UA58906A - Electronic keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The proposed electronic keyboard contains a console with keys and elements for providing interaction of the keys with the keyboard circuit. Each of the elements for providing interaction is designed as a force sensor reacting to the pressure on the corresponding key. In the keyboard circuit, an electronic device is provided that determines the pressure on each key and the coordinates of the corresponding force sensors. The symbol digital code according to the pressed key is formed depending on the force on the key and coordinates of the corresponding force sensor.

Description

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to electronic information input devices, in particular to compact 2 electronic keyboards, especially to electronic keyboards of mobile devices, for example, mobile phones.

Today, mobile phone manufacturers, meeting the wishes of users, strive to provide their mobile phones with means that allow to take into account the individual needs of the user, to realize the possibility without significant costs to make such phones outwardly unlike other phones of the same model. 70 This goal is achieved, for example, with the help of a changeable front panel or various graphic screensavers.

These solutions, however, do not allow changing the layout of the electronic keyboard used in this phone (further - the keyboard), adapting it to the individual needs of the user. Solutions that allow you to use different key modules with different keyboard layouts, for example, the company's Ztagi5kKip solution

MUidzeea tsa. (550 Kigkiapa U/au, Pyoog 1, Kigkiapa, Ukha, 98033 OA, per:/Lymlu m/Idzeea.sot), which is the closest 719 analog of this invention, as a rule, is expensive, partly because in these keyboard modules it is necessary to place electronic components and, accordingly, it is necessary to ensure electrical contact between the electronic components of the keyboard module and the electronic components located in the mobile phone case, which also reduces the reliability of such a solution, which, in combination with the relatively high cost of this solution, including due to the use of electronic components in keyboard modules prevents its widespread penetration into the mass market.

Keyboards based on membrane switches, which are widely used in mobile devices, including the closest analog, have a low cost and a fairly high durability, but do not allow changing the layout of such a keyboard, that is, the number, shape, inscriptions on the keys, location and orientation keys, without replacing along with the keys also the matrix of conductors, which is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of such a keyboard. Also, the presence of a matrix of conductors in keyboards based on membrane switches complicates the operation of devices in which they are installed in conditions of strong electromagnetic interference.

In addition, ordinary keyboards do not allow you to perform pointing functions, that is, to arbitrarily control the pointer on the display of the device in which such a keyboard is installed, as it can be done, for example, with the help of a computer mouse or a touch pad (i.e., touchpad). Av

The task of this invention is to create such a keyboard that would allow the user to replace its key module without the need to use any electronic components in the key module of such a keyboard and, accordingly, without the need to establish electrical contact between such a key module and the electronic circuit of the keyboard, located in the body of the device in which this keyboard is installed, while it is desirable that such a keyboard does not have a matrix of conductors to reduce the impact of electromagnetic action on this keyboard.

The task is solved by the fact that in the keyboard, which includes a keyboard module, keys and means of interaction of the keyboard module with the electronic circuit of the keyboard are formed in the body of the keyboard module, these means of "interaction of the key module with the electronic circuit of the keyboard are made in the form of pressure sensors, with each of which mechanically interacts with the body of the keyboard module, and the electronic circuit of the keyboard contains an electronic module for determining the pressing force and the coordinates of the pressing point, which is electrically connected to the mentioned pressure sensors pressing, and forming, depending on the values of these parameters, the digital code of the symbol.

The keyboard module can be made removable and equipped with means for installing and removing it from the device housing in which this keyboard is installed. i-y All electronic components of the electronic circuit of the keyboard, including the conductors connecting them, can

Ge | be located outside the keyboard module, in the electronic circuit of this keyboard.

The number of pressure sensors may not exceed four. At least part of the keys can be spring-loaded with elastic elements with the possibility of vertical av! 20 moving these keys.

Elastic elements can change the elastic properties in a jerky manner during the pressing process for a tactilely perceptible goldfinch.

At least part of the keys can be made in the form of graphically marked sections of the surface of the key module. 29 The set of keys can contain a standard set of telephone keys. in. The key module can additionally contain service keys.

The number, shape, color, inscriptions on the keys and the location of the keys in different types of key modules can be arbitrary.

The key module may contain means of identifying exactly which type of key module is installed. 60 At least part of the keyboard module housing can be made transparent.

At least part of the keys can be made transparent.

The body of the keyboard module and the keys can be made transparent.

The top-bottom directions of the inscriptions on the keys can be different for different types of key modules.

The top-bottom directions of the inscriptions on the keys of various types of key modules can differ by 90 degrees.

The body of the keyboard module can be made with the possibility of turning the keyboard module in the plane of its front surface relative to the body of the device in which the keyboard is installed.

The body of the keyboard module can be made with the possibility of turning the keyboard module in the plane of its front surface relative to the body of the device in which the keyboard is installed, in steps of 90 degrees.

The key module may contain an electronic circuit that includes a block of non-volatile memory with software, and on the body of the given key module and in the body of the device in which the given keyboard is installed, contacts may be installed with the possibility of electrical interaction with each other for exchange electronic data between the electronic circuit of the keyboard module and the electronic circuit of the keyboard. 70 The keyboard can contain an electronic module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement for pointing operations.

The keyboard can contain an electronic module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement, which is equipped with software tools for interpreting the coordinates of the initial point of pressing and the trajectory of the tangential movement of the user's finger or other object on the surface of the keyboard module into the digital code of the character being entered.

This invention is explained by drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the keyboard with the keyboard module pulled out of the mobile phone body, in the best version of the keyboard according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the front side of the keyboard module in the best version;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the key module in the best version of the implementation;

Fig. A4 shows a cross-section of the key module installed in the mobile phone body, in the best version of the implementation;

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the key module at the stage of its extraction from the mobile phone case in the best version;

Figb6 shows an electronic block diagram of the keyboard according to this invention in the best and second g5 implementation options;

Fig. 7 shows the keyboard module with service keys in the second version of the implementation; "

Fig. 8 shows a keyboard module with a non-standard layout of the keyboard and grooves in the body of this keyboard module for identifying the type of keyboard module in the second version of the implementation;

Fig. 9 shows a general view of the keyboard with a key module containing service keys, in the extended Gezo state in the second embodiment;

Fig. 10 shows the third version of the implementation, in which the top-down direction of the keys in the key module is perpendicular to the longer side of the mobile phone; Gee!

Fig. 11 shows the keyboard module in the fourth embodiment of the keyboard according to this invention.

Fig. 12 shows the fifth version of the keyboard according to the present invention, in which the integrated electronic circuit in the keyboard module is used; yu

Fig. 13 shows an electronic block diagram of the keyboard according to the present invention in the sixth and seventh embodiments;

Fig. 14 shows the keyboard module in the seventh version of the keyboard according to this invention;

Fig. 15 shows a possible view of the keyboard key according to this invention in the seventh variant "

Implementation; шщ с Fig. 16 summarizes the version of the dependence of the force of pressing the key on the time in the process of pressing and releasing the key by the user; ;" Fig. 17 shows the algorithm of the electronic module for the analysis of the pressure force and the trajectory of the tangential movement in the seventh version of the keyboard according to this invention.

The keyboard in the best embodiment (Fig. 1) contains a keyboard module 1 with keys 2, which is installed in a recess 3 in the body 4 of the device (hereinafter - a mobile phone), in which the keyboard according to this invention is installed. At least four pressure sensors are installed in recess 3, housing 4 of the mobile phone

Ge) 5, which are the means of mechanical interaction of the keyboard module 1 with the electronic circuit of the keyboard, along the edges of the recess C, a triangular protrusion 6 and a catch 7 are placed for fixing the keyboard module 1 and tightly pressing the keyboard module 1 to the pressing force sensors 5 with a specified minimum force . In building 8

Ф of the key module 1, bevels 9 are made, corresponding to the triangular protrusion 6 and the catch 7. The bevels 9, the triangular protrusion 6 and the catch 7 together form means for installing and removing the key module 1 from the housing 4 of the mobile phone. At the same time, the keyboard module 1 can be made both with the possibility of its independent extraction and installation by the user in the case 4 of the mobile phone, that is, removable and non-removable. In the latter case, it is possible to fasten the housing 8 of the key module 1 in the housing 4 of the mobile phone

With the help of, for example, screws or screws, or with the help of elastic clips of a simplified design, hidden in the housing 4 of the mobile phone, which ensure that the housing 8 of the key module 1 is pressed against the pressure sensors 5. Next, we will mainly consider the variants of the key module 1 in the removable execution, as in more universal and, accordingly, better.

The key module (Fig. 2) consists of a housing 8, on the front side of which keys 2 are formed.

Fig. 2 also shows the above-mentioned bevels 9, which serve to fix the key module in the mobile phone case. Dotted circles 10 conventionally show the places of contact of the above-mentioned pressure sensors with the back surface of the housing 8 of the keyboard module. In this embodiment, the set of keys 2, 65 formed in the case 8 of the key module, is identical to a standard telephone set of keys, consisting of keys with the symbols 1-9, 0, Ж and", while keys 2 with numbers from 2 to 9 including, additionally, letters of the Latin alphabet can be applied, as shown in Fig. 1, while the keys 2 are made preferably movable in the vertical direction with respect to the body of the key module 8. At the same time, it should be noted that an embodiment is possible in which all or part of keys 2 are graphic images applied to the surface of the keyboard module body 8. It is also possible to form additional keys in the form of graphic images, for example, letters, on the front surface of the keyboard module body 8 in the spaces between the vertically movable keys 2 of a standard telephone keyboard, when therefore, the sizes of the mentioned areas can be significantly smaller than the sizes of keys 2. This approach allows you to increase the number of symbols, units for input with one click, without the need to form additional vertically / about movable keys 2 in the case 8 of the key module.

The section of the keyboard module along the line A-A (Fig. 2) is shown in Fig. 3. The keys 2 are installed in the cavities 11 in the body 8 of the keyboard module and are spring-loaded with elastic elements made in the form of elastic membranes 12, at least one membrane 12 for each key 2, the protrusions 13 on the key 2 hold the key 2 in the cavity 11 of the body 8 of the keyboard key module. At the same time, the membranes 12 are preferably made in such a way that when /5 Pressing the key 2, the user can tactilely feel a click (click).

A cross-section along the line A-A (Fig. 1) of the key module 1 installed in recess C in the case 4 of the mobile phone is shown in Fig. 4. Under the influence of the expanding spring 14, the catch 7 installed on the axis 15, with the help of the triangular protrusion 6 and bevels 9 in the body 8 of the key module, presses the body 8 of the key module to the pressure sensors 5 installed in the body 4 of the mobile phone, providing a minimum 2) the initial pressing of the housing 8 of the key module to the pressure sensors 5. Here it is important to note that the distance between the back side of the housing 8 of the key module and the surface of the recess C in the housing 4 of the mobile phone should be such that even when the user presses reasonably hard on the front surface of the housing 8 of the key module, there was no collision of the back surface of the case 8 of the key module with the surface of the recess З, this requirement is provided both by the choice of the material from which the case 8 of the Key module is made, and by the choice of the height of the placement of the contact surface of the pressure force sensors 5 above the surface of the recess 3.

As for the material from which the body 8 of the key module and the keys 2 are made, it is possible that both the body 8 of the key module and the keys 2 are made of a transparent material, for example, transparent plastic. In this case, the user has new options for individualizing his Gezo phone, by, for example, placing various images in recess C (Fig. 1) of the housing 4 of the mobile phone, or on the back surface of the housing 8 of the key module 1.

As for the illumination of the keys 2 (Fig. 1) in the case 8 of the keyboard module, this illumination is carried out, Ge! for example, by placing one or more light sources, for example, LEDs, at the bottom of the recess From the housing 4 of the mobile phone, provided that the sections of the keys 2 and the housing 8 of the key module under the

With the 2 images printed on the keys, they are made transparent. For more effective illumination of the keys 2, the bottom of the recess of the housing 4 of the mobile phone can be made white. In the case of manufacturing both the body 8 of the key module and the keys 2 from a transparent material, it is possible to illuminate the keys 2 with light sources, for example, LEDs directed to the end part of the body 8 of the key module. The case of illumination is also interesting, when the illumination is made of light sources of different colors, or when at least one light source has the ability to change the color of the emitted light, as some LEDs allow.

Fig. 4 also shows the direction of pressing the user's finger 16 on the catch 7 for the purpose of extraction; of the key module from recess Z in the case 4 of the mobile phone. In the process of pulling out the key module, the catch 7 rotates around the axis 15, overcoming the elastic force of the spring 14, which is stretched, after which this

The same spring 14 tightens the catch 7, while the projection 17 of the catch 7 pushes the body 8 of the key module out of the recess C in the body 4 of the mobile phone, upon completion of this movement, the body 8 of the key module takes the position shown in Fig.5. Fig. 5 shows the key module in the extended state and indicates the direction of pressing the user's finger 16 on the body 8 of the key module for its subsequent installation in recess C in the body 4 of the mobile phone. At the same time, the catch 7 is in the "open" state and is fixed in this state by the spring 14, which expands.

Ф The electronic circuit of the keyboard according to the present invention in the best embodiment is shown in Fig. b and includes sensors of pressing force 5, marked as РОЙ, РО2, РОЗ and РО4, which are electrically connected by means of conductors to the electronic module for determining the pressing force and the coordinates of the pressure point 18, which registers a change in the electrical parameters, for example, resistance or capacity, of pressure sensors 5 under the action of the user pressing on the surface 19 of the key module (both on the key and in the spaces between the keys) and

P" determines the coordinates of the pressing point 20 on this surface 19, as well as the force with which the user makes this pressing. At the same time, we consider a pressure point to be a point on the surface of the keyboard module, the action on which with a certain pressure force leads to an identical distribution of forces on the pressure sensors РО1, РО2, РОЗ and 1 РО4, as when pressing a finger or other object on the surface of the key module with the same pressing force. For example, in case of uniform distribution of pressure within the area 21 of the contact of the user's finger or other object with the surface 19 of the keyboard module during pressing, the pressing point 20 coincides with the geometric center of the area 21.

Data on the magnitude of the pressing force and the coordinates of the pressing point 20 are sent to the force analysis module b5 Pressing 22, with which the module for determining the pressing force and coordinates of the pressing point 18 is electrically connected. The pressing force analysis module 22 determines whether pressing occurs on the surface 19, if so,

which key is pressed, or which other action was performed by the user, converts this action into a digital code, which, with the help of the interface module 23, with which the pressure analysis module 22 is electrically connected, enters the other electronic components of the electronic circuit of the mobile phone for the next processing

Pressure sensors 5, the module for determining the pressure and coordinates of the pressure point 18, the pressure analysis module 22, the interface module 23 and the conductors that electrically connect them are electronic components of the electronic circuit of the keyboard according to this invention.

It should be noted here that the cost of replaceable key modules in the preferred embodiment of the keyboard according to this invention is relatively small and can be equal to or even less than the cost of a conventional /o keyboard with membrane switches, because these key modules do not contain any electronic components, including of any conductors, can be made of inexpensive plastics, and at the same time use a single electronic keyboard circuit for all key modules and a key illumination system installed in the case of a mobile phone.

It should also be noted that, due to the absence of a matrix of conductors and closing contacts, this /5 keyboard takes up much less space on the printed circuit board of a mobile phone, is more reliable, less exposed to electromagnetic interference, and in the process of operation itself creates less electromagnetic interference than conventional membrane ones contact keyboards, which makes the keyboard according to the present invention particularly attractive for technical fields where the requirements for reliability and minimization of electromagnetic interference are particularly strict, for example, in the field of measuring or medical technology.

In the second embodiment (Fig. 7), the keyboard according to this invention, in addition to the standard set of twelve telephone keys 2, contains additional functional keys 24. At the same time, the number, shape, color and placement of these keys 24, however, are the same as standard telephone keys 2 , can be different, as, for example, shown in Fig.8. For example, keys 2 can be made in the form of various shapes, for example, animals, stars, polygons, etc. This keyboard module is more suitable for games due to the presence of an enlarged game pointer formed by pointer keys 25, keys 2 of telephone keyboards during games can perform functions specific to these games, for example, "fire", etc.. At the same time, "service keys 24 are placed in lower part of the case 8 of the key module.

Information about the type of installed key module can be transmitted to the mobile phone using, for example, grooves 26 on the back (facing the mobile phone body) side of the 8 Gezo Kkey module housing, while the combination of these grooves 26 is unique for each type of key module. A section along the line A-A in the region of the grooves 26 is also shown in Fig.8. When installing the key module in the case of a mobile phone, the location of these grooves 26 is read in one of the known ways, for example, with the help of Ge! closing or opening the corresponding slots of 26 contacts in the mobile phone case, thus informing the electronic circuit of the keyboard about which type of key module is installed. At the same time, for so

To facilitate visual identification of the type of key module by the user, all kinds of inscriptions and drawings characteristic of this type of key module can be additionally applied to the body 8 of the key module.

Additional external design of the key module is also possible in order to facilitate its visual identification by the user, for example, by painting the body 8 of the key module and/or the keys 2 in different colors. "

Fig. 9 shows a general view of the keyboard with a key module 1 with service keys 24, with s formed in the body 8 of the key module 1 in addition to the standard telephone keys 2, as well as . the location of pressure sensors 5 in the housing 4 of the mobile phone in the second embodiment. and?" The third version of the keyboard according to this invention is shown in Fig. 10, while the standard telephone keyboard, formed by the keys 2 in the body 8 of the keyboard module, is turned 90 degrees clockwise relative to the usual position, while the usual position of the telephone keyboard in the mobile phone we consider its position to be when the top-bottom direction of the keyboard is directed along the longer side of the mobile phone body. This keyboard module allows you to work more comfortably with mobile phones that have a longer side of the display

Ge) is oriented along the longer side of the housing 4 of the mobile phone. When installing such a key module 5p, the rotation of the image on the display 27 of the mobile phone by 90 degrees clockwise can occur automatically, because information about the installation of this type of key module can be

Ф is transferred to the electronic circuit of the mobile phone using, for example, grooves 26 (Fig. 8) on the back side of the housing 8 of the key module. This approach allows you to use key modules with a rotation of the telephone keyboard relative to the usual position by an angle multiple of 90 degrees. For example, turning the keyboard 180 degrees allows you to comfortably cover the mobile phone display with your palms when working with a mobile phone in public places. There are also options for turning the telephone keyboard to an arbitrary angle, and

P is not only an angle that is a multiple of 90 degrees.

In the fourth version of the keyboard according to this invention, the keyboard module (Fig. 11) is made in the form of a square with the possibility of installation in the mobile phone case in four different ways, namely with the rotation of the keyboard module in the plane of its front surface in 90 degree increments.

To implement this possibility, bevels 9 and grooves 26 are made on all four sides of the body 8 of the key module, while the grooves 26 on different sides of the key module are different and carry not only information about the type of the key module, but also about the orientation of the top-bottom direction of the inscriptions on the keys 2 to ensure the possibility of automatically changing the orientation of the top-down direction of the image on the display of the mobile phone so that the top-down direction of the image on the display of the mobile phone and the inscriptions on the keys 2 coincide. An additional advantage of this embodiment, in comparison with the third embodiment of the keyboard according to this invention, is that the user can change the direction of the top-down keyboard and, accordingly, the image on the mobile phone display in 90-degree increments, using only one keyboard module .

In the fifth version of the keyboard according to the present invention, shown in Fig. 12, in the housing 8 (shown from the back side, that is, from the side facing the housing 4 of the mobile phone) of the keyboard module, a built-in electronic circuit 28 with a group of contacts 29 is installed , located on the back side of the housing 8 of the keyboard module, and in the recess Z in the housing 4 of the mobile phone, a group of contacts ZO is placed, corresponding to contacts 29, in order to ensure the electrical interaction of the built-in electronic circuit 28 with the electronic circuit of the keyboard and, accordingly, with the electronic circuit of the mobile phone phone The possible 7/0 use in this electronic circuit 28 of an energy-independent memory module allows to expand the capabilities of the mobile phone software by using the program blocks recorded in this memory module of the electronic circuit 28. Such a solution allows, along with the installation of key modules with with a new layout, download new office or other, for example, game programs to the mobile phone, which, moreover, can use the features of the /5 keyboard layout of this key module as efficiently as possible.

It should be noted here that the keyboard according to this invention allows the use of keyboard modules with electronic circuits built into them both in phones with the possibility of interaction with electronic circuits in the corresponding key modules, and without such an opportunity (i.e. in cheaper models of phones). In the latter case, the necessary software can be downloaded to the mobile phone separately, for example, using the Internet, or this key module with an integrated electronic circuit will be interpreted by the electronic circuit of the mobile phone as a key module without an electronic circuit based on the information embedded in the location of the grooves 26 (Fig. 12).

At the same time, key modules without electronic circuits can be equally used both in phones with the possibility of interaction with built-in electronic circuits in the corresponding key modules, and without such a possibility.

In the sixth version of the keyboard according to this invention, the electronic circuit of the keyboard additionally contains an electronic module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement, which is a component of the module for analyzing the force of pressing and the trajectory of tangential movement 31 (Fig. 13), and which serves to interpret the trajectory of the movement of the pressing point along the surface of the keyboard module to the coordinates of the pointer on the mobile phone display. In the seventh version of the keyboard according to this invention, the electronic module for analyzing the force of pressing and the trajectory of tangential movement 31 (Fig. 13), additionally contains software means for interpreting the trajectory of movement and the coordinates of the starting point of pressing on the surface 19 into a digital character code, that is entered Gee!

The appearance of the keyboard module with keys 2 in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 14. The possible appearance of one of the keys 2, namely the key with the number "7" and the Latin letters "P", "0, KK" and "85" printed on it is shown in Fig. 15. At the same time, the arrows 32, 33, 34 and 35 show the approximate direction of movement of the user's finger from the central area 36 of the key 2 for entering the symbols "P", "03", "KK" and "8", respectively.

It is important to note that the installation of different key modules in all versions of the keyboard according to this invention may be accompanied by a change in the graphic interface of the mobile phone, for example, the color scheme of the image on the display, the menu structure, etc. These changes may be provided in advance in the software of the mobile phone, or may be downloaded separately /7-s by the user, for example, using the Internet, or may be contained directly in the key modules, as described above. This is especially relevant during the release of new keyboard modules, as well as specific, ;" for example, game, keyboard modules for specific software products, for example, games.

The operation of the keyboard according to this invention in the best embodiment is as follows. When the user presses any key 2 (Fig. 2) in the case 8 of the key module, c changes the electrical parameters, for example, resistance, pressure sensors 5 (Fig. b6). The degree of change in the resistance of each of the pressing force sensors 5, depending on the pressing force and the coordinates of the pressing point 20 so on the surface 19 of the key module, is registered with the help of an electronic module for determining the pressing force and

Ge) coordinates of the pressure point 18.

The force of pressing E by the user on the surface 19 of the keyboard module is determined as the sum of the pressing forces E1, E2, ЕЗ and P4 arising under the action of the user's finger on the pressing force sensors 5 РО1, РО2, РОЗ and РО4

F, respectively:

ER E2 i EZ i BA (1) 99 Here it should be noted that in the absence of pressing by the user on the surface 19 of the key module, in that v. number on the keys formed in the key module, during a given period of time, for example, more than 1 second, the values of pressing forces E1, E2, ЕЗ and Г4 are considered equal to zero.

The x and y coordinates of the pressure point 20 are determined as follows: 60 xx. (E2 i EZUE (2) ut u. (B1 same B2UE (3) or 65 x t ho (1 -(E1 same g4Uv) (4)

y y (1 -(E3 same vdug) (B) or xx. (B2 i EZUB i 1 - (B1 i AUB? (6) in tsu. (ET same E2UB i 1- (EZ i RAUBU2 (7)

At the same time, the method of calculating the x and y coordinates of the pressing point 20 using formulas (6) and (7) is preferable due to its greater accuracy in the entire possible range of changes in the x and y coordinates of the pressing point 20. Thus, setting the ranges of x and y coordinates sections of the surface 19 of the keyboard module corresponding to the various keys formed in the keyboard module, and knowing the x and y coordinates of the pressing point 20, calculated, for example, using formulas (1), (6) and (7), determine which key, or on which part of the surface 19 of the key module, is pressed and with what force.

The curve of the dependence of the force of pressing E on the key module on time y in the process of pressing key 2 is schematically shown in Fig. 16. It should be noted here that in the case of pressing on the surface of the key module with a force less than the specified limit force Oedipus, the electronic module for analyzing the pressing force 22 (Fig. b) ignores this pressing. In the same case, when the pressing force E on the surface 19 of the key module is greater than the specified minimum limit force Elipd and continues to increase, the electronic module for the analysis of the pressing force 22 expects to reach the value of the limit activation force E to; (Fig. 1b6), and in the event that the coordinates of the pressing point at 720 fall on the area of the surface 19 (Fig. b) belonging to any key, the electronic module for analyzing the pressing force 22 forms a digital code of the operation specific to this particular keys, for example, the numeric code of the character displayed on the given key. If the pressing point does not belong to any of the keys, the formation of the pressing force analysis module 22 of the digital code of any symbol or operation does not occur. After stopping the growth of the pressing force E on the key (section A-SOO of the curve in Fig. 16b), the user either lets go of the key or continues to hold it down, the length of the flat " section О-E depends on this. At the end of pressing the key, when the user releases the key, the pressing force E begins to decrease rapidly (section E-H). Pressing a key is considered complete when the force of pressing E on the key becomes less than Rasi in the process of decreasing the pressing force in the section E-H. c 30 In the case when the applied membranes 12 (Fig. 3) provide a jump-like change in their elasticity in the process of pressing the key 2, on the curve shown in Fig. 16, areas similar to areas (a) may appear

B-C and B-b, at moments of such a sudden change in the elasticity of the membrane that, in turn, as a rule, F is accompanied by a pinprick (click) with a characteristic tactile sensation. In this case, the pressing force analysis module 22 (Fig. 6) can be configured in such a way as to register and generate the digital code (ee) of the symbol or to signal the termination of pressing the key precisely at the moment of such a sudden change 35 of the pressing force E, i.e. at the moment of a click (click), in the process of pressing or releasing a keyboard key by the user, thus further increasing the comfort of working with the keyboard according to this invention, thanks to a clearer feedback between the occurrence of a tactile click and the response of the mobile phone to the user's action (pressing or releasing a key), accompanied, for example, by the appearance of the expected symbol on the mobile phone display. It should be noted here that an audible click can be generated by the electronic circuit of the keyboard using the loudspeaker of a mobile phone at the moment when the pressing force E reaches the value of Е 4-45, or when the electronic circuit of the keyboard registers the above-mentioned jump-like change in the pressing force E ( tactile perceptible goldfinch).

It should also be noted that in the case of forming keys in the form of graphic images, for example, letters, in the areas in the spaces between the vertically movable keys 2 with elastic membranes 12 (Fig. 3), for example, on a standard telephone keyboard, this keyboard allows you to register also clicking on these areas as described above, and in this way increase the number of characters available for input with one click, (ee) without the need to form additional vertically movable keys 2 with elastic membranes 12. c It should also be noted that for checking keyboard functionality in general, it is enough to press one of the keys and, if the entered character corresponds to the expected one, you can be sure that (ав) 50 any other character will be entered correctly, which cannot be said about contact keyboards that require

Ф checking the operability of each of the keys.

Another advantage that follows from the description of the operation of the best version of the keyboard according to the present invention is that the keyboard completely retains its functionality even in the event of a complete failure, for example, due to wear, of one or more elastic membranes 12 (Fig. 3) , at the same time, to enter a symbol, it is enough to press the corresponding key 2 with a force exceeding Rab, which cannot be said about contact keyboards, where such damage can lead to unexpected input or the impossibility of inputting symbols corresponding to keys 2 with damaged elastic membranes 12.

An additional advantage, which also follows from the description of the operation of the best variant of the keyboard according to the present invention, is that the sensitivity of such a keyboard to pressing can be adjusted programmatically, 60 according to the preferences of the user, by changing the set value of PE as.

The operation of the keyboard according to this invention in the second embodiment is similar to the operation of the keyboard in the best embodiment. The difference lies in the presence of service keys 24 (Fig. 7) and /" or specific keys 25 (Fig. 8), the operation of which does not fundamentally differ from the operation of keys 2 of standard telephone keyboards. 65 Operation of the keyboard according to this invention in the third embodiment (Fig. 10) is also similar to the operation of the keyboard in the best embodiment. The difference is in the way of holding the housing 4 of the mobile phone during operation, depending on the orientation of the keys 2 and, accordingly, the image on the display 27.

The operation of the keyboard according to this invention in the fourth embodiment (Fig. 11) is similar to the operation of the keyboard in the best embodiment. The difference is that by turning the key module in steps of 90 degrees, the up-down direction of the inscriptions on the keys 2 is rotated relative to the longer side of the mobile phone and, accordingly, the image on the mobile phone display so that the up-down directions of the image on the display of the mobile phone and the inscriptions on the keys 2 coincide, regardless of the angle of rotation of the key module. 70 The operation of the keyboard according to this invention in the fifth embodiment (Fig. 12) is also similar to the operation of the keyboard in the best embodiment. The difference is that the presence of additional software in the built-in electronic circuit 28 allows you to adapt the interface and the way the mobile phone works to a specific keyboard module, including with the aim of making the most effective use of the features of the keyboard layout inherent in this keyboard module.

The operation of the keyboard according to this invention in the sixth embodiment (Fig. 13) is also similar to the operation of the keyboard in the best embodiment. The difference is that, thanks to the presence of an electronic module for analyzing the force of pressing and the trajectory of tangential movement 31, which includes a module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement, this keyboard, in addition to entering characters by pressing the keys in the keyboard module, realizes the possibility of performing arbitrary pointing operations, with the help of tangential movement, which is connected with pressing, of the user's finger on the surface 19 of the key module. At the same time, it is desirable that the force of pressing E on the surface 19 of the key module is less than the activation force E as; (Fig. 16), necessary for the activation of the key, and at the same time more than the minimum limit pressing force E did, while a short-term departure from the given range of pressing forces in the process of tangential movement of the finger along the surface is permissible 19 key module. The absolute change in x and y coordinates of the pressing point 20, calculated, for example, using formulas (1), (6) and (7), is converted by the module for the analysis of the pressing force and tangential movement trajectory 31 into the values of the vertical and horizontal movements of the pointer on the display mobile phone, and further, using the interface module 23, this information is digitally transmitted to the electronic circuit of the mobile phone. At the same time, working with the keyboard in the mode of controlling the pointer on the mobile phone display is similar to working with the touch panel (is rad), when the direction Ge zo | the amount of movement of the pointer or other controlled object on the display of the mobile phone repeats the direction and amount of tangential movement associated with pressing the user's finger on the surface of the keyboard module. b

The operation of the keyboard in the seventh embodiment is also similar to the operation of the keyboard in the best embodiment. The difference is that, due to the presence of an electronic module for analyzing the force of pressing and the trajectory of tangential movement 31 (Fig. 13), which contains the module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement, this keyboard, in addition to entering characters by pressing the keys in the keyboard module, implements the possibility of entering letters and service symbols using the tangential movement of the user's finger on the surface 19 of the keyboard module, which is associated with pressing, while the initial point of pressing and the trajectory of such movement determine which character will be entered. At the same time, information about the coordinates of the pressure point 20 " (Fig. 13) from the electronic module for determining the pressure force and the coordinates of the pressure point 18 is sent to the electronic module for the analysis of the pressure force and the tangential movement trajectory 31 in digital form in real time with a specified time interval in the form of three numbers corresponding to the pressing force and with the x and y coordinates of the pressing point 20 on the surface 19 of the key module, respectively. On the basis of these data, the electronic module for the analysis of the force of pressure and the trajectory of the tangential movement 31 determines the starting point

Pressing and the trajectory of the tangential movement on the surface 19 of the keyboard module and compares this information with the electronic table of symbols placed in the electronic module of the analysis of the force of pressing and the trajectory of the tangential movement 31, according to which the pairs "initial point of pressing - the trajectory of the tangential movement" are uniquely matched defined characters. The symbol table is placed in a separate block

Ge) of the memory of the electronic module of the analysis of the pressing force and the trajectory of the tangential movement 31, and it can be changed 5p by loading the changed symbol table into this memory block. The electronic module for the analysis of the pressing force and the trajectory of the tangential movement 31 processes the data received from the electronic module

Ф determination of the pressing force and the coordinates of the pressing point 18, in accordance with the algorithm embedded in the additional software tools of the electronic module of the analysis of the pressing force and the trajectory of the tangential movement 31, which is shown in

Fig. 17. It should be noted that, according to this algorithm, if none of the symbols in the symbol table correspond to the above-mentioned pair "initial dv pressure point - trajectory of tangential movement" or if the tangential movement continued longer than the specified maximum time interval, the input is considered

P" is undefined, and the symbol is not entered. At the same time, entering the numbers 0-9, as well as the symbols " and Ж is carried out by sufficiently pressing the corresponding key 2 (Fig. 14) in the same way as it happens in the best version of the keyboard according to the present invention. Here it is important to note , because the input of other symbols, in addition to the symbols of the standard telephone keyboard, for example, letters of various alphabets and service symbols, can be performed by the user, provided that the pressing force E on the surface of the key module is less than the activation force E ac (Fig. 16), necessary to activate the key 2, and at the same time more than the minimum limit force of pressing E id, while entering the symbol, can be carried out in one of four possible ways (Fig. 15), in addition to the method described in the best version of the keyboard 65 According to present invention: (1) Tangential movement of the finger (or other object) from the central area 36 of the key 2 in the direction from bottom to top

(arrow 32) followed by stopping pressing; (2) Tangential movement of the finger from the central area 36 of key 2 in the direction from left to right (arrow 33) followed by the cessation of pressing; (3) Tangential movement of the finger from the central area 36 of key 2 in the direction from top to bottom (arrow 34) followed by the cessation of pressing; (4) Tangential movement of the finger from the central area 36 of key 2 in the direction from right to left (arrow 35) followed by the cessation of pressing;

Other variants of tangential movement on the surface of the case 8 of the key module (Fig. 14) are also possible, for example, from/about the periphery of the keys to their center, or rectilinear movement between the centers of different keys, or various zigzag movements, etc.

If, during the input of symbols using a tangential movement, the pressing force E exceeds the value of the set activation force Ras, and at the same time the pressing point is in the area of one of the keys, then the telephone keyboard symbol depicted on this key, i.e. one of the symbols 0-9, 7/5." or Ж, otherwise exceeding the value of pressing force Е as; In the process of tangential movement, it is ignored.

At the same time, in this version of the implementation, the following algorithm of the module for analyzing the pressing force and tangential movement trajectory 31 (Fig. 13) is possible, in which exceeding the value of the pressing force E ah In the process of tangential movement is ignored in any case, provided that the length of the tangential movement exceeded the specified minimum value.

It should be noted here that the keyboard in this embodiment is convenient for entering the entire set of symbols displayed on this keyboard with the thumb of the user's hand holding the mobile phone, while using one simple, intuitive finger movement to enter each of the symbols (one movement per symbol ), which is an advantage of this variant of execution, because there is no need to repeatedly press a key to enter one character (excessive load on the finger) or to use a special stylus for handwritten characters (both hands must be used), as manufacturers of some models suggest mobile phones. Another advantage of this embodiment of the keyboard according to the present invention is that this solution is also more convenient than using the so-called T9 dictionary, because the user in the proposed embodiment of the keyboard according to the present invention sees the text on the mobile phone screen from the very beginning of the input , which is exactly what is entered, and not "from assumptions based on the dictionary 19.

Thus, the declared set of essential features set forth in the claims of the invention provides the user with the opportunity to replace the key module of the claimed electronic keyboard without the need for Ge! the use of any electronic components in it, thereby reducing the cost of such keyboard modules and allowing to expand their range due to the possibility of using various keyboard modules, in which the color, layout of the keyboard, that is, the number, shape, color, inscriptions on the keys, location and location and the orientation of the keys can be different, while this keyboard does not have a matrix of conductors to reduce the influence of electromagnetic action on this keyboard, which solves the problem of this invention. In addition, this keyboard also allows registering the arbitrary movement of the user's finger on the surface of this keyboard to control the pointer on the display of the device in which this keyboard is installed, with the possibility of convenient, intuitive input of various symbols. Despite the fact that this invention describes several variants of its implementation described above, at the same time, it is not limited to the specified variants of its implementation presented in the description, but extends to others;" possible options that satisfy the main points of the formula of this invention.

Despite the fact that the description of this invention mainly mentions a mobile phone, it should be clear to a specialist that the design features of the claimed electronic keyboard allow it to be industrially used in a wide range of various devices that require manual input of information: mobile phones, personal digital assistants, remote controls, ATMs, all kinds of measuring equipment, etc. The proposed electronic keyboard allows for its wide use in industry in the conditions of modern production of electronic devices with the use of existing 5p equipment, inexpensive materials and does not require special training of specialists in the field of electronics for its production.

Claims (21)

The formula of the invention Щ, , , c, 1. An electronic keyboard that includes a key module, keys formed in the body of the key module and » means of interaction of the key module with the electronic circuit of the keyboard, which differs in that the means of interaction of the key module with the electronic circuit of the keyboard are made in the form of pressure sensors, each of which mechanically interacts with the body of the key module, and the electronic circuit of the keyboard contains an electronic module for determining the force of pressing and the coordinates of the pressing point, which is electrically connected to the sensors of the pressing force, for determining exactly at which point on the surface of the key module and with what force pressing is carried out, and forming , depending on the values of these parameters, of the digital code of the symbol. 2. The electronic keyboard according to claim 1, which differs in that the keyboard module is made removable and is provided with means for installing and removing it from the body of the device in which this keyboard 65 is installed. C. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1, 2, which differs in that all electronic components of the electronic circuit of the keyboard, including the conductors that connect them, are located outside the keyboard module, in the electronic circuit of this keyboard. 4. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-3, which is characterized by the fact that the number of pressure sensors does not exceed four. 5. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-4, which is characterized by the fact that at least part of the keys are spring-loaded with elastic elements with the possibility of vertical movement of these keys. b. The electronic keyboard according to claim 5, which is characterized by the fact that the elastic elements have the ability to change the elastic properties in a jerky manner during pressing for a tactile click. 70 7. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-6, which is characterized by the fact that at least part of the keys are made in the form of graphically marked sections of the surface of the key module. 8. An electronic keyboard according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the set of keys includes a standard set of telephone keys. 9. Electronic keyboard according to claim 8, which differs in that the keyboard module additionally contains service /5 keys. 10. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-9, which is characterized by the fact that the number, shape, color, inscriptions on the keys and the location of the keys in different types of key modules are arbitrary. 11. An electronic keyboard according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the keyboard module contains means for identifying which type of keyboard module is installed. 12. An electronic keyboard according to any one of claims 1-11, which is characterized in that at least part of the housing of the keyboard module is made transparent. 13. An electronic keyboard according to any one of claims 1-12, which is characterized in that at least part of the keys are transparent. 14. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-11, which differs in that both the body of the keyboard module and the keys are transparent. 15. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-14, which is characterized by the fact that the top-bottom directions of the inscriptions on the keys are different for different types of key modules. 16. An electronic keyboard according to claim 15, which is distinguished by the fact that the top-bottom directions of the inscriptions on the keys of different types of key modules are different in steps of 90 degrees. Ge zo 17. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-16, which is characterized by the fact that the case of the keyboard module is made with the possibility of turning the keyboard module in the plane of its front surface relative to the case of the device in which the keyboard is installed. b 18. Electronic keyboard according to claim 17, which is characterized by the fact that the case of the keyboard module is made with the possibility of turning the keyboard module in the plane of its front surface relative to the case of the device, in which the keyboard is installed, in steps of 90 degrees. yu 19. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1, 2, 4-18, which is characterized by the fact that the keyboard module contains an electronic circuit that contains a block of non-volatile memory with software, on the body of this keyboard module and in the body of the device, in which this keyboard is installed, contacts are installed with the possibility of electrical interaction with each other for the exchange of electronic data between the electronic circuit of the keyboard module and the electronic circuit of the keyboard. in the village 20. An electronic keyboard according to any one of claims 1-19, which is characterized by the fact that it contains an electronic module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement for performing pointing operations. ;" 21. An electronic keyboard according to any of claims 1-20, which is characterized by the fact that it contains an electronic module for analyzing the trajectory of tangential movement, which is provided with software means for interpreting the coordinates of the initial point of pressing and the trajectory of the tangential movement of the user's finger or other object the surface of the keyboard module into the digital code of the character being entered. (ee) se) o 50 42) P 60 b5