JP7108952B2 - User interface device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates mainly to a user interface device for computer input, and more particularly to a user interface device capable of detecting key pressing speed (key touch).

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, user interface devices have been proposed for inputting data into computer devices. In many cases, a dedicated user interface is provided for each application program (hereinafter simply referred to as "application"). For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes an electronic keyboard instrument as a user interface in which keyboard switches suitable for applications such as an electronic piano are used to generate sounds. This electronic keyboard instrument detects the speed of keystrokes (velocity) from the time difference between two switches S1 and S2 with different heights coming into contact with the lower substrate when the keyboard is pressed, and adjusts the volume according to the speed of keystrokes. It is calculated.

Japanese Patent No. 3373647

By the way, when a plurality of switches are operated at different timings in one key operation, there is a problem of how to operate both switches accurately and reliably.
If the keyboard switch described in Patent Document 1 operates under a keyboard made of a plastic material that moves only in the vertical direction, it is not considered to pose a particular problem. If it is misaligned or tilted, the keyboard switches S1 and S2 below it will be pressed from obliquely above, and there is a risk that the short switch element S2 will not contact the substrate normally. In addition, there is also a problem that it is difficult for the user to know how far the keyboard switch should be pressed in order to turn on both switch elements S1 and S2.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a user interface device which is capable of reliably detecting not only key on/off information but also key depression speed, and which is excellent in user operability at a low cost. intended to provide

In order to achieve the above object, the user interface device of the present invention comprises:
a base portion having a circuit pattern for detecting whether a contact corresponding to a key is in contact;
a push button provided at the key location on the base;
a cover provided on the push button and having a key body for pressing the push button;
with
The push button is
an outer frame portion of the inverted cup, a columnar first contact portion provided substantially in the center of the inner bottom portion of the outer frame portion and shorter than the height inside the outer frame portion, and surrounding the first contact portion, a cylindrical second contact portion shorter than the first contact portion;
The first contact portion and the second contact portion are each formed using an insulating member having a conductive member at its open end,
When the key body is pressed, the push button at the bottom of the key body is pressed, and both the conductive member of the first contact portion and the conductive member of the second contact portion come into contact with the circuit pattern. a second contact state in which the conductive member of the first contact portion is in contact with the circuit pattern while the conductive member of the second contact portion is out of contact with the circuit pattern; The conductive member of the first contact portion and the conductive member of the second contact portion are sequentially changed to a third contact state in which both are in contact with the circuit pattern, and a signal having a voltage level corresponding to each contact state is generated. , a user interface device that outputs to one input terminal corresponding to each of the key bodies of a controller that executes arithmetic processing based on the signal,
during the first contact state and the third contact state, the voltage level of the signal is zero volts or the power supply voltage;
In the second contact state, the voltage level of the signal is a divided voltage between zero volts and a power supply voltage, which is detectable by the controller.

In the present invention, the second contact portion having a height shorter than that of the first contact portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the first contact portion is arranged therein. Also, the second contact portion can be reliably brought into contact with the substrate.

In particular, if the cover including the key body is made of cardboard or cardboard, it may bend when pressed. , the timing difference can be detected.

In addition, when the cylindrical second contact contacts the substrate, the user can feel a different and stable resistance force or repulsive force, which can improve the so-called pressing feeling.

Further, the base portion of the user interface device according to the present invention detects contact timings of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, respectively, calculates a key pressing speed from the contact timing, and provides key identification information, It has a controller that outputs input data including key on/off and key pressing speed in accordance with the MIDI standard.

The conductive member of the second contact portion of the push button may be divided into a plurality of parts, and each part may be brought into contact with the circuit pattern of the board. For example, one of a plurality of parts can be used for calculating the pressing speed, and the other parts can be used for LED display. In this way, the LED can be turned on without going through the controller, so the processing load on the controller can be reduced.

When the conductive member of the second contact is divided into two parts, it is preferable to divide the conductive member into two parts by an insulating region perpendicular to the support shaft of the key body. By dividing the conductive member of the second contact in this way, both conductive members can be stably brought into contact with the substrate.

To provide a low-cost user interface device capable of reliably detecting not only key on/off information but also key pressing speed, and improving so-called pressing feeling to improve operability. becomes possible.

1 is a side view of a user interface device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the push button 2 of FIG. 1; 2 is a circuit block diagram of a user interface device 1 according to another embodiment 1; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of a controller 41 according to another embodiment 1; FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of a user interface device 1 according to another embodiment 2; It is a circuit pattern on the base part 3 of FIG. It is an explanatory photograph of the structure of the keyboard which is an example of a user interface apparatus, and how to assemble it. 7A is a photograph of the black keys 72, FIG. 7B is a photograph of the white keys 71, and FIG. It is a photograph showing the shape of the push button in FIG. 1, FIG. 8(a) is a photograph of the push button 2 as seen obliquely from below, and FIG. 8(b) is a photograph of the push button 2 as seen obliquely from above. . 1 is a circuit block diagram of a user interface device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

A first embodiment of a music generating device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a user interface device 1 according to this embodiment. In this figure, the user interface device 1 comprises a base portion 3 having a circuit pattern, which is wiring for detecting the presence or absence of contact of contacts corresponding to keys, and push buttons provided on the base portion 3 corresponding to the key positions. 2, and a cover 7 provided on the push button 2 and having key bodies 71, 72 for depressing the push button. The base portion 3 and the cover 7 are supported by columns 8a and 8b. In addition to circuit patterns, the base unit 3 includes an electronic circuit group 4 for processing contact information of the contact points of the push buttons 2, and interface means 6 for communicating with external devices such as computers, tablet terminals, and mobile terminals. I have.

An arbitrary number of key bodies 71 and 72 can be provided, and the outer shape of the push button 2 arranged under each key body has the shape of an upside-down cup, and has elastic softness such as silicone rubber. It is made of an insulating material.

Next, the configuration of this push button 2 will be described in detail.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the push button 2, FIG. 8(a) is a photograph of the push button 2 viewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 8(b) is a photograph of the push button 2 viewed obliquely from above.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the push button 2 is provided substantially in the center of the inverted cup-shaped outer frame portion 21 and the inner bottom portion 25 of the outer frame portion 21, and is shorter than the height of the outer frame portion 21. A columnar first contact portion 22 and a cylindrical second contact portion 23 that surrounds the first contact portion 22 and is shorter than the first contact portion 22 are provided.

The first contact portion 22 is provided with a conductive member 22a at its open end. Conductive members 23a and 23b are provided at the open end of the second contact portion 23 with a certain gap therebetween. These conductive members can be easily formed by conductive printing. A projection 24 is provided on the lower side of the outer frame portion 21 and fits into a hole (not shown) provided in the base portion 3 .

In the following description, a cardboard keyboard is used as the cover 7, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The keyboard (cover) 7 has black keys 72 shown in FIG. 7(a) and white keys 71 shown in FIG. 7(b). The tip of the white key 71 is bent downward at the position A, and after being completely bent, the head 21a of the push button 2 is fitted into the hole 71a. In this way, the base portion 3, the push buttons 2, and the keyboard 7 are prevented from being displaced, and stable and continuous operation can be performed.

FIG. 7(c) is a photograph showing a working state in which the keyboard 7 is attached to the base portion 3. As shown in FIG. The pushbuttons 2 are set at positions corresponding to the white keys 71 and the black keys 72 of the keyboard 7 on the base unit 3, and the keyboard 7 is put thereon. The whole is stabilized by inserting the head 21a. Note that the keyboard 7 operates with the left-right direction of the user as a pivot. On the other hand, the gap (slit) between the conductive members 23a and 23b of the second contact portion 23 of the push button 2 extends in the front-rear direction as seen from the user, so that the conductive members 23a and 23b and these members come into contact with each other. The circuit pattern portions 33a and 33b (described later) are arranged in the horizontal direction as seen from the user, that is, in parallel with the spindle of the keyboard 7. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the circuit pattern of the base portion 3. As shown in FIG. Reference numeral 31 denotes an area in which the push button 2 is arranged. Incidentally, the circuit pattern portion 32a is a portion with which the first contact 22a of the push button 2 contacts. Similarly, the circuit pattern portions 33a and 33b are the portions with which the second contacts 23a and 23b of the push button 2 come into contact, respectively.

The circuit pattern portions 32a, 33a, and 33b have a shape in which circuit patterns from two directions are inserted between the teeth in a comb-like manner with a certain gap between the teeth. The circuit patterns from the two directions are electrically connected by having the portions contact the entire corresponding circuit pattern portions.

FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram of the user interface device 1 having the above configuration. Reference numeral 9 represents a circuit related to one push button 2 (hereinafter referred to as "key unit"). A signal (IN) from each key unit 9 is input to the controller 41 and arithmetically processed. The controller 41 also reads the states of other switches, ie, the control change switch 42, the function change switch 43, and the like, and executes predetermined processing. For example, when the user interface device 1 functions as an interface for music, the state of the control change switch 42 may be changed such as raising or lowering the octave. Also, the function change switch 43 may be used to change the instrument to be simulated.

The power supply of the user interface device 1 can be supplied from an external device via the USB 61, for example. Key operation input data is sent to an external device via a USB 61 or wireless communication I/F 62 such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

Next, the circuit configuration of each key unit will be described.
One end of a circuit pattern (hereinafter simply referred to as "contact") 22a with which the conductive portion of the first contact portion 22 of the push button 2 contacts is connected to the power source P via a resistor R2. The other end of the contact 22a is connected to the input end of the controller 41 and to one end of the resistor R1. The other end of the resistor R1 is connected (grounded) to 0V.

One end of the contact 23a of the second contact portion 23 is connected to the connection point between the resistor R1 and the contact 22a, and the other end of the contact 23a is connected to the power supply P. One end of the contact 23b is connected to the LED via the power source P and the resistor R3, and the other end of the contact 23b is grounded.

Here, the controller 41 can discriminate three voltage levels near a power supply voltage (eg 5V), a ground voltage (eg 0V) and an intermediate voltage (eg 2V). The ratio is predetermined so that the controller 41 can detect the intermediate voltage when the contact 22 is turned on.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 9, when the key is in the released state, that is, when the push button 2 is not pressed, the input terminal of the controller 41 is connected to 0 V through the resistor R1, so the input value is grounded. The voltage becomes [0V]. Then, when the push button 2 is pressed and the contact 22a is turned on, the divided voltage of the resistors R2 and R1 is input to the controller 41, so that the input value becomes the intermediate voltage [2V]. When the controller 41 detects that the input value has reached the intermediate voltage, it starts an internal timer.

Then, when the push button 2 is pushed further and the contact 23a is turned on, the input end of the controller 41 becomes the power supply voltage [5 V]. At this time, since the contact 23b is also turned on substantially at the same time, the LED lights up. The controller 41 calculates the velocity from the value of the internal timer at this point, and transmits note-on and velocity to the external device via the USB 61 or wireless communication I/F 62 . That is, the faster the transition from the intermediate voltage to the power supply voltage, the higher the velocity value that is output.
When the key is released, it outputs "note off" to stop the sound when the ground voltage reaches [0V].

(Application example)
The above operation is an example, and the user interface device 1 according to the present embodiment can be used in various ways depending on the application. For example, in addition to the function of playing melodies and chords in the same way as a general piano or organ, it is also possible to send note-on data to an external device application regardless of the pitch of a percussion instrument. In this case, the note length parameter is not necessary, so the controller 41 automatically outputs note-off after 20 milliseconds, for example.

Alternatively, a tact switch may be used as the control change switch 42 on the upper part of the base unit 3 to output parameters such as modulation for modulating sound and bend. By pressing the function change switch (function switch) 43 on the right side of the base unit 3, the push button 2 is put into a special function mode, and it may be possible to change the midi channel or change the control change number. .

(effect)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the two contacts that are turned on at different times when a key is pressed, the second contact portion that is turned on later is formed in a cylindrical shape. At the time of contact, a stable resistance or repulsive force can be felt that is different from the feeling in the pressed state up to that point, and the so-called pressing feeling can be improved. By adjusting the hardness of the elastic soft insulating member forming the push button or by changing the thickness of the cylinder of the second contact portion, it is possible to realize an optimum push-in feeling.

Also, if the cover including the key body is made of cardboard or cardboard, it may bend when pressed. , the timing difference can be detected.

(Another Example 1)
Another embodiment of the circuit of FIG. 9 will now be described. This embodiment assumes that the input to the controller 41 is binary [1] (H level) and [0] (L level).

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of this embodiment. The difference from FIG. 9 is that one end of the contact 23a of the second contact portion 23 is connected to the connection point between the resistor R1 and the contact 22a, and the other end of the contact 23a is grounded. Since other connection relationships are the same as in FIG. 9, description thereof is omitted.
The ratio between the resistance R1 and the resistance R2 is set so that the controller 41 can detect [1] when the contact 22 is turned on.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 3, when the key is in the released state, that is, when the push button 2 is not pressed, the input terminal of the controller 41 is connected to 0 V through the resistor R1, so the input value is [ 0]. Then, when the push button 2 is pressed and the contact 22a is turned on, the divided voltage of the resistors R2 and R1 is input to the controller 41, so the input value becomes [1]. When the push button 2 is pushed further and the contact 23a is turned on, the input terminal of the controller 41 is directly grounded to 0V, so the input value becomes [0]. At this time, since the contact 23b is also turned on substantially at the same time, the LED lights up.

After that, when the key is released, the contact 23a of the push button 2 is turned off by the elastic restoring force of the push button 2, and the divided voltage of the resistors R2 and R1 is input to the controller 41, so the input value is [1 ]. Also, the contact 23b is turned off and the LED is extinguished. Furthermore, when the contact 22a is released and the contact 22a is also turned off, the input value of the controller 41 becomes [0].

Next, an example of the processing procedure of the controller 41 when the push button 2 is pressed will be described with reference to FIG. The following procedure is executed for all keys (S101a, S101b).

When the controller 41 detects the input value = [1] ("YES" in S102), it restarts the timer provided for each key (S103), and determines whether the input value of the key has become [0]. (S104). As a result, when the input value becomes [0], the value of the timer is read (S107), the velocity is calculated based on this value, and the note-on and velocity of the key number are transmitted according to the MIDI standard. Predetermined processing at the time of key-on is executed (S109).

After that, when the input value of the key changes to [1] ("YES" in S110), it is further determined whether the input value of the key changes to [0] (S113) and [0]. , it is determined that the key has been turned off, and a predetermined process is executed (S116). For example, according to the MIDI standard, a note-off of the key number is transmitted.

In the above processing, the determination processing in steps S104, S110, and S113 naturally expects a change in the input value in the course of a series of key operations. Perform error handling. It should be noted that it is preferable to store the timeout time as a parameter in the storage unit of the controller 41 for each key, and to set it by each step or application.

(Other Example 2: Comparative Example)
FIG. 5 shows a comparative example of circuit blocks. In this example, the ON/OFF states of the contacts 22a and 23a of the push button 2 are detected independently. Although the pressing speed of the push button 2 can also be detected with the configuration of FIG. 5, it is necessary to input two signals (IN1, IN2) to the controller 41 for each key unit. The configurations of FIGS. 3 and 9 have the effect of reducing the number of input signals.

The user interface device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the cover 7 is not limited to a keyboard, and can have a key shape and key arrangement suitable for remote control of a television, control of lighting, and the like. In this case as well, the base unit can be realized by using a general-purpose keyboard such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) keyboard and mounting the above-described push buttons thereon. It is obvious that the object of the present invention can be achieved even if the second contact portion of the push button 2 is not divided into two. Also, the first contact portion is not limited to a shape as long as it is in the cylindrical shape of the second contact portion. For example, it may be cylindrical instead of columnar.

The user interface device can be realized as a cardboard music keyboard kit that is fun to make. The texture and the way the paper is folded resembles traditional Japanese origami. While enjoying the structure, attach the push buttons and assemble the keyboard.

Since this user interface device can be easily connected to a computer or smartphone, it is possible to produce sounds using applications such as synthesizers, and to create musical works on a digital audio workstation (DAW). Furthermore, by installing a sound generation circuit 44 such as a built-in sound generator and a speaker, it becomes possible to enjoy music simply by supplying power through the USB 61 .

Also, by pressing a specific key (for example, a function key), the function of the controller 41 can be changed, or software can be sent to the controller 41 from an external computer device via the USB 61 to change the function of the controller 41 .

As a result, the user interface device 1 can be used as a controller for a wide range of household appliances, such as a keyboard for music, a remote control device for lighting, and a remote control device for a television.

1 User interface device 2 Push button 3 Base unit 4 Electronic circuit group 6 Interface means 7 Cover (keyboard)
8a, 8b Support 9 Key unit 21 Outer frame 21a Heads 22, 23 Contacts 22a, 23a, 23b Conductive members (contacts)
24 projection 25 inner bottom 32a, 33a, 33b circuit pattern portion 41 controller 42 control change switch 43 function change switch 44 sound generation circuit 61 USB
62 Wireless communication I/F
71 white key (key body)
72 black key (key body)
71a hole

Claims (5)

a base portion having a circuit pattern for detecting whether a contact corresponding to a key is in contact;
a push button provided at the key location on the base;
a cover provided on the push button and having a key body for pressing the push button;
with
The push button is
an outer frame portion of the inverted cup, a columnar first contact portion provided substantially in the center of the inner bottom portion of the outer frame portion and shorter than the height inside the outer frame portion, and surrounding the first contact portion, a cylindrical second contact portion shorter than the first contact portion;
The first contact portion and the second contact portion are each formed using an insulating member having a conductive member at its open end,
When the key body is pressed, the push button at the bottom of the key body is pressed, and both the conductive member of the first contact portion and the conductive member of the second contact portion come into contact with the circuit pattern. a second contact state in which the conductive member of the first contact portion is in contact with the circuit pattern while the conductive member of the second contact portion is out of contact with the circuit pattern; The conductive member of the first contact portion and the conductive member of the second contact portion are sequentially changed to a third contact state in which both are in contact with the circuit pattern, and a signal having a voltage level corresponding to each contact state is generated. , a user interface device that outputs to one input terminal corresponding to each of the key bodies of a controller that executes arithmetic processing based on the signal,
during the first contact state and the third contact state, the voltage level of the signal is zero volts or the power supply voltage;
A user interface device, wherein when in said second contact state, the voltage level of said signal is a divided voltage between zero volts and a power supply voltage which is detectable by said controller. The base portion detects contact timings of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, respectively, obtains a key depression speed from the contact timing, and provides key identification information, key on/off and key depression. 2. A user interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for outputting input data including velocity according to the MIDI standard. The conductive member of the second contact of the push button is divided into two conductive members by an insulating region extending perpendicularly to the support shaft of the key body, and the circuit pattern of the base portion is divided into two conductive members. 3. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein the contact is formed to be contactable with each of the two conductive members. 4. The user interface device according to claim 3, further comprising an LED that lights up when one of the two conductive members of the second contact portion comes into contact with the circuit pattern. 5. The user interface device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is a keyboard of an electronic piano made of cardboard or cardboard .

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