JPH02219120A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a user to control the repeat interval of each key switch by varying the period of a strobe signal which is generated by a strobe signal generation part according to the output value of a sensor. CONSTITUTION:When a depression measurement key 5 is pressed simultaneously with a key switch 7, a key control part 2 detects the depressed key switch 7 and performs conversion to the key code corresponding to the key switch 7 to store the key code in an output control part 4, and the depression of the depression measurement key is converted by a sensor into an electric signal, which is outputted to the strobe signal generation part. The strobe signal generation part 3 generates the strobe signal at the period corresponding to the output of the depression measurement key 5. The key code is outputted corresponding to the stroke signal. Consequently, the user of the keyboard device varies the depression of the depression measurement key to control the repeat interval of each key switch 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device used for computer input, word processor input, etc., and particularly to control of key repeat intervals.

2. Prior Art As a conventional keyboard device, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-1
This method is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 49530 as a repeat interval control method.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of this conventional repeat interval control method, in which 21 is a keyboard having various keys (not shown) including repeatable keys (key switches); is a keyboard controller (hereinafter referred to as WBC). 23 is WBC22
24 is a key buffer 1 (hereinafter referred to as KBUF); 24 is a key register (hereinafter referred to as KRG) in which the key code of the key detected in is stored; KR for KBUF24
The data (key code) from G23 is stored until it is output to the outside. 25 is a CPU, and 26 is a timer. The CPU 25 can know the interval of the timer 2B by an interrupt from the timer 2B. Reference numeral 27 denotes a table in which numerical information specifying the repeat interval, for example, an initial setting value for a counter (not shown) determining the repeat interval, is registered corresponding to the key code of each repeatable key. Note that K shown in the table 27
l, ni 2m ”'Kn is the key code, C, numerical value 10゜5
, . . . 10 indicates the initial setting value.

The operation of the repeat interval control method configured as above will be explained. The WBC 22 performs key scans on the keyboard 21 at predetermined time intervals and stores the key code of the detected key in the KRG 23. The CPU 25 reads the contents of the KRG 23 at the interrupt timing from the timer 26 at regular intervals. CPU25 is KRG23
If the read data from the KRG 23 is the same as the previous read data, after obtaining numerical information by indexing the table 27 using the key code read from the KRG 23 as index data, In the invention described in claim 2, the key codes are stored one by one in the key buffer 124 at intervals specified by the numerical information unless the contents of the KRG 23 change. In the invention, the number of key codes specified by numerical information is stored in the key buffer 124 at regular intervals.
By storing this in , the repeat interval can be changed for each key.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above configuration, the repeat interval is constant for each key switch, and the user of the keyboard device cannot freely control the repeat interval of each key switch. had.

In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device that allows a user to control the repeat interval of each key switch.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a key switch group consisting of a plurality of key switches, detection of a pressed key switch from the key switch group, and conversion to a predetermined key code corresponding to the key. a key control unit that converts the press into an electrical signal using a sensor, a press measuring key not included in the key switch group, and a strobe signal in response to an output value from the key control unit; The keyboard device is provided with a strobe signal generating section that generates a strobe signal at a certain cycle, and an output control section that stores the key code and outputs the key code to the outside in response to the strobe signal.

In addition, a key switch group consisting of a plurality of key switches,
a key control unit that detects a pressed key switch from the key switch group and converts it into a predetermined key code corresponding to the key; a sensor that converts the press of each of the key switches into an electrical signal; a sensor control unit that outputs an output of the sensor corresponding to a pressed key from the key switch group to the strobe signal generation unit; and a sensor control unit that outputs a strobe signal to the sensor in response to the output from the key control unit. The keyboard device includes a strobe signal generation section that generates a strobe signal at a cycle according to a value, and an output control section that stores the key code and outputs the key code to the outside in response to the strobe signal.

Effect With the above configuration, when a press measurement key is pressed at the same time as a key switch, the key control unit detects the pressed key switch and converts it into a key code corresponding to the key switch, and the key code is sent to the output control unit. At the same time, the press of the press measurement key is converted into an electric signal by the sensor and output to the strobe signal generator.

The strobe signal generating section generates a strobe signal at a period corresponding to the output of this press measurement key. Since the key code is output to the outside in response to this strobe signal, the user of this keyboard device can control the repeat interval of each key switch by changing the pressure of the pressure measurement key.

Also, when a key switch is pressed, the key control unit detects the pressed key switch and converts it into a key code corresponding to the key switch, stores the key code in the output control unit, and uses the sensor to The pressure of the pressed key switch, which is converted into an electrical signal, is output by the sensor control section to the strobe signal generation section. The strobe signal generating section generates a strobe signal at a period corresponding to the output of the sensor control section. Since the key code is output to the outside in response to this strobe signal, the user of this keyboard device can control the repeat interval of each key switch by changing the pressure on the key switch.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a key switch group consisting of a plurality of key switches 7, and 2 is a key switch that detects a pressed key switch from the key switch group 1 and converts it into a predetermined key code corresponding to the key. The key control unit 5 is a press measuring key that converts the press into an electrical signal by the sensor 6, and is not included in the key switch group. 3 is a strobe signal generation unit that periodically generates a strobe signal in response to the output from the key control unit; 4 is an output control unit that stores a key code and outputs the key code to the outside in response to the strobe signal. It is.

The operation of the keyboard device of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a strobe diagram showing the relationship between the output (b) of the press measuring key 5 inputted to the strobe signal generation section 3 and the period of the strobe signal (C) outputted from the strobe signal generation section 3 in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram of a signal generating section.

FIG. 4 shows a detection signal (a) indicating the detection of the key switch 7 pressed down by the key control unit 2, a press value (b) which is the output of the press measurement key 5, and a strobe signal generation WR3 in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between generated strobe signals (C).

In this embodiment, when the detection signal (a) rises, the strobe signal generating section 3 generates the strobe signal (C), and after a time Ts, the strobe signal (C) is periodically generated, and the detection signal ( It is assumed that the generation of the strobe signal ends when a) falls.

Initially, the pressure value (b) of the pressure measurement key 5 is 0, so the strobe signal (
C) is generated. After that, the pressure value of the pressure measurement key 5 (b
) changes to X, a strobe signal (C) is generated in the Tx time period as shown in FIG. Further, when the pressure value (b) of the pressure measurement key 5 changes to W, a strobe signal (C) is generated at the Tw time period as shown in FIG. When the detection signal (a) falls, that is, when the pressed key switch 7 is released,
Generation of the strobe signal ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the repeat interval of the key switch 7 can be controlled by changing the pressure of the pressure measurement key 5.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 11 is a key switch group consisting of a plurality of key switches 16, and 12 is a function for detecting a pressed key switch from among the key switch group 11 and converting it into a predetermined key code corresponding to the key. 17 is a sensor that converts the press of the key switch 16 into an electrical signal;
13 is a strobe signal generator that periodically generates a strobe signal in response to the output from the key control unit 12; 14 is an output control that stores a key code and outputs the key code to the outside in response to the strobe signal. A sensor control section 15 outputs an output value of the sensor 17 that measures the pressure of the depressed key switch 16 to the strobe signal generation section 13.

The operation of the keyboard device of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 5 shows the strobe signal generator 13 in this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a strobe signal light generation section characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the output value (e) of the sensor control section 15 inputted to the strobe signal generation section 13 and the cycle of the strobe signal (f) outputted from the strobe signal generation section 13.

FIG. 6 shows a detection signal (d) indicating the detection of the key switch 18 when the key control unit 12 is pressed down in this embodiment.
, a timing chart showing the relationship between the output value of the sensor control unit 16, that is, the pressure value (e) of the depressed key switch 6, and the strobe signal (f) generated by the strobe signal generation unit 13.

In this embodiment, when the detection signal (d) rises, the strobe signal generation section 13 generates the strobe signal (f), and then periodically generates the strobe signal (f) after a time Ts, and the detection signal ( It is assumed that the generation of the strobe signal ends when d) falls.

Initially, the pressure value (e) which is the output of the sensor control unit 15 is 2, and a strobe signal (f) is generated at a Tz time period as shown in FIG. Furthermore, when the pressure value (e) that is the output of the sensor control section 15 changes to y, a strobe signal (f) is generated at a time period of Ty as shown in FIG. When the detection signal (d) falls, that is, when the pressed key switch 16 is released,
Generation of the strobe signal ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the repeat interval of the key switch 1θ can be controlled by changing the pressing force of the key switch 18 that is being depressed.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure measurement key may be operated by pressing it with an arm or wrist, or stepping on it with a foot, in addition to pressing it with a finger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the user can determine the repeat interval of each key switch by changing the pressure of the pressure measurement key or by changing the pressure of each key switch. can be controlled. Therefore, when the user continuously inputs key codes (for example, cursor movement key codes or ruled line key codes) to a device that uses the output of this keyboard device, the user can input the key codes at high speed by shortening the repeat interval. This makes it possible to fine-tune the number of key code inputs by increasing the repeat interval, which has great practical effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a keyboard device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a timing chart diagram of one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a strobe signal light generation section characteristic diagram of another embodiment. FIG. 8 is a timing chart diagram of another embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional keyboard device using a repeat interval control method. 1... Key switch group, 2... Key control unit, 3...
- Strobe signal generation section, 4... Output control section, 5...
- Pressure measurement key θ...Sensor, 7...Key switch, 11...Key switch group, 12...Key control section, 13...Strobe signal generation section, 14...Output control section, 15...Sensor control unit, 18...Key switch, 17...Sensor. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Kurino and one other person

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A key switch group consisting of a plurality of key switches,
A key control unit that detects a pressed key switch from among the key switch group and converts it into a predetermined key code corresponding to the key; and a key control unit included in the key switch group that converts the press into an electrical signal using a sensor. a strobe signal generating section that periodically generates a strobe signal in response to an output from the key control section; and a strobe signal generating section that stores the key code and generates the key code in response to the strobe signal. and an output control section that outputs the strobe signal to the outside, wherein a period of the strobe signal generated by the strobe signal generation section changes according to an output value of the sensor. (2) a key switch group consisting of a plurality of key switches;
a key control unit that detects a pressed key switch from the key switch group and converts it into a predetermined key code corresponding to the key; and a sensor that converts the press of each of the key switches into an electrical signal; a strobe signal generating section that periodically generates a strobe signal in response to an output from the key control section; and outputting the output of a sensor corresponding to a depressed key from the key switch group to the strobe signal generating section. a sensor control unit to
and an output control section that stores the key code and outputs the key code to the outside in response to the strobe signal, wherein the period of the strobe signal generated by the strobe signal generation section is determined by the sensor control section. A keyboard device that changes according to an output value.