JP3269482B2 - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a keyboard device, and more particularly to a keyboard used as an input device such as a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Keyboards used as input devices such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) include Japanese and English keyboards, ergonomic keyboards and other key arrangements and sizes of keys. There are a variety of different types. In addition, terminals specialized in dedicated application software such as a dedicated word processing machine are equipped with a keyboard suitable for the operation.

[0003] However, each individual has a familiar keyboard, and often differs from a familiar keyboard at home and work, or at a common terminal used by a plurality of persons.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61 discloses an arrangement in which the key arrangement can be changed in order to make the keyboard familiar as described above.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 221922/1990 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-78324 / 1990.

[0005] Further, in order to obtain a familiar keyboard, examples in which the positions of the keys themselves can be changed are disclosed in JP-A-2-135514 and JP-A-4-363822.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional keyboard device, a key arrangement can be changed or the position of the key itself can be changed to make the keyboard close to a familiar keyboard. Since the keyboard is not the keyboard that the operator normally uses, the key touch, the arrangement, and the like are different, so that the operation is uncomfortable and the work efficiency is reduced.

Further, the key arrangement can be changed,
In order to change the position of the key itself, it is necessary to replace the key itself.For example, to change the key arrangement corresponding to each different application software, change the key arrangement every time the application software is switched. Each time, replacement work or the like is required, which consumes a great deal of labor and time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to easily and quickly realize an input environment to which an operator is familiar or an input environment specialized for each application software. An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device capable of improving efficiency.

[0009]

A keyboard device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of key arrangement plates on which a plurality of keys are arranged and the arrangements thereof are different from each other, and any one of the plurality of key arrangement plates is detachably mounted. and a sensor device for detecting any of a depression of a plurality of keys arranged in a life-and-death mounted key sequences plate, said plurality of key array plate each, the double
Stores key layout information for specifying each of the number keys
Storage means, wherein the sensor device is mounted
Any one of the plurality of keys on the plurality of key arrangement plates is pressed.
Output the coordinate axes on the contact surface with the key layout
Sensing means corresponding to the coordinates detected by the sensing means.
Acquisition method for acquiring information specifying a key from the storage means
And outputting the information obtained by the obtaining means to the host device.
Means .

That is, the keyboard device of the present invention comprises a key array plate on which a plurality of keys are arrayed, and a sensor device for detecting which key on the key array plate is pressed. Can be exchanged with a key layout plate that is commonly used by an operator or a key layout plate in which keys are arranged corresponding to a plurality of application software.

As a result, it is possible to easily and quickly realize an input environment familiar to an operator or an input environment specialized for each application software, thereby improving work efficiency. That is, various types of keyboards can be used for the same terminal, and an optimal keyboard can be used for each application software or each operator, so that the convenience for the user is improved.

[0012]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2 is a processing device such as a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer), and performs various processing such as word processing (hereinafter, referred to as word processing) and spreadsheets according to instructions input from the keyboard device 1. It has a function of performing processing of various application software (hereinafter, referred to as an application) and a function of displaying a processing result on the display unit 3.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, when one of the key arrangement plates 20 and 30 in which a plurality of keys are arranged in advance is mounted on the sensor device 10, the sensor device 10 determines which key of the key arrangement plates 20 and 30 has been pressed. It is a device to detect.

The key arrangement plates 20 and 30 are provided with key arrangement information sections 21 and 31 for storing arrangement information of their own keys, respectively. The key arrangement information units 21 and 31 are arranged on the back surface (the surface facing the sensor device 10) of the key arrangement plates 20 and 30, and are provided with an IC (integrated circuit) memory for mechanically storing the arrangement information. It consists of a structure. still,
The key array information sections 21 and 31 are read by the sensor device 10 through the connector 11.

The sensor device 10 detects a depression of a key on the key array plates 20 and 30, and outputs a coordinate axis on a contact surface with the key array plates 20 and 30, and key array information units 21 and 31. Key layout stored in the connector 11
Key information obtaining unit 13 that obtains key information through C
A CPU notification unit 14 for notifying the PU 2 and a cable 4 for electrically connecting the CPU 2 are provided.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing key input processing in the keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The key input process in the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, when the operator A uses the key arrangement plate 20 and the operator B normally uses the key arrangement plate 20, the operation when the key arrangement plate 20 is mounted on the sensor device 10 is described. This will be described below.

When the operator A uses the CPU 2, operates the keyboard device 1 to give an instruction to a certain application, and presses a key (FIG. 4, step S).
1) The sensing unit 12 of the sensor device 10 detects the depression of the key and detects and acquires the coordinates on the contact surface of the sensor device 10 with the key array plate 20 (step S2 in FIG. 4).

The key information acquisition unit 13 of the sensor device 10 is connected to the key arrangement information unit 2 of the key arrangement plate 20 through the connector 11.
1 is queried for key information corresponding to the coordinates detected by the sensing unit 12 (step S3 in FIG. 4).

The CPU notifying section 14 transmits the key information acquired from the key array information section 21 of the key array board 20 through the key information acquiring section 13 and the connector 11 to the CP through the cable 4.
U2 is notified (step S4 in FIG. 4). The CPU 2 performs a process according to the pressed key, and displays the result on the display unit 3.

In the above case, since the key arrangement plate 20 is mounted on the sensor device 10, when the operator B performs an operation using the CPU 2, the key arrangement plate 20 becomes Since it is not the plate 30, the work efficiency is significantly reduced.

Therefore, the operator B removes the key arrangement plate 20 from the sensor device 10, mounts the key arrangement plate 30 which is commonly used on the sensor device 10, and newly configures a keyboard device having a different arrangement.

As described above, by exchanging the key arrangement plates 20 and 30, the operator B can perform work using the CPU 2 by using the key arrangement of the familiar key arrangement plate 30, so that it is comfortable. Work environment can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a key according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5A is a plan view of the key 40, FIG. 5B is a side view of the key 40, and FIG.
(C) is a bottom view of the key 40.

FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f) are bottom views showing the configuration of each key type according to another embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 5D shows the bottom surface of the key 40, and FIG.
5E shows the bottom surface of the key 41, and FIG.
The bottom of FIG.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the key arrangement plate 20,
30 does not have the key array information sections 21 and 31,
Projections 40 arranged at different positions on the back surface of the
a, 40b, 41a, 41b, 42a to 42c.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
The sensor device 10 includes a sensing unit 12 for sensing pressing of the keys 40 to 42, a CPU notifying unit 14 for notifying the CPU 2 of key information, and protrusions 40a, 40b, 41a, 41b, 42a.
A key database 15 for storing the numbers and arrangements of the keys 42 to 42c in association with the keys 40 to 42; and a cable 4 for making an electrical connection to the CPU 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing key input processing in a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The key input process in the keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention has a system configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, the operator C usually uses the key arrangement plate 20, and the operation when the key arrangement plate 20 is mounted on the sensor device 10 will be described below.

The operator C operates the keys 40 to 4 of the key arrangement plate 20.
2 is pressed (step S11 in FIG. 7), the sensor device 1
The 0 sensing unit 12 is a projection 40 of the pressed keys 40 to 42.
The numbers of a, 40b, 41a, 41b, 42a to 42c and their arrangement are sensed (step S12 in FIG. 7).

The sensing unit 12 senses the protrusions 40a, 40
b, 41a, 41b, and keys 40 pressed from the key database 15 on the basis of the numbers and the arrangement thereof.
The key information of No. to No. 42 is acquired and key determination is performed (step S13 in FIG. 7).

The CPU notification section 14 notifies the CPU 2 of the key information determined by the sensing section 12 through the cable 4 (step S14 in FIG. 7). The CPU 2 performs a process according to the pressed key, and displays the result on the display unit 3.

In the above case, since the key arrangement plate 20 is mounted on the sensor device 10, when the operator C performs an operation using the CPU 2, the operator C has a key arrangement plate 30 other than the key arrangement plate 20. Is mounted on the sensor device 10,
By removing the key arrangement plate 30 from the sensor device 10 and mounting the key arrangement plate 20 that is commonly used on the sensor device 10, a keyboard device having a different arrangement can be newly configured.

Therefore, by replacing the key arrangement plates 20 and 30, the operator C can perform work using the CPU 2 with the familiar key arrangement of the key arrangement plates 20, so that a comfortable work environment can be achieved. Obtainable.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 8, a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention has a touch panel 51 on a key array plate 50 in addition to keys.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a key arrangement board replacement process in a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a description will be given of a key arrangement plate replacement process in a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The operator of the CPU 2 removes the key array plate 20 from the sensor device 10 when drawing while using a key array plate 20 mounted on the sensor device 10 and specialized in character input during document input by a word processor. The array plate 50 is mounted on the sensor device 10.

The key array plate 50 has a touch panel 51, which enables handwriting input or operation with the touch pen 5 using the touch pen 5, so that drawing during document input can be performed efficiently. Numeral 52 is a key array information section for storing key array information. Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly use a keyboard specialized for each application.

As described above, by realizing an input environment using a keyboard suitable for each application used by the terminal or a keyboard familiar to the operator who operates the terminal by merely exchanging the key arrangement plates 20, 30, and 40,
An input environment familiar to the operator or an input environment specialized for each application can be realized easily and in a short time, and work efficiency can be improved.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of key arrangement plates on which a plurality of keys are arranged and whose arrangements are different from each other, and any one of the plurality of key arrangement plates are detachably mounted. And a sensor device that detects pressing of any of a plurality of keys arranged on a mounted key arrangement plate, thereby facilitating an input environment familiar to an operator and an input environment specialized for each application software. And can be realized in a short time in a short time, so that the working efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a key input process in the keyboard device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a plan view of a key according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5B is a side view of the key shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5C is a bottom view of the key shown in FIG. FIGS. 7D to 7F are bottom views showing the configuration of each key type according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing key input processing in a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a key arrangement board replacement process in a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 keyboard device 2 CPU 3 display unit 4 cable 5 touch pen 10 sensor device 11 connector 12 sensing unit 13 key information acquisition unit 14 CPU notification unit 15 key database 20, 30, 50 key array plate 21, 31, 52 key array information unit 40 To 42 keys 40a, 40b, 41a, 41b, 42a to 42c Projection 51 Touch panel

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of key arrangement plates in which a plurality of keys are arranged and the arrangements thereof are different from each other, and any one of the plurality of key arrangement plates is removably mounted and arranged on the mounted key arrangement plate. a plurality of have a sensor detecting apparatus any of depression of keys, the plurality of key array plate each, especially a plurality of keys each
Storage means for storing key arrangement information for setting, wherein the sensor device has a plurality of key arrangement plates mounted thereon.
When any one of the keys is pressed, the key
Sensing means for outputting coordinate axes on the contact surface with the row plate;
Information specifying the key corresponding to the coordinates detected by the sensing means
Obtaining means for obtaining from the storage means, the obtaining means
Means for outputting the information acquired by the device to a higher-level device. 2. The storage means stores the key arrangement information in an electronic form.
The acquisition means, and any one of the plurality of keys is pressed.
Out of the contents electrically stored in the storage means when the
2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein information corresponding to said key is read and output . 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of key arrangement plates is provided with a front panel.
A touch panel is included in addition to the plurality of keys.
The keyboard device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein