JP2007115166A - Key input device, and its key unit and base unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key input device for easily changing key layouts without making a base unit complicated. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of key units 11 to 14 are provided with an RF tag 16, and when depressed, the key units 11 to 14 transmit an inherent code recorded inside as a radio signal from the RF tag 16. The base unit 10 can attach the key units 11 to 14 in a free layout. In addition, the base unit 10 is provided with an RF reader 15 and reads the inherent code to the key units 11 to 14 from the radio signal transmitted from the attached key units 11 to 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a key input device for inputting characters and the like by pressing a key, and more particularly to a key input device capable of changing a key arrangement.

  In a desktop personal computer, a keyboard is used as a key input device for inputting characters, numbers, symbols, and the like (hereinafter simply referred to as “characters”). In a notebook personal computer, the key input device is configured integrally with the main body. Key input devices are also incorporated in various devices such as telephones and calculators.

  Usually, a character input by pressing the key is engraved on the key top of each key of the key input device, so that the user can recognize the character. Also, there are standard key arrangements of personal computers such as ASCII and JIS, and the user can perform blind touch by remembering the arrangement.

  The standard key layout is widely laid out so that it is easy for general users to use, and convenience is enhanced. However, the standard key layout is not necessarily easy to use for all users, and there is a demand for users to change the layout themselves.

  There is a matrix type as a general configuration of a key input device. Matrix-type key input devices are wired in a vertical and horizontal matrix along the key switch array on a base unit to which a plurality of key tops are attached, depending on which vertical and horizontal wiring electrodes are connected. The pressed key is discriminated.

  In this type of key input device, the key code is tied to the position of the key switch, not the character input by pressing the key. For this reason, when changing the key layout, it is necessary to change the setting so that the key code is read by software such as an OS after changing the key top with the stamp. In addition, changing the key code requires a circuit change, which is not easy.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a key input device that does not require a software setting change to change the layout (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the key input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the code is set in the key unit, the key layout can be changed without changing the software setting by simply changing the position of the removable key unit. be able to.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-80914

  According to the key input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to easily change the key layout without requiring software setting change. However, the key unit has a plurality of switches, and has a configuration in which a unique code is generated by its on / off setting. It has a configuration for reading the code generated by the unit. For this reason, the base unit has to have the number of electrodes corresponding to the number of digits of the key code for all the keys, and it is necessary to provide wiring for each electrode, resulting in a problem that the structure becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a key input device in which a key layout can be easily changed without complicating a base unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the key input device of the present invention comprises:
A key input device for inputting by pressing a key,
A plurality of key units each including an RF tag and transmitting a unique code recorded therein as a radio signal from the RF tag when pressed;
The key unit can be attached in a free layout, and includes an RF reader, and a base unit that reads a code specific to the key unit from the radio signal transmitted from the attached key unit by the RF reader. ing.

  According to the present invention, when the key unit having the RF tag is pressed, the internal code is transmitted as a radio signal, and the base unit having the RF reader is attached to the key unit in a user's free layout. Since the code can be read from the radio signal transmitted from the attached key unit, a key input device capable of easily changing the key layout without complicating the configuration of the base unit can be realized.

In addition, the RF tag of the key unit operates when receiving power supply, and is configured to be partially disconnected from the IC that sends out the code recorded therein, and the part is connected. Then, the power of the received wireless signal is supplied to the IC, and the antenna circuit that transmits the code transmitted from the IC as a wireless signal,
The base unit is
When the key unit is pressed, a contact circuit that connects the part of the antenna circuit that has been cut off may be further provided at the key unit mounting position.

The key unit is
The RF tag operates when receiving power supply, and has an IC that sends out the code recorded therein, and a part of the radio signal received when the part is connected. A first subunit having an antenna circuit for supplying the power to the IC and transmitting the code transmitted from the IC as a radio signal;
When the upper part of the key unit is pressed, a second subunit having a contact circuit that connects the part of the antenna circuit may be included.

  The RF reader may be capable of reading a plurality of codes simultaneously. According to this, it is possible to recognize a complicated operation such as simultaneously pressing a plurality of keys without providing a special circuit.

  The RF reader may have a function of writing the code to the RF tag. According to this, the correspondence between characters and codes may be changed by rewriting information recorded in the RF tag.

  The RF reader uses, as an RF reader terminal, a computer including a short-range antenna for receiving a radio signal from the RF tag of the key unit attached to the base unit and the key input device. It is good also as providing both the long-distance antenna for this, and switching and using the said short-distance antenna and the said long-distance antenna. According to this, a computer equipped with a key input device can be used as a computer equipped with a key input device if the short distance use is selected, and can be used as an RF reader terminal if the long distance use is selected.

  According to the present invention, when the key unit having the RF tag is pressed, the internal code is transmitted as a radio signal, and the base unit having the RF reader is attached to the key unit in a user's free layout. Since the code can be read from the radio signal transmitted from the attached key unit, a key input device capable of easily changing the key layout without complicating the configuration of the base unit can be realized.

  Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a key input device according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the key input device includes a base unit 10 and a plurality of key units 11 to 14. The key units 11 to 14 are attached to the base unit 10 so that the user can press the upper part, and can be detached from the base unit 10. The arrangement of the key units 11 to 14 can be freely selected as desired by the user.

  The key units 11 to 14 are for inputting different characters, numbers, symbols, and the like (hereinafter simply referred to as “characters”), and the characters are engraved on the key tops. Each of the key units 11 to 14 has an RF tag 16 therein, and a code indicating each character is recorded on the RF tag 16 of each key unit 11 to 14. The code recorded on the RF tag 16 is transmitted as a radio signal when the upper part is pressed.

  The base unit 10 has a structure in which the key units 11 to 14 can be attached and detached, and has an RF reader 15 inside. The RF reader 15 supplies power to the RF tag 16 with a radio signal, and reads a code transmitted as a radio signal from the RF tag 16 by the power.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the key unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the base unit according to the first embodiment. Since all the key units 11 to 14 have the same configuration, the key unit 11 will be described here.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the RF tag 16 of the key unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes an IC 21 and an antenna circuit 22. In a state where the upper part of the key unit 11 is not pressed, the antenna circuit 22 is partly disconnected. In this state, power is not supplied to the IC 21. When the antenna circuit 22 is connected by pressing the key unit, power is supplied from the antenna circuit 22 to the IC 21.

  The IC 21 operates when power is supplied from the antenna circuit 22, and sends a code recorded therein as a radio signal from the antenna circuit 22.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in addition to the RF reader 15 shown in FIG. 1, the base unit 10 has a contact circuit 31 at the key unit mounting position so that the antenna circuit 22 is connected when the key unit 11 is pressed. It has.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the key unit is attached to the base unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state where the key unit is pressed from the state of FIG. 4A.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the key unit 11 is attached to the base unit 10 and not pressed, the key unit 11 is held in a state where a part of the antenna circuit 21 is cut by a spring (not shown) or the like. Is done. When the key unit 11 is pressed from this state, the antenna circuit 21 is connected by the contact circuit 31 as shown in FIG. 4B.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the key units 11 to 14 including the RF tag 16 are pressed, a unique code recorded therein is used as a radio signal regardless of the position. Send it out. The base unit 10 including the RF reader 15 can be attached with the key units 11 to 14 according to a user's free layout, and can read codes from radio signals transmitted from the attached key units 11 to 14. Therefore, a key input device capable of easily changing the key layout without complicating the configuration of the electrodes and wiring of the base unit 10 can be realized.

  Further, since the code is recorded on the RF tag 16 provided in the key units 11 to 14, the information can be managed by uniquely determining the code for the input character. Moreover, it is not necessary to attach the key unit of an unnecessary character, and the number of the key units 11-14 attached to the base unit 10 can also be changed freely.

  Since the code sent from the RF tag 16 of the pressed key unit is read by the RF reader 15 of the base unit 10, a special circuit is provided if the RF reader 15 capable of reading a plurality of codes simultaneously is used. It is possible to recognize complicated operations such as simultaneously pressing a plurality of keys.

  In this embodiment, since the RF reader 15 reads a code from a radio signal, it can also read codes of RF tags other than the RF tag 16 of the key unit attached to the base unit 10. Therefore, the key unit code is validated only when it can be read simultaneously with the predetermined code recorded on another RF tag, so that the key operation is performed unless the RF tag recording the predetermined code is placed near the key input device. Security lock that can not be performed can be easily realized.

  Further, the RF reader 15 of the base unit 10 may have a function of writing information to the RF tag 16 so that the correspondence between characters and codes can be changed by rewriting information recorded on the RF tag 16.

  In addition, since all the key units have a common configuration, the key unit of the desired key can be realized by giving the top stamp and rewriting the information in the RF tag 16, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the number of stocks for maintenance can be reduced. Reduction is possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, two types of antennas for the RF reader 15 mounted on the base unit 10 for short distance and for long distance may be prepared and switched. As a result, a computer equipped with the key input device according to the present embodiment can be used as a computer equipped with a key input device if the short distance use is selected, and can be used as an RF reader terminal if the long distance use is selected.

(Second Embodiment)
The key input device of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. However, the key input device of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a contact circuit 31 for connecting the antenna circuit 21 is provided on the key unit side instead of the base unit.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the key unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a base unit according to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the key unit 11 ′ includes a first subunit 41 and a second subunit 42. Referring to FIG. 6, the base unit 11 ′ only has a structure in which the key unit 11 ′ can be attached and detached in addition to the RF reader 15 shown in FIG. 1.

  The first subunit 41 includes an RF tag including the IC 21 and the antenna wiring 22. When the upper part of the key unit 11 ′ is not pressed, the antenna circuit 22 is partially disconnected. In this state, power is not supplied to the IC 21. When the antenna circuit 22 is connected by pressing the key unit 11 ′, power is supplied from the antenna circuit 22 to the IC 21. The IC 21 operates when power is supplied from the antenna circuit 22, and sends a code recorded therein as a radio signal from the antenna circuit 22.

  On the other hand, the second subunit 42 includes a contact circuit 31 below the first subunit so that the antenna circuit 22 is connected when the key unit 11 'is pressed.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the key unit is attached to the base unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state where the key unit is pressed from the state of FIG. 7A.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the key unit 11 ′ is attached to the base unit 10 ′ and not pressed, the first unit 41 of the key unit 11 ′ is connected to the antenna circuit 21 by a spring (not shown) or the like. A part is kept in a disconnected state. When the upper part of the key unit 11 is pressed from this state, the antenna circuit 21 is connected by the contact circuit 31 as shown in FIG. 7B.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the key unit 11 ′ having the RF tag 16 is pressed, the unique code recorded therein is transmitted as a radio signal. The base unit 10 ′ having the RF reader 15 can be attached with the key unit 11 ′ according to a user's free layout, and can read a code from a radio signal transmitted from the attached key unit 11 ′. Therefore, it is possible to realize a key input device capable of easily changing the key layout without complicating the configuration of the base unit 10 '.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the key input device of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the key unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the base unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the key unit to the base unit in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state by which the key unit was pressed from the state of FIG. 4A. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the key unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the base unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the key unit to the base unit in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state by which the key unit was pressed down from the state of FIG. 7A.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10 'base unit 11-14, 11' key unit 15 RF reader 16 RF tag 21 IC
22 antenna circuit 31 contact circuit 41 first subunit 42 second subunit

Claims (10)

A key input device for inputting by pressing a key,
A plurality of key units each including an RF tag and transmitting a unique code recorded therein as a radio signal from the RF tag when pressed;
A base unit that can be attached to the key unit in a free layout, includes an RF reader, and reads a code specific to the key unit from the radio signal transmitted from the attached key unit by the RF reader; Key input device. The RF tag of the key unit is configured to operate when it is supplied with power and to send out the code recorded therein, and a part thereof is disconnected, and when the part is connected An antenna circuit for supplying power of the received radio signal to the IC and transmitting the code sent from the IC as a radio signal;
The base unit is
2. The key input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a contact circuit that connects the cut part of the antenna circuit when the key unit is pressed at a position where the key unit is attached. The key unit is
The RF tag operates when receiving power supply, and has an IC that sends out the code recorded therein, and a part of the radio signal received when the part is connected. A first subunit having an antenna circuit for supplying the power to the IC and transmitting the code transmitted from the IC as a radio signal;
2. The key input device according to claim 1, further comprising a second subunit having a contact circuit that connects the part of the antenna circuit when an upper portion of the key unit is pressed.   The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the RF reader is capable of reading a plurality of codes simultaneously.   The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the RF reader has a function of writing the code to the RF tag.   The RF reader is for using a short-range antenna for receiving a radio signal from the RF tag of the key unit attached to the base unit and a computer including the key input device as an RF reader terminal. 6. The key input device according to claim 1, comprising both a long-distance antenna and switching between the short-distance antenna and the long-distance antenna. In a key unit that can be attached to the base unit of a key input device for inputting by pressing a key in a free layout,
A key unit comprising an RF tag and, when pressed, transmits a unique code recorded therein as a radio signal from the RF tag.   The RF tag operates when receiving power supply, and has an IC that sends out the code recorded therein, and a part of the radio signal received when the part is connected. The key unit according to claim 7, further comprising: an antenna circuit that supplies power to the IC and transmits the code transmitted from the IC as a radio signal. The RF tag operates when receiving power supply, and has an IC that sends out the code recorded therein, and a part of the radio signal received when the part is connected. A first subunit having an antenna circuit for supplying the power to the IC and transmitting the code transmitted from the IC as a radio signal;
The key unit according to claim 4, further comprising: a second subunit having a contact circuit that connects the part of the antenna circuit when an upper part of the key unit is pressed. In the base unit of the key input device for inputting by pressing the key,
When the RF tag is provided and pressed, a plurality of key units for transmitting a unique code recorded therein as a radio signal can be attached in a free layout from the RF tag, and the attached key unit A base unit characterized in that a code specific to the key unit is read from a radio signal transmitted from the key by an RF reader.

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