JP2002366280A - Seal stuck to key, button or the like of input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make displays, patterns, etc., of an input device entirely or partially changeable. SOLUTION: Seals composed of display contents or patterns corresponding to a user's request are stuck to individual keys, buttons, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device in which a plurality of keys and buttons, such as a keyboard, are arranged, or a display content or design of a part of the input device is adjusted by a user of the input device according to his / her taste or purpose. This is a sticker that can be changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Input devices, such as computer keyboards, which are formed by arranging a plurality of keys, buttons, and the like, are various types of information processing devices, communication terminals, game machines, and other devices that are connected to users. Although it is an interface, most of the input devices attached to or mounted on these electronic devices have fixed arrangements of keys and buttons that constitute these input devices and display contents of individual keys and buttons etc. No means is provided for a user who is a user of the input device to freely change display contents of individual keys, buttons, etc., designs, and the like.

[0003]

The user's preference for such an input device is not simply a matter of personal preference. Since this is a problem that largely depends on the purpose of use of the device, the habit of operation, the level of skill, etc., if the user must use a device that does not suit his or her intention, the operational stress experienced by the user is expected This is a problem that cannot be overlooked from the viewpoint of productivity, such as a decrease in input speed and frequent typographical errors.

[0004] For example, taking the layout problem of a computer keyboard as an example, if a user changes the key layout of a standard keyboard and wants to use another layout that the user is accustomed to, he or she dares to use a non-standard keyboard. At present, there is no other choice but to change the key arrangement by software by using a control program or using a free program developed by volunteers of the user. But,
Even with such a method, the hardware problem of the key display content is left behind, causing a gap between the software key arrangement and the hardware arrangement, causing operational confusion. The problem remains.

[0005] In addition to a computer keyboard, an input device of a style in which alphabetic characters and several types of characters and figures such as kana are displayed side by side on individual keys and buttons or the like is displayed on individual keys or buttons or the like. It is difficult to say that the visibility of the displayed characters, such as characters and figures, is reduced. For this reason, it is difficult to find the target key, and this is extremely inconvenient for a beginner who cannot use the operation method, a user with weak vision, an elderly person, and the like. Such a visibility problem is particularly remarkable in the field of small notebook personal computers called subnotebooks, portable information terminals such as H / PCs and PDAs, and mobile communication devices typified by mobile phones. Along with the situation of further miniaturization, the operability of an input device configured by arranging keys, buttons, and the like such as a keyboard is seriously reduced.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in response to these demands, a display (1) composed of a design or a design according to a user's desire is attached to a key (3) or a button. It is a simple solution.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The seal of the present invention is intended to be realized by attaching the seal of the present invention to all keys and buttons constituting an input device, or to partially use the sticker. Whatever is appropriate for each purpose you do.

The seal of the present invention does not necessarily need to cover the entirety of keys, buttons, and the like constituting the input device.
The shape is not limited to a quadrangle, and any shape such as a triangle or a circle may be used as long as the seal according to the present invention is attached to a key, a button, or the like, and is intended to be realized.

The contents displayed on the seal of the present invention and the design of the seal vary depending on the purpose of use of the seal, and typical patterns thereof are as follows. (A) When the arrangement of keys and buttons of the input device is changed by software, display symbols such as characters and figures displayed on the keys and buttons are moved or added according to the changed arrangement. Make changes such as deleting. (B) For the purpose of displaying a newly added function for a specific key or button, a change such as adding a symbol such as a character or a figure is performed. (C) For the purpose of displaying a newly deleted function for a specific key or button, a change is made such as deleting a symbol such as a character or a figure. (D) When several types of characters and figures such as alphanumeric characters and kana are displayed at the same time, for the purpose of improving visibility,
A part of the display content is omitted. (E) When several types of characters and figures, such as alphanumeric characters and kana, are displayed at the same time,
The design such as the size, shape, and color of the display symbols is changed. Alternatively, the color, pattern, gloss of the surface finish, and the like of the surface on which the symbols are displayed are changed. (F) Regardless of whether or not display contents are changed, the size, shape, color, etc. of display symbols such as characters and figures are changed for the purpose of changing the design of keys and buttons and improving the usability. Alternatively, it changes the design such as the color and pattern of the surface on which the symbols are displayed, or the state of the surface finish such as gloss and the texture.

[0010] In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention is of a type in which all or a part of the display content is provided in a state where it is omitted in advance so that the user can make his / her own seal according to the wishes of the user. Alternatively, the function of the seal of the present invention may be divided, and a background portion (4) for hiding the original display contents displayed on keys and buttons, a display portion (5) for providing new display contents, A user may arbitrarily configure the seal of the present invention according to the user's desire by preparing several types of surface finishing portions (6) separately, freely selecting and superimposing them. The dividing method in such a case may be a method in which the background portion and the display portion are integrated, or a method in which the display portion and the surface finish portion are integrated, according to each purpose of manufacturing the seal of the present invention. Alternatively, all functions may be divided as described above.

Therefore, the structure of the seal of the present invention may be a single layer or multiple layers, and may be a transfer type except for the background portion. The material of the seal body of the present invention is not limited to paper, but may be any polymer compound such as a resin film, a metal such as a foil, a wooden or other vegetable material such as a plate, etc. The presence / absence and material of the surface finish portion serving as the protective layer of the main body, the presence / absence of antibacterial treatment and antifouling treatment, and the system may be any as long as they have performance suitable for surface finish processing of the input device and smoothness. In addition, specifications such as the type of adhesive used and the strength of the adhesive force, the period in which the seal of the present invention manufactured according to each purpose will be used, the expected use form, What is necessary is just to be suitable for the use environment.

The mount used to provide the seal of the present invention may be divided into individual seals of the present invention, depending on the purpose, even if one of the seals of the present invention is divided into one.
It may be put together on a sheet of paper, and the shape, size and material of the sticker are designed so that the user can freely configure the display contents and design of the seal of the present invention using a personal computer printer etc. There may be. Thus, the shape, size, and material of the mount may be any as long as they are suitable for the seal of the present invention manufactured according to each purpose.

[0013]

According to the simple method of attaching the seal of the present invention, the display contents or design of the whole or a part of the input device in which keys and buttons are arranged can be changed. Each user can configure an input environment with his / her own hand in accordance with his / her preference, purpose, and skill level with respect to the operation method.

Further, since the input device can be easily returned to the original state by peeling the seal of the present invention, the user's preference, operation skill, change in the use condition of the input device, transfer, etc. It is possible to flexibly change the display contents such as keys or buttons, the design, and the like according to the change of the user.

[0015]

Secondary Effects of the Invention The seal of the present invention manufactured with an appropriate structure and specifications can achieve its purpose without damaging the structure and function of the input device itself. Therefore, in addition to suppressing unnecessary industrial waste discharge due to replacement of input devices, etc., it also contributes to cost reduction when a company intends to produce a small number of input devices with keys and buttons and the like, It contributes to the effective use of social capital and resources.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an integrated seal.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a split type seal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an example of the seal of the present invention 2 is a key top
3 is a key body 4 is an example of a background portion 5 is an example of a display portion

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input device comprising a plurality of keys, buttons, and the like arranged in order to change the display content or design of the whole or a part of the input device. Sticker to attach.