JPH0315127A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the durability and a mounting means for displaying the function of keys, by using a custom key panel interacting with a system with which a keyboard is interacted, as a key pad assembly. CONSTITUTION: Each key pad assembly interacts with a system with which a keyboard is interacted, to provide a custom key panel 10 to an user. The panel 10 comprises a switching means 12 formed by an user selection key means 14 and an energizable key decode means 16. The panel 10 further comprises a key means 18 which can be selectively mounted corresponding to the means 12 for energizing the switching means 12. The means 18 comprises a mechanical switch operating means including one key 20 which the user can selectively energize. The means 18 further comprises a key encode means which operates a key decode means 22 when it is mounted in relation to the switch means 12, for distinguishing the function selectable by the user when one key 20 is operated by the user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to keyboards, and more particularly to replaceable keypad assemblies forming at least part of a user keyboard. In particular, according to one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable keypad
Assembly provided. The keypad assembly, when replacing such a keypad installed on the keyboard, activates one of several programmable keyboard feature sets for selection by user keystrokes. It is coded as follows.

[Prior art and its problems]

One application of the invention relates to molded rubber keyboards. A molded rubber keyboard, in combination with an underlying printed circuit board, forms a keyboard structure that is much less expensive than one in which each key requires a separate push button member individually attached to the frame. It has been used in Note that the term "rubber" used in this specification refers not only to synthetic rubber and natural rubber but also to other elastic materials.

Molded rubber keyboards usually have an upwardly protruding rubber
It is made from a rubber sheet that is integrated with the key.

Each rubber key is located above a recess in the seat and its lower end includes means, such as a conductive rubber member, for closing a switch contact on a printed circuit board located directly below it. . The recess forms a diaphragm that serves to suspend the conductive rubber member above the printed circuit board except when a particular key is pressed.

For example, Church U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,770 discloses a printed circuit board providing a series of switch contacts and a shaped rubber keyboard providing a rubber base sheet overlying the printed circuit board. A keyboard assembly is disclosed. Here, the rubber heath sheet is integrally provided with a series of rubber keys. Each key has a contact on its bottom surface that closes a respective one of the switch contacts when pressed. Stabilizing thin film prevents keys from wobbling and binding
is prevented. Although the undesirable wobbling and sticking are largely eliminated, this keyboard becomes a dedicated keyboard, meaning that key functions are determined by the system in which they are installed. Overlays were used to display functionality. Overlays are commonly used on computer keyboards and calculators. A common overlay configuration is a thin plastic sheet with information screen printed on it.

This material is not very durable and can be easily damaged. Furthermore, these overlays are typically not securely attached to computer keyboards or calculators.

Therefore, these overlays can easily move and slide off the keyboard, irritating the user. Also, the function of the key is fixed, that is, its function is determined by the computer or calculator. This is because the overlay does not operationally interact with the system.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention aims to overcome the problems of the prior art mentioned above and to provide a more durable and securely attached means for indicating the function of a key. It is further intended to interact with the system to display which of the various sets of key functions are activated for selection by the user.

[Summary of the invention]

According to one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable keypad assembly is provided. This keybutt assembly, when replaced on an attached keyboard, is coded to activate one of several programmable key sets for selection by user key activation. ing. Each keypad assembly features durable construction and securely attaches to the rest of the keyboard. Each keypad assembly is installed in the remainder of the keyboard and interacts with the system with which the keyboard interacts, preferably a programmable system, to provide a custom key panel to the user. This allows the key functions to be tailored so that when the key is activated, a desired selection of operations is available to the user.

This custom key panel is not as susceptible to damage as an overlay, is securely attached, and provides flexibility in the mechanical structure of the key. The flexibility of the structure provides the user with only the function keys needed for a particular application. This results in a more tidy panel for an improved human interface.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A custom key panel provided in one embodiment of the invention preferably couples a replaceable keypad assembly to the system keyboard means to provide one of a variety of sets of key functions. It is a parts assembly that provides one to the user. Custom key panels allow users to directly execute commands that they typically select most frequently.

In some embodiments, the custom key panel is plugged in but not electrically connected. This panel mechanically activates the switches and addresses the processors within the system using a unique identification code for each replaceable assembly. This results in a very reliable system.

One embodiment of a custom key panel according to the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 10 as shown in FIG. Custom key panel preferably user selectable key means 1
4 and switch means l2 in the form of activatable key decoding means l6.

The custom key panel 10 also preferably includes a key means l8 optionally mountable with respect to the switch means 12, for energizing the switch means l2. The key means 18 preferably includes mechanical switch activation means including at least one key 20 that can be selectively activated by the user. The key means l8 also actuates the key decoding means 22 when mounted with respect to the switch means l2,
Key encoding means 22 are included for identifying functions selectable by the user when at least one key 20 is actuated by the user.

The switch or key means 14, 16 preferably comprises a conductive rubber member 24 or a pellet (FIGS. 3B, 3C).
) into a non-conductive rubber sheet 26.
compression mold) I. , forming a keypad or switch matrix. The conductive rubber 24 is traced onto the printed circuit board 30 by a non-conductive rubber sheet 26.
It is held above 28. switch (key means)
Pressing 14 or 16 causes the conductive member 24 to short out the several wires associated with that location, which causes the processor to recognize that the switch is closed.

Preferably, six binary address switches are provided to allow the custom key panel key functions to have 64 choices. The six address switches are arranged in the same matrix as the hole locations in the sub-panel 32 of the custom key panel assembly J. The sub-panel 32 is
Key means 1 which is an address switch in the part without a hole
6 can be pressed down (closed securely).

The configuration of each address switch 16 allows overtravel and compression of the rubber actuator without applying excessive force to the assembly. This ensures that the switch can be closed even in the worst case of tolerances regarding stack-up and warpage between the sub-panel 32 and the keyboard. Address switch l6 preferably has a travel of only 0.5 taps to close, so the large overtravel is 3 mm.

The travel distance of a standard key switch is 1.7 ma+, which is normal and does not cause excessive travel.

Custom key panel 10 is preferably an HP7000
A replaceable keypad assembly is plugged into the front hazel 40 of an electronic measuring instrument, such as the display/mainframe of a Moshra measurement system, thereby allowing the user to use one of a variety of key function sets. Make it. As shown in FIG. 8, keypad assembly 18 is preferably retained to bezel 40 by mechanical springs. Spring 42 is attached from the back of bezel 40 and is retained by the keypad.

Spring 42 hooks onto the edge of subpanel 32 and holds the right side of the assembly. On the left side is the shelf with bezel 40 (
shelf ) 4 Sandwiched around 4.

Keypad assembly 18 is aligned on its left side with shelf 44 on vessel 40 and then the assembly is hinged around shelf 44 until spring 42 is engaged. This operation is similar to closing a door.

To remove the keypad assembly l8, the front panel has a screwdriver tip.
An opening 46 is provided for the insertion of a tool such as a de). As the screwdriver is pushed into opening 46, spring 42 is forced away from subpanel 32, thereby disengaging keypad assembly l8. The keypad assembly 18 is then forced away from the keypad by another portion of the spring and the remaining force from the depressed switch 16. The keypad assembly 18 rests at a sufficient distance from the bezel 40 to provide finger clearance for grasping and removing the keypad assembly 18.

Keypad assembly 18 preferably uses a conventional keycap 50. The keycap 50 is generally two-stage injection molded and has the name integrated therein. Each keycap 50 is pressed into a key adapter 52 to enable the keycap to function in a keypad assembly. Custom key panel designers can modify these devices to create unique keycaps for each application.

This provides great flexibility in future key panel designs. For example, 15 separate keys may be provided. There may also be 1/2 width keys or 1/4 width keys. or up to 3 double-width keycaps (primary user keys) used in the left-most column and 1 in position for the remaining 9.
/2 width or 174 width keys may be provided. The front panel may be screen printed to provide the necessary display of key functions.

Preferably, the keycaps are tethered to prevent them from falling off when the custom key panel is removed from the device. This is made possible by providing the sub-panel 32 with an aperture 60 into which a keycap 50 connected to a key adapter 52 is inserted. A front panel 62 with an aperture 64 is then placed over the sub-panel 32 and keycap 50 so that the aperture 64 and keycap 50 are aligned. Front panel 62 also includes weld studs 66 into which spacers 68 are fitted. The stud 66 extends through a hole 70 in the subpanel 32 and a nut 72 is screwed onto the stud to complete the keypad assembly l8.
It is designed to hold. The keypad assembly 18 is strong and durable and sufficiently resistant to damage during rough handling on the outside of the device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention has many advantages over those provided by overlays. When flexibility, reliability, durability, and an optimal human interface are desired,
The present invention represents an ideal solution. There are many applications that can benefit from using a custom keypanel according to the present invention.

The foregoing description has been presented primarily for purposes of illustration. One modification to this example is to mold the entire keypad assembly 18 out of plastic material. In another possible embodiment, instead of the address switch it is also possible to use electrical address encoding means, such as a diode matrix or a read-only memory. Although various embodiments have been disclosed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous other modifications and changes not described above may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. However, it is still possible to implement it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a key panel according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 2A and 2B are circuit diagrams of the key panel of FIG. 1; FIGS. 38 to 3C are schematic diagrams of the key panel of FIG. Figures 4A to 4C showing details of the rubber keypad of the key panel of the
Figures 5, 5A, and 5B show details of the front panel of the replaceable keypad assembly of the key panel of Figure 1; Figures 5, 5A, and 5B show the replaceable keypad of the key panel of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows details of the key panel spring in Figure 1. Figure 7 shows details of the key adapter. Figure 8 shows details of the key adapter in Figure 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the key panel, which is not shown in the figure. 10: Custom key panel l2: Switch means 14, 16, l8: Key means 20: Key 22: Key encoding means 24: Conductive rubber piece 26: Non-conductive rubber sheet 28: Wiring 30: Print Circuit board 32: Sub-panel 40: Bezel 42: Spring 44: Shelf 50: Keycap 52: Key adapter 62: Front panel 64: Aperture 66: Welding stud 68: Surfacer 70: Hole 72: Nut FIG 4C FIG 4A FIG 3B FIG 3C FIG 4B

Claims (1)

Claims: A keyboard selectively actuatable by a user, comprising (A) and (B): (A) switch means including user selectable switch means and actuatable key decoding means; B) (a) below
and (b) key means selectively mountable with respect to said switch means for actuating said switch means: (a) at least one key means selectively actuable by a user to actuate said user selectable switch means; (b) a key which, when said key means is mounted relative to said switch means, actuates said key decoding means to identify a function selectable by a user when said at least one key is actuated by said user;・Encoding means.