JP2011070322A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by easily and surely discriminating a plurality of arrayed keys without viewing their key names one by one, and thereby shortening a time of information input by key input operation. <P>SOLUTION: A key input device is provided with steps between key tops such that keys 11 to 13 and 41 to 43 positioned on both ends of keys 21 to 23 and 31 to 33 at a center part in a row direction of a key pad 10 are taller than the keys 21 to 23 and 31 to 33, and also provided with differences in friction coefficient between the key tops such that the keys 11 to 41 and 13 to 43 positioned at both ends of the keys 12 to 42 at a center part in a column direction are larger in friction than the keys 12 to 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a key input device used as a keypad in a remote controller of a television device or a game machine, for example.

Generally, a personal computer is used to browse a website / web page on the Internet, and a user acquires and displays desired web page information by operating a keyboard and a mouse. .
On the other hand, recently, a function for connecting to the Internet has also been installed in television devices, game machines, and the like, and it has become possible to acquire website / web page information using this type of device. Yes. However, when using a television device or a game machine, a user often sees these devices from a remote location. For this reason, when inputting information for Web access, a user rarely uses a keyboard and a mouse like a personal computer, and usually uses a remote controller. However, since the remote controller has fewer keys than a keyboard, it takes much time and effort to input information for Web access.

  Therefore, a method has been proposed in which information can be input for Web access quickly and easily using a remote controller. For example, this technique enables input operations such as letters and numbers while watching the television screen without looking at the remote controller (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-217228 A

  As proposed in Patent Document 1, it is very convenient if characters and the like can be input without looking at the remote controller. This is because, when a character or the like is input while constantly looking at the keypad of the remote controller, an input error is noticed only when the line of sight is moved to the television screen after the word or sentence is input. In addition, even if a search word is input at a search site, a desired search result cannot be obtained, and the operation of re-entering a new search word and searching again may be repeated. In such a case, each time the user repeats the operation, the user moves his / her line of sight between the television screen and the keypad of the remote controller, which makes it very troublesome to input characters and the like.

  Therefore, it has been proposed to enable a blind operation in the remote controller by changing only the key top shape of a specific key in the keypad of the remote controller. Such a remote controller is more effective not only for a healthy person but also for a visually handicapped person.

  However, this type of remote controller can reliably recognize a specific key, but cannot individually identify other keys. For this reason, when a user moves a finger from a specific key to another key, the user often forgets how much the finger has been moved. For this reason, erroneous input is likely to occur, and it is not easy to input characters or the like without looking at the keypad after all.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and the object thereof is to make it possible to easily and reliably identify a plurality of arranged keys without visually recognizing the key names one by one. An object of the present invention is to provide a key input device that shortens information input time by operation and improves operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there are four or more keys in the first direction and one or more keys in the second direction among the first and second directions orthogonal to each other. In the arranged key input device, a key top having a first height is disposed on two adjacent first keys arranged in the center among the four or more keys arranged in the first direction. Each of the four or more keys arranged and arranged in the first direction has a second height different from the first height in a second key located on both sides of the first key. Each is provided with a top.

  Because of such a configuration, a step is formed between the key tops of the plurality of keys arranged in the first direction. Therefore, when operating the key input device, the user can identify the key by the step between the key tops without visually recognizing the key names displayed on the key tops. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the input time compared to the case where the key name is visually recognized one by one, thereby improving the operability.

  In addition, the key tops of the two keys located at the center in the key array are set to be the lowest or the highest, and the height of the key top is increased or decreased as the end of the key array is reached. For this reason, the user can easily and surely recognize the two keys located in the center portion of the key arrangement by so-called blind touch without visually recognizing the key names. It becomes possible to clearly identify the key around the base point by the difference in level difference.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of keys are arranged in the second direction, the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction are identified by the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction. Therefore, key tops having different friction coefficients are provided.

  Because of such a configuration, a difference in friction, that is, a difference in touch is formed between the key tops of the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction. For this reason, when operating the key input device, the user can identify a plurality of keys arranged in the first direction by a step between the key tops, and a plurality of keys arranged in the second direction. This key can be identified by the difference in friction between the key tops. Therefore, even in a key input device in which a plurality of keys are two-dimensionally arranged, the input time can be shortened as compared with the case where the key name is visually recognized one by one, thereby improving the operability.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of keys are arranged in the second direction, the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction are identified by the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction. Therefore, a key top having a different surface shape is provided.

  Due to such a configuration, a difference in surface shape, for example, a concave portion, a convex portion, or a concave / convex portion combining these, is formed between the key tops of the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction. For this reason, when operating the key input device, the user can identify a plurality of keys arranged in the first direction by a step between the key tops, and a plurality of keys arranged in the second direction. This key can be identified by the difference in surface shape between the key tops. Therefore, even in a key input device in which a plurality of keys are two-dimensionally arranged, the input time can be shortened as compared with the case where the key name is visually recognized one by one, thereby improving the operability.

  That is, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and reliably identify a plurality of arranged keys without visually recognizing the key names one by one, thereby shortening the information input time by the key input operation and improving the operability. It is possible to provide a key input device that achieves the above.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the key input device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation state with respect to the key input device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the usage example of the key input device shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the input time when inputting a character etc. using the key input device shown in FIG. 1 compared with the input time when inputting the same character using the conventional key input device. . 2 shows a configuration of a key input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view thereof, (b) is a side view when viewed in the row direction, and (c) is viewed in the column direction. FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a key input device according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view thereof, (b) is a side view when viewed in a row direction, and (c) is viewed in a column direction. FIG.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

  The key input device according to the first embodiment is a remote controller used in a television device or a game machine. This remote controller 1 has a keypad 10 disposed on the upper surface of a casing 20 made of a thin rectangular parallelepiped. The keypad 10 includes twelve push button-type keys arranged in a matrix of 4 rows × 3 columns when the long side direction of the housing 20 is defined as a row direction and the short side direction is defined as a column direction. . These keys are substantially square and have key tops 11-43 with a flat surface.

  By the way, among the key tops 11 to 43, the key tops 11 to 13 and 41 to 43 located in the first row and the fourth row, respectively, are key tops 21 to 23 located in the second row and the third row, respectively. Compared with 31 to 33, the key top height is set to be higher by a certain amount as shown in FIG. That is, the key tops 21 to 23 in the second row and the key tops 11 to 13 in the first row, the key tops 31 to 33 in the third row, and the key tops 41 to 43 in the fourth row In between, the key tops 11-13 of the 1st line and the 4th line which are located in the edge part from the key tops 21-23, 31-33 of the 2nd line and 3rd line which are located in the center part , 41 to 43 are provided with steps so as to be higher.

  On the other hand, among the key tops 11 to 43, the surfaces of the key tops 12 to 42 located in the second row are configured to have the first friction coefficient, and the key tops located in the first row and the third row. The surfaces of 11 to 41 and 13 to 43 are configured to have a second friction coefficient larger than the first friction coefficient. For example, the surfaces of the key tops 12 to 42 located in the second row are made of the plastic 2 having a low friction coefficient, whereas the surfaces of the key tops 11 to 41 and 13 to 43 located in the first row and the third row. Is coated with a rubber-like material having a large friction coefficient.

With this configuration, when the user tries to operate the remote controller 1, first, the key can be identified in the row direction of the keypad 10 as follows.
That is, the key tops 21 to 23 and 31 to 33 in the second and third rows of the keypad 10 are higher than the key tops 11 to 13 and 41 to 43 in the first and fourth rows. It is relatively low. Therefore, even if the user does not look at the keypad 10, the key tops 21 to 23 and 31 to 33 in the second row and the third row, that is, the keys positioned at the center of the keypad 10 are shown in FIG. As shown in (b), it can be easily and reliably recognized by the touch of its own finger.

  Next, when the finger is moved toward the tip of the housing 20 with the key position at the center as the base point, the key tops 11 to 13 in the first row are higher than the key tops 21 to 23 in the second row. As shown in FIG. 3A, the user can clearly recognize the key tops 11 to 13 in the first row by only the touch of the finger.

  On the other hand, when the finger is moved toward the proximal end of the housing 20 with the key position in the center as the base point, the key tops 41 to 43 in the fourth row are more than the key tops 31 to 33 in the third row. As shown in FIG. 3C, the user can clearly recognize the key tops 41 to 43 in the fourth row with just the touch of the finger. .

  The key tops 21 to 23 in the second row and the key tops 31 to 33 in the third row are identified when the finger is moved in the row direction by a small amount. It is possible to discriminate whether it is in contact with the step with 13 or with the step with the key tops 41 to 43 in the fourth row.

On the other hand, with respect to the column direction of the keypad 10, keys can be identified as follows.
That is, the surface tops of the key tops 12 to 42 in the second row of the keypad 10 are processed so as to have a higher friction coefficient than the key tops 11 to 41 and 13 to 43 in the first and third rows. . For this reason, even if the user does not look at the keypad 10, the key tops 12 to 42 in the second row, that is, the key located at the center of the keypad 10 can be easily and reliably recognized by the touch of his / her finger. be able to.

  Next, when the finger is moved to the left of the housing 20 with the key position at the center as the base point, the key tops 11 to 41 in the first row are more than the key tops 12 to 42 in the second row. Since the friction coefficient is set high, the user can clearly recognize the key tops 11 to 41 in the first row only by the touch of the finger due to the difference in the friction coefficient.

  On the other hand, when the finger is moved toward the right end of the housing 20 with the key position at the center as the base point, the key tops 13 to 43 in the third row are more than the key tops 12 to 24 in the second row. Since the friction coefficient is set to be large, the user can clearly recognize the key tops 13 to 43 in the third row by only the touch of the finger due to the difference in the friction coefficient.

  As described above, the row direction of the keypad 10 can be identified by the step between the key tops, and the column direction can be identified by the difference in the friction coefficient between the key tops. All keys can be identified individually. Therefore, when the user wants to input characters or the like by operating the remote controller 1, the user can identify and operate a desired key only with the touch of a finger without visually recognizing the key name of the keypad 10. This makes it possible to reduce the time required for inputting characters and the like.

In order to confirm the above effects, the present inventors conducted the following evaluation experiment.
That is, of the 12 keys on the keypad 10 of the remote controller 1, for the 10 keys, as shown in 2 a of FIG. 4, the representative characters “a”, “ka”, “sa”, “TA”, “NA”, “HA”, “MA”, “YA”, “RA”, “WA” are assigned, and “delete” and “OK” are assigned to the remaining two keys. A multi-tap method is used as an input method. The multi-tap method, for example, presses the key corresponding to “NA” once when inputting “NA”, and presses the key corresponding to “TA” three times when inputting “TSU”. , When inputting “me”, the key corresponding to “ma” is pressed four times.

Then, four subjects tried to input the personal name “Natsume Soseki” 10 times into the character input area 2b of the television device 1 10 times under the following two conditions.
(1) The remote controller 1 according to the first embodiment is used to perform an input operation while viewing only the television screen without looking at the keypad 10.
(2) A normal remote controller is used as described above, but the input operation is performed without looking at the keypad.
The experiment was performed in the order of (1) → (2). The key display image 2a shown in FIG. 4 is not displayed on the screen of the television device 2.

  FIG. 5 shows average values of input times when an input operation is performed under the above conditions (1) and (2). As shown in FIG. 5, under the condition (1), that is, when the remote controller 1 in the first embodiment is used, the character input operation can be input as fast as 5.5 seconds on average.

  On the other hand, when the input operation was performed under the condition (2), that is, using a normal remote controller and without looking at the keypad, it took an extremely long time of 14.5 seconds on average. . In particular, when moving between remote keys, it is difficult to determine which key is placed on a normal keypad. In other words, in the example of this evaluation experiment, the keys “Na”, “Ta”, and “Ma” are adjacent to “Natsume”, so input is almost the same as in the case of condition (1). You can, but when you enter “so” after “Natsume”, the “ma” and “sa” keys are separated, so it takes time to move your finger between keys, resulting in slow input speed. It is thought that it will become.

  As is clear from the above evaluation experiment, according to the key input device of the first embodiment, the user can operate the so-called blind touch on the key located at the center in the key array without visually recognizing the key name. Thus, it is possible to easily and reliably recognize, and it is possible to clearly identify the surrounding keys based on the difference in level difference and friction with the central key as a base point. For this reason, in the keypad 10 in which 12 keys of 4 rows × 3 columns are arranged, the input time can be shortened compared with the case where the key names are visually recognized one by one, thereby improving the operability. Can do.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the key top of the key located at the center portion has a flat surface shape with respect to the row direction of the keypad, and the key top of each key located at both ends protrudes from the surface. The part is formed.

6A and 6B show the configuration of a key input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a plan view thereof, FIG. 6B is a side view when the row direction is viewed, and FIG. It is a side view when seeing a column direction.
The keypad 30 of this embodiment also includes 12 push button type keys arranged in a matrix of 4 rows × 3 columns. Of the key tops 111 to 143 of these keys, the key tops 111 to 113 and 141 to 143 respectively located in the first row and the fourth row are the second row and the third row as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6B, the height of the key top is set to be higher by a certain amount than the key tops 121 to 123 and 131 to 133 located in the respective rows. That is, between the key tops 121 to 123 of the second row and the key tops 111 to 113 of the first row, the key tops 131 to 133 of the third row, and the key tops 141 to 143 of the fourth row In between, the key tops 111-113 of the 1st line and 4th line located in an edge part from the key tops 121-123, 131-133 of the 2nd line and 3rd line which are located in the center part , 141 to 143 are provided with steps so as to be higher.

  On the other hand, among the key tops 111 to 143, the surfaces of the second row key tops 112 to 142 located in the center are formed flat. On the other hand, the surfaces 111a to 141a and 113a to 143a of the first row key tops 111 to 141 and the third row key tops 113 to 143 located at both ends are respectively shown in FIG. Hemispherical protrusions 111b to 141b and 113b to 143b are formed.

  With such a configuration, when the user intends to operate the remote controller 1, first, the row direction of the keypad 30 is identified by the difference in height between the key tops as in the first embodiment. Is possible. On the other hand, with respect to the row direction of the keypad 30, hemispherical protrusions 111b to 141b and 113b to be formed on the surfaces of the first and third row key tops 111 to 141 and 113 to 143 located at both ends. The key can be identified by 143b.

  That is, the row direction of the keypad 30 can be identified by the step between the key tops, and the column direction can be identified by the difference in the surface shape between the key tops. Can be individually identified. Therefore, when the user wants to input characters or the like by operating the remote controller 1, the user can identify and operate a desired key only with the touch of a finger without visually recognizing the key name of the keypad 30. This makes it possible to reduce the time required for inputting characters and the like.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, a step is provided in the row direction with respect to the key tops 11 to 43 and a difference in friction coefficient is provided in the column direction. In the second embodiment, a difference in the row direction is provided with respect to the key tops 111 to 143. And a difference in surface shape (presence / absence of protrusions 111b to 141b and 113b to 143b) in the column direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as a modification of the first embodiment, a step is provided in the column direction with respect to the key top and a friction coefficient difference is provided in the row direction. You may comprise so that a level | step difference may be provided in the column direction with respect to a top, and the difference in surface shape (presence of a protrusion part) may be provided in a row direction. Further, steps may be provided in both the row direction and the column direction with respect to the key top. Further, both the step and the friction coefficient or the surface shape difference may be provided in the row direction and the column direction with respect to the key top.

  Further, as a method of providing a surface shape difference on the key top surface, a recess may be provided in addition to the protrusion. 7A and 7B show an example of the configuration. FIG. 7A is a plan view thereof, FIG. 7B is a side view when the row direction is viewed, and FIG. 7C is a side view when the column direction is viewed. As shown in the figure, the keypad 40 of this embodiment also includes 12 push button type keys arranged in a matrix of 4 rows × 3 columns. Then, from the tops 121 to 123 and 131 to 133 of the second and third rows located in the central part, the key tops 111 to 113 and 141 of the first and fourth rows located at the end part. ˜143 has a structure in which a step is provided between the key tops so as to be higher.

  Of the key tops 111 to 143, the second row key tops 112 to 142 located at the center have flat surfaces. On the other hand, on the surfaces 111a to 141a and 113a to 143a of the first row key tops 111 to 141 and the third row key tops 113 to 143 located at both ends, respectively, as shown in FIG. Recesses 111c to 141c and 113c to 143c are formed.

  With this configuration, when the user intends to operate the remote controller 1, first, the row direction of the keypad 40 is identified by the difference in height between the key tops as in the second embodiment. Is possible. On the other hand, in the row direction of the keypad 40, the keys are formed by the recesses 111c to 141c and 113c to 143c formed on the surfaces of the key tops 111 to 141 and 113 to 143 in the first row and the third row located at both ends. It becomes possible to identify.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the television device or the remote controller of the game machine has been described as an example, but it can also be applied to a video player / recorder, a set top box, a remote controller of a car navigation device, Furthermore, the present invention can be similarly applied to a dial keypad of a mobile phone.

  Further, as a method of providing a difference in friction coefficient on the surface of the key top, a method of forming fine irregularities or grooves on the key top surface may be employed. Further, the number of protrusions or recesses provided on the key top surface may be arbitrarily set. In addition, the height difference (step difference) value provided between the key tops, the friction coefficient difference value, the number of keys on the keypad, the arrangement pattern thereof, the shape of the key top, and the like do not depart from the gist of the present invention. Various modifications can be made within the range.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote controller, 2 ... Television apparatus, 2a ... Key display image, 2b ... Input area, such as a character, 20 ... Remote controller housing | casing, 10, 30, 40 ... Keypad, 11-43, 111-143 ... Key top, 111a to 143a, key top body, 111b to 143b, protrusion, 111c to 143c, recess.

Claims (3)

Among the first and second directions orthogonal to each other, in the key input device in which four or more keys in the first direction and one or more keys in the second direction are respectively arranged.
A key top having a first height is provided on each of the two adjacent first keys arranged in the center among the four or more keys arranged in the first direction,
A key top having a second height different from the first height is provided on a second key located on both sides of the first key among the four or more keys arranged in the first direction. A key input device characterized by being provided respectively. When a plurality of keys are arranged in the second direction,
2. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein key tops having different friction coefficients are provided on the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction in order to identify the plurality of keys in the second direction. . When a plurality of keys are arranged in the second direction,
2. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein a key top having a different surface shape is provided on the plurality of keys arranged in the second direction in order to identify the plurality of keys in the second direction. .

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