JP5351715B2 - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard device.

  Conventionally, there is a keyboard device as an input device in an information device such as a personal computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This keyboard device is provided with a so-called cursor key. Four cursor keys are arranged corresponding to the top, bottom, left and right directions of the screen displayed on the display. Arrows indicating the corresponding directions are printed on the surface of the cursor keys. The cursor keys can be used for operations such as moving the cursor displayed on the screen and scrolling the window.

  Also, in the keyboard device, keys corresponding to functions that are convenient to use when using the cursor keys, such as a page up key and a page down key, are arranged near the cursor keys. The keys used together are convenient if they are arranged adjacent to each other, but there is a problem that mistakes are likely to occur. This keyboard device is provided with a convex portion on the surface of the cursor key so as to differentiate the cursor key from other keys in order to prevent a typing error when performing a key operation by blind touch.

JP 2000-276284 A

  However, even when the surface of the cursor key has a different shape from the surface of the other keys, there is a problem of making a typing mistake.

  Therefore, in view of such a conventional problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device that can further reduce mistakes in typing between a cursor key and a key that is adjacent to the cursor key and used together with the cursor key. .

  A keyboard device according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems and achieving a desired object is used as an input device of an information processing device, and is arranged to be adjacent to a cursor key and the cursor key. An operation signal for moving the cursor displayed on the screen of the information processing device when the cursor key is pressed, and when the control key is pressed, A keyboard device that outputs an operation signal for scrolling a display image displayed on a screen, wherein the control key is set to a load displacement characteristic different from that of the cursor key, and a key top is different from the cursor key. It is formed in different surface shapes.

  In the keyboard device of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the key top of each key has an operation surface that is pressed by an operator when pressed, and the operation surface of the cursor key is a flat surface. The operation surface of the control key is formed in a convex curved surface shape.

  In addition to the above configuration, the keyboard device of the present invention is characterized in that the control key has a key stroke different from the key stroke of the cursor key.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the keyboard device of the present invention includes an up cursor key, a down cursor key, a left cursor key, and a right cursor key, and the control key includes a page up key. A key and a page down key, and each key is arranged in the order of left cursor key, down cursor key, right cursor key from the left in front, and the back of the down cursor key. The up cursor key is arranged side by side, the page up key is arranged side by side on either side of the upper cursor key, and the page down key is arranged side by side on the other side. Features.

  In the keyboard device according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, each of the keys is disposed on the key top on which the operation surface is formed and on the lower side of the key top, and when the key top is pressed. An elastic member that urges the key top in a returning direction and a guide mechanism that guides the pressing movement and returning movement of the key top, and the guide mechanism of the control key is a guide mechanism of the cursor key. It is characterized by a different mechanism.

  According to the present invention, a cursor key and a control key arranged adjacent to the cursor key are provided, and the cursor displayed on the screen of the information processing device when the cursor key is pressed. Is a keyboard device that outputs an operation signal for scrolling the display image displayed on the screen when the control key is pressed, and the control key has a load different from that of the cursor key. The key top is formed in a surface shape different from that of the cursor key while being set to the displacement characteristic. Therefore, the control key and the cursor key have different touch feelings on the surface and different touch feelings when pressed. In other words, when a mistake is made in typing the control key and the cursor key, it is possible to recognize that it is a mistake in typing. Further, since not only the touch when touching the surface of the key but also the touch when pressed, the mistake in typing can be recognized more reliably.

  Usually, a typing mistake is recognized visually when a display different from the intended operation is made on the screen. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily recognize a typing error without looking at the screen. In addition, when viewing the screen, it is possible to recognize a typing mistake from both the visual and tactile senses, so that it is possible to deeply recognize that a typing mistake has been made by the interaction between the visual sense and the tactile sense. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably recognize a typing error, and as a result, an effect of reducing the typing error can be expected.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the main part of the keyboard device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the keyboard device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the keyboard device. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the keyboard device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main part of the keyboard device. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an information device to which the above keyboard device is applied. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a main part of a modified example of the keyboard device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a keyboard device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the keyboard device 1 is used as an input device of an information processing apparatus 101 such as a notebook personal computer (referred to as a notebook PC). The information processing device 101 includes an information processing device main body 102 and a display device 103. The display device 103 has a screen 104 on which an image is displayed.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of the keyboard device according to the present embodiment. The keyboard device 1 includes a plurality of key switches 2 and a housing 3 in which these key switches 2 are installed. The keyboard device 1 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressed key switch 2 when the key switch 2 is pressed.

  The housing 3 includes an upper surface plate 3a, a connecting portion 3b, and a support plate 3c. The upper surface plate 3a has a number of key switch holes penetrating the front and back surfaces. The key switch 2 is inserted into the key switch hole. The connection part 3b connects and fixes the support plate 3c and the upper surface plate 3a. The support plate 3 c supports the key switch 2. A membrane sheet 51 is disposed on the upper surface of the support plate 3c.

  The membrane sheet 51 converts the pressing operation of the key switch 2 into an electrical signal. The membrane sheet 51 is connected to an output unit (not shown), and an electrical signal is output from the output unit to the outside. The membrane sheet 51 is obtained by superposing a pair of sheets printed with a wiring pattern and contacts via a spacer sheet so that the contacts of the pair of sheets face each other. The membrane sheet 51 is configured such that when the contact portion is pressed by the key switch 2, the contacts of the pair of sheets are connected to generate an electrical signal.

  The key switch 2 is arranged side by side on the housing 3 so that its operation surface is exposed on the surface of the housing 3. As types of the key switch 2, there are an alphanumeric key 2a and a control key 2b. The alphanumeric key 2a is a key having characters, numbers and symbols printed on the surface. When the alphanumeric key 2a is pressed, an operation signal associated with a character, number, or symbol is output from the keyboard device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the alpha numeric key 2a is disposed at the central portion of the surface of the housing 3, that is, at the central portion of the upper surface plate 3a.

  The control key 2b is a so-called function key or space key, and is arranged on the surface of the housing 3 so as to surround the alphanumeric key 2a. When the control key 2b is pressed, an operation signal for performing some control in the OS or application is output from the keyboard device 1. The keyboard device 1 includes, in particular, a page up key 11a, a page down key 11b, and a plurality of cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d as control keys 2b.

  The cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d include an up cursor key 12a, a down cursor key 12b, a left cursor key 12c, and a right cursor key 12d. When the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are pressed, an operation signal for moving the cursor displayed on the screen 104 of the information processing apparatus 101 is output. The cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d correspond to the vertical and horizontal directions on the screen 104, respectively. That is, the operation signals output when the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are pressed are associated with the movement of the cursor displayed on the screen 104 in the vertical and horizontal directions on the screen 104, respectively. . Further, the operation signals output when the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are pressed are associated with scroll operations in the vertical and horizontal directions of a display image such as a web page.

  Each cursor key 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d is disposed on the front side of the housing 3 as shown in FIG. The cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are arranged in the housing 3 in the order of the left cursor key 12c, the lower cursor key 12b, and the right cursor key 12d from the left side when viewed from the front. An upper cursor key 12a is disposed on the back side of the lower cursor key 12b. The upper cursor key 12a and the lower cursor key 12b are disposed adjacent to each other. On the other hand, each cursor key is arranged so that a predetermined interval is provided between the left cursor key 12c and the lower cursor key 12b and between the lower cursor key 12b and the right cursor key 12d. A page up key 11a is disposed on the back side of the left cursor key 12c, and a page down key 11b is disposed on the back side of the right cursor key 12d. That is, a page up key 11a is arranged on the left side of the up cursor key 12a, and a page down key 11b is arranged on the right side of the up cursor key 12a.

  When the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b are pressed, an operation signal for scrolling the display image displayed on the screen 104 is output. In the case of the page up key 11a, this operation signal is, for example, an operation of moving to the previous page (upper page) in a web browser, a document creation application, a document browsing application, etc. Assigned to the scrolling operation). In the case of the page down key 11b, the page down key 11b is assigned to an operation of moving to the next page (lower page) or an operation of scrolling downward by a certain amount (a larger amount than that of the cursor key).

  Next, the switch structure of the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, the page up key 11a, and the page down key 11b will be described. The key switch 2 has a key top, a guide mechanism, and an elastic member. The key top is a portion having an operation surface that is pressed by the operator when the key switch is pressed. The guide member guides the vertical movement of the key top accompanying the pressing operation. The elastic member returns the key top to the original position when the key top is pressed.

  The key tops 21 of the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d have a pressing operation portion 21a formed in a rectangular plate shape, and a side wall portion 21b extending downward from four sides of the pressing operation portion 21a. . The upper surface of the pressing operation unit is an operation surface 21c. The operation surface 21c is formed in a flat shape. A guide mechanism 30 and an elastic member 41 are disposed below the key top 21.

  The guide mechanism 30 for the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d includes a first link member 31 and a second link member 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the first link member 31 and the second link member 32 are arranged so as to cross each other. The first link member 31 and the second link member 32 are connected to each other through a shaft 33 at the center of the intersecting portion, and rotate around the shaft 33. One end of the first link member 31 is pivotally supported by a support plate 3 c of the housing 3 described later, and the other end is in contact with the back surface of the key top 21. One end of the second link member 32 is pivotally supported by the key top 21, and the other end is brought into contact with the support plate 3c so as to slide on the support plate 3c.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 41 of the cursor key is formed in a dome shape, and a protrusion 42 is formed on the inner ceiling portion. The elastic member 41 is made of rubber. As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic member 41 is erected on the contact point of the membrane sheet 51. In addition, the elastic member 41 is in contact with the lower surface of the pressing operation portion 21 a of the key top 21 and supports the key top 21.

  The cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d configured as described above are configured such that when the key top 21 is pressed from the normal state illustrated in FIG. 4, the first link member 31 and the second link member 32 are mutually centered about the shaft 33. While rotating in the opposite direction, the elastic member 41 pressed by the key top 21 is elastically deformed so as to be recessed, resulting in a state shown in FIG. The protrusion 42 of the elastic member 41 abuts on the membrane sheet 51 and presses the membrane sheet 51. If it does so, the contact of the membrane sheet 51 will be closed and the electrical signal corresponding to cursor key 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d will be output. Further, the key top 21 is vertically lowered while maintaining a horizontal state by being deformed so that the guide mechanism 30 is folded.

  When the pressure on the key top 21 is released, the key top 21 returns to the original position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 41. Similarly, the guide mechanism 30 also returns to the original state with the return of the key top 21. Naturally, the contact also returns to the open state.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the key tops 61 of the page up key 11 a and the page down key 11 b have a convex curved surface. That is, the operation surface 61a is formed in a convex curved surface shape. In other words, the key top 61 is formed in a mountain shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b are arranged such that the tops are lower than the tops of the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. Further, the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b are formed so that the width in the depth direction is smaller than the width in the depth direction of the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

  The guide mechanism of the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b is constituted by a cantilever hinge portion 71 formed integrally with the key top 61 as shown in FIG. One end of the cantilever hinge 71 is pivotally supported by the support plate 3 c of the housing 3, and the other end is formed integrally with the key top 61.

  The elastic member 81 of the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b is formed in a dome shape lower than the elastic member 41 of the cursor key. Accordingly, the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b have a shorter keystroke than the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. The elastic member 81 is made of metal. A protrusion 82 is formed on the dome-shaped inner ceiling portion of the elastic member 81. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 81 is erected on a contact point of a membrane sheet 51 described later. Further, the elastic member 81 has a top portion in contact with the lower surface of the key top 61 and supports the key top 61.

  When the page top key 11a and the page down key 11b configured as described above are pressed down from the state shown in FIG. It pivots downward about the one end part. At that time, the elastic member 81 is pressed by the key top 61 and elastically deforms so that the elastic member 81 is recessed as shown in FIG. Further, the protrusion 82 of the elastic member 81 contacts the membrane sheet 51 and presses the membrane sheet 51. If it does so, the contact of the membrane sheet | seat 51 will be closed and the electrical signal corresponding to each key switch of the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b will be output.

  When the pressure on the key top 61 is released, the key top 61 returns to the original position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 81. Similarly, the guide mechanism 30 also returns to the original state with the return of the key top 61. Naturally, the contact also returns to the open state.

  The page up key 11a and the page down key 11b are different from the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in that they have different elastic members 81, different guide mechanisms 30, and different key strokes. Load displacement characteristics are different. That is, the touch when pressed is different. Here, the load displacement characteristic is determined by the relationship between the load applied to the key top 61 when the key top 61 is pressed and the displacement in the pressing direction.

  Since the page up key 11a, the page down key 11b, and the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are arranged and configured as described above, the page up key is used when operating these key switches by blind touch. Since the 11a and page down key 11b are formed in a different surface shape from the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, they are easy to recognize. Furthermore, the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b are configured to have different pressing feelings from the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. You can recognize that you made a mistake.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, it is good also as the key 81a and the return key 81b which advance the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b. When the forward key 81a is pressed, the forward key 81a outputs a signal for pressing the forward button on the browser. When the return key 81b is pressed, it outputs a signal for pressing the back button on the browser. That is, in the present embodiment, the control key disposed at the position where the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b are disposed has an operation signal generated when the control key is pressed down to scroll the display image. What is necessary is just to be matched with the display image switching operation.

  In this embodiment, the page up key 11a is arranged on the left side of the up cursor key 12a, and the page down key 11b is arranged on the right side of the up cursor key 12a, but on the left side of the up cursor key 12a. A page down key 11b may be provided, and a page up key 11a may be provided on the right side of the up cursor key 12a.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 21c is formed in a planar shape, but may be formed in a concave shape. Further, both the operation surface 21c and the operation surface 61a may be formed in a convex curved surface shape or a concave curved surface shape. In that case, the curvature radius of the curved surface of the operation surface 21c and the operation surface 61a is made different, and the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b constitute a difference in shape from the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. It is good to do so. That is, the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b may be different from the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d in the key top surface shape.

  In this embodiment, the cantilever hinge 71 is employed as a guide mechanism for the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b. However, as with the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, a pantograph type guide is used. It may be a mechanism. Other guide mechanisms may be used. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 41 is made of rubber, but may be made of other materials such as metal. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the elastic member 81 is made of metal, but may be made of other materials such as rubber. That is, the page up key 11a and the page down key 11b may have different touch feelings from the cursor keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. The pressing feeling is determined by the key stroke, the shape and material of the elastic member, the guide mechanism, and the like. These elements can be appropriately selected within a range in which the touch feeling is different.

1 Keyboard device 11a Page up key (control key)
11b Page down key (control key)
12a Up cursor key 12b Down cursor key 12c Left cursor key 12d Right cursor key

Claims (4)

Used as an input device for information processing equipment,
A cursor key, and a control key disposed adjacent to the cursor key;
When the cursor key is pressed, an operation signal for moving the cursor displayed on the screen of the information processing device is output. When the control key is pressed, a display image displayed on the screen is displayed. A keyboard device that outputs an operation signal for scrolling,
Each key includes a key top on which the operation surface is formed, and an elastic member that is disposed below the key top and biases the key top in a direction to return when the key top is pressed. A guide mechanism for guiding the pressing movement and the returning movement of the key top,
The control key is set to a load displacement characteristic different from that of the cursor key, and the key top is formed in a surface shape different from that of the cursor key ,
The guide mechanism of the control keys, the keyboard apparatus characterized by different mechanisms der Rukoto the guide mechanism of the cursor keys. The key top of each key has an operation surface that is a surface pressed by an operator when pressed,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein an operation surface of the cursor key is formed in a planar shape or a concave curved surface, and an operation surface of the control key is formed in a convex curved surface shape.   The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the control key has a keystroke different from a keystroke of the cursor key. The cursor keys include an up cursor key, a down cursor key , a left cursor key, and a right cursor key,
The control key has a page up key and a page down key,
The keys are arranged in the order of the left cursor key, the lower cursor key, and the right cursor key from the left toward the front, and the upper cursor key is arranged on the back side of the lower cursor key, 2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the page up key is arranged side by side on either the left or right side of the up cursor key, and the page down key is arranged side by side on the other side.

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