JPH02113317A - Optical sensor applied small-sized character input device for computer by one-hand gripping operation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size of the operation unit of a computer and to facilitate input operation by constituting the device so that the device can be held in the palm of one hand. CONSTITUTION:An optical sensor PS1 is assigned so as to detect the operation of the index finger, and thus PSs 2, 3, 4, and 5 and 6 are assigned for the middle finger, third finger, little finger, and thumb respectively. Mechanical key switches SW1-SW4 are so designed that when the main body case C is gripped in the hand from outside both the right and left sides, the detection signal of a contact at each position is inputted to a computer. Then, an SW5 is a mechanical key switch for state detection assigned for the operation of the thumb and respective input states can be selected by operating the PSs 5 and 6 and SW5. Consequently, the operation unit of the computer is reduced in size and the input operation is facilitated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is a newly developed character input device (keyboard) which is a basic character input device (keyboard) used as an input device in a human interface, and which can be easily operated with one hand. It is a device that can be used as a man-machine interface for all computers currently in circulation.

(Technology at the end of V) Conventionally, when inputting character information into a computer, -
The number of keyboard input devices referred to in a is approximately 100,111.
1 mechanical key switch is operated with both hands to transmit text and other information to a computer, but these conventional devices have the following drawbacks.

(1) In most cases, conventional commercially available keyboard input devices are large in size, such as 20cs x 30cm to 50cm, to accommodate the size of both hands, so they are difficult to compare even among computer units. It occupies a large part of the market.

■ Being able to input approximately 100 keystrokes instantly with both hands requires considerable training and is difficult to master, and the current situation is that most people are unable to perform blind touch. be.

■ Having to follow three things with your eyes: the keyboard, the screen, and reference documents causes severe eye fatigue and often leads to eye diseases.

2) Children who are required to use the little fingers of both hands quickly and who continue to use the keyboard for more than a certain period of time often end up developing medical conditions such as cervicobrachial syndrome.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention is a conventional character input device (keyboard) that has been made extremely compact while retaining its functions, so that it can always fit in one hand and can be easily operated with five fingers. Developed a compact character input device for computers using one-sided F and N movements, using a sensor with an even larger degree of input posture. The purpose is to provide this at a low cost.

(Means for solving problems) Therefore, this invention was developed after various prototype research.

The character input device (keyboard) is configured so that it can be easily grasped with the palm of one hand from both the left and right sides of the case (C) of the main body of the device, and optical sensors are assigned to each of the five fingers that grip it, so that the optical sensors correspond to dignity. It detects whether each dignity is within the set distance, and the operation state in which the thumb is created by other dignity is further determined by seven combinations [L to ■ in the attached table <1> Keyboard layout table. ], and the thumb is equipped with a combination of a mechanical key switch (SW5) and an optical sensor (PS5.6) for detecting the grip type 1, and each input made with the five fingers can be detected. The computer detects the condition and cuts off the signal to be output by 1'4, and when you grip the +AZ main unit with your hands from both the left and right outside of the case (C), the 5 mechanical key switches (SW The four switches (SWI to 4) among 1 to 5) are connected by a common ta loop, and if a contact is detected at even one of them, an electric fλ signal is sent between each optical sensor and the mechanical key switch. In addition, conventional keyboard keys have a lock key that remains pressed, so in order to support this function (lock key - key), when you type repeatedly, A toggle key is provided that retains the state, and to release the toggle key, either enter the same toggle key again as the state was set, or de-emphasize the toggle and press 1 Force Alphabet.

We have developed a small input device that can be held in the palm of your hand and that is configured so that the user can freely select whether to input the set (α), thereby solving the nM problem described above.

(Function) (]) The input device of the present invention is configured so that it can be held in the palm of one hand, so that by simply grasping the device from the outside of the main body with one hand, separate optical sensors can be attached to each of the five fingers. The input state of the dignity is detected by using the five fingers to operate the mechanical key switch for status detection.

■ In this invention, the conventional keyboard key f
In order to support itll, a toggle key is provided that retains the state 1 once it is entered, and in order to release the toggle key,
Enter the same toggle key as you set it again, or force the toggle to be released to return to the normal alphabet set fI! You are free to choose whether to return to

Therefore, the present invention has the following effects.

■ 'A;FF has been miniaturized so that it can be held with one hand, and it is a conventional keyboard input device. Maintain the ability as it is.

■ Since it can be operated with one hand, the degree of freedom in posture during input has been expanded.

■ Ice bag; η display 81 function is a light emitting diode (L
Since input can be made by simply lighting up the EDs 1 to 8), there is almost no part that needs to be discerned with the eyes, even if you turn your eyes to the screen while it is in the palm of your hand. This has the effect of reducing eye fatigue by allowing users to concentrate on the input screen.

@ Optical sensor (t'sl ~ 6) is used extensively, so the movement during input can be minimized, and therefore the consumption of muscle energy can be reduced, so the degree of freedom of posture mentioned above can be reduced. Combined with high blood pressure, it has the effect of preventing symptoms such as cervicobrachial syndrome.

(2) In the present invention, the operating unit of the computer is significantly reduced in size, and the inputting person's actions during operation are also simplified, reducing the number of man-hours required for inputting.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described based on the attached UA page and the attached table.

Locking of conventional keyboard input at 3A position in computer character input device using direct reflection type optical character sensor
While retaining the key M% function, it has been miniaturized to the point that it can be held in the palm of one's hand, and has been configured so that any number of people can operate it by grasping the key with one hand. , Regarding the correspondence of control data, see the "Keystock Arrangement Table" in Attached Table (1) and the [Toggle Type 1 and Light Emitting Diode (LED)] in Attached Table ■.
), and by simply changing this arrangement using software, it can function as an input terminal for most existing computers.

Mechanical key switch t shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5
, swr~5) are connected to the same bit and are designed so that one key/l action can be completed with the action of grasping. In addition, six sensors (I'5I-6) and mechanical key switches (5111511 pieces) are used to identify characters and control codes that control toggle states.

Further, detailed explanation will be given below in accordance with the attached drawings and attached tables.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one device, and for the purpose of showing the basic operating method and making it easier to understand, the hands of the person operating the device are also depicted.

In the figure, PS1 is assigned to detect the movement of the index finger with an optical sensor, and PS2 is the middle finger.

An optical sensor is assigned to each finger: PS3's ring finger, and 1) S4's pinky finger. Also, optical sensor PS
5 and PS6 are assigned to the thumb.

Regarding the mechanical key switches 5111.2 and 3.4 in the same figure, when the two-body case (C) is gripped by hand from both the left and right outside, if a contact point is detected at one of the two positions, It is designed to be input to the computer (CPIII) as a signal. SW5 is a mechanical key switch for detecting the state when the thumb touches PS5, PS6 and S-5. You can select each input state by creating a JI.

In the figure, (F) indicates a visible light cut filter, which is a case in which an optical sensor is mounted. It acts to move the operating part of the switch.

In the figure, (CN) indicates a connector, and pan =
This connector is used to transmit character signals to the Internet side as a serial F3 line, and power is also supplied from the personal computer to this device through this connector.

Attached table (1) is a key stock arrangement table for this device, and represents the input status of promotion corresponding to Psi, 2.3.4, and the status 1 in the columns from ■ to ■ corresponds to PS5 and P
It is designed to be identified by three combinations: S6 (optical sensor) and SV5 (mechanical key switch).

The toggle-like column marked ■ in the same table (1) corresponds to the function of conventional keyboard keys (lock keys), so a toggle key that retains the state once entered is provided, and the toggle key is To cancel, enter the same toggle key that was set again, or force toggle cancellation/alphabetic setting q! It is designed so that the user (operator) can easily select whether to input (α).

Attached Table ■ is a correspondence table between the toggle state in Attached Table (1>) and the arrangement of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and shows the correspondence between the toggle state in Attachment (1>) and the LED arrangement shown in Figure 3. LEDI~8 is provided so that the toggle state can be easily identified.

In Table 2, "once" means that, for example, a shift toggle is set and the toggle layer is automatically released after a - character is input, from the viewpoint of frequency of use.

The symbols in Appendix Table 13 (■) will be explained below.

Rate indicates that the finger is pressing the optical sensor or mechanical key switch, and open indicates that the finger is not pressing the optical sensor or mechanical key switch.

In the same table, ■ to ■ can be written as true, but I° to V° indicate that the columns are for the 50g kana arrangement.

↑ is the up key (key to move the cursor on the screen to the right), -・ is the right key (key to move the cursor on the 4th screen to the right), ↓ is the down key (key to move the cursor on the screen to the right) - key for moving the cursor in the F direction), ← indicates the left key (key for moving the second cursor on the screen in the left direction).

As mentioned in Moeki, shift l refers to one shift, and after outputting the character input at the position of the shift operation character to the computer =, it is like a nft toggle! Indicates automatic cancellation of step 1.

(α) indicates that the toggle is forcibly released and the normal alphabet-set-like f-set is returned.

cTRLl: Automatic release of the first character of the control key, Dedicated: Automatic release of the first character of the Kana key, Graft: Automatic release of the first character of the graph key.

5PCL...Space key, RETN...Return key (line feed key 1, Fl~10...Function key, ESC/ESTE-1 key, TAB...Tab key, INs...Insato key, DEL -f !
J-Toki-(nII11+4-1, ROUP...
・+7-Ruatu 7, RODII...Roll down,
IIOMcLs...Home clear key, 1IL
P... Help key, XFER... Weird 111 key,
NFER...No conversion key, old IME...Home key BS
...Backspace key, CAPS...Indicates a capital letter.

Also, DP indicates a dip switch, and the state of this dip switch is OFF or ON! The Japanese word J, which is usually assigned to an alphabet key, is read by eye.
When the dip switch for IS/key layout is OFF (above), the computer refers to columns ■ to ■ in Appendix O) and transmits characters as signals. Also, turn on the dip switch (
(lower), it can be truncated in alphabetical order.

Therefore, in JIS/key layout, the alphabet is Ca)
The kana character corresponding to is ``chi'' in katakana, and in alphabetical order, ``a'' is displayed on a computer screen (CRT).

(Effects of the Invention) (1) The input device of the present invention is compact enough to fit in the palm of the hand and can be held and operated with one hand, so it can be easily used in vehicles such as cars and airplanes. effective.

■ Also, since the area required for installing the computer is extremely small, it has a great effect on maintaining the area required for offices, etc.

In other words, the computer desk that was previously required for input keyboards is no longer required, and office space is saved by that much, especially in comfortable locations such as in the city center. Space can be used effectively, and it is also effective in saving on heating and cooling costs.

■ Computer operation units have been significantly miniaturized (input for a single work! i-work has also been made into an IT system, which has a great labor-saving effect, making it easier for people who cannot use one hand or who cannot move their fingers at will). Also, the efficient key input is if lff1.

As mentioned above, with the device of the present invention, just by lighting the light emitting diode, it fits inside the hand shape, and there is almost no part that needs to be discerned with the eyes, so it does not require the eyes to see as in the past. It is effective in preventing eye diseases caused by fatigue.

Historically, as mentioned in @, the present invention makes extensive use of optical sensors, which reduces the amount of energy required to operate during input, reduces the consumption of muscle energy, and improves posture during input. Coupled with the high degree of freedom, it has the effect of preventing symptoms such as cervicobrachial aneurysm syndrome, which is the case in the past.

(6) Furthermore, since the device of the present invention can also be used with a conventional keyboard input device, it has the advantage that multiple people can perform input operations using one computer.

(1) Since the device of the present invention is extremely undesirable, it has the effect of saving resources, can save production costs, and can be provided at low cost.

As described above, the present invention is resource-saving, labor-saving, and economical! It has great hygienic effects and can contribute to industry and general society as a compact computer input device with great economic benefits.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the Iff side of the device of the present invention, and depicts the operator's hands together to show an overview of the operation. 214 (1) is a schematic IA of the mechanism of this device seen from the front of the input sensor unit, ■ in Figure 2 is an arrangement diagram of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in (1) in the second country, and 3121 (1)
) is a horizontal schematic diagram of the present device seen from the light emitting diode section, and ■ in FIG. 3 is an arrangement diagram of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) in (1) of FIG. 3. Figure 4 is a mechanical overview of this device seen from the back of the sensor +5
! I. In Figure 5 (11 is 1 of this device seen from a part of the bottom connector)
11rA! 11 Schematic diagram, ■ in Figure 5 shows the arrangement of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in (1) of Figure 5, and the attached table (]) shows the key stock arrangement of this device. ) is a correspondence table between arrays and toggle states. In fig. C...Device main body case, Psi~6...Light sensor, s-1~5...Mechanical key switch, LED
I~8...Light emitting diode, Fl~3...Visible light cut filter, CN...Connector, DP...
・Deep switch is shown. −〉! (1-3) ---da#o#+1#-fu f4tar L
Rrl (1-a)--111rI1-1CN
---G Uruko Ictor DP 04) ---Dil Shizuku 7
Fist switch c ---tar-zioo--'r-h"a ilj J-E -μ↓(method) % formula % Display of incident Relationship with Case C Patent Applicant Address: 1, 53, Takeda Nakayohara-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto Name: MK Co., Ltd. Agent: FAX: 0751462-1211 March 71, 1993 (Shipping port) Key stock arrangement ^ ” and the 1st attached table (2) on the 13th to 14th lines is a correspondence table between the light emitting diode (LIED) arrangement of this device and the toggle state. ” will be deleted.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A character input device using a direct reflection type optical sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as "optical sensor") is configured in a compact form that can be inputted by a gripping motion of one hand, and the optical sensors assigned to the five fingers of one hand are A microcomputer that detects whether each finger is within a set distance and stores the status information of the five fingers in the computer's own memory. This is a compact character input device for a computer using a one-handed grasping motion, which uses an optical sensor and is characterized by transmitting a signal of the current character data to the main computer by referring to a stored key layout table.