JP2016099814A - Pointing stick and key input method, computer and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an erroneous input of operations of a pointing stick incorporated into a keyboard and keys adjacent to the pointing stick.SOLUTION: A thin keyboard assembly 100 includes a pressure sensor type pointing stick 200 among G, H, B keys. When the pointing stick is depressed, one of unintended G, H, B keys is sometimes depressed, and its reverse case sometimes occurs. When the pointing stick is first depressed, an input of a key is invalidated while the pointing stick is depressed. When a key is first depressed, an input of the pointing stick is invalidated while the key is depressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for adjusting an input to a key adjacent to a pointing stick when operating a pointing stick incorporated in a keyboard, and more particularly to a technique for performing an input with less stress in accordance with a user's intention.

  The computer includes a pointing device for moving a mouse cursor displayed on the display screen to select an object or to change the screen display. In addition to a mouse or a touchpad, the pointing device includes a pointing stick. The pointing stick is also called a track point (registered trademark) and is arranged between keys on the keyboard. The pointing stick can be operated with the finger placed at the home position of the key, does not require an operation space like a mouse, and is easy to operate while holding a computer on a knee in a train or car etc. For this reason, it is often used in notebook personal computers (notebook PCs).

  The pointing stick has been implemented in a pantograph-type keyboard that uses a rubber dome to press a key switch. A pantograph-type keyboard has a predetermined keystroke to give a good feeling of operation (tactile), but the keyboard becomes thick overall. On the other hand, there is a keyboard with a short keystroke using a metal dome or a magnet or a keyboard without a keystroke using a touch pad or a touch screen, which can be thinned as a whole.

  Both Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose an invention for preventing erroneous input when adjacent keys are pressed simultaneously. In Patent Document 1, when another key is input before the release of the previously input key, it is determined that the key is arranged at an adjacent position. It describes that the input of is invalidated. Patent Document 2 describes that when the firmware detects pressing of two keys simultaneously within a predetermined period, the input of both keys is invalidated when it is determined that the pressed two keys are adjacent keys. .

JP 2000-155641 A JP 2009-015391 A

  FIG. 15 shows an example in which the pointing stick 11 is mounted on the pantograph keyboard 10. The pointing stick 11 is disposed between the G, H, and B keys. The pointing stick 11 is operated by applying pressure to the operation surface 13 with an index finger, but the area of the operation surface 13 is smaller than the area of the finger belly. The height of the operation surface 13 is substantially the same as the surface of the key tops 21 and 23 of the surrounding keys.

  Therefore, when the operation surface 13 is pressed, at the same time, the key top of at least one of the G, H, and B keys (hereinafter referred to as the GHB key in this sense) is slightly pressed, and when the GBH key is pressed, At the same time, the operation surface 13 may be pressed. In the pantograph-type keyboard 10 with a long key stroke so far, even if the key tops 21 and 23 are slightly pressed simultaneously with the pressing of the pointing stick 11, the key switch can be absorbed and the key switch does not operate. Incorrect input did not occur.

  However, in a pantograph-type keyboard with a short keystroke or a thin keyboard without a keystroke, the key switch may be operated by mistake when the operation surface 13 is pressed. An unintended key input is bothersome for the user to cancel. Moreover, since it is difficult to detect the outline of a key with a finger in a thin keyboard, the probability that the operation surface 13 is erroneously pressed when the GHB key is pressed increases.

  The pointing stick is used to perform a selection operation corresponding to movement of the mouse cursor or mouse click. When an unintentional click occurs on the pointing stick, the screen state changes and it becomes troublesome to restore, or important data is lost. It is also undesirable for the mouse cursor to move unexpectedly. In such a thin keyboard, there is a need to prevent erroneous input to the pointing stick 11 and peripheral keys more than ever.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input method with less stress according to the user's intention for a pointing stick incorporated in a keyboard and a key adjacent thereto. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for preventing erroneous input to a key adjacent to a pointing stick. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for preventing erroneous input to a pointing stick adjacent to a key. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a keyboard assembly, a computer program, and an electronic device that realize such a method.

  The present invention provides a keyboard assembly for inputting to an electronic device. A keyboard assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pointing stick for generating a pointing signal for moving a mouse cursor, a key for generating a key signal disposed adjacent to the pointing stick, and a pointing And a controller that invalidates the key signal generated while the signal is generated. As a result of this configuration, a key signal that may be erroneously input while the pointing signal is generated can be invalidated until the pointing signal disappears.

  The keyboard assembly according to the present invention includes not only a type having a physical shape but also a so-called software keyboard that functions as a keyboard only when a key object is displayed on the display. The keyboard assembly may be incorporated into the electronic device or connected to the electronic device by wire or wirelessly. The control unit can invalidate the pointing signal generated while the key signal is generated. As a result of this configuration, a pointing signal that may be erroneously input while the key signal is being generated can be disabled until the key signal disappears. The control unit can enable the pointing signal when the break code is generated while the make code is generated and the pointing signal is generated before the pointing signal.

  While the control unit recognizes that the pointing signal and the key signal are generated at the same time, it cannot determine which is likely to be erroneously input, and thus can invalidate the pointing signal and the key signal. As the pointing stick, one having a plurality of pressure sensors that generate a pointing signal by pressing force on the operation surface can be adopted, but a strain gauge type may also be adopted. The pointing signal may include tap information for selection input.

  While the pointing signal is generated, the control unit can invalidate the operation on the key by increasing a threshold value when recognizing the operation for generating the key signal. The threshold value at this time can be a contact area in a contact type keyboard or a pressure in a pressure type keyboard. As the pointing stick, one having a dome plate for detecting a tap operation and a strain gauge can be adopted. The keyboard assembly can be either a short stroke type, a pressure sensitive type, or a ray type using infrared rays or a laser beam.

  A contact-type keyboard assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a pointing object for performing a mouse cursor movement operation, a key object disposed adjacent to the pointing object, and a contact area with respect to the key object. When the key signal generated when the contact area is greater than or equal to the specified value and the pointing signal generated when the contact area with the pointing object is greater than or equal to the specified value, either the key signal or the pointing signal is selected depending on the size of the contact area And a control unit for invalidating. The keyboard assembly can be a software keyboard that is displayed on a touch screen, or it can be a contact type configured with a touch panel.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an input method with less stress in accordance with the user's intention with respect to a pointing stick incorporated in a keyboard and adjacent keys. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for preventing an erroneous input with respect to a key adjacent to the pointing stick. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a method for preventing erroneous input to the pointing stick adjacent to the key. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard assembly, a computer program, and an electronic apparatus that realize such a method.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a keyboard assembly. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a keyboard assembly of a metal dome type. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a magnet-type keyboard assembly. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of mounting of a software keyboard. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of an infrared type keyboard assembly. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the structure of a pressure sensor type pointing stick 200; It is a figure for demonstrating the principle in which the pointing stick 200 produces | generates movement information. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that the pointing stick 200 produces | generates tap information. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an input system 400. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure in which the pointing stick 200 produces | generates movement information and tap information. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input system 400. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the input system 400. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input system 400. It is a diagram for explaining the structure of a strain gauge type pointing stick. It is a figure for demonstrating the problem of the incorrect input in the conventional keyboard assembly.

[Keyboard assembly]
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an outline of a keyboard assembly 100 on which a pointing stick 200 is mounted. The pointing stick 200 is disposed at a position adjacent to the G, H, and B keys so that the pointing stick 200 can be operated with only the index finger while placing the finger at the home position of the keyboard. The keyboard assembly 100 according to the present invention detects an operation by a finger on a physical key associated with a character or number, or a key as an object whose position is specified on a touch screen or a touch pad, and inputs the detected operation to an electronic device. Corresponds to the device.

  The keyboard assembly 100 may be mounted on an electronic device such as a notebook PC or a tablet terminal, or may exist independently of the electronic device so that it can be connected to the electronic device wirelessly or by wire. A first example of a keyboard assembly 100 to which the present invention can be effectively applied includes an independent key switch or a key switch incorporated in a membrane sheet, and after pressing the key top, A short stroke type with a short keystroke before making the switch can be mentioned. As an example of a short stroke type keyboard, there are a metal dome type and a magnet type due to the difference in the key traveling structure.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a metal dome type keyboard. Key tops 111a and 111b, metal domes 117a and 117b, and fixed contacts 115a and 115b are provided in a space surrounded by the spacer 119, the printed circuit board 121, and the top sheet 113. When the key tops 111a and 111b are pressed, the metal domes 117a and 117b are deformed, and the fixed contacts 115a and 115b are made. When the pressure is released, the metal domes 117a and 117b are restored. The metal dome type keyboard can shorten the key stroke while the reaction force when the metal dome is deformed gives the finger a tactile.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the magnetic keyboard assembly 130. The key includes a key top 131, a frame 139 and a base 141. A magnet 137b is attached to the end of the key top 131, and a magnet 137a that attracts the magnet 137b is attached to the frame 139. On the lower side (inside) of the key top 11, inclined surfaces (Chamfer) 133a and 133b are formed.

  The base 141 is provided with lamps 135a and 135b having inclined surfaces. The shapes and angles of the inclined surfaces 133a and 133b are adjusted so as to slide on the inclined surfaces of the lamps 135a and 135b. Although only two sets of inclined surfaces and lamps are shown in the drawing, the planes are actually arranged below the four corners of the key top 131 having a rectangular shape. FIG. 3A shows the ready position before the key 130 is pressed. In the ready position, the key top 131 is positioned at the top in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) by the attractive force of the magnets 137a and 137b.

  FIG. 3B shows a state when the key 130 is pressed. In the ready position, the magnets 137a and 137b are attracted firmly to each other, so that the finger feels resistance to the pressing force. When the pressing force is increased so as to overcome the resistance, the inclined surfaces 133a and 133b slide on the inclined surfaces of the ramps 135a and 135b to generate a force component in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) with respect to the pressing force in the Z-axis direction. To do. Accordingly, the key top 131 moves simultaneously in the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction when pressed.

  The attractive force of the magnets 137a and 137b is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. When the distance is more than a certain distance, the suction force of both and the resistance force to the finger caused by the suction force are abruptly lowered and the state shifts to the state of FIG. In FIG. 3C, the key top 131 moves to the maximum position in the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and a membrane sheet key switch (not shown) disposed on the surface of the base 141 operates. At this time, the user recognizes the operation of the key switch by the rapid decrease in resistance to the finger.

  When the user releases the finger or weakens the pressing force, the key top 131 returns to the ready position by the attractive force of the magnets 137a and 137b. The set of key top ramps and ramp ramps maintains the position of the key top 131 during the ready position and while moving. The key top 131 moves by a predetermined stroke in the Z-axis direction, but the user feels that the key top 131 has moved a longer stroke until the user feels a large reaction force on the finger. In this way, the key 130 converts the pressing force on the key top 131 into vertical and horizontal movements, so that the key top 131 is kept horizontal and gives a good operation feeling and can be thinned. In addition to these, the short stroke type keyboard includes a pantograph type that is manufactured thinner than the conventional keyboard.

  A second example of the keyboard assembly 100 is a type with a flat surface with few keystrokes, and an example is a pressure-sensitive type. The pressure-sensitive type is a type that detects the pressing force against the key top with a piezoelectric element or resistive film, etc. This main keyboard assembly has a key top surface for each key so that the outline of each key top can be recognized with a finger. Independent shape features may be formed.

  As a third example of the keyboard assembly 100, there is a contact type that detects a finger contact by a change in capacitance. The contact type can be realized by a touch panel in which an object is arranged on the surface or a touch screen having a structure in which a transparent touch panel and a display are stacked. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer shape of a dual screen computer on which the software keyboard assembly 150 is mounted. A tablet terminal 163 equipped with a touch screen 153 is coupled to a tablet terminal 155 equipped with a touch screen 157 so as to be detachable by attaching / detaching mechanisms 161a and 161b. The tablet terminal 163 and the tablet terminal 165 are connected via a wired or wireless interface when combined.

  A plurality of key objects 160 and a pointing stick object 158 constituting a software keyboard are displayed on the touch screen 157, and a mouse cursor is displayed on the application screen displayed on the touch screen 153 so that it looks like a notebook PC. Can be used for The touch screen 157 recognizes the operated object according to the contact area of the area touched by the finger, and generates a key signal or a pointing signal. The movement information can be generated by repeatedly swiping a finger on the object 158. When the finger touches a plurality of objects, the key object or pointing object having the largest contact area is selected as a valid input.

  The tablet terminal 163 and the tablet terminal 155 each function as a tablet terminal when separated, and function so as to cooperate to form an integrated computer system when coupled. The tablet terminal 155 can also be used exclusively for a keyboard. Since the software keyboard is covered with a cover glass with a flat surface and the home position cannot be recognized with a finger, an erroneous input is particularly likely to occur between the pointing stick and the key object.

  As a fourth example of the keyboard assembly 100, a keyboard assembly using infrared light or visible light can be cited. FIG. 5A is a view for explaining the outline of the visible light laser projection type keyboard assembly 170. The keyboard assembly 170 placed on the desk surface includes a wired or wireless interface for connecting to an electronic device, and includes a keyboard image including a plurality of key objects 174 and a pointing stick object 175 from the window 171 to the desk surface. 173 is projected with a visible light laser. When a finger touches a predetermined object position on the desk surface, the keyboard assembly 170 recognizes the finger position from the reflected light and generates a key signal or a pointing signal.

  FIG. 5B is a view for explaining the outline of the surface infrared irradiation type keyboard assembly 180. A plurality of key objects 184 and a pointing stick object 182 are drawn on the surface of the operation panel 181. In some cases, the surface of the operation panel 181 is processed so that the positions of these objects can be recognized by touch. Around the operation panel 181, light emitting elements 183a and 183b and light receiving elements 185a and 185b are arranged at positions facing the light emitting elements 183a and 183b.

  The keyboard assembly 180 detects that the light rays of the light emitting elements 183a and 183b are blocked when a finger contacts a predetermined object, and generates a key signal and a pointing signal. Alternatively, the key signal and the pointing signal may be generated by integrating the light emitting element and the light receiving element and detecting the reflected light of the finger. In the keyboard assemblies 170 and 180, since the desk surface and the surface of the operation panel are flat, erroneous input is likely to occur like the software keyboard.

[Pressure sensor type pointing stick]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the pressure sensor type pointing stick 200 that can be applied to the keyboard assembly described as the first example and the second example. The present invention can be applied to the strain gauge type pointing stick 800 shown in FIG. 14 in place of the pressure sensor type pointing stick 200. However, as will be described later, a thin keyboard A pressure sensor type is suitable for the assembly.

  The pointing stick 200 includes an operation cover 201, four pressure sensors 203 a to 203 d, and a PCB 207. The operation cover 201 is formed of an aluminum alloy as an example, and an operation surface 209 is formed on the front surface, and a pressure surface that transmits the pressure of the operation surface 209 to the pressure sensors 203a to 203d is formed on the back surface.

  Although it is not necessary to specifically limit the detection principle of the pressure sensors 203a to 203d, a piezoelectric element using a piezo effect can be employed as an example. Pressure sensors 203a to 203d having piezoelectric elements inside output a voltage signal corresponding to the pressure applied to the rod. The pressure sensors 203 a to 203 d are arranged radially with respect to the central axis 211 of the operation cover 201 so as to be symmetric with respect to the origin of the XY coordinates defined on the plane of the PCB 207.

[Operation mode]
The pointing stick 200 can operate the operation surface 209 in two operation modes of a cursor mode and a tap mode that reflect a user's operation intention by a pressing position, a pressing force, and a pressing time. Here, the cursor mode refers to a user operation method in which movement information including movement direction and movement amount per unit time (movement speed) is input to the user function 490 (FIG. 9). The movement information is typically used to move the mouse cursor displayed on the display by the user function 490, and to change the display screen such as screen scrolling, screen enlargement, screen reduction, or screen rotation. Information that can be done.

  The tap mode refers to a user operation method in which temporary tap information is input to the user function 490 when performing a selection operation such as a mouse click. The user function 490 can define the tap information as an event corresponding to a press of a cursor key, a Windows (registered trademark) key pressed simultaneously with another key combination, a predetermined amount of cursor jump movement, and the like. As will be described below, the input system 400 can specify the operation mode only from the detected pressures of the pressure sensors 203a to 203d.

[Method of generating movement information in cursor mode]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating movement information by the pointing stick 200 operated in the cursor mode. When generating the movement information, the user changes the posture of the finger placed on the operation surface 209 to shift the position of the center of gravity, and performs an operation of changing the force so that a predetermined pressing position on the operation surface 209 becomes an action point. Such a pressing operation is referred to as a moving operation. At this time, the pressure sensors 203a to 203d output detected pressures Pa to Pd corresponding to the force applied to the operating point of the operation surface 209, respectively.

  The coordinates of the pressure sensors 203a to 203d corresponding to the magnitudes of the detected pressures Pa to Pd are set to Pa (1, 0), Pb (-1, 0), Pc (0, 1), Pd (0, -1). For example, the detected pressures Pa to Pd can be vector-synthesized. In one example, the pressure component Px in the x direction is calculated by Px = Pa−Pb, and the pressure component Py in the y direction is calculated by Py = Pc−Pd. The angle θ with respect to the X axis of the resultant force Pr vector-combined from Px and Py can be made to correspond to the moving direction, and the absolute value of the resultant force Pr can be made to correspond to the moving amount L per unit time.

  The input system 400 can associate the movement amount L of the mouse cursor and the absolute value of the resultant force Pr by using a function of L = M (Pr) so as to improve the operational feeling. If the moving amount L is, for example, the number of pulses, the user function 490 can reflect the magnitude of the force on the moving speed of the mouse cursor by associating a certain moving distance with one pulse. The input system 400 sends a component Lx = M (Fr) × Px / Pr in the x-axis direction and a component Ly = M (Pr) × Py / Pr in the y-axis direction to the user function 490. The user function 490 that has received Lx and Ly can move the mouse cursor from the current position in the direction of angle θ by L = M (Pr) per unit time, for example.

[How to generate tap information in tap mode]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method in which the pointing stick 200 operated in the tap mode generates tap information. When generating the tap information, the user changes the posture of the finger placed on the operation surface 209 in the same manner as in the cursor mode to shift the position of the center of gravity or change the pressing position, compared with the case of the moving operation. Press in a short time and with a strong force. The pressing operation at this time is referred to as a tap operation.

  The input system 400 distinguishes the tap operation and the movement operation from the magnitude of the detected pressure and the time when the detected pressure of a predetermined value or more is generated, and associates the direction of the action point with respect to the central axis 211 and the type of tap information, A plurality of tap information can be generated. When the tap operation is performed, the detected pressure of the pressure sensor closest to the pressed position becomes the maximum among the four detected pressures Pa to Pd, and the other pressure sensors output detected pressures lower than that according to the pressed position. .

  Lines 301 to 307 in FIG. 8 indicate the total pressure Pt obtained by summing the detected pressures of the four pressure sensors 203a to 203d by the scalar calculation when the moving operation or the tap operation is performed. In one example, the tap operation can be specified by setting three threshold values for the total pressure Pt. Adopting the total pressure Pt, which is a scalar value instead of the absolute value of the resultant force Pr (FIG. 7) obtained by vector synthesis for specifying the tap operation, well reflects the user's intention to perform the tap operation with a strong force of the total pressure Pt. Because.

  Also, the fact that the highest detected pressure among the four detected pressures Pa to Pd is not adopted for specifying the tap operation corresponds to, for example, the central axis 211 so that the pressure sensors 203a and 203b detect substantially the same pressure. This is because the operation surface 209 is pressed at a position and the pressure sensor 203a or 203b may be pressed so as to have the same detected pressure, which makes it difficult to use for specifying the tap operation. is there.

  A line 301 shows a state when the finger is released from the operation surface 209 after the tap operation is performed only once. The threshold pressure TH1 corresponds to the lowest pressure when a moving operation or a tap operation is performed. The threshold pressure TH1 distinguishes the pressure generated by noise generated even when the finger is separated from the operation surface 209, the pressure remaining in the pressure sensors 203a to 203d, and the pressure detected by the user's intentional pressing operation. Set for the purpose.

  When the total pressure Pt exceeds the threshold pressure TH1, the input system 400 determines that either a movement operation or a tap operation has been performed, and starts processing. Alternatively, the input system 400 may start the process when any detected pressure Pn (Pn <Pt) exceeds the threshold pressure TH1. The threshold pressure TH2 is set to detect a time element for specifying the tap operation. The threshold pressure TH3 is set in order to detect a pressure element for specifying the tap operation. Here, there is a relationship of TH3> TH2> TH1.

  Here, the time from the time t1 to the time t2 from when the total pressure Pt exceeds the threshold pressure TH1 until it reaches the threshold pressure TH3 is referred to as a rising time Δtu, and after the total pressure Pt exceeds the threshold pressure TH3, the threshold pressure The time from time t2 until time t3 until time t3 is decreased to time t3. The input system 400 sets the threshold time THU for the rise time Δtu and sets the threshold time THD for the fall time Δtd. For example, the input system 400 satisfies two conditions: a rising condition composed of a pressure element of Pt ≧ TH3 and a time element of Δtu <THU, and a falling condition composed of a pressure element of Pt <TH2 and a time element of Δtd <THD. Recognize tapping when

  In another example, the input system 400 includes a condition including a pressure element of Pt ≧ TH3 and a time element of Δud <TUD when the threshold time TUD is set for the rise / fall time Δud from time t1 to time t3. You can also recognize the tap operation from. In this case, at the time of the pressing operation of Pt <TH3, it is not possible to recognize that the condition of the tap operation is not satisfied, that is, the moving operation, unless the threshold time TUD has elapsed from time t1. On the other hand, if the determination is made based on the rising condition and the falling condition, the input system 400 recognizes the moving operation immediately after the threshold time THU has elapsed from time t1 when the pressing operation of Pt <TH3 is not satisfied. When the rising condition is satisfied and the falling condition is not satisfied, the moving operation can be recognized immediately after Δtu + THD has passed at the latest.

  A line 303 shows a state when the moving operation is performed with a large pressing force without satisfying the falling condition although the rising condition of the tap operation is satisfied. The input system 400 can recognize the movement operation and generate movement information at time tx when a time corresponding to the threshold time THD has elapsed from time t2. Line 305 shows a state in which movement information is generated because any detected pressure Pn subsequently detected after the input system 400 generates tap information at time t3 is greater than the threshold pressure TH1. .

  A line 307 shows a state when the tap operation is performed following the movement operation. When the time corresponding to the threshold time THU has elapsed since the total pressure Pt exceeded the threshold pressure TH1, the input system 400 determines that the rising condition is not satisfied because Pt <TH3, and the threshold time THU is determined from the time t1. After the elapse of time, it is determined that the operation is a movement operation, and movement information is generated. The input system 400 recognizes that the moving operation is completed and resets when all the detected pressures Pa to Pd become less than the threshold pressure TH1 during the time t4 or more at the time t4. Thereafter, a new tap operation is recognized between time t5 and time t6.

  When a continuous tap operation is performed, after the preceding tap operation is recognized, when all the detected pressures Pa to Pd are once more than the threshold time THM and less than the threshold pressure TH1, the next tap operation is performed. It becomes a state where the rising condition and falling condition of the operation can be determined. The tap information can be used as various events by the user function 490 by including information associated with the magnitudes of the detected pressures Pa to Pd of the individual pressure sensors.

[Input system]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the input system 400. The input system 400 includes pressure sensors 203a to 203d, a pointing controller 401, a key group 450, a key controller 451, and an input adjustment unit 480. The input system 400 sends movement information, tap information, and a key code to the user function 490.

  The pointing controller 401 includes an A / D conversion unit 411, an operation mode determination unit 413, a buffer 415, a movement information generation unit 417, and a tap information generation unit 419. The input adjustment unit 480 includes movement information and tap information. Send. As an example, the pointing controller 401 can be configured by hardware and firmware mounted on the PCB 207 (FIG. 6).

  The key controller 451 includes a key recognition unit 453 and a key code generation unit 455, and sends the key code of the recognized key to the input adjustment unit 480. For example, the key controller 451 can be configured by hardware and firmware attached to the keyboard assembly 100. The input adjustment unit 480 performs the adjustment operation according to the present embodiment when receiving the key code of the GHB key from the key controller 451, and performs the through operation when receiving the other key codes.

  During the through operation, the input adjustment unit 480 sends the movement information, tap information, and key code received from the key controller 451 received from the pointing controller 401 to the user function 490 without any processing. The input adjustment unit 480 performs processing to prevent erroneous input by estimating the user's operation intention from the timing and contact area of the pointing stick 200 and keys during the adjustment operation 451.

  The input adjustment unit 480 can be configured by a computer and an electronic device CPU input by the keyboard assembly 100, hardware such as a main memory, and a device driver. In another example, the pointing controller 401, the key controller 451, and the input adjustment unit 480 can be realized by hardware and firmware incorporated in one controller.

  The user function 490 is configured by hardware such as a CPU and main memory such as a computer and an electronic device input by the keyboard assembly 100, and software such as a device driver, an OS, and an application program. It operates by processing the movement information, tap information and key code received from.

  Next, the pointing controller 401 will be described in detail. The A / D conversion unit 411 converts the analog signals of the pressure sensors 203a to 203d whose detected pressures Pa to Pd exceed the threshold pressure TH1 into digital signals, and sends them to the operation mode determination unit 413. The operation mode determination unit 413 stores the received digital signals in the buffer 415 in order. As described with reference to FIG. 8, the operation mode determination unit 413 recognizes the tap operation immediately after determining that both the rising condition and the falling condition are satisfied, and extracts the data stored in the buffer 415 by the FIFO method. The operation mode determination unit 413 recognizes the movement operation immediately after determining that the rising condition or the falling condition is not satisfied, and takes out the data stored in the buffer 415 by the FIFO method.

  The operation mode determination unit 413 sends the data extracted from the buffer 415 to the movement information generation unit 417 when it is determined that a movement operation has been performed, and to the tap information generation unit 419 when it is determined that a tap operation has been performed. . After the operation mode determination unit 413 determines that the operation is a tap operation and sends the data accumulated in the buffer so far to the tap information generation unit 419, all the detected pressures Pa to Pd thereafter become less than the threshold pressure TH1. The data stored in the buffer is sent to the movement information generation unit 417.

  The operation mode determination unit 413 stops outputting data and clears the buffer 415 when determining that all the detected pressures Pa to Pd are less than the threshold pressure TH1. The movement information generation unit 417 generates movement information from the received data and outputs the movement information to the input adjustment unit 480. The tap information generation unit 419 generates tap information from the received data and sends it to the input adjustment unit 480.

  Next, the key controller 451 will be described in detail. When the key is operated, the key recognition unit 453 generates an identification signal for the key and sends it to the key code generation unit 455. The configuration of the key recognition unit 453 differs depending on the keyboard type. The key code generation unit 455 generates a make code when recognizing the start of the key operation, and generates a break code when recognizing the end of the key operation. A keyboard assembly that includes a key switch generates a make code when the key switch is closed and a break code when the key switch is opened. The key code generation unit 455 sends a key code including a make code and a break code to the input adjustment unit 480.

[Input system operation procedure]
10, 11, and 13 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the input system 400. FIG. 10 shows a procedure in which the pointing controller 401 generates movement information or tap information, and FIGS. 11 and 13 show a procedure in which the input adjustment unit 480 prevents erroneous input. FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining data received by the input adjustment unit 480 and data to be output.

  A block 501 in FIG. 10 is a state in which the user removes his / her finger from the operation surface 209 of the pointing stick 200 or places his / her finger but the total pressure Pt is less than the threshold pressure TH1. The operation mode determination unit 413 does not start the operation mode determination and does not store data in the buffer 415. In block 503, the operation mode determination unit 413 determines that the total pressure Pt has exceeded the threshold pressure TH1 at time t1 in FIG. 12, and thereafter, the data is obtained until all the detected pressures Pa to Pd become less than the threshold pressure TH1. Store in buffer 415.

  In block 505, the operation mode determination unit 413 measures the rise time Δtu from the time t1 when the data is received, and further calculates the total pressure Pt. If the total pressure Pt does not exceed the threshold pressure TH3 while the rising time Δtu is less than the threshold time THU, it is determined that the rising condition is not satisfied, and the routine proceeds to block 551. When the total pressure Pt becomes equal to or higher than the threshold pressure TH3 at time t2 while the rising time Δtu is less than the threshold time THU, it is determined that the rising condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to block 507.

  In block 507, the operation mode determination unit 413 measures the falling time Δtd from the time t2, and further calculates the total pressure Pt. If the total pressure Pt does not become less than the threshold pressure TH2 while the fall time Δtd is less than the threshold time THD, it is determined that the fall condition is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to block 551. When the total pressure Pt becomes less than the threshold pressure TH2 while the falling time Δtd is less than the threshold time THD, the operation mode determination unit 413 determines that the falling condition is satisfied, and proceeds to block 509.

  In block 509, the operation mode determination unit 413 sends the data after the time t 1 stored in the buffer 415 to the tap information generation unit 419. The tap information generation unit 419 generates tap information from the received data and outputs it to the input adjustment unit 480. In block 511, when the operation mode determination unit 413 detects that the detected pressures Pa to Pd of all the pressure sensors have become the threshold time THM or more and less than the threshold pressure TH 1, the operation mode determination unit 413 stops outputting data and returns to block 503. Furthermore, the operation mode determination unit 413 clears the buffer 415 and stops outputting data.

  In block 551, the operation mode determination unit 413 sends data after time t 1 stored in the buffer 415 to the movement information generation unit 417. The movement information generation unit 417 generates movement information from the received data and outputs the movement information to the input adjustment unit 480. In block 553, when the operation mode determination unit 413 detects that the detected pressures Pa to Pd of all the pressure sensors are equal to or greater than the threshold time THM and less than the threshold pressure TH1, the buffer 415 is cleared and data output is stopped. Return to 503.

  A pressure signal 701 in FIG. 12 indicates the total pressure Pt when the moving operation is performed on the pointing stick 200, the detected pressure Pn of any pressure sensor, or any of the detected pressures Pa to Pd. . Which is shown will be clarified in the following description. The movement information generation unit 417 generates the movement information 711 based on the pressure signal 701. The movement information 711a and 711b correspond to the pressure signals 701a and 701b, respectively.

  The time between time t1 and time t2, and between time t13 and time t15 is a time corresponding to the threshold time TUD or Δtu + THD described in FIG. 8, and the movement information generation 417 detects the detected pressure Pn or the total pressure of any pressure sensor. This corresponds to the maximum time required from when Pt exceeds the threshold pressure TH1 until the movement information 711a, 711b is generated.

  The movement information generation unit 417 establishes a stop condition for the pressure signal 701a received at time t1 when the detected pressures Pa to Pd of all the pressure sensors thereafter become less than the threshold pressure TH1 for the threshold time THM or more. . The movement information generation unit 417 determines that the pointing operation is finished when the stop condition is satisfied, and stops the processing. If the time when all the detected pressures Pa to Pd are less than the threshold pressure TH1 is less than the threshold time THM, the operation may not be stable even though the user intends to continue the movement operation. Considering this, the movement information generation unit 417 continues to generate movement information. At times t4 and t23, the movement information generation unit 417 stops outputting the movement information 711a and 711b because the stop condition is satisfied.

  A key code 721 indicates a key code of the GHB key (hereinafter simply referred to as a key code) when an input operation is performed on the keyboard assembly 100. The rising edge of the pulse indicates the timing when the make code is generated, and the falling edge indicates the timing when the break code is generated. The movement information 731 indicates a key code output from the input adjustment unit 480 to the user function 490 in the movement information 711 output from the movement information generation unit 417.

  Filled in the movement information 731b indicates a part of the movement information 731b that is not output to the user function 490 even though the input adjustment unit 480 receives the movement information 711b. A key code 741 indicates a key code that the input adjustment unit 480 outputs to the user function 490 among the key codes 721 output by the key code generation unit 455. Filling in the key code 741 indicates a portion that the input adjustment unit 480 does not output to the user function 490 even when the key code 721 is received.

  In block 601 of FIG. 11, the input adjustment unit 480 that has started operation at time t0 of FIG. 12 receives movement information 711 and a key code 721 that are not shown in FIG. In block 602, the input adjustment unit 480 may not be able to determine the relationship between the timing at which the movement information 711 and the make code of the key code 721 are received. If it cannot be determined, the process proceeds to block 701 in FIG. 13, and if it is determined that either one has been received first, the process proceeds to block 603.

  The input adjustment unit 480 receives the movement information 711 and the key code 721 asynchronously from the movement information generation unit 417 and the key code generation unit 455. In block 603, the input adjustment unit 480 moves to block 605 when the movement information 711a, 711b is received at time t2, t15 in FIG. 12, and the key code 721a, 721b, 721c, at time t3, t5, t11, t19. When the make code of 721d is received, the process moves to block 631.

  In block 605, the input adjustment unit 480 determines whether the make code is received at the times t2 and t15 when the movement information 711 is received. When the input adjustment unit 480 receives the break code of the key that has received the make code, the input adjustment unit 480 resets the make code of the key. At time t2, since the make code has not been received, the process proceeds to block 651. At time t15, since the make code of the key code 721c has been received at time t11, the process proceeds to block 607. In block 651, the input adjustment unit 480 outputs the movement information 731a to the user function 490 without being affected by the key code after time t2, and proceeds to block 617. While the input adjustment unit 480 receives the movement information, the key code 741 is not output even if the GHB key is operated in accordance with the movement operation (block 641).

  In block 607, the input adjustment unit 480 stops outputting the movement information 711b received after time t11 (time t15). In block 609, the input adjustment unit 480 continues to stop the output of the movement information 731b until a break code is received, and when the break code of the key code 721c is received at time t17, the invalidation is canceled in block 611. In block 613 where the invalidation is canceled, the input adjustment unit 480 returns to block 602 when the movement information is not received, and when the movement information 711b is received, the invalidation of the movement information 731b is canceled in block 615. The part after being output is output. In block 617, the movement information generation unit 417 stops outputting the movement information 711a and 711b (time t4, t23) and returns to the block 602.

  In order to invalidate the key codes 741a and 741d, the input adjustment unit 480 instructs the key controller 451 to increase the pressure threshold for generating the key code when the keyboard assembly 100 is pressure sensitive. be able to. Further, when the keyboard assembly 100 is a contact keyboard, the input adjustment unit 480 can instruct the key controller 451 to increase the threshold of the contact area with respect to the object for generating the key code.

  In block 631, when the input adjustment unit 480 has not received the movement information 711a, 711b (time t5, t11), the block 633 outputs the break code of the key codes 741b, 741c (time t6, t17), block 602. Return to. In block 631, the input adjustment unit 480 stops outputting the key codes 741a and 741d when the movement information 711a and 711b have been received (time t3 and t19).

  In the above procedure, the input adjustment unit 480 enables one operation that can be estimated to be closest to the user's operation intention when there is a time zone in which the movement information 711 and the key code 721 are received simultaneously, and the other operation Disable. At this time, the input adjustment unit 480 allows the user to immediately perform the re-operation when the invalid operation is contrary to the user's intention.

  Specifically, when the user intends to perform a moving operation, there are cases where a key operation is simultaneously performed on the GHB key contrary to the intention. When the input adjustment unit 480 first receives the movement information 711, the input adjustment unit 480 determines that there is a high probability that the user's intention is a movement operation, and validates it in block 651. When the input adjustment unit 480 receives the key code 721 after receiving the movement information 711, the input adjustment unit 480 considers that the user has mistakenly operated the key while performing the movement operation, and invalidates the key code 711 in block 641. To.

  The input adjustment unit 480 validates the key code 721 in block 633 when it has received the key code 721 first, even though the user intends the movement operation. In this case, the subsequent movement information 711b is invalidated in block 607. A user who recognizes that the mouse / cursor does not move despite the move operation will once stop the move operation and key operation to generate a break code, or release the pressure within the threshold time THM and move the operation. When the break code is generated in block 609 by changing the posture of the finger so that is not canceled, the movement information 711 is immediately effective in block 611.

  When the user intends to operate the GHB key, the user may perform a moving operation at the same time. When the input adjustment unit 480 first receives the key code 721, the input adjustment unit 480 determines that the user's intention is highly likely to be a key operation, and validates it in a block 633. When the input adjustment unit 480 receives the movement information 711 after receiving the key code 721, the input adjustment unit 480 considers that the user has performed the movement operation during the key operation and invalidates the movement information 711 in block 607.

  The input adjustment unit 480 validates the movement information 711 in the block 651 when the movement information 711 is received first although the user intends the key operation. In this case, the subsequent key code 721 is invalidated at block 641. However, a deliberate key operation generates a break code in a short time following the make code. Therefore, the user can recognize that the first key operation is not reflected on the screen and can immediately perform the correct key operation.

  The tap operation in the pantograph type, magnet type, metal dome type, or pressure-sensitive type keyboard assembly presses the operation surface 209 in a manner similar to the key operation, so that erroneous input is likely to occur. The input adjustment unit 480 can process the tap information from the tap information generation unit 419 in the same procedure as the movement information. When the pressure signal 701 is generated by the tap operation, tap information is generated for a short time such as time t1 to t2 and time t13 to t15. Therefore, even if the key code or the tap information is invalidated, a short time is required. The correct operation can be performed by pressing again.

  A block 701 in FIG. 13 following the block 602 indicates that the processing of the input adjustment unit 480 is divided into a keyboard of a type that recognizes input by a finger contact area with an object, such as a contact keyboard, and another keyboard. Yes. If it is a contact type keyboard, the process moves to block 751, and if it is any other keyboard, the process moves to block 703. In block 751, the input adjustment unit 480 receives the contact area of the finger with respect to the object of the key and the pointing stick in addition to the movement information and the key code from the pointing controller 401 and the key controller 451.

  In block 753, the input adjustment unit 480 determines whether the object that the user intends to operate is a GHB key or a pointing stick based on the size of the contact area. When it is a pointing stick, movement information is output at block 755, and when it is a GHB key, a key code is output at block 757.

  In the keyboard assembly of the type that is recognized by the key switch, when it is not possible to determine the relationship between the movement information and the make code, it is not possible to determine which is the intention of the user's operation. Temporarily stops the output of both the movement information and the key code. When the movement information is stopped first at block 705 and when the break code is generated first at block 707, the process proceeds to block 603 in FIG.

  When the user simultaneously releases the pressing force on the pointing stick 200 and the GHB key, a break code is generated. If the user intends to perform a move operation, a break code is generated when the center of gravity of the finger that has been pressed is moved toward the operation surface 209 so as not to cancel the movement information because the mouse cursor does not move. The In either case, the input adjustment unit 480 can prevent erroneous key input by ignoring the break code received after both are disabled in block 703 and not outputting the key code.

[Strain gauge type pointing stick]
So far, the embodiment of the present invention has been described by exemplifying a pressure sensor type pointing stick, but the present invention can also be applied to a strain gauge type pointing stick. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a strain gauge type pointing stick 800. 14A is a perspective view and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view.

  A rubber cap 805 is fitted into the ceramic operation post 801 via an intermediate member 803. The operation post 801 is attached to the sensor PCB 807 with an adhesive. The sensor PCB 807 is attached to the shield cover 809. Four strain gauges 821 are attached to the back side of the sensor PCB 807 so as to be orthogonal to each other.

  The top of the cap 805 constitutes the operation surface 806. During the moving operation, the sensor PCB 807 is distorted by the force applied in the horizontal direction to the operation post 801 while applying a force in the vertical direction to the operation surface 806, and the electric resistance of the strain gauge 821 changes. The sensor PCB 807 has a dome plate 831 formed in a dome shape with a metal plate.

  The dome plate 831 receives a force from the operation post 801 that has been tapped in the direction perpendicular to the operation surface 806 and transmits a reaction force to the finger while being deformed. The dome plate 831 buckles when the pressing force exceeds a predetermined value and restores when the finger is released. A tap signal is generated from the characteristics of the electrical resistance detected by the four strain gauges 821 that change at this time. The user perceives the change in pressure due to buckling of the dome plate 831 with his / her finger and recognizes that the tap signal has been generated. The strain gauge type pointing stick applies a horizontal force to bend the PCB 807 to the operation post 801. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a certain length or longer for the operation post 801, and the pressure sensor type pointing stick 200 can be made thinner.

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and is known so far as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. It goes without saying that any configuration can be adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Keyboard assembly 110 Metal dome type keyboard assembly 130 Magnetic keyboard assembly 150 Software keyboard assembly 170 Infrared projection keyboard assembly 180 Infrared irradiation keyboard assembly 200, 800 Pointing stick 203a-203d Pressure sensor 209, 806 Operation surface 711 Input movement information 721 Input key code 731 Output movement information 741 Output key code

Claims (20)

A keyboard assembly for inputting into an electronic device,
A pointing stick that generates a pointing signal for moving the mouse cursor;
A key disposed adjacent to the pointing stick to generate a key signal;
And a controller for disabling the key signal generated while the pointing signal is generated.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control unit invalidates the pointing signal generated while the key signal is generated.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 2, wherein the control unit generates a make code before the pointing signal, and enables the pointing signal when a break code is generated while the pointing signal is generated. .   The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control unit invalidates the pointing signal and the key signal while recognizing that the pointing signal and the key signal are generated simultaneously.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pointing stick includes a plurality of pressure sensors that generate the pointing signal by a pressing force against an operation surface.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pointing signal includes tap information for performing a selection operation.   2. The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control unit invalidates an operation on the key by increasing a threshold when recognizing an operation for generating the key signal while the pointing signal is generated.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pointing stick includes a dome plate for detecting a tap operation and a strain gauge.   2. The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard assembly is a short stroke type including a pantograph type key, a metal dome type key or a magnetic type key each having a key switch.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard assembly is pressure sensitive to detect a pressing force.   The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the keyboard assembly is light beam. A contact-type keyboard assembly that utilizes a change in capacitance,
A pointing object for moving the mouse cursor,
A key object disposed adjacent to the pointing object;
When a key signal generated when a contact area with respect to the key object is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and a pointing signal generated when the contact area with respect to the pointing object is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, And a controller for disabling either the key signal or the pointing signal.   The keyboard assembly of claim 12, wherein the pointing object and the key object constitute a software keyboard displayed on a touch screen.   The keyboard assembly according to claim 12, wherein the pointing object and the key object are arranged on a touch panel.   The electronic device carrying the keyboard assembly in any one of Claims 1-14. An input method in a keyboard assembly including a plurality of keys and a pointing stick,
Generating a key signal in response to an operation on a key adjacent to the pointing stick;
Generating a pointing signal in response to an operation on the pointing stick;
Invalidating the key signal generated while the pointing signal is being generated.   17. The input method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of disabling both the key signal and the pointing signal until one of the signals disappears when it is determined that the key signal and the pointing signal are generated simultaneously. An input method in a contact-type keyboard assembly,
Generating movement information when the contact area of the finger with the pointing object for moving the mouse cursor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
Generating a key code when a contact area of a finger with a key object adjacent to the pointing object is a predetermined value or more;
And invalidating either the movement information or the key code based on the size of the contact area with the pointing object and the key object. For computers with keyboard assemblies that contain multiple keys and pointing sticks,
Moving the mouse cursor in response to an operation on the pointing stick;
Receiving a key input in response to an operation on a key adjacent to the pointing stick;
And a step of invalidating the key input received while the mouse cursor is moving. To a computer with a contact keyboard assembly that includes a pointing object key object,
Moving a mouse cursor when an operation in which a finger contact area with respect to the pointing object is performed at a predetermined value or more;
Receiving a key input when an operation in which a contact area of a finger with a key object adjacent to the pointing object is a predetermined value or more is performed;
And a step of invalidating either the movement of the mouse cursor or the key input based on the size of the contact area with the pointing object and the key object.

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