being suitable for sending at least one first command to said unit? processing,

said first command being a function of the number of second thresholds exceeded by said fourth signal associated with said typing act if said second thresholds are more? of a.

When:

? each of the support elements ? connected to a keyboard,

? said keyboard rests on a plane at least in correspondence with the support elements

And

? the second comparator means are connected to a computer equipment,

being each of the fourth signals the greater, in absolute value, the greater ? the force with which the support elements are pressed against said plane due to the execution of the typing act, performed on said keyboard, which led to the emission of said fourth signal,

the device object of the invention advantageously allows to command said apparatus an action according to the force applied by a person in pressing a key of said keyboard.

Referring, by way of example, to a person who types on a keyboard of a computer device in order to write a text, the device which is the object of the invention? for example, it can be configured in such a way that pressing a letter key by said person by applying a force greater than a certain threshold involves, in addition to writing said letter, the highlighting of the latter or a contextual enlargement of the font. If the second half comparators include a plurality? of (second) increasing thresholds, ? for example, is it possible to vary the gradation or the tonality? of the highlighting in function of the applied force or to gradually change, in function of said force, the proportions of one or more? stylistic elements, for example making the font more? thinking (i.e. with a thick stroke), changing its proportions, or varying the presence and proportion of the serifs (i.e. the embellishments characterizing some types of fonts).

When each of the support elements ? connected to a keyboard and the latter rests on a plane at least in correspondence with the support elements, the transducers of the support elements, in the absence of keystrokes (i.e. in the absence of contact between the keyboard and a user of the same), transduce into (called first) electrical signals a weight force, i.e. a static force, potentially different as a function of the mass distribution of the keyboard and of what? That ? possibly connected to it. Upon the occurrence of a typing act, the transducers of the support elements also transduce into (called first) electrical signals a variable dynamic force component as a function not only of the force applied to the key, but also of the position of the pressed key and of the person's posture who performs the typing act. By way of example, if the device object of the invention comprises four support elements and the latter are connected to the keyboard of a portable computer respectively at the four vertices of said keyboard, the transducers of the two support elements in the front position (i.e. more ? away from the laptop screen) receive a higher dynamic force. The coefficients respectively associated, in the first adder, to the (first) signals coming from the transducers are preferably set so as to ?equalize? the most is the response of the transducers so that? the first adder emits (second) substantially similar signals for typing acts of similar size. The (second) output signal from the first adder represents the dynamic trend of the overall force with which the support elements are pressed against the plane on which the keyboard rests. The presence of the second adder advantageously allows to obtain (third) ?cleaned? by the fluctuations of the (second) signal outgoing from the first adder not temporally correlated to the individual typing acts, conversely emphasizing the latter in the form of rapid transients. The (third) outgoing signals from the second adder consist of cio? in a positive transient as a consequence of each typing act. By means of the (third) output signals from the second adder, the first comparator means are aware of when a key of the keyboard is pressed and when it is released. The calculation means extract the actual pressure information from the (third) output signals from the second adder, ie indirectly estimate the level of force applied in correspondence with a typing act. As previously mentioned, through the first comparator means the device object of the invention ? able to establish when a typing act begins and when it ends. because during a use of the aforesaid device, the latter ? connected to the computer equipment which includes the keyboard to which the support elements are connected, the instant in which a typing act begins and ends? potentially acquired by the device object of the invention directly from the computer equipment. The presence of the first half comparators ? For? advantageous since? makes the device object of invention autonomous in recognizing a typing act, freeing it from the necessity of a very precise synchronization with the computer equipment in order to characterize the typing acts.

Other innovative characteristics of the present invention are illustrated in the following description and referred to in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, in each of said support elements said transducer comprises an electric current generator, preferably operating in the order of 100 ?A, connected to a resistor whose electrical resistance varies according to the force with which said element support ? pressed against a surface when each of said support elements ? connected to said keyboard and the latter rests on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements,

in each of said transducers, said current generator feeding said resistor so that? said first signal is an electric voltage.

According to this aspect of the invention, since the first signal emitted by the transducer of each support element depends not only on the force with which said support element ? pressed against a plane, but also by the current supplied to the resistor, the current emitted by the generator of the transducer of each support element ? advantageously settable so as to maximize the voltage changes across the transducer for a given dynamic force applied, taking into account the static force present.

According to another aspect of the invention, for each of said support elements, said first signal ? an electrical voltage,

each of said support elements comprising:

? an electric voltage generator preferably operating in the order of 1 V; ? a differential amplifier of electrical voltage receiving input:

? said first signal from said transducer of said support element; And

? an electric voltage generated by said voltage generator, so as to be subtracted from said first signal,

so that? said first adder receives respectively from said support elements said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and amplified by said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers),

if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, said conversion means being suitable for converting each of said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and amplified by said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified from the differential amplifiers).

According to this aspect of the invention, the voltage emitted by the voltage generator of each support element is advantageously settable in order to attenuate the pi? Is the previously mentioned static component of the force with which said support element possible? pressed against a plane. Preferably, the voltage output by the voltage generator of each support element corresponds to the ?portion? (of tension) of the first signal due to the previously mentioned static component of the force with which said support element ? pressed against the said plane.

In addition to the above, according to this aspect of the invention, the amplifier gain of each support element is ? advantageously settable so as to cover a sufficient portion of the dynamic range of the conversion means, at the same time avoiding incurring saturation.

According to another aspect of the invention, for each of said support elements, said first signal ? an electrical voltage,

each of said support elements comprising a bandpass frequency filter receiving at the input said first signal emitted by said transducer of said support element,

so that? said first adder receives respectively from said support elements said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and filtered by said filters (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively filtered by the filters),

if said support elements respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers, said filters respectively receiving at the input said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and amplified by said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers),

so that? said first adder receives respectively from said support elements said first signals emitted by said transducers, amplified by said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers) and filtered by said filters (i.e. after the first signals were respectively filtered by filters),

if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, said conversion means being suitable for converting each of said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers, amplified by said differential amplifiers, if said support elements respectively also comprise said amplifiers differential (ie after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers, if present), and filtered by said filters (ie after the first signals have been respectively filtered by the filters).

According to this aspect of the invention, the filter of each support element is advantageously settable in order to attenuate the frequency components external to the frequency interval representing a typing act, so? to emphasize said interval with respect to drifts and irrelevant noise sources.

The filter ? preferably suitable for attenuating frequencies below 1 Hz and frequencies above 30 Hz but below half? of the sampling frequency of the conversion means.

According to another aspect of the invention, each of said support elements comprises a linearizer circuit receiving at the input said first signal emitted by said transducer of said support element,

so that? said first adder receives respectively from said support elements said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and linearized by said linearizing circuits (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively linearized by the linearizing circuits),

if said support elements respectively comprise also said filters, said linearizer circuits respectively receiving at the input said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and filtered by said filters (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively filtered by the filters),

so that? said first adder receives respectively from said support elements said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers, amplified by said differential amplifiers, if said support elements respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers , if present), filtered by said filters (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively filtered by the filters) and linearized by said linearizer circuits (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively linearized by the linearizer circuits),

if said support elements respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers but not said filters, said linearizer circuits respectively receiving at the input said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers and amplified by said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the amplifiers differentials), so that? said first adder receives respectively from said support elements said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers, amplified by said differential amplifiers (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers) and linearized by said linearizer circuits (i.e. after the first signals were respectively linearized by the linearizer circuits),

if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, said conversion means being suitable for converting each of said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers, amplified by said differential amplifiers, if said support elements respectively also comprise said amplifiers differential (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively amplified by the differential amplifiers, if present), filtered by said filters, if said support elements respectively also comprise said filters (i.e. after the first signals have been respectively filtered by the filters, if present), and linearized by said linearizing circuits (that is, after the first signals have been respectively linearized by the linearizing circuits).

According to this aspect of the invention, the linearizer circuit of each support element ? advantageously settable so as to equalize the amplitude of the signal corresponding to a typing act, making it as independent as possible from the level of applied static force.

According to another aspect of the invention, said device comprises control means connected to said first comparator means and to:

? said current generator, if present, of said transducer of each of said support elements

and/or to

? said voltage generator, if present, of each of said support elements

and/or to

? said differential amplifier, if present, of each of said support elements

and/or to

? said filter, if present, of each of said support elements

and/or to

? said linearizing circuit, if present, of each of said support elements

and/or to

? said first adder,

said control means also being reversibly connectable to said computer equipment such that a transceiver of data is possible between said control means and said unit; processing of said computer equipment,

said control means being connected to said computer equipment when said second comparator means is also connected to said computer equipment,

said control means being suitable for regulating:

? the current generated by said current generator, if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of said transducer of each of said support elements

and/or

? the voltage generated by said voltage generator, if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements

and/or

? the gain of said differential amplifier, if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements

and/or

? at least one pass band of said filter, if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements

and/or

? said linearizer circuit, if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements

and/or

? said coefficients respectively associated with said first signals in said first adder, if said control means are connected to the latter

at least depending on whether or not there is a match between:

? the execution of a keying act whose start instant and whose end instant said means of control are aware of by said unit? of processing

And

? a recognition by said first comparator means of when said typing act begins and when it ends.

According to this aspect of the invention, after the device is been connected to a keyboard and ? been connected to the computer equipment of which the keyboard is a part, the control means are advantageously suitable for setting:

? the current generated by the current source, if any, of the transducer of each of the support elements preferably so as to maximize the voltage changes across the transducer for a given applied dynamic force, taking into account the static force present;

? the voltage generated by the voltage generator, if any, of each of the support elements preferably so as to attenuate the pi? Is the previously mentioned static component of the force with which said support element possible? pressed against a plane;

? the gain of the differential amplifier, if present, of each of the support elements preferably so as to cover a sufficient portion of the dynamic range of the conversion means, while avoiding saturation;

? at least one passband of the filter, if present, of each of the support elements preferably so as to attenuate the frequency components outside the range of frequencies representing a typing act, so? to emphasize said range with respect to drifts and irrelevant noise sources; ? the linearizing circuit, if present, of each of the support elements preferably so as to equalize the amplitude of the signal corresponding to a typing act, making it as independent as possible from the level of applied static force;

? the coefficients respectively associated with the first signals in the first adder, preferably so as to equalize the pi? is the response of the transducers so that? the first adder emits substantially similar signals for typing events of similar intensity, regardless of which keys are pressed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises feedback means (understood according to the English meaning of ?feedback?) connected to said second comparator means and suitable for sending a signal (understood as a sensory perceivable symbol and capable of signaling the? occurrence of a given event) to a person using said device, whenever said fourth signal ? higher than said second threshold or at least one of said second thresholds, if more? of a.

According to this aspect of the invention, the device sends feedback to a user of the computer equipment whose keyboard is being used. connected said device, whenever a key of the keyboard is pressed with an?intensity? such as to impart to the equipment an additional command to the one already? associated with pressing of said key in the absence of the device object of the invention. There? constitutes an advantage since? the aforementioned user can? immediately realize, whenever he presses a key, if the force with which he types ? enough to have a desired effect on the computer equipment which? the device object of the invention is connected.

According to another aspect of the invention, said feedback means comprise, for at least one of said support elements, an actuator suitable for making said support element vibrate whenever said fourth signal ? higher than said second threshold or at least one of said second thresholds, if more? of one, so that? said signaling includes a vibration of said support element.

According to this aspect of the invention, the above mentioned feedback of the device object of the invention is tactile in nature. minor ? therefore the ?invasiveness?? of the means of feedback in the activity? performed by a user of the device object of the invention with respect to the case in which the feedback sent by the feedback means is, for example, of the acoustic or visual type.

According to another aspect of the invention, said calculation means are suitable for calculating, for each typing act on said keyboard, the definite integral of the absolute value, or of the positive part only, of said continuous pattern of said third signals interpolated for said typing act, in the interval between the beginning and the end of said typing act,

said fourth signal emitted for said keying act corresponding to the value resulting from the calculation of said definite integral.

According to this aspect of the invention, the signal emitted by the computing means ? indicative of the force with which a keyboard key is pressed ?at the end of stroke?. According to another aspect of the invention, said calculation means are suitable for calculating, for each typing act on said keyboard,

? the first derivative function of said continuous pattern of said third interpolated signals for said keying act

and

? the maximum value assumed by said first derivative function in the interval between the beginning and the end of said typing act,

said fourth signal emitted for said keying act corresponding to said maximum value.

According to this aspect of the invention, the signal emitted by the computing means ? indicative of how much? abruptly? a key on the keyboard is pressed.

Another object of invention? a system including:

? the above device, object of invention;

? a first software that can be installed on said computer equipment and acts as a driver for said device,

said first software being able to interface with a second software installed on said computer equipment and acting as a driver for said keyboard,

when said first software ? installed on said computer equipment and said second comparator means are connected to the latter, said first software interfacing with:

? said second comparator means and/or said control means, if present, so as to receive said first command whenever one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of a,

and with

? said according to software so as to:

? acquire from said second software information concerning, at least, which key, or which keys if more? of one, of said keyboard is pressed, or are pressed if more? by one, for each typing act on said keyboard

and so

? match said first command that said first software receives every time one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, to said information that said first software acquires from said second software and which are related to said typing act which ? associated with said fourth signal which determined the sending of said first command;

? a third software installable on said computer equipment, when said first and third software are installed on said computer equipment, said third software interfacing with:

? said first software to acquire from this last one said first command that said first software receives every time one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, and ? combined with said information that said first software has acquired from said second software and which relate to said typing act which ? associated with said fourth signal which determined the sending of said first command,

said third software by matching said first command to at least one second command executable by a fourth software installed on said computer equipment,

if these second thresholds are more? of one, said second command being a function of the number of said second thresholds exceeded by said fourth signal associated with said keying act which determined the sending of said first command,

and with

? said fourth software to send to the latter, whenever one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, said second command combined with said information relating to said typing act which? associated with said fourth signal higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of a,

a reception by said fourth software of said second command corresponding to a reception of said first command by said unit? processor executing said fourth software;

? a fifth software that can be installed on said computer equipment,

when said first, third and fifth software are installed on said computer equipment, said fifth software interfacing with said third software to configure the latter by establishing which said second command must correspond to said first command.

With reference to the example previously cited, if the fourth software ? a word processing program, the third software ? configurable by a user of the system object of the invention, through the fifth software, in such a way that, when said user presses a key of a letter by applying a force greater than a certain threshold, the device object of the invention emits a command which is translated by the third software into a second command following receipt of which the word processor, in addition to writing the letter associated with the key pressed, highlights or enlarges the font or changes its style. If the second half comparators include a plurality? of (second) increasing thresholds, the aforesaid second command being a function of the number of second thresholds exceeded by the fourth signal associated with a keying act, ? For example, is it possible to order the word processing program to vary the gradation or tonality? of the highlighting as a function of the force applied by pressing the key on the keyboard or to gradually change, as a function of that force, the proportions of one or more? stylistic elements, for example making the font more? thinking (i.e. with a thick stroke), changing its proportions, or varying the presence and proportion of the serifs (i.e. the embellishments characterizing some types of fonts). To this end, the computer equipment to which ? connected, the device object of the invention could have access to a database including, by way of example, a plurality? of appropriately parameterized fonts.

Brief description of the figures

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments of the same and from the annexed drawings, given for purely explanatory and non-limiting purposes, in which:

? Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the present invention connected to a keyboard of a computer apparatus;

? figure 2 schematically shows the main components of the device of figure 1;

? figure 3 schematically shows a system according to the present invention including the device of figure 1.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

In this description, for convenience? of exposition, we are referring only to a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the device is connected to a laptop keyboard. The device that is the object of the invention is not For? limited to the above example. It ? connectable to a keyboard of any computer equipment.

In the continuation of this description, a figure may also be illustrated with reference to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but in other figures. The scale and proportions of the various elements depicted do not necessarily correspond to the real ones.

Figure 1 shows a computer equipment 1 consisting, by way of example, of a portable computer and including a keyboard 2 to which ? reversibly connected a device 3 object of the invention.

The device 3 comprises a plurality of supports 4 each of which is reversibly connected to the keyboard 2 in such a way that, when the latter rests on a surface to allow a person to perform a typing act (as shown in figure 1), the keyboard 2 rests on said surface at least at the supports 4, and preferably exclusively at the same. The supports 4 are shown by way of example in a number equal to four and are connected to the keyboard 2 preferably respectively at four ?support feet? of the same.

Each of the supports 4 ? connected to a?unit? 5 for data acquisition which is also part of the device 3 and in turn reversibly connected to the computer 1 so as to allow data transmission between the latter and the device 3. The connection between each of the supports 4 and the unit? 5, what? as the connection between the latter and the computer 1 ? preferably, but not necessarily, made by cables 6.

Figure 2 shows the main components of the device 3. Each of the supports 4 comprises at least one transducer 7 suitable for transducing into a first signal of an electrical and analog nature the force with which said support 4 ? pressed against a plane when, as visible in figure 1, each of the supports 4 ? connected to the keyboard 2 and the latter rests on said plane at least in correspondence with the supports 4. The aforementioned first signals emitted by the translators 7 are commensurable quantities and preferably consist of respective electric voltages. Each of these quantities? the greater, in absolute value, the greater ? the force with which, when each support 4 ? connected to the keyboard 2 and the latter rests on a plane at least in correspondence with the supports 4, the support 4 including the transducer 7 which emits the analogical signal corresponding to said quantity, is pressed against said plane.

Each transducer 7 can? be of the piezoelectric type and can? consist, by way of example, of the DT4-052K sensor of the company Measurement Specialties Inc. As an alternative to being of the piezoelectric type, each transducer 7 preferably comprises an electric current generator 8 preferably operating in the order of 100 ?A and connected to a resistor 9 whose electrical resistance varies according to the force with which the support 4 including said transducer 7 ? pressed against a plane when each of the supports 4 ? connected to the keyboard 2 and the latter rests on said plane at least in correspondence with the supports 4. Incidentally, in each transducer 7, by feeding the generator 8 the resistor 9, the aforementioned first signal of an electrical and analogical nature ?, as mentioned above, an electrical voltage. The resistor 9 ? commonly known as a ?forcesensing resistor? or ?force sensitive resistor? and can consist, for example, of the resistor FSR07 of the company Ohmite Inc.

Each support 4 preferably also comprises an electric voltage generator 10 preferably operating in the order of 1 V. Each support 4 also includes a differential electric voltage amplifier 11 receiving at its input the voltage emitted by the transducer 7 of said support 4 and the voltage emitted from the generator 10. In each support 4, the amplifier 11 subtracts the voltage emitted by the generator 10 from the voltage emitted by the transducer 7. Preferably, the voltage emitted by the generator 10 of each support 4 corresponds to the component of the voltage emitted by the transducer 7 due to the static force with which said support 4 ? pressed against a plane. Said static component ? for example associated with the weight force acting on keyboard 2.

Each support 4 preferably comprises a bandpass frequency filter 12 preferably suitable for attenuating frequencies lower than 1 Hz and frequencies higher than 30 Hz but lower than half of the sampling frequency of the converter 15. In each support 4 the filter 12 receives in input the voltage amplified by the amplifier 11 or, if this last component is not ? present, the voltage emitted by the transducer 7.

Each support 4 preferably also comprises a linearizer circuit 13 which receives at the input the voltage filtered by the filter 12 or, if this last component is not? present, the voltage amplified by the amplifier 11 or, if also this last component is not? present, the voltage emitted by the transducer 7. The linearizer circuit 13 of each support 4 ? preferably set in such a way as to equalize the amplitude of the signal corresponding to a typing act, making it as independent as possible from the level of applied static force.

The unit 5 comprises a first adder 14 connected to each support 4 so as to receive the voltages respectively emitted by the linearizer circuits 13 or, if said components are not present, the voltages respectively filtered by the filters 12 or, if also said components are not present, the voltages respectively amplified by the amplifiers 11 or, if also said components are not present, the voltages respectively emitted by the transducers 7. The adder 14 ? suitable for carrying out an analogical and weighted sum of the voltages received from the supports 4 cos? to obtain a second analog signal of an electrical nature, also preferably consisting of a voltage. The sum made by the adder 14 ? weighted by means of pre-established coefficients and respectively associated with the voltages received by the supports 4. Said coefficients are preferably set so as to equalize the pi? possible the response of the transducers 7 so that? the adder 14 emits substantially similar signals for keystrokes of similar size on the keyboard 2, irrespective of which keys are pressed.

The unit 5 also comprises an analog-to-digital converter 15 connected to the adder 14 so as to convert the (sum) output voltage thereof into a second digital signal, sampling said voltage at a frequency not lower than 10 Hz and preferably not lower than 1 kHz, so that? the voltages emitted in a continuous (and analogical) way by the transducers 7 (when each of the supports 4 is connected to the keyboard 2 and the latter rests a plane at least in correspondence with the supports 4, as shown in figure 1) are converted, with the passing of time, in a succession of digital signals. According to a variant of the device 3, the analog to digital conversion takes place before the input of the voltages into the adder 14, so that? the sum made by the latter is digital. Pi? precisely, according to this variant, an analog digital converter ? preferably included in each support 4 so as to convert into digital the voltages respectively emitted by the linearizer circuits 13 or, if said components are not present, the voltages respectively filtered by the filters 12 or, if also said components are not present, the respectively amplified voltages by the amplifiers 11 or, even if said components are not present, the voltages respectively emitted by the transducers 7. The analog-to-digital converters respectively sample the aforementioned voltages at the same frequency (not lower than 10 Hz and preferably not lower than 1 kHz) and in synchronous so that, analogously to what has been said regarding the analog to digital conversion of the sum signal coming out of the adder 14, the voltages emitted in a continuous (and analogical) way by the transducers 7 (when each of the supports 4 is connected to the keyboard 2 and this? the latter rests a plane at least in correspondence with the supports 4, as shown in figure 1) which are converted, with the passage of time, into a succession of digital signals. Incidentally, according to this variant, the filter 12 of each support 4 ? preferably suitable for attenuating frequencies below 1 Hz and frequencies above 30 Hz but below half? of the sampling frequency of the converters included in the supports 4.

If the supports 4 include the amplifiers 11, the gain of each of the amplifiers 11 ? preferably set so as to cover a sufficient portion of the dynamic range of the converter 15 or of the converters included in the supports 4, at the same time avoiding incurring saturation.

The unit 5 comprises a memory 16 suitable for memorizing at least one signal of the aforementioned sequence. Memory 16 ? managed according to the ?Fisrt In First Out? and ? connected to the converter 15 (or to the adder 14 if, according to the variant described above, the analog-to-digital conversion of the voltages takes place before the latter enter the adder 14) in such a way that the aforementioned digital signals are entered into the memory 16 when and in the same sequence in which they are emitted by the converter 15 (or by the adder 14 if, according to the variant described above, the analog-to-digital conversion of the voltages takes place before the latter enter the adder 14).

The unit 5 also comprises a second adder 17 with negative weight and connected both to the converter 15 (or to the adder 14 if, according to the variant described above, the analog-to-digital conversion of the voltages takes place before the latter enter the adder 14), and to the memory 16 in such a way that the adder 17 is suitable for carrying out, in the same sequence in which the digital signals are emitted by the converter 15 (or by the adder 14 if, according to the variant described above, the analog-to-digital conversion of the voltages takes place before the latter enter the adder 14), a difference between a minuend corresponding to a digital signal of the aforementioned sequence, when emitted by the converter 15 (or by the adder 14 if, according to the variant described above, the analog-to-digital conversion of the voltages takes place before the latter enter the adder 14), and a subtrahend corresponding to the digital signal of the aforementioned sequence entered into the memory 16 immediately before the digital signal corresponding to the minuend, so? to obtain a succession of third digital difference signals.

The unit 5 comprises a comparator 18 connected to the adder 17 and suitable for comparing each of the digital signals coming out of the adder 17, in the same sequence in which said signals are emitted by the latter, with at least a first predetermined threshold. This first threshold? such that when one of the outgoing signals from the adder 17 ? higher than this threshold, there? does it mean that a typing act begins or ? in progress on keyboard 2. In the light of what has been said, when does one of the outgoing signals from adder 17 ? not exceeding this threshold and ? immediately followed, in the succession of said signals, by a plurality? of signals, in succession, higher than this threshold, there? means that, and the comparator 18 ascertains that, a typing act has begun on the keyboard 2. Similarly, when one of the signals outgoing from the adder 17 ? higher than this threshold and ? immediately followed, in the succession of said signals, by one or more? signals, in succession, not exceeding this threshold, there? means that, and the comparator 18 ascertains that, a typing act on the keyboard 2 ? finished.

The unit 5 also includes a calculator 19 connected to the comparator 18 so? to be able to know (from the comparator 18) when a typing act on the keyboard 2 begins and when it ends. The calculator 19 ? also connected to the comparator 17 and ? suitable for interpolating, starting from a succession of signals coming out of the comparator 17 between the beginning and the end of a keying act, a continuous trend as a function of time of said signals (outgoing from the comparator 17) between the beginning and end of said typing act. The calculator 19 ? furthermore suitable for carrying out differential calculations and/or integral calculations on the aforementioned continuous pattern of the signals outgoing from the comparator 17 for each typing act on the keyboard 2, so as to emit, for each typing act, a fourth digital signal which is the greater, in absolute value, how much greater? the force with which each of the supports 4 is pressed against a surface as a result of the execution of said typing act on the keyboard 2 (with the latter resting on said surface).

A succession of keystrokes on the keyboard 2 therefore entails an emission, by the computer 19, of a succession of the aforementioned fourth signals.

The calculator 19 ? preferably suitable for calculating, for each typing act, the definite integral of the absolute value, or of the positive part only, of the continuous trend of the signals outgoing from the comparator 17 interpolated for said typing act, in the interval between the start and the end of said typing act. The signal emitted by the calculator 19 corresponds, in this case, to the value resulting from the calculation of the aforementioned definite integral. As an alternative to what has been said, the calculator 19 ? preferably suitable for calculating, for each typing act, the first derivative function of the continuous trend of the signals coming out of the interpolated comparator 17 for said typing act, and the maximum value assumed by said first derivative function in the interval between the start and the end of said typing act. The signal emitted by the computer 19 corresponds, in this case, to the aforementioned maximum value.

The unit 5 comprises a second comparator 20 connected to the computer 19 and suitable for comparing each of the signals emitted by the computer 19, in the same sequence in which said signals are emitted by the latter, with a second predetermined threshold or with more? second pre-established and increasing thresholds. The comparator 20 ? connected reversibly to the computer 1 in such a way that a transceiver of data is possible between the comparator 20 and the unit? computer processing 1.

If the comparator 20 includes a single threshold, upon execution of a keying act such that the signal coming out of the calculator 19 is higher than said threshold, ? suitable to send a command to the? unit? of elaboration of the computer 1. If the comparator 20 includes pi? thresholds, it, to the execution of a keying act such that the outgoing signal from the computer 19 is higher than at least one of said thresholds, ? suitable to send to the?unit? of processing of the computer 1 a command as a function of the number of thresholds exceeded by the aforesaid signal outgoing from the football player 19 and associated with said typing act.

In the light of what has been said, when each of the supports 4 ? connected to the keyboard 2, the latter rests on a plane at least in correspondence with the supports 4 and the comparator 20 ? connected to computer 1, since? the adder 19 emits signals as greater, in absolute value, as greater ? the force with which the supports 4 are pressed against the aforementioned plane due to the execution of a typing act, the device 3 allows to command the computer 1 an action according to the force applied by a person in pressing a key of the keyboard 2 The signal outgoing from the adder 14 represents the dynamic trend of the overall force with which the supports 4 are pressed against the aforementioned plane. The adder 17 emits ?cleaned? by the fluctuations of the signal outgoing from the adder 14 which are not temporally correlated to the individual keying acts, conversely emphasizing the latter in the form of rapid transients. The device 3, and more? precisely the? unit? 5, can comprise a controller connected to the comparator 19, and/or to each of the generators 8, if present, and/or to each of the generators 10, if present, and/or to each of the amplifiers 11, if present, and/or to each of the filters 12, if present, and/or to each of the linearizing circuits 13, if present, and/or to the adder 14.

Like the comparator 20, the controller ? moreover connected reversibly to the computer 1 in such a way that a data transmission is possible between the controller and the unit? computer processing 1.

The controller? suitable to regulate:

? the current generated by each of the generators 8, if present and if the controller ? connected to the latter, preferably so as to maximize the voltage changes across the corresponding transducer 7 for a given dynamic force applied, taking into account the static force present

and/or

? the voltage generated by each of the generators 10, if present and if the controller ? connected to the latter, preferably in order to mitigate the pi? Is the previously mentioned static component of the force with which said support element possible? pressed against a plane

and/or

? the gain of each of the amplifiers 11, if present and if the controller ? connected to the latter, preferably so as to cover a sufficient portion of the dynamic range of the converter 15 or of the converters included in the supports 4, at the same time avoiding incurring saturation

and/or

? at least one passband of each of the filters 12, if present and if the controller ? connected to the latter, preferably so as to attenuate the frequency components outside the range of frequencies representing a typing act, so? to emphasize said interval with respect to drifts and irrelevant noise sources

and/or

? each of the linearizer circuits, if present and if the controller ? connected to the latter, preferably so as to equalize the amplitude of the signal corresponding to a typing act, making it as independent as possible from the level of applied static force

and/or

? the coefficients of the adder 14, if the controller ? connected to the latter, preferably in order to equalize the pi? is the response of the transducers 7 so that? the adder 14 emits substantially similar signals for typing events of similar intensity, regardless of which keys are pressed,

at least according to the presence or not of a correspondence between the execution of a keying act whose start instant and whose end instant does the controller know from the unit? of processing of the computer 1, and an acknowledgment by the comparator 18 of when said typing act begins and ends.

Pi? precisely, the current generated by each of the generators 8 is preferably iteratively regulated by increasing it starting from a null value, until bringing the voltage across the corresponding resistor 9 to a value at which the transducer 7 ? most sensitive. Said value pu? be variable by virtue of, for example, the known non-linear response of the resistances sensitive to the force.

The voltage generated by each of the generators 10 is preferably adjusted so as to bring the output potential from the corresponding amplifier 11, in conditions of absence of contact with the keyboard 2 by a person, sufficiently close to the of 0 V.

The gain of each of the amplifiers 11 is preferably adjusted on the basis of a sufficiently long time fragment representative of keying acts of various locations and intensities, with the aim of generating an output signal as close as possible to the signal. possible close, in its maximum, to the maximum voltages available, preferably without encountering saturation events.

The adjustment of the coefficients of the adder 14 is also preferably based on a sufficiently long time fragment representative of keystrokes of various locations. As specified above, said coefficients are preferably set so as to equalize the pi? is the response of the transducers 7 so that? the adder 14 emits substantially similar signals for typing events of similar intensity, regardless of which keys are pressed.

According to a variant of the device 3, the latter comprises at least one feedback element connected to the comparator 20 and suitable for sending a signal to a user of the device 3 whenever the signal emitted by the comparator 19 (following the execution of a typing act by part of said user) ? higher than the threshold of the comparator 20, or at least one of the thresholds of the latter if more? of a. This feedback element preferably comprises, for at least one of the supports 4, an actuator suitable for making said support 4 vibrate every time the signal emitted by the comparator 19 ? higher than the threshold of the comparator 20, or at least one of the thresholds of the latter if more? of a. Incidentally, in this case, the aforementioned signal sent to a user of the device 3 comprises, or consists of, a vibration.

Figure 3 shows a system 30, also an object of the invention, comprising the device 3 and a plurality of of software 31, 33 and 35 that can be installed on computer 1 for managing device 3.

The system 30 comprises a first software 31 which can be installed on computer 1 and acts as a driver for the device 3. The driver 31, when installed on computer 1, interfaces with a second software 32 which is also installed on computer 1 and acts as a keyboard driver 2. When the comparator 20 and, if present, the aforementioned controller are connected to computer 1, the driver 31 also interfaces with said comparator 20 and/or with said controller so as to receive the command, intended for computer 1, which is emitted by the comparator 20 whenever a signal outgoing from the computer 19 ? higher than the threshold, or at least one of the thresholds, of the comparator 20. The driver 31 also interfaces with the driver 32 so as to acquire from the latter information concerning, at least, which key, or which keys if more? of one, of the keyboard 2 is pressed, or are pressed if more? of one, for each typing act on the keyboard 2. The driver 31 ? suitable to match the aforesaid command that it receives every time an outgoing signal from the computer 19 ? higher than the threshold, or at least one of the thresholds, of the comparator 20, to the aforementioned information which the driver 31 acquires from the driver 32 and which relate to the keying act which ? the outgoing signal from the computer 19 which caused the sending of the above command is associated.

System 30 includes software 33, previously identified with the expression ?third software?, which can also be installed on computer 1. When both driver 31 and software 33 are installed on computer 1, software 33 interfaces with the driver 31 to acquire from the latter the aforesaid command that the driver 31 receives every time an outgoing signal from the computer 19 ? higher than the threshold, or at least one of the thresholds, of the comparator 20, and ? combined with the information that the driver 31 has acquired from the driver 32 and which are related to the typing act which ? the outgoing signal from the computer 19 which caused the sending of the above command is associated.

The software 33 matches the command it has acquired from the driver 31 to a command executable by a software 34, previously identified with the expression "fourth software", installed on the computer 1. If in the comparator 20 there are more? thresholds, said command executable by the software 34 ? as a function of the number of thresholds exceeded by the signal outgoing from the computer 19 and associated with the keying act which determined the sending of the command to the driver 31. The software 33 also interfaces with the software 34 to send to the latter, whenever a outgoing signal from computer 19 ? higher than the threshold, or at least one of the thresholds, of the comparator 20, the aforesaid command executable by the software 34 combined with the information which the driver 31 has acquired from the driver 32 and which relate to the keying act which ? associated with the signal outgoing from the computer 19 higher than the threshold, or at least one of the thresholds, of the comparator 20. Incidentally, the reception by the software 34 of the command executable by the latter and sent to it by the software 33 corresponds to the reception from part of the unit? of processing of the computer 1 of the command issued by the comparator 20.

System 30 also comprises software 35, previously identified with the expression "fifth software", which can also be installed on computer 1. When software 31, 33 and 35 are installed on computer 1, software 35 interfaces with software 33 to allow a user of the device 3 to configure the software 33 by establishing which command executable by the software 34 must correspond to the command issued by the comparator 20.

Referring, by way of example, to a person who types the keyboard 2 in order to write a text, the software 33 ? for example configurable in such a way that pressing a letter key by said person by applying a force greater than a given threshold, included in the comparator 20, involves, in addition to writing said letter, the highlighting of this? or a contextual enlargement of the font. If the comparator 20 includes a plurality? of (second) increasing thresholds, ? for example, is it possible to vary the gradation or the tonality? of the highlighting in function of the applied force or to gradually change, in function of said force, the proportions of one or more? stylistic elements, for example making the font more? thinking (i.e. with a thick stroke), changing its proportions, or by varying the presence and proportion of the graces (i.e. the embellishments characterizing some types of fonts). To this end, the computer 1 could have access to a database 36 including, by way of example, a plurality of appropriately parameterized fonts.

Based on the description provided for a preferred embodiment, ? obvious that some changes can be introduced by the technician without the ci? depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Device (3) reversibly connectable to a keyboard (2) of a computer equipment (1), said device (3) being characterized in that it comprises: ? a plurality? of support elements (4) each of which can be reversibly connected to said keyboard (2) in such a way that, when each of said support elements (4) ? connected to said keyboard (2) and said keyboard (2) on a plane to allow a person to perform a typing act, said keyboard (2) rests on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements (4), each of said support elements (4) comprising at least one transducer (7) suitable for transducing into a first signal of an electrical and analog nature a force with which said support element (4) ? pressed against a surface when each of said support elements (4) ? connected to said keyboard (2) and said keyboard (2) rests on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements (4), said first signals being commensurable quantities each of which is the greater, in absolute value, the greater ? the force with which, when each of said support elements (4) ? connected to said keyboard (2) and said keyboard (2) rests on a plane at least in correspondence with said support elements (4), said support element (4) including said transducer (7) emitting said first signal corresponding to said quantity , is pressed against said plane; ? a first adder (14) connected to each of said support elements (4) in such a way that said first adder (14) receives each of said first signals following an emission of said first signals respectively from said transducers (7 ), said first adder (14) being suitable for carrying out a weighted sum of said first signals so? to obtain a second electrical sum signal, said sum performed by said first adder (14) being weighted by means of predetermined coefficients and respectively associated with said first signals; ? analog to digital conversion means (15) suitable for converting into a digital signal, by sampling at a frequency not lower than 10 Hz and preferably not lower than 1 kHz: ? said second signal, so that? said sum performed by said first adder (14) is analogical or ? each of said first signals before they are received by said first adder (14), so that? said sum made by said first adder (14) is digital, said conversion means being suitable for converting said first signals into respective digital signals by sampling the latter at the same frequency and in a synchronous manner, so that? said second signal is digital, and so what? said first signals emitted in a continuous and analogical way by said transducers (7) when each of said support elements (4) ? connected to said keyboard (2) and said keyboard (2) resting on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements (4), are converted, over time, into a succession of said second digital signals; ? a memory (16) suitable for storing at least one of said second digital signals of said sequence, said memory (16) being managed according to the ?First In First Out? method, said memory (16) being connected to ? said conversion means (15), if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal or a ? said first adder (14), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, in such a way that said second digital signals are entered into said memory (16) when and in the same sequence in which they are emitted by ? said conversion means (15), if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal or from ? said first adder (14), if said converting means are suitable for converting each of said first signals; ? a second negative weight digital adder (17) connected ? both at ? said conversion means (15), if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal or a ? said first adder (14), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, ? be to said memory (16) in such a way that said second adder (17) is suitable for carrying out, in the same succession in which said second digital signals are emitted by ? said conversion means (15), if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal or from ? said first adder (14), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, a difference between: ? a minuend corresponding to one of said second digital signals of said sequence, when emitted by ? said conversion means (15), if the latter are suitable for converting said second signal or from ? said first adder (14), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, and ? a subtrahend corresponding to said second digital signal of said sequence entered into said memory (16) immediately prior to said second signal corresponding to said minuend, so? to obtain a succession of third digital difference signals; ? first comparator means (18) connected to said second adder (17) and suitable for comparing each of said third signals, in the same sequence in which they are emitted by said second adder (17), with at least a first predetermined threshold, said first threshold being such that when one of said third signals ? higher than the first threshold, there? does it mean that a typing act begins or ? in progress on said keyboard (2), so that? when one of said third party signals ? not higher than said first threshold and ? immediately followed, in the succession of said third signals, by a plurality? of said third signals, in succession, higher than said first threshold, there? means that, and said first comparator means (18) verify that, a typing act has begun on said keyboard (2), and so what? when one of said third party signals ? higher than said first threshold and ? immediately followed, in the succession of said third signals, by one or more? of said third signals, in succession, not higher than said first threshold, there? is to mean that, and said first comparator means (18) verify that, a typing act on said keyboard ? terminated; ? calculation means (19) connected to said first comparator means (18) so? to be suitable for being aware, from said first comparator means (18), of when a typing act on said keyboard (2) begins and when it ends, said calculation means (19) being furthermore connected to said second adder (17) and being suitable for ? interpolate, starting from a succession of said third signals between the beginning and the end of a typing act, a continuous pattern as a function of the time of said third signals between the beginning and the end of said typing act and for ? perform differential calculations and/or integral calculations on said continuous pattern of said third signals for each typing act on said keyboard (2), so as to emit, for each typing act on said keyboard (2), a fourth digital signal which is the greater, in absolute value, the greater ? the force with which each of said support elements (4) is pressed against said surface as a result of the execution of said typing act on said keyboard (2), a succession of keystrokes on said keyboard (2) involving an emission, by said calculating means (19), of a succession of said fourth signals; ? second comparator means (20) connected to said calculation means (19) and suitable for comparing each of said fourth signals, in the same sequence in which they are emitted by said calculation means (19), with a second predetermined threshold or more? second pre-established and increasing thresholds, said second comparator means (20) also being reversibly connectable to said computer equipment (1) in such a way that a data transmission is possible between said second comparator means (20) and a unit? processing of said computer equipment (1), execution of a typing act on said keyboard (2) such that said fourth signal associated with said typing act is higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, said second comparator means (20), when connected to said computer equipment (1), being suitable for sending at least a first command to said unit? processing, said first command being a function of the number of second thresholds exceeded by said fourth signal associated with said typing act if said second thresholds are more? of a. 2. Device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that in each of said support elements (4) said transducer (7) comprises an electric current generator (8) connected to a resistor (9) whose electric resistance varies according to the force with which said support element (4) ? pressed against a surface when each of said support elements (4) ? connected to said keyboard (2) and said keyboard (2) rests on said plane at least in correspondence with said support elements (4), in each of said transducers (7), said current generator (8) feeding said resistor (9) so that? said first signal is an electric voltage. 3. Device (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for each of said support elements (4) said first signal ? an electrical voltage, each of said support elements (4) comprising: ? an electric voltage generator (10); ? a differential amplifier (11) of electrical input receiving voltage: ? said first signal of said transducer (7) of said support element (4); And ? an electric voltage generated by said voltage generator (10), so as to be subtracted from said first signal, so that? said first adder (14) receives respectively from said support elements (4) said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and amplified by said differential amplifiers (11), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, said conversion means being suitable for converting each of said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and amplified by said differential amplifiers (11). 4. Device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for each of said support elements (4) said first signal ? an electrical voltage, each of said support elements (4) comprising a band-pass frequency filter (12) receiving at the input said first signal emitted by said transducer (7) of said support element (4), so that? said first adder (14) receives respectively from said support elements (4) said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and filtered by said filters (12), if said support elements (4) respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers (11), said filters respectively receiving at the input said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and amplified by said differential amplifiers (11), so that? said first adder (14) receives respectively from said support elements (4) said first signals emitted by said transducers (7), amplified by said differential amplifiers (11) and filtered by said filters (12), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, said conversion means being suitable for converting each of said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7), amplified by said differential amplifiers (11), if said support (4) respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers (11), and filtered by said filters (12). 5. Device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said support elements (4) comprises a linearizer circuit receiving at the input said first signal emitted by said transducer (7) of said support element (4) , so that? said first adder (14) receives respectively from said support elements (4) said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and linearized by said linearizer circuits (13), if said support elements (4) respectively also comprise said filters (12), said linearizer circuits (13) respectively receiving at the input said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and filtered by said filters (12), so that? said first adder (14) receives respectively from said support elements (4) said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7), amplified by said differential amplifiers (11), if said support elements (4) respectively comprise also said amplifiers differentials (11), filtered by said filters (12) and linearized by said linearizer circuits (13), if said support elements (4) respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers (11) but not said filters (12), said linearizer circuits (13) respectively receiving at the input said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7) and amplified by said differential amplifiers (11), so that? said first adder (14) receives respectively from said support elements (4) said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7), amplified by said differential amplifiers (11) and linearized by said linearizer circuits (13), if said conversion means are suitable for converting each of said first signals, said conversion means being suitable for converting each of said first signals respectively emitted by said transducers (7), amplified by said differential amplifiers (11), if said support (4) respectively also comprise said differential amplifiers (11), filtered by said filters (12), if said support elements (4) respectively also comprise said filters (12), and linearized by said linearizer circuits (13). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises control means connected to said first comparator means (18) and to: ? said current generator (8), if present, of said transducer (7) of each of said support elements (4) and/or to ? said voltage generator (10), if present, of each of said support elements (4) and/or to ? said differential amplifier (11), if present, of each of said support elements (4) and/or to ? said filter (12), if present, of each of said support elements (4) and/or a ? said linearizer circuit (13), if present, of each of said support elements (4) and/or to ? said first adder (14), said control means being furthermore reversibly connectable to said computer equipment (1) in such a way that a transceiver of data is possible between said control means and said unit? processing of said computer equipment (1), said control means being connected to said computer equipment (1) when also said second comparator means (20) are connected to said computer equipment, said control means being suitable for regulating: ? the current generated by said current generator (8), if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of said transducer (7) of each of said support elements (4) and/or ? the voltage generated by said voltage generator (10), if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements (4) and/or ? the gain of said differential amplifier (11), if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements (4) and/or ? at least one passband of said filter (12), if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements (4) and/or ? said linearizer circuit (13), if present and if said control means are connected to the latter, of each of said support elements (4) and/or ? said coefficients respectively associated with said first signals in said first adder (14), if said control means are connected to the latter at least according to the presence or not of a correspondence between: ? the execution of a keying act whose start instant and whose end instant said means of control are aware of by said unit? of processing And ? an acknowledgment by said first comparator means (18) of when said typing act begins and when it ends. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises feedback means connected to said second comparator means (20) and suitable for sending a signal to a person using said device (3), whenever said fourth signal ? higher than said second threshold or at least one of said second thresholds, if more? of a. 8. Device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said calculation means (19) are suitable for calculating, for each typing act on said keyboard (2), the definite integral of the absolute value, or of the positive part, of said continuous trend of said third signals interpolated for said typing act, in the interval between the beginning and the end of said typing act, said fourth signal emitted for said keying act corresponding to the value resulting from the calculation of said definite integral. 9. Device (3) according to one of claims from 1 to 7, characterized in that said calculating means (19) are suitable for calculating, for each typing act on said keyboard (2), ? the first derivative function of said continuous pattern of said third interpolated signals for said keying act and ? the maximum value assumed by said first derivative function in the interval between the beginning and the end of said typing act, said fourth signal emitted for said keying act corresponding to said maximum value. 10. System (30) comprising: ? a device (3) according to one of the preceding claims; ? a first software (31) installable on said computer equipment (1) and acting as driver of said device (3), said first software (31) being able to interface with a second software (32) installed on said computer equipment (1) and acting as driver of said keyboard (2), when said first software (31) ? installed on said computer equipment (1) and said second comparator means (20) are connected to said computer equipment (1), said first software (31) interfacing with: ? said second comparator means (20) and/or said control means, if present, so as to receive said first command whenever one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of a, and with ? said second software (32) so as to: ? acquire from said second software (32) information concerning, at least, which key, or which keys if more? of one, of said keyboard (2) is pressed, or are pressed if more? by one, for each typing act on said keyboard (2) and so ? match said first command that said first software (31) receives every time one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, to said information that said first software (31) acquires from said second software (32) and which are related to said typing act which ? associated with said fourth signal which determined the sending of said first command; ? a third software (33) that can be installed on said computer equipment (1), when said first and third software are installed on said computer equipment (1), said third software (33) interfacing with: ? said first software (31) to acquire from said first software (31) said first command that said first software (31) receives whenever one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, and ? combined with said information that said first software (31) has acquired from said second software (32) and which relate to said typing act which ? associated with said fourth signal which determined the sending of said first command, said third software (33) by matching said first command to at least one second command executable by a fourth software (34) installed on said computer equipment (1), if these second thresholds are more? of one, said second command being a function of the number of said second thresholds exceeded by said fourth signal associated with said keying act which determined the sending of said first command, and with ? said fourth software (34) to send to said fourth software (34), whenever one of said fourth signals ? higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of one, said second command combined with said information relating to said typing act which? associated with said fourth signal higher than said second threshold, or at least one of said second thresholds if more? of a, a reception by said fourth software (34) of said second command corresponding to a reception of said first command by said unit? processor executing said fourth software; ? a fifth software (35) that can be installed on said computer equipment (1), when said first, third and fifth software (31, 33, 35) are installed on said computer equipment (1), said fifth software (35) interfacing with said third software (33) to configure said third software (33) establishing at which said second command must match said first command.