JP2002055757A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device capable of reducing the number of keys and also easily inputting special symbols or the like. SOLUTION: In the keyboard device equipped with keys for inputting codes corresponding to characters, numerics and symbols by being operated, when at least one key is operated, at least two kinds of operating directions or manipulated variable are discriminated, and independent codes are inputted for every operating direction or manipulated variable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device for inputting characters and the like, in which a plurality of characters are assigned to a plurality of input methods of one key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent spread of small portable information terminals,
In order to use e-mails and the like not in the desk but in the city, characters are often input. Note that small portable information terminals include notebook personal computers, PDAs, and mobile phones. Notebook computers use the same standardized keyboards as those used in personal computers. The keyboard layout includes an ASCII layout used for an English keyboard and a JIS layout used for a Japanese keyboard. However, it is disadvantageous for carrying because it is larger than a PDA or a mobile phone. In a PDA, a method of writing characters on a touch panel type liquid crystal using a pen or the like and inputting the characters by character recognition, or a method of touching a keyboard on the liquid crystal screen with a pen or the like to input the characters is generally used. In a mobile phone, characters or the like are generally input by a combination of numeric keys.

On the other hand, the number of keys in a normal keyboard is about 100, and input is performed by simultaneously pressing predetermined keys such as command keys in order to correspond to special symbols and the like.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of a conventional keyboard. That is, in FIG. 12, when the key 1201 is pressed, the wall 1205 is pressed, and 1202 and 1
The contact 203 contacts. For example, contacts 1202 and 120
If a voltage is applied to 3 so that a current flows at the moment of contact, the input operation determining unit 1207 can determine that the operation of pressing the “a” key has been performed. When the user stops pressing the key 1201, 1
In general, the spring 204 returns to the original position. Reference numeral 1206 denotes a keyboard main body, and 1208 denotes a connection cord.

[0005]

A method of writing characters on a touch panel type liquid crystal using a pen or the like like a PDA and inputting the characters by character recognition, or inputting by touching a keyboard on the liquid crystal screen with a pen or the like. The method has a problem that the input time is longer than that of the keyboard.

In a method of inputting characters only by operating a numeric keypad, such as a mobile phone, there is a problem that it takes a long time to input one character because the key must be pressed a plurality of times.

[0007] A keyboard used in a personal computer or the like has a standardized key layout standard, so that it is not necessary to re-store the key layout by a device. Furthermore, there is an advantage that the input time is shorter than that of pen touch or numeric keypad. However, these keyboards are so large that it is difficult to carry them, and further miniaturization is desired.

Therefore, several keyboards for reducing the number of keys for small portable information terminals have been devised. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-152469, by assigning a plurality of characters to one key, character input can be performed using only a small number of keys. This is advantageous in that it can be carried because the number of keys can be reduced. However, there is a problem that the method of use is different from that of a keyboard usually used in a personal computer or the like, and that the key arrangement must be stored because the key assignment is unique.

Further, even with a keyboard having a normal key layout,
When the number of frequently used special symbols increases, it is necessary to depress the command key each time, which places a burden on the user.

In the method of assigning a plurality of characters to one key, in the conventional technique as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-152469, a plurality of characters assigned to one key are determined by a command key or the like. Are distinguished by pressing the given keys at the same time. Therefore, the key layout is different from that of a general keyboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a pressing method and another method as an input method using one key, and allows characters and the like to be input without simultaneously pressing a command key or the like. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device capable of not only realizing a keyboard with a reduced number of keys but also easily inputting special symbols and the like.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a keyboard device having keys for inputting codes corresponding to characters, numbers and symbols by receiving an operation. A means for distinguishing at least two types of operation directions or operation amounts when operated, and a means for inputting an independent code for each operation direction or operation amount. It is a feature.

According to the present invention, in the keyboard device, at least one key has a means for changing a key pressing direction, a means for measuring an angle in the key pressing direction, and an angle in the key pressing direction. Means for inputting a code corresponding to a different character or the like according to
It is characterized by having.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the keyboard device, a linear displacement or a linear displacement is used as the operation direction or the operation amount.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the keyboard device, a pressure or a pressure range is used as an operation direction or an operation amount.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a description will be given of a keyboard device in which the number of keys considered as a typical use of a character input keyboard with a plurality of input function keys is reduced.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the number of keys is three, but the number of keys may be arbitrary. The user performs operations such as pressing on the key portions 101 to 103. The input operation determination unit 104 determines which of the key units 101 to 103 has been pressed or the like, and inputs characters and the like to the computer through a connection cable 105 connected to the computer body. introduce.

One of the causes of high-speed character input using a keyboard is touch typing. Touch typing is a method of pressing a key without looking at a keyboard, and is generally performed. In touch typing, which finger is to be put on which key (home position) is determined before starting input. When inputting, be sure to place a finger on the home position, move only the required finger, press the desired key, and return the finger to the home position when finished. According to this method, the input can be performed quickly and easily. For example, in a JIS layout keyboard, the little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger of the left hand
Place at the positions of “a”, “s”, “d”, and “f”, and position the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the right hand with “j”,
The home position is placed at the positions of “k”, “l”, and “;”. Also, thumbs of both hands are usually placed on the space key. Therefore, there are a total of nine keys on which a finger should be placed as a home position.

In touch typing, a key to be pressed is determined for each finger. For example, for the little finger of the left hand, the assigned keys are “1”, “2”, “q”, “a”,
"Z". One key section is responsible for the five keys assigned to the little finger of the left hand.

Hereinafter, a keyboard device for inputting characters and the like with a plurality of input function keys in which the number of keys is reduced based on touch typing will be described. Note that even in a method other than touch typing, by reducing the number of keys in the same manner as in the following example, it is possible to configure a keyboard device that can be used without having to re-store the key arrangement.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The key of 201 is supported on the axis of 204, and about the axis of 204, along the guide of 202,
The pushing direction A can be changed. The push-down direction A of the axis 204 is detected by the push-down direction A detection unit 205 and sent to the input operation determination unit 209. In the input operation determination unit 209, the correspondence between the push-down direction A and the input character set in advance is set, and a character or the like can be input to the computer via the connection code 210. For example, "1" is input when the push-down direction A is 20 degrees, "q" is input when the push-down direction A is -10 degrees, and "z" is input when the push-down direction A is -10 degrees. Further, when the pushing direction A is 10 degrees or more and less than 20 degrees, “q” may be used, and when the pushing direction A is 20 degrees or more, “1” may be used. Alternatively, the time during which the character stays at a certain angle may be measured, and a character may be input when the user stays at a certain angle or a certain angle range for a certain time or more. 2
When the hand is released from the key 01, the key 201 returns to the original position by the springs 203 and 206. When the key 201 is pressed against the spring of the switch unit 207, the switch unit 207 is pressed.
Is sent to the input operation determining unit 209, and the character corresponding to the switch unit 207 is input to the computer via the connection code 210. Reference numeral 208 denotes a keyboard body.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the keyboard of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the key 301 is moved along the guide 202. However, as shown in FIG. According to this method, there is no need to provide a guide. That is, by detecting the push-down direction B by the push-down direction B detection unit 303, it is possible to determine in which direction the key 301 has moved. By sending the push-down direction A and the push-down direction B to the input operation determination unit 304, characters corresponding to those angles and angle ranges are connected to the connection code 30.
5 to the computer.

Incidentally, special shapes as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be used. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a shape in which the surface of the key 401 is depressed so as to fit the finger 402.
5 (a) and 5 (b) show the cover 501 attached to the key 501.
With a cover 502 like a cuff of an automatic blood pressure monitor.
By tightening the finger 503 with the keys 501 and 5
03 is to be integrated.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The key 601 can be moved along the guide 602 and is connected to the switch units 603 and 605. Characters are input simply by moving in these directions, and there is no need to depress. If the user moves the camera in one direction, only one character can be input.
, The amount of linear displacement for which a signal is sent from the switch unit 603 or 605 is measured, and when a certain amount of linear displacement is exceeded, characters are input. Can be entered. 604 is a switch unit, 606 is a keyboard body,
608 is a connection code.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a keyboard according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which includes moving distance measuring units 702, 704, and 707. 701 is a key, 703, 70
5 and 706 are guides, 708 is an input operation determination unit, and 709
Is a connection code. Keys 701 are guides 703 and 70
By moving along keys 5 and 706, the linear displacement of the key 701 is measured by the moving distance measuring units 702, 704 and 707.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The key 801 can be moved along the guide 802. Reference numerals 803, 804, and 805 denote pressure sensors, which can measure the force applied to the key 801.
When a force is applied to the key 801, the pressure sensors 803 and 80
4, 805 is detected, and the input operation determining unit 8
07. In the input operation determination unit 807, correspondence between the preset pressure sensor that has received the maximum pressure, the pressure range thereof, and the input characters can be input, and characters and the like can be input. The pressure applied to the key 801 is measured with a piezoelectric element or the like. Here, the pressure is converted into a voltage and detected. For example, when the pressure applied to the key 801 is 0.5 to
At 1.0 Pa (Pascal), "q" is input,
When the pressure applied to the key 801 is equal to or greater than 1.0 Pa, a correspondence between the pressure and the character code can be obtained such that "1" is input. That is, the pressure sensor 80
When the pressure received by the pressure sensor 804 is the maximum, "1" when the pressure is equal to or more than the set value, "q" when the pressure is the same or less, "a" when the pressure received by the pressure sensor 804 is the maximum, When the pressure received by 803 is the maximum, "z" is input. In addition, when the pressure received by the pressure sensor stays within a certain range, and when the character stays within a certain pressure range for more than a certain time, characters may be input. Can be entered. For example, when a force is applied to the key 801 so that the sensor 805 receives the pressure, the pressure received by the sensor 805 stays within a certain pressure range, and if the time is less than 1 second, “q” is input. For example, "1" is input when the time is longer than one second. Reference numeral 806 denotes a keyboard main body, and 808 denotes a connection cord.

Embodiment 3 corresponds to Embodiment 2 shown in FIG.
Is replaced by a pressure sensor in the switch section 603, 604, 605. Similarly, the switch unit 207 of FIG.
Can be realized by replacing the pressure sensor with a pressure sensor.

Further, instead of moving along the guide 802, the guide may be eliminated as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, when a force is applied to the key 901 in a certain direction, the key 90
A force is applied to the disk 902 directly connected to the pressure sensor 9 and the pressure sensor 9
03, 904, 905 and 906 are pressured. From these pressure ratios, the direction of the force applied to the key 901 can be known. If the direction is known, characters can be input without a guide as in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.
907 is a keyboard main body, 908 is an input operation determination unit, 9
09 is a connection code.

Further, if the direction is set so as to be easy to use according to the individual user, an easy-to-use keyboard device suitable for the individual user can be provided.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a portable telephone terminal using the keyboard device (third embodiment) of the present invention. 1001
Indicates a key. FIG. 11 shows an example of a PDA using the keyboard device (Embodiment 3) of the present invention. 1101
Indicates a key. Both are very advantageous when configuring a small portable information terminal.

According to the present invention, a single key can be used to input characters or the like according to an input method other than pressing the key. The role of multiple keys on a traditional keyboard,
Since the keyboard of the present invention can be represented by one key, it is possible to configure a keyboard that can be used with the conventional keyboard as it is even if the number of keys is reduced.
If the number of keys can be reduced, mobile phones, PDs
A. It can contribute to miniaturization of portable information devices such as notebook computers.

Further, although not described in the embodiment, at least one of the keys of a normal keyboard whose number of keys is not reduced can have a multiple input function in the present invention. . Although this does not reduce the number of keys, it can be used just like a general keyboard when used normally. Furthermore, if a specific frequently input character (including a word) or a symbol is registered in an input method other than pressing a key having a multiple input function, the input of the registered character can be easily performed. Since it can be performed, the time for inputting characters and the like is shortened, which is convenient for the user.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, 10
A keyboard with as few keys as possible can be realized. If the number of keys is small, a small keyboard can be realized, and it is easy and easy to carry. On the other hand, since the present invention can be realized with the same key layout as a general keyboard, there is no need to re-remember the key layout, and a user accustomed to an input method such as touch typing can use the keyboard more easily.

Further, if the number of keys is kept as it is and special symbols and the like are made to correspond to angles and pressures other than key presses,
This is convenient because there is no need to press two keys at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a keyboard device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing another example of the keyboard device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a key unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the key section according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an example of a keyboard device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing another example of the keyboard device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a keyboard device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a keyboard device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a mobile phone terminal using a keyboard device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a PDA using a keyboard device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional keyboard device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Key part 102 Key part 103 Key part 104 Input operation determination part 105 Connection cable 201 Key 202 Guide 203 Spring 204 Axis 205 Depression direction A detection part 206 Spring 207 Spring 208 Switch part 209 Input operation determination part 210 Connection code

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshikuni Nishida 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Mizuho Inoue 2--3, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5B020 DD02 DD03 FF16 FF19

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A character, a number,
A keyboard device provided with a key for inputting a code corresponding to a symbol, wherein at least one key is operated to distinguish any one of at least two or more types of operation directions or operation amounts; Means for inputting an independent code for each operation direction or operation amount. 2. At least one key, means for changing the direction in which the key is pressed down, means for measuring the angle in the direction in which the key is pressed down, and corresponding to a character or the like which differs depending on the angle in the direction in which the key is pressed down. 2. A keyboard device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for inputting a code to be executed. 3. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein a linear displacement or a linear displacement is used as the operation direction or the operation amount. 4. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein a pressure or a pressure range is used as the operation direction or the operation amount.