JPH0282818A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability by providing a means outputting a relevant key code in response to the depression of each key, a key press force sensor provided to all keys or specific keys and a means A/D-converting and outputting an output of a key press force sensor as a modification data of the said key code. CONSTITUTION:A keying force sensor is provided to some keys. The said sensor consists of a piezoelectric sensor and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the operating force at key depression. Plural key sensors constitute a matrix circuit 4, which is scanned by a scanning circuit 5 operated synchronously with a scanning circuit 2. When a key switch in a key switch matrix circuit 1 is turned on. When its key is provided to the sensor, the output of the said sensor is fed to an A/D conversion circuit 6 and a sensor output subject to digital conversion is set from an output port 3 as a modification data of the key code.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to improvements in keyboards that serve as input means for information processing devices such as computers and word processors.

2. Description of the Related Art] As is well known, in a general JIS keyboard used in computers and the like, when one key is pressed, a predetermined key code corresponding to that key is output.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Standardized keyboards are limited in the number of keys and key codes, so the operating system can realize various input modes by combining multiple keys as necessary. ing.

In a system in which various inputs are performed using a combination of multiple keys, the number of key operations is naturally increased, which slows down the input speed.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a keyboard that can generate a greater amount of input information with fewer key operations.

Means for Solving the Problems The keyboard according to the present invention includes means for outputting a corresponding key code in response to the press of each key, a keystroke force sensor attached to all keys or a specific key, and a keystroke force sensor attached to all keys or a specific key. and means for A/D converting the output of the sensor and outputting it as modification data of the key code.

In the keyboard according to the present invention, in addition to outputting the corresponding key food when a certain key is pressed, the degree of force with which the key was pressed is detected by the front key force sensor, and Corresponding modification data is output along with the key code. Even when you press the same key, the modifier data of the key code changes depending on whether you press it hard or lightly.

Embodiment The schematic structure of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figure. A matrix circuit 1 is constituted by key switches corresponding to each key, and this key switch matrix circuit 1 is repeatedly scanned at high speed by a scanning circuit 2. When a certain key switch 2 in the matrix circuit 1 is turned on, the scanning circuit 2 detects this and outputs the corresponding key code through the output port 3. The above is the same configuration as a general keyboard.

In the case of the keyboard of the present invention, key force sensors are attached to some keys. This keystroke force sensor is a piezoelectric sensor and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the operating force when pressing a key. A matrix circuit 4 is constituted by a plurality of key strokes, and a key stroke sensor matrix circuit 4 is configured by a scanning circuit 5 that operates in synchronization with the scanning circuit 2.
is scanned.

When a certain key switch in the matrix circuit 1 is turned on and that key is equipped with a key force sensor, the output of the corresponding sensor is supplied to the A/D conversion circuit 6 via the scanning circuit 5, and digital conversion is performed. The resulting sensor output is sent out from the output port 3 as modification data of the key code.

Next, an application example of the keyboard according to the present invention will be explained.

[Application Example 1] In a word processor or the like, one key on the keyboard is assigned as a "character size change key" and the key force sensor is attached to that key. Then, use the cursor to specify the part of the character string on the display screen whose font size you want to change, and then press the ``font size change key''.
Press. The modification data (output value of the keystroke force sensor) at this time is used as a control signal to determine the font size,
The stronger the keystroke force, the larger the font size on the display. Specifically, the modification data is level-discriminated into about eight levels, the character size of the corresponding level is selected, and display control is performed.

[Application Example 2] In a word processor or the like, the keystroke force sensor is attached to a "cursor movement key" on the keyboard, and the sensor output (the modification data) is used as a control signal for the amount of cursor movement on the display.

For example, when a rightward "cursor movement key" is pressed, the cursor' on the display screen moves to the right, and the amount of cursor movement is made larger as the key is pressed more strongly.

[Application Example 3] In a word processor or the like, the keystroke force sensor is attached to each character key on the keyboard, and the sensor output (the modification data) is used as a character size selection signal.

When you press the "A" key, "
The character ``A'' will be displayed, and the size of the character will increase the harder you press the key.

Effects of the Invention As explained in detail above, in the keyboard of the present invention, when a certain key is pressed, the corresponding key code is output, and a signal corresponding to the operating force when pressing the key is output as modification data of the key code. As a result, various input processes that were conventionally performed by combining multiple keys can now be performed with a single key operation, thereby improving operability and input speed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure is a schematic block diagram of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Key switch matrix circuit, 2... Scanning circuit, 3... Output port, 4... Key hitting force sensor matrix circuit, 5... Scanning circuit, 6... A/D conversion circuit .

Claims (1)

[Claims] A means for outputting a corresponding key code in response to the press of each key, a key force sensor attached to all keys or a specific key, and an A/D converter for the output of this key force sensor to output the key code. A keyboard having means for outputting it as modification data.