JP2017027148A - Keyboard, carry cover, keyboard system, computer program and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation surface continuous type keyboard realizing smooth slide operation.SOLUTION: Key tops are arranged on a continuous key operation surface 101 of a keyboard 100. A membrane sheet 105 includes key switches working when the position corresponding to the key top is pushed down. Operation areas 101a-101c including multiple keys shared by one finger are provided on the operation surface. The extension of the operation area is surrounded with an umbonate partition 200. Fingers can slide smoothly and move in each operation area because there is no partition to the cross direction. In the longitudinal direction, the position of the finger and the position of the key top can be recognized by feeling the partition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a thin keyboard for inputting to an electronic device.

  Notebook personal computers (notebook PCs) and desktop personal computers use a mechanical keyboard as an input device. Also, tablet terminals and smartphones equipped with a touch screen that implements a software keyboard may use a mechanical keyboard as an external input device. As a typical mechanical keyboard, there is a so-called pantograph type keyboard. A pantograph-type keyboard includes a key top in which each key is physically separated from each other, a support structure for an independent key top called a pantograph, and a resilient member that gives a reaction force against a finger pressing pressure called a rubber dome. It is out.

  The pantograph-type keyboard has key traveling that gives a predetermined stroke to a pressed key, whereby the user can obtain an operation sensation (tactile) in which an input feels with a finger when pressed. The rubber dome gives a tactile as a moderate reaction force change to the finger before the key switch operates. A keyboard with a good tactile allows less rhythmic keystrokes, so there is less fatigue even after prolonged operation.

  On the other hand, there is a so-called flat keyboard having a flat operation surface. Flat keyboards can be reduced in thickness by eliminating or reducing key travel, and the surface can be covered with a continuous sheet. As a typical flat keyboard, there is a software keyboard displayed on a touch screen of a tablet terminal.

  The software keyboard cannot sense the home position by tactile sense and has no tactile, so touch typing (blind touch) is not possible. Among the flat keyboards, a type that uses a key switch such as a membrane sheet, a pressure sensor, or an electrostatic switch can be included in the category of a mechanical keyboard in that the key switch is operated by pressing. Flat and mechanical keyboards may also incorporate a metal dome to provide tactile with less key travel. In such a keyboard, a continuous sheet covering the surface is elastically deformed when pressed to generate a certain amount of key travel, so that thinning and tactile can be harmonized.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a thin keyboard using a membrane switch. The keyboard has a back plate, a membrane switch, a seat assembly, and a top rubber stacked from below. This document describes that touch typing can be performed by providing unevenness corresponding to the key on the top rubber. Patent Document 2 discloses a thin keyboard using a metal dome.

JP 2012-129140 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302572

  In the present specification, a keyboard of a type in which key tops such as pantographs are physically separated from each other is referred to as an operation surface independent keyboard, and the key tops described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are used. The keyboard of the type in which is arranged on a continuous key operation surface is referred to as an operation surface continuous keyboard. Since the keyboard and top of the operation surface independent type keyboard are physically independent, for example, when the R key is pressed after pressing the F key, the finger pressing the F key is released from the key top. Move to R key after lifting.

  On the other hand, in the operation surface continuous type keyboard, the key top is present on the continuous key operation surface, and the user moves the finger to the target position while keeping it away from the key operation surface and presses it. can do. The operation of moving the finger while sliding on the key operation surface and pressing the target key is referred to as a slide operation. The slide operation is a new input method that can reduce the input time when you get used to it. The slide operation can be performed more smoothly as the key operation surface of the operation surface continuous keyboard is flatter, but touch typing cannot be performed because the key position cannot be recognized by the sense of touch of the finger.

  However, in order to recognize the position of each key / top with a tactile sensation, as shown in Patent Document 1, if each key / top is provided with irregularities, or a convex or concave part is provided between the keys / tops, the sliding operation is smooth. Can not be done. Further, when the key tops are separated by the unevenness formed on the key operation surface, an extra space is required, and the size of the keyboard, particularly the size of the membrane sheet, is increased. In order to enable an effective slide operation with the operation surface continuous keyboard, it is necessary to solve such a problem.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface that realizes a smooth sliding operation. A further object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface that can prevent erroneous input. A further object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface capable of correcting erroneous input. A further object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface capable of touch typing. A further object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface that can be miniaturized. It is another object of the present invention to provide a carry cover equipped with a keyboard having a continuous operation surface, a method for processing an input word, a keyboard system, and a computer program.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of key tops arranged on a continuous operation surface, a key switch that operates in response to pressing of the key top, and a plurality of operations each including a plurality of key tops A keyboard is provided having a first physical shape structure that allows the region to be perceived tactilely. Since the operation surface is continuous, a smooth slide operation can be performed within the range of the operation region. In addition, the first physical shape structure is used to perceive the range of a plurality of keys and tops to which each finger shares the operation, and the position of the finger before and during the operation is determined without directing the line of sight to the operation surface. Can be touch-typed.

  The operation area may include only a plurality of key tops where one finger shares the operation. At this time, the operation surface may include a key top whose finger to share is not determined. The first physical shape structure can be configured to extend in the front-rear direction so that the left-right direction of the operation region can be perceived. The first physical shape structure may surround an extension of the operation region in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The first physical shape structure may be a protrusion structure protruding from the operation surface or a recess structure recessed from the operation surface. A second physical shape structure provided along the first physical shape structure may be included so that the position of the finger in the front-rear direction on the operation surface can be perceived by touch.

  The second physical shape structure does not prevent a smooth slide operation in the operation area, and allows the finger position in the front-rear direction between the home position and the slide operation to be perceived by touch. In the second physical shape structure, the first physical shape structure is made a shape that can be perceived at a predetermined position, or another member is added to the first physical shape structure at a predetermined position. Can be formed. The second physical shape structure can be arranged at a position corresponding to a key top included in the operation area or a boundary between the key tops. A third physical shape structure different in shape from the second physical shape structure may be included so that the position of the finger at the home position on the operation surface can be perceived by touch. The key switch can be composed of a membrane sheet.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides a carry cover that can accommodate an electronic device. The carry cover includes an electronic device storage unit, a keyboard, an interface for connecting the keyboard and the electronic device, and an exterior cover that can cover the keyboard and the electronic device when carried. The keyboard includes a plurality of key tops, a top sheet including a plurality of operation areas separated by boundaries in a physical shape structure that enables tactile perception, and a top at a position corresponding to the key top. -It has a key switch arranged in the lower layer of the seat and a keyboard controller connected to the key switch.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides a keyboard system that processes word input. The keyboard system includes a keyboard having a physical shape structure for perceiving an operation area including a plurality of keys operated by one finger with a tactile sense, and a character recognition unit that recognizes a character corresponding to the detected key. An input character storage unit that stores a character, a reference word, and an input character selection unit that selects any key included in the operation area from the input character string.

  According to the above configuration, the keyboard system can select a correct character even if one finger makes an erroneous input to another key included in the same operation area. The selected key can be a key adjacent to the key detected this time. The selected key may be a key that exists at a position distant from the key detected this time, that is, a key that is not adjacent. When a plurality of keys are pressed simultaneously, there is a high possibility that one of the pressed keys is a key intended for input.

  Accordingly, the selected key may be selected from a plurality of keys detected when the keys are simultaneously pressed. The reference word can be a history word or a dictionary word previously input to the keyboard. At this time, the input character selection unit is intended to input a reference word, a word or character string stored in the input character storage unit, and a word recognized based on a character string composed of characters corresponding to the key input this time. It can be estimated and output as a word.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing an electronic device to perform a predetermined process in order to process a word input to a keyboard. The computer program recognizes a plurality of keys included in an operation area divided by a physical shape structure that can be perceived by tactile sensation, and recognizes characters corresponding to the keys pressed in order. Further, the computer program compares the reference word with each of a plurality of character strings configured by a plurality of characters corresponding to a plurality of keys included in the character or character string and the operation region recognized in advance, and the operation region includes The character corresponding to any key is selected as the character input this time.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method for an electronic device to process word input on a keyboard. The electronic device recognizes a plurality of keys included in an operation area divided by a physical shape structure that can be perceived by tactile sense, and stores characters corresponding to the keys pressed in order. The electronic device identifies multiple keys included in the operation area to which the key corresponding to the character entered this time belongs, and corresponds to each of the multiple keys identified by comparing the entered character string with a reference word The character corresponding to this input is selected from the characters to be selected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface that realizes a smooth sliding operation. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard having a continuous operation surface that can prevent erroneous input. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard having a continuous operation surface capable of correcting erroneous input. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface that enables touch typing. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard with a continuous operation surface that can be reduced in size. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a carry cover equipped with a keyboard having a continuous operation surface, a method for processing an input word, a keyboard system, and a computer program.

4 is a plan view for explaining the structure of a key operation surface 101 included in the operation surface continuous type keyboard 100. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the keyboard 100. FIG. It is the top view and perspective view of the keyboard 100a provided with the characteristic structure 205 which prevents the incorrect input of the front-back direction X with respect to the key which the same operation area | region contains. 3 is a functional block diagram of a keyboard system 300 including a keyboard 100. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining an electrical configuration of a keyboard 100. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a keyboard system 300. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a keyboard system 300. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the key operation surface 101 of the operation surface continuous type keyboards 100b and 100c. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a keyboard 100 is applied to an input device of a tablet terminal 600. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which applies the keyboard 100 to the carry cover 700 of a tablet terminal.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the key operation surface 101 included in the operation surface continuous type keyboard 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is a partial perspective view of the keyboard 100. FIGS. 2B and 2C are cross-sectional views taken along arrows AA and BB in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2B, the keyboard 100 has a base plate 107, a membrane sheet 105, and a top sheet 103 laminated from below. For the keyboard 100 shown in FIG. 1, a front-rear direction X and a left-right direction Y viewed from the operating user are defined.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of key tops indicated by reference numeral 102 are typically arranged on a key operation surface 101 constituting the surface of the top sheet 103. The key top 102 corresponds to an operation position for operating a key switch included in the membrane sheet 105. The key top 102 is an area defined on the top sheet 103, and is specified by assigning key names such as letters, numbers, and symbols logically assigned to the keys by printing or reverse engraving on the front surface of the key operation surface 101. can do.

  It is desirable that the key operation surface 101 does not have a shape feature in a range in which a finger moves for a smooth slide operation. In this case, when the finger touches the key operation surface 101, the user cannot perceive the intended position of the key top 102 with the sense of touch of the finger. However, a keyboard in which the key top itself or the key operation surface 101 around each key top is subjected to surface treatment such as unevenness and embossing within a range that does not hinder the slide operation is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2B, the base plate 107 can be made of a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate so as to function as a structure of the keyboard 100. The membrane sheet 105 is an example of a key switch, and has a three-layer structure of an upper sheet, a spacer sheet, and a lower sheet. On the opposing surfaces of the upper sheet and the lower sheet, wiring patterns are formed so as to cross each other and face each other. When a predetermined key top 102 of the top sheet 103 is pressed, the space formed by the spacer is contracted by the elastic deformation of the upper sheet and the lower sheet, and the wiring pattern is directly below the pressed key top 102 They are in electrical contact.

  When the pressure is released, the wiring pattern is released by the restoring force of the upper sheet and the lower sheet. The portion of the wiring pattern that makes contact and release constitutes the key switch 355 (FIG. 5). For example, the wiring pattern of the upper sheet is connected to the scan driver 357 as a plurality of scan lines 1S to 16S shown in FIG. 5, and the wiring pattern of the lower sheet is connected to the decoder 359 as a plurality of decoder lines 1D to 8D. . Instead of the membrane sheet 105, the key switch can be configured by a sensor that detects pressing of the key top 102, such as a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, or a pressure sensor. At this time, the keyboard may be of a type that has almost no key travel when the key top 102 is pressed.

  The top sheet 103 may be formed of a plastic material that is flexible to such an extent that pressing of a particular key top 102 does not make a key switch corresponding to the adjacent key top. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, operation areas 101 a to 101 i are defined in the top sheet 103. The protruding partition 200 defines a planar extension of the operation areas 101a to 101i in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y. The partition 200 may be formed integrally with the top sheet 103 or may be formed by attaching a synthetic resin or metal pattern to the key operation surface 101.

  Each operation area 101a to 101i whose extension is defined by the partition 200 includes a plurality of key tops 102 to which the left and right fingers share the operation. The top sheet 103 may be entirely formed of a single sheet, or may be formed of a different sheet for each of the operation areas 101a to 101i. A plurality of keys / tops included in each of the operation areas 101a and 101b are shared by the little finger of the left hand, and a plurality of keys / tops included in each of the operation areas 101c, 101d, and 101e are respectively pressed by the ring finger, middle finger, and index finger of the left hand Share.

  The right index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger share the pressing of the plurality of key tops included in the operation areas 101f, 101g, 101h, and 101i, respectively. Space key is shared by left or right thumb. The operation areas 101a to 101i can include only the key top 102 that is frequently operated by each finger in standard touch typing. In this case, the key top 102 outside the operation areas 101a to 101i may be operated with any finger. The numbers of key tops and key names included in the operation areas 101a to 101i illustrated in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

  For example, the left Ctrl key, left Alt key, right Alt key, and right Ctrl key on the front side (front side) may be included in the operation areas 101a, 101c, 101h, and 101i, respectively. Further, a boundary portion extending in the front-rear direction X may be removed so that the operation areas 101a and 101b operated by the little finger of the left hand become one operation area. Furthermore, a partition that divides a plurality of key tops on the right side of the operation area 101i into several blocks may be provided.

  The partition 200 is not limited as long as at least each finger can perceive the position in the left-right direction Y of the operation areas 101a to 101i by touch. Therefore, the parts 150a and 150b that run in the left-right direction Y constituting the partition 200 of the keyboard 100 may be omitted. When inputting to the keyboard 100, the user can place his / her finger in the operation areas 101 a to 101 i that perceive and share the finger position in the partition 200 without looking at the key operation surface 101.

  The keyboard 100 can be smoothly slid by moving the position of the key top to be pressed in the range of the operation areas 101a to 101i further in the front-rear direction X and the operation areas 101e and 101f in the left-right direction Y. In addition, in the range where one finger operates, there is no unevenness perceived by tactile sensation between the keys and tops in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y. be able to. Therefore, the area of the membrane sheet 105 can be reduced.

  However, the keyboard 100 cannot perceive the position of the key top 102 in the front-rear direction X by tactile sensation when performing a slide operation in each of the operation areas 101a to 101i. Further, in the operation areas 101e and 101f in which two rows of key tops are arranged in the front-rear direction X, the position of the finger in the left-right direction Y cannot be perceived by tactile sense. Therefore, a user unfamiliar with the operation may not perform touch typing or may erroneously press other keys in the same operation area 101a to 101i. In particular, there is a high possibility that a key adjacent to the target key is pressed or a boundary between the target key and the adjacent key is pressed. Some aspects of the invention also provide a physical shape structure that mitigates such erroneous inputs.

  FIG. 3A is a plan view of an operation surface continuous type keyboard 100a including partitions 203a to 203j having a feature structure for preventing erroneous input to other keys included in the same operation area, and FIG. It is a partial perspective view. In the keyboard 100 a, protruding partitions 203 a to 203 j provided on the top sheet 103 form operation areas 111 a to 111 i by separating the key operation surface 101 in the left-right direction Y. The partitions 203a to 203j do not have a portion that defines the extension in the front-rear direction X of the operation areas 111a to 111i, and a portion that extends in the front-rear direction X defines an extension in the left-right direction Y. In this example, the left hand fingers share the operations of the plurality of key tops included in the operation areas 111a to 111d, and the right hand fingers share the operations of the plurality of key tops included in the operation areas 111e to 111i.

  The partition 203a includes protrusions 205 formed by four protrusions 205a to 205d that swell so as to enter the operation region 111a at discrete positions in the front-rear direction X. In FIG. 3, for simplification of the drawing, the reference numbers of the protrusions 205a to 205d are shown only on the partition 203a, but the protrusion 205 is also formed on the other partitions 203b to 203j. In the keyboard 100a, as an example, the protrusion 205 is provided at a position corresponding to the boundary in the front-rear direction X of the key top. In another example, the protrusion 205 can be provided at a position corresponding to each key.

  As with the keyboard 100, the keyboard 100 a can perform smooth sliding operations in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y by fingers that share the operation areas 111 a to 111 i. Since the finger placed on the operation areas 111a to 111i by the user touches the protrusion 205 provided on at least one of the left and right partitions before and during the slide operation, the position of the finger in the front-rear direction X is changed. Can be perceived by touch. For example, in the operation area 111b, the protrusion 205 provided in any of the partitions 203b and 203c can be perceived. The protrusion 205 may be provided only in one of the partitions on both sides that define a predetermined operation area.

  In the operation area 111d, if the 4RFV key row is operated while perceiving the protrusion 205 of the partition 203d, and the 5TGB key row is operated while perceiving the protrusion 205 of the partition 203e, the front / rear direction X and left / right It is possible to prevent erroneous input with respect to keys adjacent in the direction Y. The protrusion 205 can also be provided in the partition 200 shown in FIG.

  The partitions 203d and 203f adjacent to the F key and J key which are home position keys corresponding to the index finger are different from the other protrusions 205 so that the position of the home position of the index finger on the key operation surface 101 can be perceived. Shaped protrusions 205e and 205f may be provided. If the projections 205 are provided in the partitions 203a to 203j, the home position can be accurately determined by tactile sense, so that erroneous input can be reduced even by touch typing. At this time, only one protrusion 205 may be provided at the home position of each finger of the partitions 203a to 203j. When the user gets used to the operation, even if there is only one protrusion 205, the user can perceive the key top position at the distance from the home position and perform touch typing in each of the operation areas 111a to 111i. Become.

  The protrusion 205 can maintain a smooth sliding operation by having a structure and a size that do not hinder the movement of the finger in the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y in the same operation region 111a to 111i. The keyboard 100a can prevent erroneous input between operation areas in the partitions 203a to 203j, and can prevent erroneous input between a plurality of keys included in each operation area with the protrusion 205. However, some aspects of the present invention Then, the keyboard system which corrects the incorrect input between the keys which each operation area | region of the keyboard 100 and 100a contains further is provided.

[Keyboard system]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a keyboard system 300 that includes the keyboard 100. The keyboard controller 351 (FIG. 5) outputs the scan code assigned to the key switch 355 (FIG. 5) operated by pressing the key to the character code generation unit 301. The scan code includes a make code that is generated when a key is pressed and a break code that is generated when the pressed key is released.

  The character code generation unit 301 and the input character selection unit 303 are configured with software resources such as firmware, device drivers, and operating systems, and hardware resources such as a nonvolatile memory that stores the processor, system memory, and software resources. can do. The character code generation unit 301 specifies a character code corresponding to the make code and the break code with reference to the mapping table 307 and outputs the character code to the input character selection unit 303.

  The mapping table 307 is composed of data in which the scan code stored in the nonvolatile memory and the character code are associated with each other. The input character selection unit 303 recognizes a plurality of keys included in each of the operation areas 101a to 101i. When a key included in a specific operation area is detected, the input character selection unit 303 detects an error with respect to other keys included in the same operation area. It is possible to verify and correct whether it is an input. In general, there is a high probability that an erroneous input occurs as an input to a key adjacent to a key intended for input. For example, in the operation area 101c, there are adjacent keys (2, W), (W, S), and (S, X) in the front-rear direction X in which the left ring finger performs a slide operation.

  In the operation area 101e where the index finger of the left hand performs a slide operation, there are columns of 4 keys, R keys, F keys, and V keys, and columns of 5 keys, T keys, G keys, and B keys. In addition to keys adjacent in the direction X, there are also keys (4, 5), (R, T), (F, G) (V, B) adjacent in the left-right direction Y. For example, when the W character is detected, the input character selection unit 303 recognizes that the 2 key or the S key is an adjacent key. The input character selection unit 303 can recognize and verify and correct keys adjacent to each other included in the operation areas 101a to 101i.

  The input character selection unit 303 refers to the dictionary registration unit 305 or the history character registration unit 307 from the received character code, selects the correct key from a plurality of keys included in the same operation area, and sends it to the user function 330. Output character code. When the input character selection unit 303 determines that there is no need for correction, the input character selection unit 303 outputs the character code received from the character code generation unit 301 to the user function 330. The input character selection unit 303 refers to the input character storage unit 309, the history word registration unit 311 and the dictionary registration unit 305, and the character code string input in advance until the input of one word is confirmed. When a specific word can be predicted from the above, the character code of the predicted word is output before all characters are input.

  The input character storage unit 309 includes a volatile memory, and stores a character code input from the keyboard 100 until one word is determined. The input character selection unit 303 clears the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit 309 until one input word is confirmed. For example, when the user inputs the characters “b”, “l”, “u”, “e” in order to input the word blue, the input character storage unit 309 includes a comma, period, punctuation mark, Enter, A key for confirming a word such as space or conversion is input, and the preceding characters and character strings such as “b”, “bl”, and “blu” are stored until the input of the word blue is confirmed.

  The history word registration unit 311 and the dictionary registration unit 305 include a nonvolatile memory. The history word registration unit 311 registers words input by the user in the past as history words. The history word may be weighted by the frequency input by the user. The dictionary registration unit 305 stores a plurality of dictionaries. The user function 330 can be configured by a hardware layer such as a software layer that is executed in a layer higher than the operating system, and a nonvolatile memory that stores a processor, a system memory, a display, and software resources. It should be noted that the program constituting the keyboard system 300 can be stored in a non-volatile memory mounted on the keyboard and / or an electronic device that receives keyboard input.

[keyboard]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the keyboard 100. The keyboard 100 includes a keyboard controller 351 and a key matrix 353. In the key matrix 353, key switches 355 configured by the membrane sheet 105 are arranged in a matrix at positions corresponding to the key tops. Each key switch 355 is turned off while the key top is released and turned on while pressed.

  In an example, the key matrix 353 includes 16 scan lines 1S to 16S and 8 decoder lines 1D to 8D, and the scan lines 1S to 16S and the decoder lines 1D to 8D cross each other. Each line is connected to each key switch 355. Each of the decoder lines 1D to 8D has one end connected to the voltage source Vcc and the other end connected to the decoder 359. The scan lines 1S to 16S are connected to a scan driver 357. In the scan driver 357, a scan switch 359 is connected between the scan lines 1S to 16S and the ground.

  The scan driver 357 sequentially turns on / off the scan switches 359 so that any one scan line is connected to the ground at a certain moment. The scan driver 357 returns to the scan line 1S after turning on / off the scan switch 359 in order from the scan line 1S to the scan line 16S, and repeats this operation thereafter. The time that the scan driver 357 makes a round of all the scan lines 1S to 16S is called a scan cycle.

  The decoder 359 reads the potentials of the eight decoder lines 1D to 8D at the same time while matching the operation with the operation of the scan driver 357. The keyboard controller 351 is connected to the user function 330. The device driver of the system that controls the keyboard controller 351 has the scan lines 1S to 16S whose potential is at the ground level at a certain moment and the decoder lines 1D to 8D that are at the ground level at that time. By recognizing, a scan code corresponding to each key can be generated. The keyboard 100 prevents a phantom key that is generated when three or more keys are simultaneously pressed by a well-known method.

[Procedure to correct incorrect input]
Next, the operation of the keyboard system 300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the keyboard 100a, the partitions 203a to 203j and the protrusions 205 can prevent erroneous input to keys included in the operation areas 111a to 111i. When the projection 205 is not provided or when there is an erroneous input despite the provision of the projection 205, the keyboard system 300 corrects the input character to the correct character estimated before the word is determined. .

  In the present invention, it may be assumed that there are a plurality of key tops 102 in the operation area, and that there is no erroneous input to different operation areas depending on the partition 200. Therefore, the key intended when a certain key is pressed can be any key existing in the operation area to which the detected key belongs. When any key in the predetermined operation area is pressed, the keyboard system 300 selects and outputs one of the keys estimated to be correct from the plurality of keys included in the predetermined operation area. The keys to be selected at this time include detected keys, that is, keys that have been correctly pressed.

  Here, a case where a word blue is input will be described as an example. In order to input the word blue, the user inputs four characters “b”, “l”, “u”, “e” in order. A character corresponds to a character code assigned to one key top, and includes symbols, numbers, control characters, and the like. A word corresponds to a character string in which a plurality of characters are arranged in order. In the present invention, a key intended by a user is estimated and selected from among a plurality of keys included in an operation region to which the detected key belongs. If the user is familiar with the operation to some extent, the key intended for input is likely to be a detected key or a key adjacent to the detected key.

  For example, in the operation area 101c, the W key is pressed even though the key intended to be input is 2 keys, and the 2 key or the S key is pressed even though the intended key is the W key. It is easy to generate an erroneous input in this manner. At this time, when a boundary between adjacent key tops 102 is pressed, a key switch corresponding to the two keys may operate to generate two scan codes. Such an operation is referred to as simultaneous pressing. In the operation area 101e, when the key intended for input is the R key, four key switches of the R key, F key, T key, or G key may operate. In the following procedure, an example of verification when there is simultaneous pressing will be described. However, this procedure can also be applied when a single key is detected.

  At block 401, the keyboard system 300 is in a key input standby state. The input character storage unit 309 is cleared when the first character is input, but stores the preceding character or character string when the second and subsequent characters are input. The user places his / her finger on the operation areas 101a to 101i in which the partition 200 is sensed and shared. Although the operation areas 101a and 101b are both operated with the left ring finger, the user can place a finger on the operation area 101b with high use frequency as an initial state.

  In block 403, the user presses any key included in the operation area 101e with the intention of inputting the character b. In block 405, the input character selection unit 303 refers to the input character storage unit 309, and determines whether or not the character input this time is the first character constituting some word. The keyboard system 300 does not verify or correct the first entered character. The keyboard system 300 includes all of the second and subsequent characters such as preceding characters or character strings stored in the input character storage unit 309, a plurality of keys belonging to the operation area and adjacent keys, history words, and dictionary words. Or, using either of them, the input characters are verified or erroneous input is corrected.

  When the input character storage unit 309 stores any character or character string, the process proceeds to block 407, and when it is cleared, the process proceeds to block 406. When the character code of the first character is received, the input character selection unit 303 stores the character code of the character in the input character storage unit 309 in block 406. Here, the first character is assumed to be the character b, but when another character is received, the character code of the character is stored. In block 417, the input character selection unit 303 outputs the received character code of the character b to the user function 330. The user function 330 displays the letter b on the display. In block 419, the input character selection unit 303 determines whether or not the current input is a character input that determines a word.

  Input for determining a word corresponds to pressing of a space key, a comma key, a period key, a conversion key, a punctuation key, or the like. When the word is not fixed, the process returns to block 403, and when the word is fixed, the process shifts to block 421. Here, it is assumed that the character code of the character b input first is stored in the input character storage unit 309 and the second character is input in the block block 403.

  In block 407, the input character selection unit 303 determines whether or not a plurality of keys existing in the same operation area are simultaneously pressed when inputting the second and subsequent characters. In the case of normal touch typing, the keys present in the same operation area are operated with one finger, so the simultaneously pressed keys correspond to a plurality of adjacent keys. Simultaneous pressing can be detected with a plurality of scan codes detected during at least one scan cycle.

  When there is simultaneous pressing, the input character selection unit 303 receives scan codes for a plurality of keys. When a single scan code is received, the process proceeds to block 406, and when a plurality of scan codes are received, the process proceeds to block 409. The number of keys simultaneously pressed is two in the operation area 101c, for example, and two to four in the operation area 101e. Some keys, such as a Shift key and a Ctrl key, are used by simultaneously pressing keys existing in different operation areas. The processing when keys existing in different operation areas are simultaneously pressed is not applicable.

  It should be noted that in the procedure from block 407 to block 406, verification and correction will not be performed if there is no simultaneous pressing on keys existing in the same operation area. When the code is detected, the procedure of block 407 can be omitted, so that the correctness can be verified or corrected with another key existing in the same operation area. The other keys at this time can be keys that are arranged adjacent to or separated from the detected key in the same operation area. For example, according to the present invention, when only the S key scan code is detected in the operation basin 101c, the S key, the W key, the X key, or the two key is verified and corrected as necessary. You can also.

  The input character selection unit 303 is a block 409, in which a user inputs an input from a plurality of character codes to be simultaneously pressed, previously input characters or character strings stored in the input character storage unit 309, and history words or dictionary words. When the intended word can be estimated, the process proceeds to block 413, and when it cannot be estimated, the process proceeds to block 411. In block 413, the input character selection unit 303 outputs the estimated word to the user function 330. In block 403 for inputting the second character, an input operation is performed on the operation area 101h with the intention of pressing the L key in order to input the character l. At this time, simultaneous pressing may occur between the O key or the> key adjacent to the L key.

  In block 411, the input character selection unit 303 selects one of the plurality of character codes that are simultaneously pressed, the character or character string that has been input so far stored in the input character storage unit 309, and the history word or dictionary word. If it can be determined that the key is the correct key, the process proceeds to block 415, and if it cannot be determined, the process proceeds to block 417. In block 415, the input character selection unit 303 outputs the selected character to the user function 330. When the user determines that the character displayed on the display is incorrect, the user can erase the character with the backward key in block 403 via block 419 and enter a new input.

  In block 417 transferred from block 411, the input character selection unit 303 outputs a plurality of character codes detected by simultaneous pressing. The order of characters to be output is determined by the timing of the scan cycle and the timing when each key is pressed. When the word input is confirmed in block 419, the input character selection unit 303 clears the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit 309 so far in block 421.

  In block 423, the input character selection unit 303 registers a word whose input is confirmed in the history word registration unit 311. At this time, the input character selection unit 303 can record the number of registrations when re-registering a history word that has already been registered. Thus, the frequency input by the user for each history word is stored in the history word registration unit 311, and the accuracy when the user intends to input a word from the preceding character string can be improved.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of blocks 409 and 411 in detail. It is assumed that the character code of the character b is stored in the input character storage unit 309 in the block 407 of FIG. In block 503, the input character selection unit 303 includes a word including any one of a plurality of character strings obtained by adding a plurality of characters detected by simultaneous pressing to the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit 309 at the beginning. Is registered in the history word registration unit 311. In block 403, it is assumed that the user performs the simultaneous pressing of the L key and the O key or the simultaneous pressing of the L key and the> key while intending to press the L key in order to input the second character l.

  Here, it is assumed that either the L key or the> key is a correct key. When the input character selection unit 303 determines that a history word including the character string “bl” or the character string “b>” at the head is not registered in the history word registration unit 311, the process proceeds to block 541 and is registered. If it is determined that the process is in progress, the process proceeds to block 505. Note that the second character exists in the operation areas 101e and 101f. For example, when four characters are detected by simultaneous pressing, the four characters currently input to the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit 309 are displayed. It is determined whether or not a word including any one of the four character strings to which the above characters are added is registered in the history word registration unit 311.

  If the input character selection unit 303 determines in block 505 that only one history word including the character string bl or the character string b> at the head is registered in the history word registration unit 311, the process proceeds to block 413. If it is determined that a plurality of history words are registered, the process proceeds to block 521. When the history word blue is registered in the history word registration unit 311, in block 413, the input character selection unit 303 determines the remaining character string “lue” constituting the history word before the user inputs all characters. The character code of is output.

  At this time, if only the history word blue is registered in the history word registration unit 311, the intended word can be input by two key operations even when the second character input is simultaneously pressed. However, when the history word registration unit 311 has registered another history word black including the character string “bl” at the head, the input character selection unit 303 sets the character code of the remaining character string “lac” of the word black. Will be output.

  Since this word is not the word that the user intends to input, the user looks at the word displayed on the display of the user function 330 and returns to block 403 without confirming the word input in block 419. In addition, even when only one virtual word “b> ***” is registered in the history word registration unit 311, it is not a word that the user intends to input. The user determines that the operation following the letter b has not pressed the L key and the keyboard system 300 cannot be corrected, and the word “black” or virtual word “ For b> *** ”, the subsequent character is erased so that only the character“ b ”remains, and the input can be performed again.

  In block 521, the input character selection unit 303 determines whether or not a correct key can be selected from a plurality of keys that are simultaneously pressed in the history word. When the input character selection unit 303 determines that there are two or more words including the character string “bl” in the history word registration unit 311 but there is no word including the character string “b>”, the input character selection unit 303 simultaneously presses It can be estimated that the L key is the key intended by the user among the L key and the> key. In this case, in block 531, the input character selection unit 303 adds the character code of the character l to the input character storage unit 309 and proceeds to block 415. Thereafter, the input character storage unit 309 stores the character string “bl”.

  When the user determines that the character displayed on the user function 330 is not the intended character, the user can delete the character l in block 403 via block 419. At this time, the input character correcting unit 303 also deletes the character l added to the block 531. When the input character selection unit 303 determines in the block 521 that the history word registration unit 311 includes a word including the character string “bl” and a word including the character string “b>”, the L key for simultaneous pressing It cannot be determined from the history word which of the keys is correct.

  At this time, in block 523, the input character selection unit 303 adds the character code of character l and character> to the input character storage unit 309. The input character storage unit 309 stores the character string “bl” and the character string “b>” and proceeds to block 417. In block 417, the input character selection unit 303 outputs the character code of character l and character> to the user function 330. The character code of character l and character> depends on the timing of the scan cycle and the key code at the time of simultaneous pressing. The user function 330 displays a character string “bl>” or a character string “b> l” including the previously received character b on the display. When the character string “b> l” or the character string “bl>” is displayed on the display, the user can return to block 403 to delete the character> and then input the subsequent character u.

  When a word including a character string obtained by adding the character input this time to the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit 309 in block 503 is not registered in the history word registration unit 311, the process proceeds to block 541. In block 541, the input character selection unit 303 determines that a word including any one of a plurality of character strings obtained by adding a plurality of characters input by the simultaneous pressing to the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit 309 at the beginning is provided. When it is determined that it is not registered in the dictionary registration unit 305, the process proceeds to block 523, and when it is determined that it is registered, the process proceeds to block 543.

  The procedure of blocks 543 and 551 corresponds to the procedure of blocks 505 and 521. The procedure of blocks 543 and 551 can be understood by replacing the history word in the procedure of blocks 505 and 521 with the dictionary word registered in the dictionary registration unit 305, and thus description thereof is omitted. In blocks 521 and 551, the probability that the correct key can be selected from the keys simultaneously pressed increases as the number of characters stored in the input character storage unit 309 increases.

  The input character selection unit 303 may register a history of characters selected at the time of simultaneous pressing in the block 531 and create data indicating a false input error for each user. For example, there is a case where a certain user frequently performs simultaneous pressing with the E key instead of the C key when operating with the intention of pressing the D key. The input character selection unit 303 can estimate a correct key from data indicating a tendency to press simultaneously on a specific key. Even when not simultaneously pressed, if the frequency of correction to the C key is high when operated with the intention of pressing the D key, the detected key, the corrected key, and the frequency are registered as data indicating individuality regarding the operation of the user. It can be used to verify and correct the correct key.

  In the block 407, the procedure for determining and correcting the possibility of erroneous input in the case of simultaneous pressing on adjacent key pairs has been described. However, the block 407 is omitted and a scan code corresponding to a single key is used. Even when detected, it is possible to estimate the correct key by performing verification including the possibility of erroneous input for other keys that do not detect the scan code in the same operation area in the same procedure.

  For example, when the input character selection unit 303 detects the W key included in the operation area 101c, the input character selection unit 303 converts the characters corresponding to the adjacent 2 key, the S key, and the non-adjacent X key to the input character in the procedure after block 409. It is possible to select a correct key by determining whether any one of a plurality of character strings added to the preceding character or character string stored in the storage unit 309 is included in the head portion of the history word or the dictionary word. it can. For example, if the W key is detected when the input character storage unit 309 stores the character string “**”, the character strings “** 2”, “** W”, “** S” are detected. It is determined whether or not there is a history word or dictionary word including “,“ ** X ”at the beginning.

  The physical arrangement of the key tops need not be limited to the keyboards 100 and 100a illustrated in FIGS. The present invention can also be applied to a keyboard 100b in which the physical arrangement of key tops is determined from an ergonomic viewpoint as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8A, the operation areas shared by the fingers are defined in the left-right direction by partitions 204a to 204i provided on the keyboard 100b. The partition need not be limited to a protrusion-like structure with respect to the key operation surface 101 as long as it is a physical feature structure or a shape feature structure that can be perceived by the sense of touch of a finger. For example, a groove structure or a recess structure recessed from the operation surface 101 can be used.

  Further, since the partition only needs to be able to perceive at least the left-right direction of the operation area with a tactile sensation when performing a slide operation, it is not necessary to limit the partition to a physical structure that continuously divides the operation area. For example, as shown in the keyboard 100c in FIG. 8B, the partitions 206a to 206j can be discretely arranged on the key operation surface 101 along at least the lateral extension of each operation region.

[Application example]
The keyboard 100 is suitable for mounting on a thin notebook PC. Furthermore, the keyboard 100 can be used as an input device of the tablet terminal 600 as shown in FIG. The keyboard 100 is incorporated in the input device 603 together with the touch panel 605. The input device 603 is connected to the tablet terminal 600 through a wireless or wired interface. The user can input short characters from the software keyboard of the touch screen 601 installed in the tablet terminal 600, and can input a large number of characters from the keyboard 100.

  Further, the keyboard 100 can be incorporated into a carry cover 700 as shown in FIG. The carry cover 700 incorporates a tablet terminal storage 703, a connector 705, and an input device 707 in an exterior 701. A keyboard 100 and a touch panel 709 are mounted on the input device 707. The user can input from the keyboard 100 to the tablet terminal that is fitted in the storage portion 703 and connected to the connector 705. The tablet terminal stored in the storage portion 703 can be carried by folding the exterior 701. The interface between the tablet terminal and the carry cover 700 may be a wireless interface such as USB or Bluetooth (registered trademark) instead of the connector 705.

  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.

100, 100a, 100b, 100c Keyboard 101 Key operation surfaces 101a to 101i, 111a to 111i Operation area 102 Key top 103 Top sheet 105 Membrane sheet 107 Base plate 200, 203a to 203j, 204a to 204i, 206a to 206j Partition 205, 205a-205d Protrusion 205e, 205f in the front-rear direction Projection 300 for perceiving home position Keyboard system 351 Keyboard controller 353 Key matrix 355 Key switch 603, 707 Input device 700 Carry cover

Claims (20)

A plurality of key tops arranged on a continuous operation surface;
A key switch that operates in response to pressing of the key top;
A keyboard having a first physical shape structure that enables a plurality of operation regions each including the plurality of key tops to be perceived by touch.   The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the operation area includes only the plurality of key tops in which one finger shares an operation.   The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the first physical shape structure extends in the front-rear direction so that the left-right direction of the operation region can be perceived.   The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the first physical shape structure surrounds an extension of the operation area.   The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the first physical shape structure is a protrusion structure protruding from the operation surface.   3. The keyboard according to claim 1, comprising a second physical shape structure that allows a finger position in the front-rear direction on the operation surface provided along the first physical shape structure to be perceptible by tactile sensation. .   The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the second physical shape structure is arranged at a position corresponding to a key top included in the operation area or a boundary between the key tops.   The keyboard according to claim 6, comprising a third physical shape structure having a shape different from that of the second physical shape structure that enables a finger position of the home position on the operation surface to be perceived by tactile sensation.   The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the key switch is made of a membrane sheet.   An electronic device equipped with the keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A carry cover that can store electronic devices,
A storage unit for the electronic device;
Keyboard,
An interface for connecting the keyboard and the electronic device;
An exterior cover capable of covering the keyboard and the electronic device when carried;
The keyboard is
A top sheet that includes a plurality of key tops and includes a plurality of operating areas delimited by a physical shape structure that allows tactile perception;
A key switch disposed in a lower layer of the top sheet at a position corresponding to the key top;
A carry cover having a keyboard controller connected to the key switch. A keyboard system that processes input of words,
A keyboard having a physical shape structure for perceiving an operation area including a plurality of keys operated by one finger by touch;
A character recognition unit for recognizing characters corresponding to the detected key;
An input character storage unit for storing input characters;
A keyboard system comprising a reference word and an input character selection unit for selecting any key included in the operation area from the input character string.   The keyboard system according to claim 12, wherein the selected key is a key adjacent to the key detected this time.   The keyboard system according to claim 12, wherein the selected key is a key existing at a position distant from the key detected this time.   The keyboard system according to claim 12, wherein the keyboard system is one of a plurality of keys detected when the selected keys are simultaneously pressed.   The keyboard system according to claim 12, wherein the reference word is a history word input in the past.   The keyboard system according to claim 12, wherein the reference word is a dictionary word.   The input character selection unit estimates the word recognized based on the reference word, the character or character string stored in the input character storage unit, and the character string formed from the character input this time as the word intended for input. The keyboard system according to claim 12, wherein To handle word input on the keyboard, the electronic device
Recognizing a plurality of keys included in an operation area partitioned by a physical shape structure that can be perceived by tactile sense;
Recognizing characters corresponding to keys pressed in sequence;
Each of the operation regions includes a character or character string recognized in advance and a reference word compared with each of a plurality of character strings configured by combining characters corresponding to a plurality of keys included in the operation region. And a step of selecting a character corresponding to the key as a character input this time. A method in which an electronic device processes word input on a keyboard,
The electronic device recognizing a plurality of keys included in an operation area divided by a physical shape structure capable of being perceived by tactile sense;
Storing the characters corresponding to the keys pressed in sequence;
Identifying a plurality of keys included in the operation area to which a key corresponding to the character input this time belongs,
Comparing the input character string with a reference word and selecting a character corresponding to the current input from among the characters corresponding to each of the plurality of identified keys.

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