JP7035907B2 - Key input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a key input device including a key switch for switching an electrical contact / detachment state by pressing a movable member.

As an input device for an electronic device such as a computer, a key input device such as a keyboard in which a plurality of key switches are arranged side by side has become widespread. Such a keyboard is required to have characteristics such as the length of the operator's finger, operation habits, and how to apply force, and a function of adjusting various characteristics according to the intended use. In particular, in recent years, such demands have been increasing for keyboards used in computer games called e-sports. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a key switch capable of adjusting the length from pressing a key to a position where the key is switched to the on state, that is, the length of so-called PT (Pre Travel).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-19822

However, the key switch described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the operator cannot feel the position of switching to the on state by touch. If it cannot be felt by touch, it may lead to a delay in reaction when used in a field such as e-sports.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key input device capable of changing the switching position of the contact / detachment state and generating a pseudo tactile sensation at the switching position.

In order to solve the above problems, the key input device described in the present application includes a fixing member, a movable member that can be moved from the first position to the second position by a pressing operation, and the movable member that moves from the first position to the second position. It is a key input device equipped with a key switch that switches the electrical contact / disconnection state in the process of switching, and the switching position for switching the contact / detachment state can be changed. The pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit is provided with a pseudo-tactile sensation control unit that generates a pseudo-tactile sensation.

Further, the key input device described in the present application includes a fixed member, a movable member that can be moved from the first position to the second position by a pressing operation, and an electrical member in the process of moving the movable member from the first position to the second position. A key input device provided with a key switch for switching the contact / detachment state, the position detection unit for detecting the position of the movable member, the setting unit for accepting the setting of the switching position for switching the contact / detachment state, and a pseudo tactile sensation are generated. It is characterized by including a pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit for generating a pseudo-tactile sensation and a pseudo-tactile sensation control unit for generating a pseudo-tactile sensation in the pseudo-tactile sensation generating unit at a switching position set by the setting unit.

Further, in the key input device, the position detecting unit is characterized in that the position of the movable member is detected based on the capacitance that changes according to the position of the movable member.

Further, in the key input device, one of the movable member and the fixing member has a magnet, the other of the movable member and the fixing member has a coil, and the position detection unit has a reactance of the coil. Based on this, it is characterized in that the position of the movable member is detected.

Further, in the key input device, one of the movable member and the fixing member has a magnet, the other of the movable member and the fixing member has a coil, and the pseudo-tactile sensation generating portion energizes the coil. It is characterized in that a pseudo tactile sensation is generated by doing so.

Further, in the key input device, the position detecting unit is characterized in that the position of the movable member is detected based on the reactance of the coil.

Further, in the key input device, the pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit is a vibration unit that generates vibration, and the pseudo-tactile sensation control unit is a vibration control unit that generates vibration in the vibration unit.

Further, in the key input device, the key switch is a plurality, the vibration unit is a plurality, and the vibration control unit is generated in each vibration unit according to the key switch whose contact / disconnection state is switched. It is characterized by determining the strength of the vibration to be caused.

Further, in the key input device, the pseudo tactile sensation generated by the pseudo tactile sensation generating unit can be changed.

Further, in the key input device, the pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit is a vibration unit that generates vibration, and includes a waveform determining unit that determines a vibration waveform generated in the vibration unit, and the pseudo-tactile sensation control unit is the waveform. It is characterized in that vibration is generated in the vibration unit based on the vibration waveform determined by the determination unit.

Further, the key input device is characterized by including a sound output unit that outputs a pseudo sound and a pseudo sound control unit that outputs a pseudo sound to the sound output unit at a switching position set by the setting unit. ..

Further, in the key input device, the pseudo sound output by the sound output unit can be changed.

The key input device described in the present application can change the switching position for switching the contact / detachment state, and can generate a pseudo tactile sensation at the switching position.

The key input device according to the present invention can change the switching position for switching the contact / detachment state, and generates a pseudo tactile sensation at the switching position. As a result, it is possible to make the operator feel the change of the contact / detachment state by tactile sensation, which is an excellent effect.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the keyboard to which the key input device described in this application is applied. It is a graph which shows an example of the characteristic of the key switch provided in the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the function of the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vibrating part provided in the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the key switch provided in the keyboard described in this application. It is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit structure of the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the key switch provided in the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the function of the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the function of the keyboard described in this application. It is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit structure of the keyboard described in this application. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the vibration pattern recorded in the vibration recording part of the waveform determination part provided in the keyboard described in this application. It is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit structure of the keyboard described in this application. It is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit structure of the keyboard described in this application.

<Application example>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The key input device described in the present application is used as a keyboard used for inputting data such as various commands in addition to characters, numbers and symbols to an electronic device such as a computer.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard KB to which the key input device described in the present application is applied. A plurality of key switches 1 such as character keys, numeric keys, and other function keys are arranged side by side on the keyboard KB. In the illustrated keyboard KB, key switches 1 having the same shape are arranged side by side for the purpose of simplifying the structure and easily recognizing the technical contents, but the mounting is not limited to such a shape. .. For example, when applied to a QWERTY keyboard KB, only the character keys have the same shape, and the key switch 1 having a specific function such as a space key or an enter key arranged around the character keys has a different shape from the character keys. It is possible to design as appropriate, such as by configuring it in.

The key switch 1 arranged on the keyboard KB causes the key switch 1 to be moved from the highest position (first position: hereinafter referred to as top dead center) to the lowest position (second position) by pressing the operator. : Hereinafter referred to as bottom dead center). Further, the key switch 1 is set to a contact / detachment position in which the contact / detachment state is switched from the on state to the off state in the process of moving from the top dead center to the bottom dead center.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of the characteristics of the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application. In the graph shown in FIG. 2, the movement distance indicating the stroke due to the pressing of the key switch 1 is taken on the horizontal axis, and the pressing load, which is the force required for pressing, is taken on the vertical axis, and the relationship is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application uses a linear switch having a relationship in which the pressing load increases monotonically with respect to the moving distance, for example, a proportional relationship and a constant inclination. ing. A linear switch in which the pressing load increases monotonically with respect to the moving distance has a characteristic that the pressing load does not change at the switching position where the contact / disconnection state is switched. Therefore, when the operator presses the key switch 1 using the linear switch, the operator cannot perceive the tactile sensation when the contact / detachment state is switched from the off state to the on state, that is, the so-called click feeling from the key switch 1 itself. .. The keyboard KB described in the present application is provided with a vibration unit (pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit) 2 that generates vibration, and a click sensation that cannot be felt from the key switch 1 is quasi-click sensation (pseudo-click sensation) due to the vibration generated by the vibration unit 2. It is generated as a tactile sensation). That is, the vibration unit 2 included in the keyboard KB functions as a tactile generation actuator using tactile feedback technology that gives vibration to the operator.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the function of the keyboard KB described in the present application. FIG. 3 schematically shows the position where the vibrating portion 2 is arranged on the top view of the keyboard KB. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the keyboard KB includes four vibrating portions 2, and the four vibrating portions 2 are arranged at four corners of the keyboard KB having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. ing. The magnitude and timing of the vibration generated by each vibrating unit 2 can be appropriately controlled. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to control the vibration to be simultaneously transmitted to the specific key switch 1 indicated by the diagonal line, and it is possible to increase the click feeling of the specific key switch 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of the vibration unit 2 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application. FIG. 4 schematically shows the basic principle of the vibrating unit 2. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the vibrating portion 2 is energized, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which the vibrating unit 2 is not energized. The vibrating unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 4 shows an example in which an impact drive type actuator is used. The impact-driven actuator applied as the vibrating portion 2 has a structure in which a shape memory alloy wire is sandwiched between aluminum radiation members whose surface is anodized. Then, by passing a momentary large current through the shape memory alloy wire and rapidly heating it, a repulsive force is generated, and at the same time as the repulsive force is generated, the shape memory alloy wire strongly contacts the aluminum, so that the original is instantly generated. Return to the position of. As a result, a momentary impact force is generated. The actuator that can be used as the vibrating unit 2 is not limited to the impact-driven actuator illustrated in FIG. 4, and various other actuators may be used as long as they are haptics actuators that generate a pseudo-click feeling. It is possible.

Next, the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the key switch 1 is not pressed and is located at the top dead center, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the key switch 1 is pressed and is located at the bottom dead center. Shows. The key switch 1 includes a fixing member 10 fixed on a substrate included in the keyboard KB, and a movable member 11 that can be moved up and down and is pushed downward by an operator's pressing operation.

The movable member 11 is configured by using a member such as a key top that accepts an operator's pressing operation. Inside the fixing member 10, a part of a position detecting unit (see FIG. 6 and the like) for detecting the position of the movable member 11 is built in. Further, an urging member (not shown) such as a compression coil spring is incorporated inside the fixing member 10, and the movable member 11 is urged upward. Therefore, the movable member 11 moves downward from the top dead center to the bottom dead center when the operator performs a pressing operation, and is urged by the urging member to move up from the bottom dead center by releasing from the pressing. Move to dead center.

A movable electrode plate 110 is arranged at the lower part of the movable member 11, and two fixed electrode plates 100 are arranged at the lower part of the fixed member 10 so as to face the movable electrode plate 110. There is. Since the movable electrode plate 110 and the fixed electrode plate 100 are insulated from each other, a capacitor is formed inside the key switch 1. Further, the fixed electrode plate 100 is wired to an external oscillation circuit 3 which will be described later.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit configuration of the keyboard KB described in the present application. The keyboard KB described in the present application is a circuit that executes various processes based on the output from the key switch 1, and includes the above-mentioned vibration unit (pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit) 2, oscillation circuit (position detection unit) 3, conversion circuit 4, and threshold setting. It is provided with various circuits such as a circuit (setting unit) 5, a comparison circuit 6, an on-signal output circuit 7, and a vibration control circuit (pseudo-tactile control unit) 8.

The wiring extending from the two fixed electrode plates 100 arranged in the fixing member 10 of the key switch 1 is connected to the oscillation circuit 3. When the movable member 11 is pressed, the distance between the movable electrode plate 110 and the fixed electrode plate 100 becomes narrower, and the capacitance as a capacitor increases. The oscillation circuit 3 is a circuit that oscillates a pulse signal periodically, and the frequency of the pulse signal changes according to the capacitance detected through the fixed electrode plate 100. Therefore, when the movable member 11 is pressed and the capacitance increases, the transmission frequency decreases. That is, the oscillation circuit 3 functions as a position detection unit that detects the position of the movable member 11 by the capacitance, and outputs the detection result as the transmission frequency.

The pulse signal output from the oscillation circuit 3 functioning as the position detection unit is input to the conversion circuit 4. The conversion circuit 4 converts the pulse signal that has received the input into a DC voltage proportional to the frequency of the pulse wave, and outputs the converted DC voltage.

The threshold value setting circuit 5 is a circuit for setting and changing the switching position for switching the contact / detachment state, and functions as a setting unit for receiving the setting of the switching position from the operator. The threshold value setting circuit 5 accepts the setting operation of the operator, or receives a command from the keyboard KB or the electronic device to which the keyboard KB is connected that has received the setting operation of the operator, and executes the setting and changing process of the switching position. .. The threshold value setting circuit 5 outputs threshold value information indicating the set switching position to the comparison circuit 6.

The comparison circuit 6 compares the value of the DC voltage input from the conversion circuit 4 with the threshold information indicating the switching position, and determines whether or not the position of the movable member 11 has reached the switching position. When it is determined that the position of the movable member 11 has reached the switching position, the comparison circuit 6 outputs an on signal indicating that the switching position has been reached to the vibration control circuit 8 and the on signal output circuit 7.

The on-signal output circuit 7 that receives the input of the on-signal from the comparison circuit 6 outputs an on-signal indicating that the pressed key switch 1 has reached the switching position to the connected electronic device such as a computer.

The vibration control circuit 8 that receives the input of the on signal from the comparison circuit 6 determines the timing and magnitude of the vibration of each vibration unit 2 arranged on the keyboard KB based on the key switch 1 that has reached the switching position. , A vibration command to vibrate at a determined time and size is output to each vibrating unit 2.

Then, each vibrating unit 2 vibrates based on the vibration command to generate a pseudo-click feeling.

As described above, the keyboard KB described in the present application uses a linear switch as the key switch 1 in which the pressing load increases monotonically with respect to the moving distance. Then, it is possible to change the switching position of the contact / detachment state that the key switch 1 passes through in the process from the top dead center to the bottom dead center. Moreover, when the key switch 1 is pressed and reaches the switching position, the vibrating unit 2 vibrates to generate a pseudo-click feeling, so that the operator can feel that the switching position has been reached by touch. It has excellent effects such as being possible.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment is a form in which the position detection unit and the pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit have other configurations in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment will be referred to, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the key switch 1 is not pressed and is located at the top dead center, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which the key switch 1 is pressed and is located at the bottom dead center. Shows. The movable member 11 incorporates a rod-shaped permanent magnet 111 arranged so that the polar direction is up and down, and the permanent magnet 111 in the movable member 11 to be pushed is wound around the fixing member 10. The key coil 101 is arranged as described above.

When an alternating current is passed through the key coil 101, the reactance of the key coil 101 changes according to the position of the permanent magnet 111. Therefore, by detecting the reactance of the key coil 101 with the position detection unit, the position of the movable member 11 is detected, and by comparing with the set threshold information, the position of the movable member 11 has reached the switching position. It is possible to determine whether or not.

Further, when a direct current is passed through the key coil 101, a force based on electromagnetic induction is applied to the permanent magnet 111, which increases the pressing load for the operator. The increase or decrease in the pressing load is transmitted to the operator as a pseudo-click feeling. In this case, the key coil 101 and the permanent magnet 111 function as pseudo-tactile sensation generators.

<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment is a form in which the pseudo tactile sensation can be changed in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment will be referred to, and the description thereof will be omitted.

8 and 9 are schematic views showing an example of the function of the keyboard KB described in the present application. FIG. 8 schematically shows the position where the vibrating portion 2 is arranged on the top view of the keyboard KB. Further, FIG. 9 schematically shows the inside from the viewpoint from the right side surface of the keyboard KB. The keyboard KB is provided with one vibrating portion 2 near the center on the front side when used by the operator, and elastic members 20 such as elastic rubber and coil springs are arranged at two corners on the back side. ing. The elastic member 20 vibrates and supports the substrate 21 to which the plurality of key switches 1 are fixed in the housing 22. The vibrating portion 2 is arranged so as to vibrate the entire substrate 21 by using, for example, an electromagnet. The vibrating portion 2 is arranged so as to vibrate the entire substrate 21 whose back side is supported by the elastic member 20 in the lateral direction. Even if it vibrates in the horizontal direction, the human finger creates a pseudo-tactile sensation by using the principle of illusion of vertical vibration.

Next, the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application will be described. As the key switch 1, it is possible to use a non-contact type key switch 1 in which the fixing member 10 and the movable member 11 do not come into contact with each other as described in the first embodiment, but the fixing member 10 and the movable member 10 can be used. It is also possible to use a contact type key switch 1 that comes into contact with 11. As the contact type key switch 1, various key switches 1 can be used as long as they have a function of switching the contact / separation position, and the key switch 1 is not particularly limited. In the following description, a mode using a key switch 1 which is a contact type and whose contact / separation position can be changed will be described.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit configuration of the keyboard KB described in the present application. The keyboard KB described in the present application includes various circuits such as an on-signal output circuit 7, a vibration control circuit (pseudo-tactile control unit) 8, and a waveform determination unit 9 as circuits that execute various processes based on the output from the key switch 1. ing. In the third embodiment, since the key switch 1 is a contact type, the signal output from the key switch 1 is output to the on signal output circuit 7, and the on signal output circuit 7 turns on to the vibration control circuit 8 and the electronic device. Output a signal. The key switch 1 may be configured to output a signal to the vibration control circuit 8 without passing through the on signal output circuit 7. Further, when the non-contact type key switch 1 is used, circuits such as an oscillation circuit 3, a conversion circuit 4, a threshold value setting circuit 5, and a comparison circuit 6 are used as described in the first embodiment.

The waveform determination unit 9 may be configured as a circuit, but may also be configured as software. The waveform determination unit 9 includes a waveform setting unit 90 for setting a vibration waveform, a recording unit 91 for recording various information, a waveform selection unit 92 for selecting vibration, and the like. A part of the recording area of the recording unit 91 is used as a setting recording unit 910 for recording vibration settings and a vibration recording unit 911 for recording a plurality of vibration information showing various vibration patterns.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vibration pattern recorded in the vibration recording unit 911 of the waveform determining unit 9 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application. FIG. 11 schematically shows a vibration pattern recorded in the vibration recording unit 911. The vibration pattern is recorded as information indicating a waveform such as a vibration waveform or a current waveform. A plurality of such vibration patterns are recorded in the vibration recording unit 911. The vibrating unit 2 generates a pseudo-tactile sensation by vibration, but the pseudo-tactile sensation perceived by the operator differs depending on the vibration pattern. That is, by selecting a vibration pattern, it is possible to produce various click feelings such as a high-grade click feeling, a soft click feeling, and a mechanical click feeling.

Returning to FIG. 10, the waveform setting unit 90 included in the waveform determination unit 9 receives a vibration pattern designation from the operator, or a command from a keyboard KB or an electronic device to which the keyboard KB is connected that has received the operator's setting operation. Is accepted, and the specified vibration pattern setting and change processing is executed. The specified vibration pattern is recorded in the setting recording unit 910. The waveform selection unit 92 receives a request for a vibration pattern from the vibration control circuit 8, reads the setting recorded in the setting recording unit 910, reads the vibration pattern related to the read setting from the vibration recording unit 911, and reads the vibration pattern. Is output to the vibration control circuit 8.

In the keyboard KB described in the present application configured as described above, the vibration control circuit 8 receives a signal input from the on signal output circuit 7 or the key switch 1, requests a vibration pattern from the waveform determining unit 9, and responds to the request. The vibration pattern output from the waveform determination unit 9 is received. The vibration control circuit 8 outputs a vibration command including the received vibration pattern to the vibration unit 2. The vibration unit 2 vibrates based on the vibration waveform related to the vibration pattern set by the waveform setting unit 90 based on the vibration command, thereby generating a pseudo-click feeling of the set tactile sensation.

As described above, the keyboard KB described in the present application can change the pseudo tactile sensation to be generated.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The fourth embodiment is a mode in which a pseudo sound is generated together with a pseudo tactile sensation in the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment will be referred to, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit configuration of the keyboard KB described in the present application. The keyboard KB described in the present application includes a key switch 1, a vibration unit (pseudo-tactile generation unit) 2, an oscillation circuit (position detection unit) 3, a conversion circuit 4, a threshold setting circuit (setting unit) 5, a comparison circuit 6, and an on-signal output. In addition to the circuit 7 and the vibration control circuit (pseudo-tactile control unit) 8, various circuits such as a sound output unit SP such as a speaker and a sound control circuit (pseudo-sound control unit) 8A that controls the sound output to the sound output unit SP are provided. I have.

In the fourth embodiment, when the comparison circuit 6 determines that the position of the movable member 11 has reached the switching position, the comparison circuit 6 sends an on signal indicating that the switching position has been reached together with the vibration control circuit 8 and the on signal output circuit 7. Output to the sound control circuit 8A.

The sound control circuit 8A that has received the input of the on signal from the comparison circuit 6 outputs a sound output command to the sound output unit SP arranged in the keyboard KB based on the key switch 1 that has reached the switching position.

The sound output unit SP outputs a pseudo sound imitating the click sound of the key switch 1 based on the sound output command received from the sound control circuit 8A. It is also possible to dispose the sound output units SP on the left and right sides of the keyboard KB. In that case, the sound control circuit 8A determines the volume of the sound to be output to the left and right sound output units SP, and outputs the sound. The unit SP outputs a sound having a volume determined by the sound control circuit 8A.

As described above, the keyboard KB described in the present application outputs a pseudo-sound as well as a pseudo-tactile sensation due to vibration based on the click operation of the operator, so that the operator feels a stronger click sensation from the tactile sensation and the auditory sense. Can be obtained.

<Fifth Embodiment>
The fifth embodiment is a form in which the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined, and not only the pseudo tactile sensation but also the pseudo sound can be changed. In the fifth embodiment, the same configurations as those of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, and the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment are referred to. However, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the circuit configuration of the keyboard KB described in the present application. The keyboard KB described in the present application includes various circuits such as a key switch 1, a vibration unit 2, an on-signal output circuit 7, a vibration control circuit 8, a waveform determination unit 9, a sound control circuit 8A, and a sound output unit SP.

The waveform determination unit 9 may be configured as a circuit, but may also be configured as software. The waveform determination unit 9 includes a waveform setting unit 90, a waveform selection unit 92, a recording unit 91, and the like. The recording unit 91 secures recording areas such as a setting recording unit 910 for recording various information, a vibration recording unit 911, and a sound recording unit 912.

The setting recording unit 910 records the setting of the vibration pattern of the key switch 1 and the sound pattern of the sound output unit SP. The sound recording unit 912 records information indicating the output waveform of the sound output from the sound output unit SP. The sound recording unit 912 records various patterns of sounds in accordance with the vibration pattern.

The waveform setting unit 90 included in the waveform determination unit 9 accepts a vibration pattern and a sound pattern designation from the operator, or receives a command from a keyboard KB or an electronic device to which the keyboard KB is connected that has received the operator's setting operation. Accepts and executes the setting and change processing of the specified vibration pattern and sound pattern. The specified vibration pattern and sound pattern are recorded in the setting recording unit 910.

The waveform selection unit 92 reads the setting recorded in the setting recording unit 910, the waveform selection unit 92 reads the vibration pattern related to the read setting from the vibration recording unit 911, and the read vibration pattern is sent to the vibration control circuit 8. Output. Further, the waveform selection unit 92 reads the sound pattern related to the read setting from the sound recording unit 912, and outputs the read sound pattern to the sound control circuit 8A.

In the keyboard KB described in the present application configured as described above, as shown by the solid line arrow, the waveform determining unit 9 receives a signal input from the on signal output circuit 7 or the key switch 1. The waveform determination unit 9 receives the input of a signal from the on-signal output circuit 7 or the like, outputs the vibration pattern selected based on the setting by the waveform selection unit 92 to the vibration control circuit 8, and outputs the sound pattern to the sound control circuit 8A. do. The vibration control circuit 8 outputs a vibration command including the received vibration pattern to the vibration unit 2. The vibration unit 2 vibrates based on the vibration waveform related to the vibration pattern set by the waveform setting unit 90 based on the vibration command, thereby generating a pseudo-click feeling of the set tactile sensation. The sound control circuit 8A outputs a sound output command including the received sound pattern to the sound output unit SP. The sound output unit SP outputs the set sound by vibrating based on the waveform related to the sound pattern set by the waveform setting unit 90 based on the sound output command, and enhances the pseudo-click feeling together with the vibration.

In the above embodiment, the on signal is output from the on signal output circuit 7 to the waveform selection unit 92, and each command is output from the waveform selection unit 92 to the vibration control circuit 8 and the sound control circuit 8A. The control of can be changed in design as appropriate. For example, the output from the on-signal output circuit 7 is replaced with the path indicated by the solid line arrow, and the on-signal is output from the on-signal output circuit 7 to the vibration control circuit 8 and the sound control circuit 8A as shown by the broken line arrow. The vibration control circuit 8 and the sound control circuit 8A may be configured to request the waveform of the waveform determining unit 9 and receive the input of the waveform, respectively.

As described above, the keyboard KB described in the present application can change the vibration and sound generated.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various other embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed in a limited way. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the first embodiment, the vibration unit 2 is arranged at each of the four corners of the keyboard KB, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the vibration unit 2 is arranged only at a position in front of the keyboard KB. Etc., the position and number of the vibrating portions 2 can be appropriately designed.

Further, in the third embodiment, a set vibration pattern is selected from the vibration patterns recorded in advance in the vibration recording unit 911, and the vibration unit 2 is vibrated. It is also possible to accept, record and select a new vibration pattern input from the outside. For example, when the keyboard KB described in the present application is used as a keyboard KB for e-sports, the tactile sensation corresponding to the computer game targeted for e-sports, for example, the tactile sensation that makes the fighting feel, and the missile launch button are made to feel. It is also possible to read a specific tactile vibration pattern, such as tactile sensation, from the computer game program. The same applies to the fifth embodiment.

The above-mentioned first to fifth embodiments are not independent forms, but can be appropriately combined. For example, the key switch 1 exemplified in the second embodiment can be applied to the third embodiment and can be developed into various forms.

KB keyboard (key input device)
SP sound output unit 1 Key switch 10 Fixing member 100 Fixed electrode plate 101 Key coil (pseudo tactile sensation generator)
11 Movable member 110 Movable electrode plate 111 Permanent magnet (pseudo-tactile sensation generator)
2 Vibration part (pseudo-tactile part)
3 Oscillator circuit (position detector)
4 Conversion circuit 5 Threshold setting circuit (setting unit)
8 Vibration control circuit (pseudo-tactile control unit)
8A Sound control circuit 9 Waveform determination unit

Claims (12)

A fixed member, a movable member that can be moved from the first position to the second position by a pressing operation, and a key switch that switches an electrical contact / detachment state in the process of moving the movable member from the first position to the second position. It is a key input device provided
It is possible to change the switching position to switch the contact / disconnection state,
A pseudo-tactile sensation generator that generates a pseudo-tactile sensation,
A key input device including a pseudo-tactile control unit that generates a pseudo-tactile sensation in the pseudo-tactile sensation generating unit at a switching position. A fixed member, a movable member that can be moved from the first position to the second position by a pressing operation, and a key switch that switches an electrical contact / detachment state in the process of moving the movable member from the first position to the second position. It is a key input device provided
A position detection unit that detects the position of the movable member, and
A setting unit that accepts the setting of the switching position to switch the contact / detachment state,
A pseudo-tactile sensation generator that generates a pseudo-tactile sensation,
A key input device including a pseudo-tactile control unit that generates a pseudo-tactile sensation in the pseudo-tactile sensation generation unit at a switching position set by the setting unit. The key input device according to claim 2.
The position detection unit is
A key input device characterized in that the position of the movable member is detected based on the capacitance that changes according to the position of the movable member. The key input device according to claim 2 or 3.
One of the movable member and the fixing member has a magnet and has a magnet.
The other of the movable member and the fixing member has a coil and has a coil.
The position detecting unit is a key input device characterized by detecting the position of the movable member based on the reactance of the coil. The key input device according to claim 2.
One of the movable member and the fixing member has a magnet and has a magnet.
The other of the movable member and the fixing member has a coil and has a coil.
The pseudo-tactile sensation generating part is
A key input device characterized by generating a pseudo-tactile sensation by energizing a coil. The key input device according to claim 5.
The position detecting unit is a key input device characterized by detecting the position of the movable member based on the reactance of the coil. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The pseudo-tactile sensation generating portion is a vibrating portion that generates vibration.
The pseudo-tactile control unit is a key input device characterized by being a vibration control unit that generates vibration in the vibration unit. The key input device according to claim 7.
The key switch is plural,
The vibrating part is plural, and there are a plurality of vibrating parts.
The vibration control unit
A key input device characterized in that the intensity of vibration generated in each vibrating portion is determined according to the key switch whose contact / disconnection state is switched. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A key input device characterized in that the pseudo tactile sensation generated by the pseudo tactile sensation generating portion can be changed. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The pseudo-tactile sensation generating portion is a vibrating portion that generates vibration.
A waveform determining unit for determining a vibration waveform generated in the vibrating unit is provided.
The pseudo-tactile control unit is a key input device characterized in that vibration is generated in the vibration unit based on a vibration waveform determined by the waveform determination unit. The key input device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
A sound output unit that outputs pseudo-sound, and
A key input device including a pseudo sound control unit that outputs a pseudo sound to the sound output unit at a switching position set by the setting unit. The key input device according to claim 11.
A key input device characterized in that the pseudo sound output by the sound output unit can be changed.

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