JP2015216611A - Input apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input apparatus capable of performing analog operation in accordance with an application program.SOLUTION: A keyboard type input apparatus (2) including a plurality of keys (5) arranged on its surface includes a mode (M1) which when one of the keys (5) outputs an analog signal, determines whether or not the key (5) is depressed on the basis of the outputted analog signal and functions the input apparatus as a keyboard and modes (M2, M3, M4) for functioning the input device as apparatuses other than the keyboard by data generated by the outputted analog signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for a computer.

In addition to the keyboard, a mouse is connected to the personal computer as an input device. Further, a MIDI (registered trademark) keyboard is connected for music performance, and a game controller is connected to the game. These devices are executed in a computer in cooperation with corresponding application software.
In a highly versatile personal computer, a mouse, a MIDI keyboard, a game controller, and the like are connected together with a large number of application software, and the periphery of the computer becomes cluttered.

The keyboard described in Patent Document 1 discloses that the keyboard has a mouse function and the keyboard and mouse are integrated.
Patent Document 2 discloses a method of using a keyboard as a keyboard instrument (MIDI keyboard).
The keyboard described in Patent Document 3 discloses a keyboard having a game controller function by using a pointing stick and a modifier (Fn) key in the keyboard.

JP 07-1212181 JP 2003-263168 A JP2012-238045

The keyboard described in Patent Document 1 is obtained by assigning a mouse function to a conventional keyboard. The basic function of the keyboard is to send a key code with the key pressed to the host computer, in other words, to output key ON / OFF information. On the other hand, the mouse can operate the pointer on the screen continuously by operations such as high-speed movement and slight movement (hereinafter referred to as analog operation).
Therefore, in the keyboard described in Patent Document 1, the movement direction is assigned to each of a plurality of keys, and the movement amount (two times or four times) is switched with the movement amount change key to emulate the mouse function. However, as described above, since the mouse can operate in an analog manner, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is insufficient.

In the method of using the keyboard as a MIDI keyboard described in Patent Document 2, pitch keys of white keys and black keys are assigned to keys, and MIDI channels, bank select, pitch bend, and the like are assigned to other keys. Then, an operator (performer) inputs a pitch or a tone length by pressing the key. The volume (velocity) is assigned to a specific key (direction key) as increase / decrease information.
However, it is difficult to perform such as pianos and percussion instruments with individual sounds with different strengths (sounds with different keying speeds), and once they are input to the sequencer software, they need to be corrected on the software.

In the keyboard described in Patent Document 3, the operation of the analog stick of the game controller is assigned to the pointing stick in the center of the keyboard and a specific key (modifier key). That is, the analog operation of the game controller is replaced with the operation of a mouse-compatible pointing stick. This could be done with a keyboard equipped with a pointing stick, and the usage environment was limited.
The game controller includes a plurality of analog input devices and supports a variety of games. However, the keyboard described in Patent Document 3 has a limit to these correspondences. Also, the operator (player) could not freely customize it.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the appearance is in the form of a keyboard and keyboard input is possible, but a mouse capable of analog operation and a MIDI input capable of analog input according to the application program. An object of the present invention is to provide an input device having a keyboard and a game controller capable of analog operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, the input device of the present invention is a keyboard type in which a plurality of keys are arranged, the keys output analog signals, and the keys are pressed based on the output analog signals. It is characterized by having a mode that functions as a keyboard by determining presence or absence and a mode that functions as a device other than the keyboard by data generated by the output analog signal.

According to the present invention, it is possible not only to input as a keyboard, but also to emulate as if these devices were connected without connecting a mouse, MIDI keyboard, game controller, etc., thereby eliminating the complexity of connection.
Moreover, the troublesomeness of switching and changing each device can be eliminated.
Therefore, a computer use environment with excellent portability is created.

It is the schematic which shows the computer system 1 using the input device 2 by embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded view which shows the structure of the key 5 of the input device 2 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the input device 2 shown in FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change in capacitance when pressed in the capacitance forming unit 13 shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a graph showing a method of detecting a speed at the time of pressing in the capacitance forming unit 13 shown in FIG. It is a state transition diagram which shows the change state of each operation mode M1-M4. FIG. 6 is a diagram in which a pitch sequence of a keyboard is assigned to a key 5 in MIDI mode M3. FIG. 5 is a diagram in which operation sticks and operation buttons of a game controller are assigned to keys 5 in the game mode M4.

  An input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking a computer system as an example.

<Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 2 of the present invention is connected to a computer system 1. The computer system 1 includes a computer main body 3 and a display 4. The external appearance of the input device 2 is almost the same as that of a conventional JIS keyboard, and a plurality of keys 5 are provided, which can be used as a conventional keyboard.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one of the keys 5 provided in the input device 2 to show the internal structure. The key 5 constituting the input device 2 of the present embodiment is a capacitance type. From the top, the key top 11 that receives the pressing force of the operator, the housing 10 that houses the capacitance forming portion 13 to be described later, the plunger 9 that transmits the pressing force of the key top 11, and the capacitance forming portion 13 The rubber rubber 8 generates a protective and counter-pressing force, and the conical spring 7 changes the electrostatic capacity.
Further, these components are combined in order on the circuit board 6 to be completed. The plurality of assembled keys 5 are fixed to a fixing plate (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the key top 11 is appropriately selected from various shapes (space key, return key, etc.) according to the assigned function.

  Two semicircular electrodes 12 and 12 are disposed on the surface of the circuit board 6 so that the conical springs 7 are in contact with each other, and the electrodes 12 and 12 are electrically insulated. Furthermore, the upper surfaces of the electrodes 12 and 12 are covered with an insulating layer (not shown), and the insulation is maintained even when the conical spring 7 abuts. The conical spring 7 and the electrodes 12 and 12 constitute a capacitance forming portion 13. Note that only a part of the circuit board 6 shown in FIG. 2 is shown.

  The capacitance forming unit 13 operates as follows. When the operator presses the key top 11, the conical spring 7 is compressed downward via the plunger 9 and the rubber rubber 8, and the capacitance of the capacitance forming unit 13 increases. When the operator releases the press, the conical spring 7 is restored, the capacitance of the capacitance forming unit 13 is reduced, and the initial value is restored. That is, the presence / absence of pressing of the key 5, the pressing amount (stroke distance), or the pressing speed can be detected by the change in the capacitance of the capacitance forming unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of keys 5 are fixed to the above-described fixing plate to form a key matrix 14. Each key 5 is provided with an identification code for identification, but is omitted here. The key matrix 14 will be described in detail. A plurality of row lines (conductors) 15, 15, 15, 15 and a plurality of column lines (conductors) 16, 16, 16, 16 are arranged on the circuit board 6. And the electrostatic capacity formation part 13 is arrange | positioned at each point which cross | intersects. The numbers of the row lines 15 and the column lines 16 are appropriately set according to the total number of keys 5, that is, the number of capacitance forming units 13.

The row lines 15, 15, 15, 15 and the column lines 16, 16, 16, 16 are also connected to a C / V (Capacitance to Voltage) converter 17 on the circuit board 6. In the C / V converter 17, the electrostatic capacity (analog signal) of each electrostatic capacity forming unit 13 is converted into a voltage signal (analog signal) and sequentially sent to an A / D (Analog to Digital) converter 18. Is possible. That is, the C / V converter 17 performs conversion from analog to analog.
The A / D converter 18 can convert the voltage signal (analog signal) sent from the C / V converter 17 into digital data and send it to the one-chip microcomputer 19. That is, the A / D converter 18 performs conversion from analog to digital.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect a change in the capacitance of all the capacitance forming portions 13 of the key matrix 14, and to detect even if a plurality of keys 5 are pressed simultaneously.

The one-chip microcomputer 19 includes a central processing unit 20, a memory 21, a control interface 22, an input interface 23, and an output interface 24. Further, the memory 21 is composed of ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like.
The central processing unit 20 executes a program stored in the memory 21 in advance. The memory 21 stores programs, temporarily holds data, and the like. The control interface 22 controls each C / V converter 17 so as to perform C / V conversion by sequentially designating each capacitance forming unit 13 to the C / V converter 17 according to a command from the central processing unit 20. This is always done continuously. The input interface 23 takes the data converted by the A / D converter 18 into the central processing unit 20. The output interface 24 communicates with the computer main body 3. In this embodiment, a USB interface is provided.

Next, the basic operation of the present invention will be described by taking the case of using as a keyboard as an example.
<Basic operation 1>
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of pressing and the capacitance formed in the capacitance forming unit 13 when the key 5 is pressed. When the key 5 is not pressed, the electrostatic capacity is minimum (electrostatic capacity MIN in FIG. 4). When the operator gradually presses the key 5 with a finger, it increases in proportion to the amount of pressing, and in the state where the key is pressed most (deepest pressed), the capacitance is maximum (capacitance MAX in FIG. 4). Become.

When the central processing unit 20 takes in the capacitance of each capacitance forming unit 13 as digital data via the input interface 23 and is larger than a preset threshold (held in the memory 21) Is determined to be ON (a state in which the key 5 is pressed), and is determined to be OFF (a state in which the key 5 has not been pressed) if it is small. This threshold value can be arbitrarily changed by a program, and when each key 5 varies, it is possible to set the threshold value for each key. Furthermore, it is better that the threshold value when the threshold value is changed from OFF to ON is different from the threshold value when the threshold value is changed from ON to OFF, that is, an appropriate hysteresis is provided.
The central processing unit 20 transmits the code assigned to the key 5 determined to be ON to the computer main body 3 via the output interface 24. Also, when it is determined to be OFF, it is transmitted to the computer main body 3.

Next, a method for detecting the pressing speed at the time of key input of the input device 2 will be described.
<Basic operation 2>
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a method of detecting the pressing speed when the key 5 is pressed. When the key 5 is pressed, the capacitance of the capacitance forming unit 13 increases as described above. Since the central processing unit 20 constantly scans the capacitance of each key 5, when any one of the keys 5 is pressed and the capacitance exceeds a preset value (Cs value), the key The identification code 5 and its time Ts are stored in the memory 21. Next, when a preset value (Ce value) is exceeded, the identification code of the key 5 and its time Te are similarly stored in the memory 21. That is, the difference ΔT (= Te−Ts) between the two times is recognized as the key pressing speed. The Cs value and the Ce value are values satisfying the relational expression: capacitance MIN ≦ Cs value <Ce value ≦ capacitance MAX. The detected pressing speed data (time difference data ΔT) is transmitted to the computer main body 3 in response to a request from the application software.

<Basic operation 3>
Further, the input device 2 can output the amount (distance) by which the key 5 is pressed.
That is, the state of not pressing (capacitance MIN) in FIG. 4 is the origin (0), the pressed state (capacitance MAX) is the maximum pressing point, and the pressing amount is a continuous value (data). It can be used in each mode described later. That is, since the key 5 of the present invention is a capacitance type, the capacitance can be detected without being pressed. If the key stroke of the key 5 is 4 mm, the capacitance can be detected in the entire range of 0 to 4 mm. In other words, detection can be performed without a dead zone.
It is also possible to map the pressed amount value (data) to 8-bit data (00h to FFh) and output it to the computer 3.

Next, the mode change of the input device 2 will be described.
<Change mode>
This input device has four operation modes: a keyboard mode M1 that performs the same function as a conventional keyboard, a mouse mode M2 that is compatible with a mouse, a MIDI mode M3 that is compatible with a MIDI keyboard, and a game mode M4 that is compatible with a game controller. . The mode switching will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the computer system 1 is activated, the input device 2 is set to the keyboard mode M1. Therefore, the input device 2 can be used as a keyboard.
Next, when the keyboard mode M1 is changed to the mouse mode M2, when the [F1] key of the input device 2 is pressed, the mode is changed to the mouse mode M2. When the keyboard mode M1 is changed to the MIDI mode M3, when the [F2] key of the input device 2 is pressed, the mode is changed to the MIDI mode M3. Further, when the keyboard mode M1 is changed to the game mode M4, when the [F3] key of the input device 2 is pressed, the game mode M4 is changed. When changing from the mouse mode M2, the MIDI mode M3, and the game mode M4 to the keyboard mode M1, the keyboard mode M1 is changed by pressing the [Caps Lock] key of the input device 2.
Similarly, when the mode is changed from the MIDI mode M3 or the game mode M4 to the mouse mode M2, it is changed by pressing the [F1] key. When changing from the mouse mode M2 or the game mode M4 to the MIDI mode M3, it is changed by pressing the [F2] key. When changing from the mouse mode M2 or the MIDI mode M3 to the game mode M4, it is changed by pressing the [F3] key.

In summary, to change from any mode to the keyboard mode M1, [Caps Lock] key, to change from any mode to the mouse mode M2, [F1] key, from any mode to the MIDI mode M3. To change, press the [F2] key. To change from any mode to the game mode M4, press the [F3] key.
The above-described keys for changing the mode are not limited to the present embodiment. If these keys conflict with other application software, they can be freely replaced with other keys.

<Operation mode>
Next, details of each mode will be described.
(1) Keyboard Mode The keyboard mode M1 has the same function as the conventional keyboard as described above. A code corresponding to the pressed key 5 is transmitted to the computer main body 3. At this time, the above-described means of <Basic operation 1> is performed.
In this mode, the threshold value of <Basic operation 1> described above can be arbitrarily changed for each key, so that it can be adapted to the habits and preferences of the operator (type input user). Also, high speed input is possible.

In addition, the following functions can be implemented. Some application software can implement unique functions using shortcut keys.
As an example, some word processing software can change the font size of an input character using a shortcut key. Therefore, in the input device 2 of the present invention, when the key 5 is input quickly (strongly) at the time of input using the above-described <basic operation 2>, not only the input key code but also a shortcut for increasing the font size. The key code is also sent. Therefore, the font size can be changed (input with large characters) simultaneously with the input. If the key 5 is input slowly (weakly), a small font can be input.

  As another example, if key 5 is entered quickly (strongly), uppercase letters are entered. When inputting slowly (weakly), it is possible to input two types of characters without using lowercase letters, that is, without using the [Shift] key.

As described above, in the keyboard mode M1 of the input device 2, in addition to the function of the conventional keyboard, the key input threshold value can be changed, which reduces the burden on the operator. There is also an effect of preventing typographical errors.
Also, input of shortcut keys and the like can be omitted, and input can be performed at high speed.

(2) Mouse mode The mouse mode M2 is a mode for emulating mouse functions. When the mode is changed to the mouse mode M2, it is recognized from the basic software of the computer main body 3 that the mouse is connected. For example, in the case of basic software Windows (registered trademark), a keyboard device and a mouse device are recognized as being connected via a USB interface.

In the mouse mode M2, the basic movement of the mouse pointer of the mouse is assigned to four direction keys (up, down, right, left) among the keys 5 of the input device 2. That is, when the mouse pointer displayed on the display 4 is moved to the right, the right arrow key is moved. To the left, the left arrow key is moved. The upward key is moved to the upper. The lower key is moved to the lower. When is pressed, the mouse pointer moves in that direction.
The wheel rotation is assigned to the [Page Up] key and the [Page Down] key. Further, the right button is assigned to the [Ctrl] key on the right side (in the vicinity of the direction key), and the left button is assigned to the [Shift] key on the right side (in the vicinity of the direction key).

Specifically, in this mode, the means of <basic operation 3> is used. For example, when the right direction key is pressed deeply, the central processing unit 20 that has received a large pressing amount value transmits an instruction (data) to the computer main body 3 so that the mouse pointer moves at high speed in the right direction. When the right key is pressed in a minute amount (or for a short time), an instruction is transmitted so as to move slowly (or move a small amount) in the right direction. The other direction keys (left, up, down) are performed in the same manner.
When two directional keys are pressed simultaneously, for example, when the right directional key and the up directional key are pressed simultaneously, an instruction is transmitted so as to move diagonally right upward. At this time, the moving direction and moving speed of the mouse pointer are determined by the two pressing amounts (pressing amount values). That is, since the moving speed of the mouse pointer is determined independently for the upward direction and the right direction, the mouse pointer can be moved in an arbitrary direction (angle) instead of an oblique 45 ° direction. Other key combinations are processed in the same manner.

The case where the opposite direction keys (right and left, up and down) are simultaneously pressed will be described.
When the opposite direction keys are simultaneously pressed, the moving speed is determined independently of each other, and the central processing unit 20 calculates the difference between the pressed amounts of the keys. Next, the difference between the pressing amount values is processed as described above in the direction of the larger pressing amount as the pressing amount value (or moving speed).

  Next, the wheel is processed in the same manner as the direction key. That is, when the [Page Up] key is pressed, the central processing unit 20 transmits an instruction to the computer main body 3 so as to rotate the wheel to the other side according to the pressed amount. Similarly, when the [Page Down] key is pressed, an instruction is transmitted so that the wheel is rotated forward according to the pressed amount.

  For the right button and the left button, the above-described <Basic operation 1> means is used. Since the right button and the left button indicate whether or not the button is pressed (ON / OFF), the central processing unit 20 transmits information on the pressed button to the computer main body 3.

As described above, in the mouse mode M2 of the present invention, the mouse pointer is moved using the four direction keys, but the present invention is not limited to the direction keys. For example, the same function is possible even if numeric keys [1] to [9], which are commonly called numeric keys, at the right end of the input device 2 are used.
That is, with the [5] key as the center, the [6] key is the right direction, the [4] key is the left direction, the [8] key is the upward direction, and the [2] key is the downward direction. Further, the [9] key is assigned to the upper right direction, the [7] key is assigned to the upper left direction, the [1] key is assigned to the lower left direction, and the [3] key is assigned to the lower right direction. When a plurality of keys are pressed, processing can be performed in the same manner as the direction keys.

  Furthermore, in this mouse mode M2, it is needless to say that operations such as a pointing stick, a touch pad, and a trackball that are compatible with a mouse can be similarly emulated in this mode.

As described above, in the mouse mode M2 of the input device 2, the mouse pointer can be operated in an analog manner in the same manner as the mouse without connecting the mouse. For example, the mouse pointer can be moved in any direction other than 45 degrees obliquely at high speed and in a minute amount, and detailed instructions can be given to the application software. In addition, the trouble of changing the keyboard and mouse is reduced.
Furthermore, since these mouse-compatible devices can be operated without being connected separately, there is an effect that the computer is excellent in portability.

(3) MIDI mode The MIDI mode M3 is a mode for emulating a MIDI keyboard. When the mode is changed to the MIDI mode M3, it is recognized that the MIDI keyboard is connected from the computer main body 3 similarly to the mouse mode M2.

In the MIDI mode M3, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the second and fourth rows from the front of the key row are assigned to the white keys (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) of the keyboard instrument. And black keys (A ^# , C ^# , D ^# , F ^# , G ^# ). The assigned pitch is displayed on the key top 11 of the assigned key 5. When the assigned key 5 is pressed, the assigned pitch data is transmitted from the central processing unit 20 to the computer main body 3. A performance or musical score is input by the MIDI sequencer software in the computer main body 3.

Specifically, in this mode, the means of <basic operation 2> is used. That is, when the operator (performer) depresses (keystrokes) the key 5 corresponding to the keyboard, the depressing speed is detected. This corresponds to the keystroke force. Therefore, the central processing unit 20 recognizes a loud sound when pressed quickly and a small sound when pressed slowly, and the velocity data is added to the pitch data and sent to the computer body 3. In other words, the volume can be input at the same time, not only reducing the input, but also playing various musical instruments, and the expressiveness of the performance is expanded.
This means is most suitable for playing musical instruments such as pianos and percussion instruments.

  Different methods are also possible. This uses the means of <basic operation 3>. When the operator presses the key 5, the volume is determined in accordance with the amount of pressing. That is, if the key 5 is pressed deeply, it is recognized as a loud sound, and if it is pressed lightly, it is recognized as a small sound, added to the pitch data, and sent to the computer main body 3. This can be determined for each key 5 that is pressed, or the volume may be determined collectively using the keys 5 that are not assigned to the keyboard. This means is most suitable for playing an organ or the like as a musical instrument.

  Furthermore, since the tone color of the sound can be changed according to the amount of pressing, it can be used as a multi-row contact keyboard of, for example, a Hammond (registered trademark) organ.

  As described above, in the MIDI mode M3 of the input device 2, the keying speed can be input at the same time when a key is input, so that the input operation can be simplified. In addition, there is an effect that the keying speed can be applied to various musical instruments with the volume and the keying force.

(4) Game Mode The game mode M4 is a mode for emulating a game controller. When the mode is changed to the game mode M4, it is recognized that the game controller is connected from the computer main body 3 as in the mouse mode M2 and the MIDI mode M3.

In the game mode M4, an operation button or an operation stick of the game controller is assigned to each key 5 of the input device 2. A general game controller is provided with at least two operation sticks and a large number of operation buttons so that operations can be performed with both hands. In particular, the operation stick is sent to the computer as the amount of tilt as analog data.
As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, in order to assign the operation stick to the key 5, the third and fourth rows from the front of the key row are used, and the key 5 in the third row is directed rightward and forward. The left stick operation (tilt operation) is assigned to the fourth row key 5 as the upward stick operation (tilt operation). The four key combinations 31 are arranged at three places on the left, right, and center of the input device 2. When any key 5 of the key combination 31 is depressed, the tilt amount (tilt data) of the assigned operation stick of the game controller is sent to the computer main body 3.

Specifically, in this mode, the means of <basic operation 3> is used. The operation stick and joystick of the game controller are analog input means. In this case, the amount of tilt and the amount of push-in are analog output once, digitized, and sent to a computer or game machine. Some operation buttons have analog outputs.
In the input device 2 of the present invention, when the assigned key 5 is pressed, the central processing unit 20 sends the pressed amount as the tilt amount to the computer main body 3 together with the assigned identification code. In the computer 3, these are processed as tilting operation of the operation stick. Even if the amount of pressing is small, the amount can be detected.

  Furthermore, some operation buttons of the game controller output whether or not they are pressed (ON / OFF). In the input device 2 of the present invention, the operation buttons are assigned to the first, second, fourth, and fifth columns. As shown in FIG. 8, [SELECT], [START], [L1], [L2], [L3], [R1], [R2], [R3] in the first and second columns of the input device 2. Button 32 was assigned. Furthermore, buttons [◯], [×], [□], and [Δ] 33 are assigned to the fourth and fifth columns. These keys 5 (32, 33) can be freely assigned by the game software.

  Since the operation buttons of the game controller described above perform the same function as the switch, the assigned key 5 uses the means of <basic operation 1>. That is, the basic operation of the keyboard mode M1 can be used as it is.

In this game mode M4, not only a game-dedicated controller but also a versatile joystick, an operation controller for a 3D-CAD system and CG software, a video image editing device, and the like can be emulated in this mode.
Further, the input device 2 can detect the amount of pressing of the plurality of keys 5 at the same time. For example, by pressing a plurality of keys 5 with the palm of both hands, detecting the distribution of the pressed amount, and operating the game with the force distribution (force center of gravity), it is possible to provide a support device for the disabled. Is also possible.

As described above, in the game mode M4 of the input device 2, since the pressed amount of the assigned key 5 is sent to the computer 3 as the analog data of the game controller, the same operation as the game controller is possible and the operability is improved. To do.
Furthermore, since these game controller compatible devices and the like can be operated without being separately connected, there is an effect that the computer is excellent in portability.

<Other embodiments>
The key 5 of the input device 2 of the present invention is not limited to the one described in the above <Example>. For example, it is possible to use the one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-245557 and the capacitance type key described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-0667123.
When the above-described capacitance type key or the like is used, if the linearity cannot be maintained in the relationship between the pressing amount and the capacitance as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. It can be used by correcting with a correction formula or a correction table in the memory 21.

  Furthermore, the key 5 of the input device 2 of the present invention is not limited to the capacitance type. For example, various methods such as a pressure-sensitive method, an electric resistance method, a magnetic detection method, an ultrasonic method, and an optical method can be used. That is, any means can be used as long as it detects a key press as a distance or a speed, and outputs it as an analog signal instead of the presence or absence of the press (ON / OFF) and then converts it into digital data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system 2 Input device 3 Computer main body 4 Display 5 Key 6 Circuit board 7 Conical spring 8 Rubber rubber 9 Plunger 10 Housing 11 Key top 12 Electrode 13 Capacitance formation part 14 Keyboard matrix 15 Row line (conductor)
16 lines (conductor)
17 C / V converter 18 A / D converter 19 One-chip microcomputer 20 Central processing unit 21 Memory 22 Control interface 23 Input interface 24 Output interface 31 Key combination 32, 33 Button M1 Keyboard mode M2 Mouse mode M3 MIDI mode M4 Game mode

Claims (7)

A keyboard type input device provided with a plurality of keys,
The key outputs an analog signal, based on the output analog signal, determines whether or not the key is pressed, and functions as a keyboard;
An input device having a mode for functioning as a device other than a keyboard based on data generated by the output analog signal.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the data generated by the analog signal is a pressing speed of the key.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the data generated by the analog signal is a press amount of the key.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the key for outputting the analog signal is a capacitance type.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the mode that functions as a device other than the keyboard is a mouse function mode.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the mode functioning as a device other than the keyboard is a MIDI keyboard function mode.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the mode functioning as a device other than the keyboard is a game controller function mode.

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