JP2006323589A - Virtual keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a virtual keyboard that can avoid problems following the use of laser beams, can restrain the amount of power consumption, and does not damage user's eyesight without using any laser beams. <P>SOLUTION: The virtual keyboard has a virtual zone, a plurality of vibration sensors, a storage unit, and a processing unit. The virtual zone is formed on the surface and has a plurality of virtual keys. The vibration sensors are provided on the surface. The storage unit stores a plurality of data for recording the actual position of each virtual key and the meaning. The processing unit is electronically connected to the vibration sensors and the storage unit. When a vibration signal is generated by touching the virtual zone; each vibration sensor receives vibration signals, and sends an output signal corresponding to the vibration signal to the processing unit. The processing unit determines the position of the vibration source of the vibration signal based on the output signal, compares the position of the vibration source with the actual position being recorded to find the pressed virtual key, and generates a key signal following the meaning of the pressed virtual key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard design, and more particularly to a virtual keyboard having no real key.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional virtual keyboard 60 (see Patent Document 1). The virtual keyboard 60 includes a laser source 70, a sensor 80, and a processing device 90. The laser source 70 emits a laser beam and forms a virtual keyboard image 180. The virtual keyboard image 180 includes a plurality of key images. When a finger or an object is placed on the virtual keyboard image 180, the laser beam is reflected and is detected by the sensor 80. Based on the angle and time required for reflection, the processing device 90 determines which key is pressed, and outputs a character, a number, a command corresponding to the pressed key, or the like to the computer host 95.
US Pat. No. 6,650,318

  However, the conventional virtual keyboard 60 has the following drawbacks.

  First, light emitted from the laser source 70 used in the virtual keyboard 60 is harmful to human eyes. In addition, the laser source 70 used in the virtual keyboard 60 consumes a large amount of power because it continuously emits a laser beam to form the virtual keyboard image 180. For this reason, when an adapter or an external power source is not at hand, the virtual keyboard 60 is not suitable for use as a portable electronic device.

  For this reason, the conventional entity or virtual keyboard as described above needs to be improved.

  The object of the present invention is not to use a laser beam, it is possible to avoid all problems associated with the use of a laser beam, it is possible to reduce power consumption, and does not harm the user's eyesight, To provide a virtual keyboard.

  The present invention provides a virtual keyboard that includes a virtual zone, two or more vibration sensors, a storage unit, and a processing unit. This virtual area is formed on the surface, with a plurality of virtual keys, the vibration sensor is installed on the surface, the storage unit is used to store a plurality of data recording the actual position and meaning of each virtual key, The processing unit is electronically connected to the vibration sensor and the storage unit. Thus, when a vibration signal is generated by touching the virtual area, each vibration sensor receives the vibration signal and transmits an output signal corresponding to the vibration signal to the processing unit. The processing unit determines the vibration source position of the corresponding vibration signal based on the output signal, finds the pressed virtual key by comparing the vibration source position recorded in the data with the actual position, and presses the pressed virtual key. A key signal is generated based on the meaning of.

  The virtual keyboard further includes a wireless communication unit or a cable communication unit used to transmit key signals to a device such as a computer host.

  In addition, the surface of the virtual area can be provided on any object, but it is a platform such as a hard plate such as a hard plastic plate, wood plate, glass plate, metal plate, or a soft plate such as a soft plastic sheet, rubber plate or paper. It is desirable to provide it above.

  Using a software interface running on the device, a user can enter data into the device according to the present invention. As described above, each data records the actual position and meaning of the virtual key, that is, according to the present invention, the user can define the position and meaning of each of the plurality of virtual keys.

  Furthermore, if handwriting software is used, the present invention can include a virtual handwriting board for handwriting input, and if touchpad software is used, the present invention can also include a virtual touchpad for touch input. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid problems associated with the use of a laser beam without using a laser beam, to reduce power consumption, and to prevent harming the user's eyesight. Can do.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings and the best embodiments.

  The present invention provides a virtual keyboard, and FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of a virtual keyboard that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The virtual keyboard 100 includes a first vibration sensor 210, a second vibration sensor 220, a processing unit 300, and a storage unit 500. The vibration sensors 210, 220 and the storage unit 500 are electrically connected to the processing unit 300, respectively. In the present embodiment, two vibration sensors 210 and 220 are used, but three or more vibration sensors can also be used.

  FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional external view of the virtual keyboard 100 of the present embodiment. Here, it further includes a virtual area 170 formed on the plane 150, which may be an imaginary area or an actually sectioned area formed by the user on the physical plane. The plane 150 can be a surface on any platform such as a hard plate including a hard plastic plate or wood plate, a glass plate or a metal plate, or a soft plate including a soft plastic sheet, rubber plate or paper. . Further, the flat surface 150 may be composed of a computer desk, a table, a monitor surface, a hard / soft board, or a paper on which a plurality of keys are printed.

  FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional external view showing a detailed configuration of the virtual area 170. This virtual area 170 is further divided into a plurality of sub-areas, each sub-area representing a virtual key 175, resembling a real keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys. On the other hand, the virtual area 170 may be formed on paper or a flat plate on which a plurality of key symbols representing the plurality of virtual keys 175 are printed. Accordingly, the user can operate the virtual keyboard 100 using a plurality of keys. For users who are familiar with the relative arrangement of keys on the real keyboard, the key design can be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first vibration sensor 210 and the second vibration sensor 220 are installed at positions A and B outside the virtual area 170, respectively. When one of the virtual keys 175 is hit or pressed, a vibration signal (vibration wave) is generated. Therefore, the pressed virtual key 175 can be regarded as a vibration source, and the position of the vibration source is determined. Let it be Z.

  The vibration signals from the vibration source Z are received by the first vibration sensor 210 and the second vibration sensor 220, respectively. Here, since the distance A-Z (the distance between the position A and the position Z) and the distance B-Z (the distance between the position B and the position Z) are different, they are detected by the first vibration sensor 210 and the second vibration sensor 220. The elapsed time and amplitude are different. The difference in elapsed time is caused by the difference in distance between the distance A-Z and the distance B-Z, and the amplitude ratio represents the reciprocal of the square of the ratio of the distance A-Z and the distance B-Z. Therefore, using this relationship, the position Z of the vibration source can be easily determined by calculation based on the difference in elapsed time and the amplitude ratio of the vibration signal.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when a vibration signal is generated by operating any one of the plurality of virtual keys 175 on the virtual area 170, the first vibration sensor 210 and the second vibration are generated. The sensor 220 receives the vibration signal and then sends an output signal corresponding to the vibration signal to the processing unit 300. As a result, the processing unit 300 can determine the position Z of the vibration source where the vibration signal is generated based on the output signal and the above-described calculation formula.

  The storage unit 500 stores a plurality of data in which the actual position and meaning of each virtual key 175 are recorded. The processing unit 300 can find the virtual key 175a pressed as the vibration source Z by comparing the actual position recorded in the data in the storage unit 500 with the position Z of the vibration source. Then, the processing unit 300 outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed virtual key 175a to a computing device 600 such as a computer host or a PDA.

  In this embodiment, the storage unit 500 and the processing unit 300 can be installed in two separate packages, respectively, or can be installed together in a single package. Further, when the virtual area 170 is formed on a flat plate, the processing unit 300 can be arranged on the flat plate, or the processing unit 300 and the flat plate can be configured integrally.

  A storage unit 500 can also be provided in the computing device 600. Here, when generating a signal corresponding to the meaning of the pressed virtual key 175a among the plurality of virtual keys 175, the processing unit 300 transmits the location information of the vibration source to the computing device 600, For example, time information and amplitude information regarding vibration signals sensed by the first vibration sensor 210 and the second vibration sensor 220 may be transmitted as processing signals.

  When transmitting the position information of the vibration source, the CPU built in the computing device 600 compares the received position information of the vibration source with the position information in the storage unit, thereby pressing the virtual key pressed. 175a is specified, and a signal corresponding to the meaning of the virtual key 175a is generated.

  Further, when transmitting time information and amplitude information, the CPU in the computing device 600 obtains the position information of the vibration source based on the received time information and amplitude information, and this position information and the position in the storage unit. The pressed virtual key 175a is specified by comparing with the information. Then, a signal corresponding to the meaning of the virtual key 175a is generated.

  As can be seen from the above description of the embodiment, the virtual keyboard 100 determines which virtual key 175 has been pressed by sensing the position of the vibration signal generated in the virtual area 170 (the position of the vibration source). . That is, in contrast to the conventional technique using a laser beam, since no light source is required in this embodiment, it is possible to avoid any problems associated with the use of a laser beam and further reduce power consumption. It does not harm the user's eyesight.

  Further, the present invention includes a software interface (not shown) executed in the computing device 600 and can be used by a user to set data in the storage unit 500. This setting method will be described in detail below.

  First, when a certain position in the virtual area 170 (eg, one of the virtual keys 175) is pressed by the user, the processing unit 300 is in the vibration signal sensed by the first vibration sensor 210 and the second vibration sensor 220. Based on the difference in elapsed time and / or the amplitude, the coordinates of the position pressed by the user are determined. On the other hand, the storage unit 500 stores data indicating a plurality of coordinates and the meaning defined by the user corresponding to each coordinate.

  Each data records the actual position (coordinates) and meaning of each of the plurality of virtual keys 175. Here, the user can define the position and meaning of the virtual key 175, respectively. For example, if only numeric input is required, the user can define each virtual key 175 to represent a number via a software interface. Further, the area and position of the virtual key 175 can be changed according to the user's preference.

  FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of a virtual keyboard that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Compared with Example 1, Example 2 is provided with a wireless communication unit 700 such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module. The processing unit 300 can transmit any signal corresponding to the pressed virtual key 175 to a device such as a computing device 600 as shown in FIG. 2 in a wireless manner via the wireless communication unit 700. Of course, the wireless communication unit 700 can be replaced with a wired communication unit such as a cable for transmission of a signal corresponding to the pressed virtual key 175.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration using three vibration sensors. At positions A, B, and C, vibration sensors similar to those in the first embodiment (FIG. 2) are arranged. In this configuration, it should be noted that some or all of the three vibration sensors are located inside or outside the virtual area 170. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, all three vibration sensors are arranged inside the virtual area 170. Since the absolute position of the vibration source on the plane can be determined from the three positions A, B, and C, the position of the vibration source is the difference in elapsed time or amplitude ratio between these three positions A, B, and C. Judgment can be made.

  FIG. 5 shows a flat keyboard 400 in this embodiment. The flat keyboard 400 includes components such as a hard plate 401, a plurality of stands 402, a processing unit, and two vibration sensors. Since the operations of the processing unit and the vibration sensor have been described in the first embodiment, they are omitted here.

  On the surface of the hard plate 401, a plurality of key symbols such as numbers, letters, and control keys are printed. Here, the user may write, draw, or paste a favorite key design. These key symbols are provided corresponding to each virtual key 410. A vibration absorbing pad 403 is provided on the bottom surface of each stand 402. The vibration absorbing pad 403 absorbs vibration generated when the flat keyboard 400 is pressed, and prevents the vibration sensor from receiving interference due to vibration from outside the flat keyboard 400.

  In addition, positioning protrusions 411 are formed on two of the plurality of key symbols. The positioning protrusions 411 correspond to protrusions formed on the F key and J key of a conventional substantial or mechanical keyboard, respectively.

  On the other hand, when one virtual key of the plurality of virtual keys and the other virtual key are pressed at the same time as in the operation such as “Ctrl-A”, the user continues to press the virtual key. The surface tension of the keyboard 400 changes, which causes changes in physical characteristics such as a decrease in vibration transmission speed and attenuation of vibration wave amplitude. The degree of the change in the physical characteristics related to the vibration wave is sensed by the vibration sensor and processing unit 300, and the change is collected and stored as object characteristic information by the storage unit 500. That is, according to the virtual keyboard of the present embodiment, the user can input specific information by simultaneously pressing two virtual keys.

  Further, under software having a touchpad function, a virtual area can be used as a virtual touchpad. When the surface of the virtual touchpad is gently touched by a moving object such as a user's finger, the plurality of vibration sensors sense that the position of the vibration source is moving linearly with time. The processing unit 300 determines that the user has moved the cursor in the same manner as the function of moving the cursor by operating the touch pad or the mouse, and moves the cursor or scrolls the page based on the movement of the object. To do. Similarly, under software having a handwriting function, a virtual area can be used as a handwriting board, and a handwriting function can be provided.

  The best embodiments of the present invention have been described above for the purpose of disclosing the present invention. However, those skilled in the art have modified not only these embodiments but also the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible. That is, all the examples within the range which does not deviate from the summary and the scope of the invention described in the claims are included.

It is a circuit diagram of the virtual keyboard of Example 1 of the present invention. It is a three-dimensional external view of the virtual keyboard of Example 1 of the present invention. It is a circuit diagram of the virtual keyboard of Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram when three vibration sensors are used. It is a solid external perspective view of the flat keyboard in the present invention. It is a three-dimensional external view of the conventional virtual keyboard.

Explanation of symbols

60 virtual keyboard 70 laser source 80 sensor 90 processing device 100 virtual keyboard 150 plane 170 virtual area 175, 175a virtual key 180 virtual keyboard image 210 first vibration sensor 220 second vibration sensor 300 processing unit 400 plane keyboard 401 hard board 402 stand 403 Vibration absorbing pad 410 Virtual key 411 Positioning protrusion 500 Storage unit 600 Computing device 700 Wireless communication unit A, B, C Position Z Position of vibration source

Claims (15)

A virtual area with a plurality of virtual keys formed on the surface;
Two or more vibration sensors provided on the surface;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of data recording actual positions and meanings of the plurality of virtual keys;
A processing unit in which the vibration sensor and the storage unit are electronically connected,
When a vibration signal is generated by touching the virtual area, each vibration sensor receives the vibration signal and sends an output signal corresponding to the vibration signal to the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to generate the vibration signal based on the output signal. The position of the vibration source of the signal is determined, and the key pressed by the virtual key is found by comparing the position of the vibration source and the actual position recorded in the data. A virtual keyboard characterized by generating a key signal based thereon.   2. The hypothesis according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit determines a position of a vibration source based on at least one of an elapsed time difference of the vibration signal and an amplitude ratio of the vibration signal received by each vibration sensor. keyboard.   The storage unit stores object characteristic information for recording how transmission of the vibration wave on the surface is affected when an arbitrary key of the plurality of virtual keys is pressed. The virtual keyboard according to claim 1.   The virtual surface according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a plane on a hard board, a soft board, or a paper platform, and the plurality of virtual keys are a plurality of key symbols printed on the platform. keyboard.   The virtual keyboard according to claim 4, wherein the platform includes a plurality of stands having vibration absorbing pads.   6. A virtual keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a software interface that is executed on a device and allows a user to input the data into the device.   The virtual keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the virtual area includes at least one of a handwriting board and a virtual touchpad. A virtual keyboard used in a computing device having a storage unit used to store a plurality of data recording actual positions and meanings of a plurality of virtual keys,
A virtual area comprising the plurality of virtual keys and formed on a surface;
A plurality of vibration sensors provided on the surface;
A processing unit in which the vibration sensor and the storage unit are electronically connected,
When a vibration signal is generated by touching the virtual area, each vibration sensor receives the vibration signal, and the processing unit generates a processing signal corresponding to the vibration signal and sends the processing signal to the computing device. Virtual keyboard.   The virtual keyboard according to claim 8, wherein the processing signal is time information and amplitude information of the vibration signal.   The virtual keyboard according to claim 8, wherein the processing signal is vibration source position information of the vibration signal.   The virtual surface according to claim 8, wherein the surface is a plane on a hard board, a soft board, or a paper platform, and the plurality of virtual keys are a plurality of key symbols printed on the platform. keyboard.   The virtual keyboard according to claim 11, wherein the platform includes a plurality of stands having vibration absorbing pads.   13. A virtual keyboard according to any of claims 8 to 12, comprising a software interface that is executed on the device and allows a user to input the data to the device.   The virtual keyboard according to claim 8, wherein the virtual area includes at least one of a handwriting board and a virtual touchpad. A plurality of vibration sensors arranged on a surface on which a virtual input region is formed, and detecting vibrations of the surface generated by touching the virtual input region;
And a processing unit that determines a contact position in the virtual input region based on output signals of the plurality of vibration sensors and generates a signal corresponding to the determination result.

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