JP2012113360A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device comprising a light-emitting display unit that enables more appropriate light emitting display to improve operability.SOLUTION: Light emitted from LEDs 24, 28 that are light sources on laminated light guide plates 22, 26, respectively, enters the light guide plates 22, 26, respectively, propagates through the light guide plates 22, 26, respectively and gets deflected at the positions of pigments 23, 27, respectively, to be irradiated to key caps A1, A2 that are light-emitting display units on an input operation face, respectively. The pigments 23, 27 disposed on the light guide plates 22, 26, respectively, are positioned at the positions corresponding to the key caps A11, A21, respectively. The light guide plates 22, 26 can illuminate arbitrary portions or areas of the input operation face independently by luminescence of the pigment 23, 27 disposed on the light guide plates 22, 26 themselves with illumination means systemized for the light guide plates 22, 26 individually.

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard device which is an input device such as an electronic device.

Conventionally, keyboard devices have been widely used as input devices for electronic devices such as personal computers. In this keyboard device, input portions corresponding to a large number of input symbols such as key caps are distributed on a relatively wide input operation surface so that various inputs can be made. There are also many keyboard devices whose operability is improved by turning on necessary key caps and lamps (see Patent Document 1).
In recent years, a keyboard device that includes a capacitive touch panel and a translucent cover panel that covers the upper surface of the touch panel, and in which the upper surface of the cover panel forms an input operation surface has been put into practical use. Such a keyboard device has a flat input operation surface located on the uppermost surface, so that it is easy to clean and dirt is difficult to adhere, and the appearance is improved and a clean state can be maintained. It is a combination of functionality and aesthetics. And, to realize a flat input operation surface, a capacitive touch panel can be used, so that a touch panel with excellent translucency can be easily configured, and highly sensitive input detection is possible. This is possible (Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-253938).

JP 2010-129374 A

By the way, the present inventors have further advanced the technical idea of lighting a light emitting display unit such as a keycap or a lamp, and can selectively emit only a specific light emitting display unit or emit light in different colors. Focusing on what is desirable for further improving the operability of keyboard devices, we are researching and developing them.
FIG. 4 shows a plan view (partial perspective view) of the structure of the keyboard device 10 prototyped in the research and development process. In this keyboard device 10, the character portion of the key cap is a light emitting display portion, and a group of key caps indicated by reference symbol A <b> 1 is configured as a light emitting display portion that emits blue light, for example, and indicated by reference symbol A <b> 2. The remaining key cap is configured as a light emitting display unit that emits white light, for example. In the example of FIG. 4, the group of key caps A1 includes specific function keys and cursor movement keys.

  The character portion of each keycap is composed of a transparent member of the keycap body and light-transmitting ink, and has an installation range corresponding to each group of keycaps immediately below the group of keycaps A1. A light guide plate 14 (each gray display) is disposed, and LEDs 16 that irradiate the group of key caps A1 with the emitted light through the light guide plate 14 are disposed at appropriate positions. A light guide plate 18 corresponding to the installation range is disposed immediately below the remaining key cap A2, and an LED 20 that irradiates the remaining key cap with light emitted to the remaining key cap A2 via the light guide plate 18. Placed in place. 4 includes a key cap holding mechanism, a membrane sheet that converts a physical input of the key cap into an electric signal, a circuit board, a case, and the like in addition to the components shown in the figure. Since it is a known configuration, detailed description is omitted.

Now, the keyboard device 10 shown in FIG. 4 can simultaneously or arbitrarily light the group of key caps A1 and the remaining key caps A2 by causing the LEDs 16 and 20 to simultaneously or arbitrarily emit light. . However, the number of light guide plates 14 and 18 for controlling the light emission from the LEDs 16 and 20 to emit light from a specific light-emitting display unit has been increased, and a group of key caps indicated by reference numeral A1 are distributed as shown in the figure. In particular, the increase in the total number of light guide plates was remarkable. At the same time, the circuit boards related to the LEDs 16 and 20 are also independent for each of the light guide plates 14 and 18, and the required number increases (in the example shown, the light guide plate and the flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as “FPC”). .)) In total, 6 sheets were used), and the desired conditions could not be satisfied in terms of cost and structure, and it was not put into practical use.
The present invention provides a keyboard device that has a light-emitting display unit that enables more appropriate light-emitting display to solve the above problems and improve operability, and that can be realized at low cost and in structure. It is in.

(Aspect of the Invention)
The following aspects of the present invention exemplify the configuration of the present invention, and will be described separately for easy understanding of various configurations of the present invention. Each section does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and some of the components of each section are replaced, deleted, or further while referring to the best mode for carrying out the invention. Those to which the above components are added can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) A keyboard device comprising: a plurality of light guide plates arranged in a stacked manner; and an illumination means including a light source that irradiates light to the light guide plates, and the light emitting display portion of the input operation surface is illuminated by the illumination means. The input light reflected from the light source to the plurality of light guide plates is reflected on the other main surface of each of the plurality of light guide plates opposite to the main surface serving as a light emission surface. A keyboard device in which pigments for irradiating in the direction of the operation surface are arranged.
In the keyboard device described in this section, the pigment disposed on the other main surface of the plurality of light guide plates arranged in layers opposite to the main surface serving as the light emission surface is emitted from the light source and guided. After being incident on the light plate, it receives light propagating through the light guide plate, is deflected at the position of the pigment, and is applied to the light emitting display portion of the input operation surface. That is, each light guide plate emits light from a pigment portion arranged on itself, and an arbitrary portion or range of the input operation surface is independent on a system-by-system basis by illumination means grouped for each light guide plate. Thus, it has a configuration that can be illuminated.

(2) In the above item (1), the pigment is arranged in association with each light-emitting display unit so that the light-emitting display unit on the input operation surface irradiated with light from each light guide plate is at least partially different. A keyboard device (claim 1).
In the keyboard device described in this section, the pigments arranged on the respective light guide plates are each provided with the respective light emitting display portions so that the light emitting display portions of the input operation surface irradiated with light by the respective light guide plates are at least partially different. The light-emitting display units associated with the pigment portions disposed on the respective light guide plates are radiated in a lump for each light guide plate. The parts or ranges systematized for each light guide plate are different or at least partially coincide with each other. Therefore, any part or range of the input operation surface is systematized for each light guide plate. In addition, the illumination means independently illuminates in units of systems, thereby realizing a variety of illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface.

(3) In the above items (1) and (2), a keyboard device characterized in that the installation ranges of the plurality of light guide plates arranged in a stack substantially coincide with each other.
In the keyboard device described in this section, the installation ranges of the respective light guide plates are substantially matched, and the positions where the light can be illuminated by the respective light guide plates are also substantially matched with each other. And since the light emission display part of the input operation surface irradiated with light by each light guide plate is associated with each light emission display part so that it is at least partially different, its position is determined. By illuminating an arbitrary portion or range independently for each system by the illumination means grouped for each light guide plate, various illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface are provided. Here, “the respective installation ranges of the light guide plate are approximately the same” means not only the case where the respective installation ranges of the light guide plate are completely the same, but, for example, a light source or other components in the keyboard device. The case where the shape of each light guide plate has to be partly changed due to inevitable factors such as securing the installation location is meant to be included in “the installation range matches”.

(4) The keyboard device including the optically transparent double-sided tape for fixing the light guide plates to each other in the items (1) to (3).
In the keyboard device described in this section, the light guide plates arranged in a stacked manner are fixed and positioned by an optically transparent double-sided tape. In addition, the light emitted from the light source is incident on the optical transparent double-sided tape, so that the light propagating through the optical transparent double-sided tape is deflected in the adhesive layer on the surface of the optical transparent double-sided tape, like the light guide plate. Then, the input operation surface is irradiated. The optically transparent double-sided tape may extend over the entire range of the adhesive surface of the light guide plate fixed by the optically transparent tape. It may be partially arranged.

(5) In the above items (1) to (4), the light source is disposed on one side surface of each of the stacked light guide plates so as to individually irradiate the light to the light guide plates. (Claim 2).
In the keyboard device described in this section, the light source arranged in a mode of individually irradiating light to each light guide plate is allowed to emit light arbitrarily, and the input operation surface systematized for each light guide plate. The part or range is illuminated independently in units of systems or simultaneously in each system. That is, various illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface are realized by causing the light sources to emit light for each light guide plate.

(6) In the above items (1) to (4), the light source is disposed on one side surface of each of the stacked light guide plates in a mode in which light is individually applied to each light guide plate. And a second group arranged in such a manner that light is collectively irradiated to the plurality of light guide plates on one side surface of the plurality of light guide plates excluding the light guide plate on which the light sources of the first group are arranged. And a light source.
In the keyboard device described in this section, for each light guide plate corresponding to the first group of light sources, each light guide plate is provided with a first group of light sources arranged in such a manner that each light guide plate is individually irradiated with light. By arbitrarily emitting light every time it corresponds, the portion or range of the input operation surface divided into systems for each light guide plate is illuminated independently in units of systems or simultaneously in each system. In addition, for each light guide plate corresponding to the second group of light sources, each light guide plate is caused to emit light by emitting light from the second group of light sources arranged in such a manner that the light is collectively applied to the plurality of light guide plates. A portion or range of the input operation surface divided into systems for each light plate is illuminated at the same time.
That is, with respect to each light guide plate related to the first group of light sources, a variety of illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface, the light emission mode of the first group of light sources is the same or different for each light guide plate, and It implement | achieves by making the position of the pigment arrange | positioned corresponding to each light emission display part differ for every light-guide plate. In addition, each light guide plate related to the light source of the second group is realized by the position of the pigment arranged corresponding to each light emitting display unit for each light guide plate being different, and the light emission position thereby being different. It is.

(7) A keyboard device comprising an electrical circuit capable of arbitrarily turning on or off a part or all of each of the light sources in (5) and (6) above.
The keyboard device described in this section is provided for each light guide plate by an electric circuit that arbitrarily turns on or off a part or all of the light sources (including the first group of light sources and the second group of light sources as appropriate). The portion or range of the input operation surface divided into lines is illuminated independently for each system or simultaneously for each system. The driver for controlling the voltage value or current value applied to each electric circuit may be disposed in the electric circuit itself, that is, in the keyboard device, or on the electronic device side using the keyboard device as an input device. May be arranged.

(8) In the above item (7), for the light sources (including the first group of light sources as appropriate) arranged in such a manner that each light guide plate is individually irradiated with light, for each light source corresponding to each light guide plate A keyboard device comprising a circuit board for a second group of light sources, the second group of light sources being arranged in such a manner as to include independent circuit boards and collectively irradiate light onto a plurality of light guide plates.
The keyboard device described in this section minimizes the number of circuit boards.
(9) The keyboard device according to (8), wherein the circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC).
In the keyboard device described in this section, since the circuit board is configured by FPC, the structural restrictions of the keyboard device are eliminated as much as possible.

(10) In the above items (1) to (4), the light source is disposed on one side surface of the plurality of stacked light guide plates in such a manner that light is collectively applied to the plurality of light guide plates. A keyboard device (claim 5).
The keyboard device described in this section emits light sources arranged in a manner that collectively irradiates light to a plurality of light guide plates arranged in a stacked manner, so that input systematized for each light guide plate A portion or range of the operation surface is illuminated at the same time.
That is, a variety of illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface is realized by changing the positions of the pigments arranged in correspondence with the respective light emission display units for each light guide plate, and the light emission positions thereby different. Is.

(11) In the above items (1) to (10), the pigments arranged on the other main surface of the light guide plate opposite to the main surface serving as the light exit surface are each kind of light guide plate. A keyboard device having different (Claim 6).
The keyboard device described in this section has a configuration in which different types of pigments are used for each light guide plate to illuminate a portion or range of the input operation surface systematized for each light guide plate in different colors. It is what you have.

(12) The keyboard device according to (1) to (11), wherein the light emission colors of the light sources according to each of the light guide plates are different.
The keyboard device described in this section is configured to illuminate a portion or range of the input operation surface systematized for each light guide plate in different colors by different light emission colors of the light sources related to each of the light guide plates. It is what has.
(13) The keyboard device according to (12), wherein the light source is an LED.
In the keyboard device described in this section, the light source is configured by the LED, so that the structural restrictions of the keyboard device are eliminated as much as possible.
(14) The keyboard device according to (1) to (13), wherein the input operation surface is a key cap.
The keyboard device described in this section gives a variety of illumination patterns to the key caps grouped for each light guide plate.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, a keyboard device that includes a light-emitting display unit that enables more appropriate light-emitting display to improve operability, and that can be realized at low cost and structure is provided. It becomes possible.

It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the keyboard apparatus based on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the other example of the structure of the keyboard apparatus based on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 schematically shows still another example of the structure of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a plan view mainly showing a light guide plate and a light source, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole part. It is a top view (partial perspective view) which shows the structure of the unknown keyboard apparatus applicable to the prior art of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, parts that are the same as or correspond to those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the following description, the directions of “up” and “down” mean the up and down directions when the keyboard device according to the present invention is placed flat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard device 21 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of key caps as input operation surfaces, and a keyboard configured as a light emitting display unit that emits a character portion of each key cap. Device. The group of key caps A1 (see FIG. 4) and the key caps A2 (see FIG. 4) excluding the group of key caps A1 have two independent illumination means. The external plan view of the keyboard device 21 is the same as that of the keyboard device 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 1 (the same applies to FIGS. 2 and 3), each of the key caps belonging to the group of key caps A1 (in units of one) is denoted by reference numeral A11, and the keys belonging to the key cap A2 excluding the group of key caps A1 Each of the caps (in units of one) is indicated by reference numeral A21.

Here, the two independent illumination means of the keyboard device 21 (211) shown in FIG. 1 include, as the first illumination means, a key cap A11 belonging to a group of key caps A1 and a group of key caps A1. A first light guide plate 22 extending over the installation range of the key cap A21 belonging to the key cap A2 except for the first light guide plate 22 and an LED 24 as a light source for irradiating light to the first light guide plate 22 are provided. Also, above the first light guide plate 22, as the second illumination means, an installation range of the key cap A11 belonging to the group of key caps A1 and the key cap A21 belonging to the key cap A2 excluding the group of key caps A1. And a second light guide plate 26 that spreads over and a LED 28 as a light source for irradiating the second light guide plate 26 with light.
Both the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26 are installed so as to cover the entire installation range of the group of key caps A1 and the key cap A2 excluding the group of key caps A1. The installation ranges of the respective light guide plates 22 and 26 are approximately the same. Therefore, the positions where the light guide plates 22 and 26 can illuminate also substantially coincide with each other.

In addition, the LEDs 24 and 28 are arranged on one side surface of the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26 arranged in a stacked manner in such a manner that the light guide plates 22 and 26 are individually irradiated with light. Specifically, the LED 24 related to the first light guide plate 22 has a thickness equal to or less than that of the first light guide plate 22 so that the emitted light does not reach the second light guide plate 26. ing. Similarly, the LED 28 related to the second light guide plate 26 has a thickness equal to or less than that of the second light guide plate 26 so that the emitted light does not reach the first light guide plate 22. .
In the illustrated example, the LED 24 is disposed at the left end of the first light guide plate 22, and the LED 28 is disposed at the right end of the second light guide plate 26. However, these arrangements are in contact with other components. In consideration of the above, it can be arbitrarily set.

The first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26 are fixed by an optical transparent double-sided tape 36. In the example of FIG. 1, the optically transparent double-sided tape 36 extends over the entire range of the contact surface between the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26 fixed thereby.
The first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26 both have the other main surface facing the main surface that is the light exit surface, and the LEDs 24 and 28 to the light guide plates 22 and 26. Pigments 23 and 27 for deflecting the incident light thus guided and irradiating it in the direction of the key caps A11 and A21 are arranged.

The pigments 23 and 27 are arranged in association with the positions of the key caps A11 and A21 so that the key caps irradiated with light are different from each other. In the illustrated example, the first light guide plate The pigment 23 according to 22 is disposed in association with the position of the keycap A11, and the pigment 27 according to the second light guide plate 26 is disposed in association with the position of the keycap A21.
In the illustrated example, both the pigment 23 related to the first light guide plate 22 and the pigment 27 related to the second light guide plate 26 are provided at positions separated from the LEDs 24 and 28 which are the respective light sources. Is merely an example, and it is only necessary that the pigments 23 and 27 are provided in association with the light-emitting display units so as to be at least partially different, and the installation location thereof is the first light guide plate 22 or the second light guide plate 22. It can be arbitrarily set within the range covered by the light guide plate 26.

The pigments 23 and 27 are arranged in such a manner that the incident light guided to the light guide plates 22 and 26 can be efficiently deflected in the direction of the key caps A11 and A21. It is applied and printed as a simple dot pattern. The shape of the concavo-convex structure constituting the dot pattern is not limited to a specific one, and may be any shape such as a dome shape, a truncated cone, or a polygonal pyramid. Further, instead of the dot shape, a triangular groove or a prism shape may be formed.
Also, the pigment 23 related to the first light guide plate 22 and the pigment 27 related to the second light guide plate 26 are of different types. For example, the back surface (lower surface) of the first light guide plate 22 is white. A white ink having a pigment as a component may be printed, and a blue ink having a blue pigment as a component may be printed on the back surface (lower surface) of the second light guide plate 26. In this way, by making the type of pigment different for each light guide plate 22, 26, it is possible to illuminate the portion or range of the input operation surface systematically divided for each light guide plate 22, 26 in different colors. It becomes possible.

In addition, it is desirable to appropriately select the combination of the LED and the pigment between the first illuminating means and the second illuminating means in order to provide various illuminating patterns, but the same combination should be adopted as necessary. Is also possible. In addition, since the light emitted from the LEDs 24 and 28 propagates in the first light guide plate 22 or the second light guide plate 26 over a wide range, the number of the LEDs 24 and 28 is the same as the number of the key caps A11 and A21. There is no need.

  Further, the LED 24 related to the first light guide plate 22 and the LED 28 related to the second light guide plate 26 can emit light simultaneously or arbitrarily. Further, in the example of FIG. 1, there are provided two circuit boards, a first circuit board 38 on which the LED 24 is mounted and a second circuit board 40 on which the LED 28 is mounted. (In the embodiment of the present invention, since FPC is used for both the first and second circuit boards 38 and 40, each circuit board is appropriately referred to as “FPC” according to the embodiment. The driver 42 for controlling the voltage value or the current value to be applied to each circuit board 38, 40 may be disposed in the electric circuit itself, that is, the keyboard device, or the keyboard device is You may arrange | position at the electronic device side used as an input device.

In FIG. 1, symbol L1 schematically shows the light emitted from the first illuminating means, and the light emitted from the LED 24 propagates through the first light guide plate 22 to form a pigment. The key cap A11 located just above the key 23 is irradiated. On the other hand, symbol L2 schematically shows the light emitted from the second illuminating means, and the light emitted from the LED 28 propagates through the light guide plate 26 and is located just above the pigment 27. It is irradiated to the cap A21.
In the example of FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 is a membrane sheet that converts the physical inputs of the key caps A <b> 11 and A <b> 21 into an electrical signal, and reference numeral 32 is positioned below the membrane sheet 30 to change the membrane sheet 30. It is a back plate to support. Reference numeral 34 denotes a masking sheet which is located between the second light guide plate 26 and the back plate 32 and blocks unnecessary light. Reference numeral 36 a denotes an adhesive layer on the surface of the optically transparent double-sided tape 36. Furthermore, although each said structure is covered with the case which abbreviate | omits illustration, since these are all well-known structures, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

Although not shown, the pigment 23 related to the first light guide plate 22 and the pigment 27 related to the second light guide plate 26 may be installed so as to partially coincide with each other in the vertical direction. .
Moreover, it is good also as arrange | positioning LED at the one side end of each light guide plate by laminating | stacking three or more light guide plates, ie, three or more independent illumination systems of 2 systems.

Now, FIG. 2 schematically shows another example of the structure of the keyboard device 21 (212) according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same or corresponding parts as those of the keyboard device 21 (211) shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the keyboard device 212 of FIG. 2, LEDs 24 as light sources are collectively light-transmitted to the plurality of light guide plates 22 and 26 on one side surface of the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26 that are stacked. It arrange | positions in the aspect which irradiates. Specifically, the LED 24 as a light source has a thickness of the LED 24 such that the emitted light reaches both the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26. The height of the light guide plate 26 is set to be substantially the same.

And the emitted light from LED24 propagates the inside of the 1st light-guide plate 22, and as shown by the code | symbol L1, it irradiates with respect to the keycap A11 located directly on the pigment 23. FIG. Similarly, the light emitted from the LED 24 propagates through the second light guide plate 26 and is irradiated onto the key cap A21 located immediately above the pigment 27, as indicated by reference numeral L2.
Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 2, the light emitted from the LED 24 is also incident on the optical transparent double-sided tape 36 sandwiched between the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26, so that it is the same as the light guide plate. The light propagating through the optical transparent double-sided tape 36 is deflected in the adhesive layer 36a on the surface of the optical transparent double-sided tape 36, and can be irradiated in the direction of the input operation surface of each keycap A11, A21, etc. It becomes. In the example of FIG. 1 as well, by setting the light emitted from the LED 24 related to the first light guide plate 22 to be incident on the optical transparent double-sided tape 36 as well, the optical transparent double-sided tape 36 is made to be the first guide. It is also possible to function in the same manner as the optical plate 22.

Also in the example of FIG. 2, as described in the example of FIG. 1, the pigment 23 related to the first light guide plate 22 and the pigment 27 related to the second light guide plate 26 are partially up and down. You may install so that it may correspond with a direction.
Further, three or more independent illumination means of two systems, that is, three or more light guide plates are stacked, and the emitted light of the LED as the light source disposed at one side end of each light guide plate is transmitted to each light guide plate. It is also possible to set the thickness of the LED so as to be substantially the same as the stacked height of all the light guide plates.

FIG. 3 schematically shows another example of the keyboard device 21 (212) shown in FIG. Here, the same or corresponding parts as those of the keyboard device 21 (212) shown in FIG.
The keyboard device 213 in FIG. 3 shows an example in which the optically transparent double-sided tape 36 is partially disposed on the contact surfaces of the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 26. An optical transparent double-sided tape 36 is provided only on the outer periphery of the optical plates 22 and 26.
Such a configuration is used when the optical transparent double-sided tape 36 is not desirable to emit light similarly to the first light guide plate 22 or the second light guide plate 26, or when the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 22 This is employed when it is desirable to provide an air layer between the light guide plate 26 and the first light guide plate 22 and the second light guide plate 22 by adjusting the installation width of the optical transparent double-sided tape 36 appropriately. It is possible to securely fix the optical plate 26. This configuration can also be adopted as appropriate in the keyboard device 21 (211) shown in FIG.

According to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, the keyboard device 21 (211, 212, 213) according to the embodiment of the present invention is the other of the plurality of light guide plates 22, 26 arranged in a stacked manner and facing the main surface serving as a light emission surface. After the pigments 23 and 27 arranged on the main surface of the light source are emitted from the LEDs 24 and 28 as light sources and enter the light guide plates 22 and 26, the light 23 propagates through the light guide plates 22 and 26. The light is deflected at the positions of the pigments 23 and 27 and irradiated to the light emitting display portion of the input operation surface. That is, each of the light guide plates 22 and 26 emits light from the portions of the pigments 23 and 27 arranged on the light guide plates 22 and 26, so that an arbitrary portion or range of the input operation surface can be provided for each light guide plate 22 and 26. By the divided illumination means, the illumination can be performed independently for each system.

In addition, the pigments 23 and 27 arranged on the respective light guide plates 22 and 26 of the keyboard device 21 (211, 212 and 213) described in this section are input to which light is irradiated by the respective light guide plates 22 and 26. The positions of the key caps A11 and A21, which are light emitting display portions on the operation surface, are determined in association with the key caps A11 and A21 so that they are at least partially different. And about each keycap A11 and A21 matched with the part of the pigments 23 and 27 arrange | positioned at each light-guide plate 22 and 26, light is irradiated collectively for every light-guide plate 22 and 26, respectively. Is. Here, the parts or ranges divided for each of the light guide plates 22 and 26 are different from each other or at least partially coincide with each other, so that any part or range of the input operation surface can be changed to each light guide plate 22. By illuminating light independently for each system by the illumination means divided into systems for each 26, it is possible to realize various illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface.
In addition, since the types of the pigments 23 and 27 are different for each of the light guide plates 22 and 26, it is possible to illuminate a portion or range of the input operation surface systematized for each of the light guide plates 22 and 26 with different colors. Is possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the light guide plates 22, 26 is configured to emit light individually to the light guide plates 22, 26, so that the LEDs 24, 28 are individually emitted. It is possible to illuminate the part or range of the input operation surface that is divided into systems independently or in units of systems. That is, various illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface can be realized by causing the LEDs 24 and 28 to emit light for each of the light guide plates 22 and 26.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the light guide plates 22, 26 is made to emit light by emitting the LEDs 24 arranged in a manner that collectively irradiates light to the plurality of light guide plates 22, 26 arranged in layers. It is also possible to simultaneously illuminate the portion or range of the input operation surface divided into 26 systems.
That is, in this case, the positions of the pigments 23 and 27 arranged in association with the respective light-emitting display units for the light guide plates 22 and 26 in the various illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface are different. This is realized by the difference in the light emission position.

Further, although not shown, it is possible to configure a keyboard device including any of the modes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (and FIG. 3).
That is, the LEDs 24 and 28 arranged in such a manner that each light guide plate is individually irradiated with light on one side surface of each of the light guide plates 22 and 26 arranged in a stacked manner shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the LEDs 24 arranged on one side surface of the plurality of light guide plates 22 and 26 in a mode of collectively irradiating light to the plurality of light guide plates are referred to as “second group light sources”. 1 and FIG. 2 are further laminated and arranged.
And about each light guide plate corresponding to the light source of 1st group shown by FIG. 1, the light source of 1st group arrange | positioned in the aspect which irradiates light individually to each light guide plate respond | corresponds to each light guide plate. By arbitrarily emitting light each time, the portion or range of the input operation surface systematically divided for each light guide plate is illuminated independently or simultaneously in system units. Moreover, about each light guide plate corresponding to the light source of 2nd group shown by FIG. 2, the light source of 2nd group arrange | positioned in the aspect which irradiates light collectively to these light guide plates is made to light-emit. Thus, the portion or range of the input operation surface systematized for each light guide plate is illuminated at the same time, and it is possible to realize various illumination patterns in combination with the effects of both.

Such various illumination patterns are realized by an electric circuit (this book) that arbitrarily turns on or off part or all of the light sources (including the first group of light sources and the second group of light sources as appropriate). In the embodiment, the FPC 38, 40) enables the portion or range of the input operation surface divided for each of the light guide plates 22, 26 to be illuminated independently in units of systems or simultaneously in each system. It is. The driver 42 for controlling the voltage value or the current value applied to each electric circuit may be disposed in the electric circuit itself, that is, the keyboard device, or an electronic device using the keyboard device as an input device. It may be arranged on the side.
In addition, each of the light guide plates 22 and 26 corresponding to the light sources (first group of light sources) shown in FIG. 1 includes independent circuit boards (FPCs 38 and 40) for the LEDs 24 and 28 corresponding to the respective light guide plates. For each light guide plate 22 and 26 corresponding to the light source (second group of light sources) shown in FIG. 2, the number of circuit boards is required by providing only the circuit board (FPC 38) for the second group of light sources. It can be minimized.

Note that the keyboard device 21 (211, 212, 213) according to the embodiment of the present invention has both the group of light emitting display units and the light emitting display unit excluding the group of light emitting display units as a key cap (group) A 1, Although it is A2, it is not limited to this, One side of a group of light emission display part and the light emission display part except a group of light emission display part may be a keycap, and the other may be a mere display lamp. In the illustrated example, the group of key caps A1 includes a specific function key and a cursor movement key (see FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this. By using the means and further dividing the key caps into a plurality of groups, it is possible to realize various illumination patterns over the entire range of the input operation surface.
Further, in a keyboard device that includes a capacitive touch panel and a translucent cover panel that covers the upper surface of the touch panel, and the upper surface of the cover panel forms an input operation surface, a plurality of illumination means are similarly provided. By using it, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the illustrated keyboard device.

  21 (211, 212, 213): keyboard device, 22: first light guide plate, 23, 27: pigment, 24, 28: LED, 26: second light guide plate, 36: optical transparent double-sided tape, 38, 40 : FPC, 42: Driver, A11, A21: Keycap

Claims (6)

A keyboard device comprising: a plurality of light guide plates arranged in a stack; and an illumination means including a light source that irradiates light to the light guide plates, wherein the light emitting display portion of the input operation surface is illuminated by the illumination means,
Each of the plurality of light guide plates reflects incident light guided from the light source to the plurality of light guide plates on the other main surface opposite to the main surface serving as a light output surface of the input operation surface. A pigment for irradiating in the direction is arranged, and the pigment is associated with each light emitting display unit so that the light emitting display unit of the input operation surface irradiated with light by each light guide plate is at least partially different. A keyboard device characterized by being arranged. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is arranged on one side surface of each of the laminated light guide plates so as to individually irradiate the light to the light guide plates. The light source includes a first group of light sources arranged in a mode of individually irradiating light to each light guide plate, and the first group of light sources arranged on one side surface of each of the stacked light guide plates. 2. The second group of light sources arranged in a manner of irradiating light to the plurality of light guide plates collectively on one side surface of the plurality of light guide plates excluding the light guide plate. Keyboard device. 4. The keyboard device according to claim 2, further comprising an electric circuit capable of arbitrarily turning on or off a part or all of each light source. 2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is arranged on one side surface of the plurality of light guide plates arranged in a stacked manner so as to irradiate light to the plurality of light guide plates at a time. . The type of the pigment disposed on the other main surface of the light guide plate opposite to the main surface serving as the light exit surface is different for each light guide plate. A keyboard device according to claim 1.