JPH03105412A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To change a generation code in accordance with keying force by providing a piezoelectric element converting the keying pressure of a key top into an electric signal and an A/D converter converting the signal into a digital signal. CONSTITUTION:The keying pressure of the key top is converted into the electric signal (b) by the piezoelectric element 3 and the A/D converter 4 converts it into the digital signal (c). At that time, a matrix circuit 2 generates normal key top position information (a) and an encoder 5 outputs a keyboard generation code (d) corresponding to the keying pressure of the key top 1 when information (a) and the signal (c) are inputted to the encoder 5. Thus, the generation code can be changed in accordance with keying force and the moving speed of a cursor 14 on CRT 13 can be controlled by the depression of the cursor moving key of a keyboard 12, whereby an operation sense can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to information processing word processors, personal computers. The present invention relates to keyboards used in workstations and the like, and particularly to key code generation technology that generates key codes from the touch of key top switches on the keyboard.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of keyboard, when a key code is generated from the touch of a key switch, only the binary information of j0 and ON/OFF is generated by a mechanical switch, and only one code is generated per key press. was configured to occur.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

With the conventional mechanical key switch mentioned above, only binary information of ON/OFF can be obtained.
When inputting by typing on the keyboard of a word processor, personal computer, or workstation, or when moving a cursor on a CRT, the operation of the cursor movement keys may not necessarily be what the operator would normally feel. There is a problem in that it is difficult to realize matching cursor movements.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve these problems, the keyboard of the present invention consists of a key top, a matrix circuit that detects which key is pressed, and an encoder that generates a key pressing code based on the top position information of the matrix circuit. The keyboard is equipped with a piezoelectric element that converts the force of the finger when hitting the key on the key top into an electrical signal, and an A/D converter that converts this signal into a digital signal, and the pressure when hitting the key on the key top is used as a code. It is designed to be output.

[For production]

Therefore, in the present invention, when the key top is pressed, the generated code from the keyboard can be changed depending on the force of the finger.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a keyboard according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, 1 is the key top, 2 is a matrix circuit that detects which key of this key top 1 is pressed, and 3 is a circuit that converts the force of the finger when pressing the middle top 1 into an electrical signal. It is a piezoelectric element. 1.
4 is an A/D converter that converts the electrical signal b converted by the piezoelectric element 3 into a digital signal; 5 is the key top position information a from the matrix circuit 2 and the A/D converter 4;
This is an encoder that receives a digital signal C and outputs a code corresponding to the keypressing pressure of the key top 1 as a board generated code d.

According to the keyboard configured in this manner, the key pressure when the key top 1 is pressed is converted into an electrical signal b by the piezoelectric element 3, and then converted into a digital signal C by the A/D converter 4. At this time, the matrix circuit 2 generates the normal key top position information a, and these key top position information a and the digital signal C are input to the encoder 5. A keyboard generation code d corresponding to the keystroke pressure can be output.

Figure WJ2 shows an example of application of the present invention. In this example, a standard word processor, personal computer,
The movement of the cursor 14 on the CRT 13 can be controlled in accordance with the force with which the cursor movement key on the middle board 12 is pressed in accordance with the present invention. For example, if you press the left arrow key normally, it will move the cursor one column to the left, but if you press the left arrow key more forcefully, it will move the cursor two columns at a time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention replaces the mechanical switch on the key top with pressure 'y! ! By using an A/D converter that converts the electric signal of this piezoelectric element into a digital signal, the pressure of the key top is output as a code, so when the key top is pressed, depending on the force of the finger, The generated code from the keyboard can be changed. This allows you to input C
When operating the cursor movement key, such as when moving a cursor on RT, there is an effect that the cursor movement can be realized in a way that suits the operation that the operator normally feels.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the keyboard of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of application of the present invention. 1●●●●key top, 2●●●●matrix circuit,
3...Pressure T! t element, 4・●・・A/D converter, 5@●●● encoder

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a keyboard consisting of a key top, a matrix circuit that detects which key is pressed, and an encoder that generates a key pressing code based on the key top position information of the matrix circuit, the force of the finger pressing the key top is converted into an electrical signal. A keyboard comprising a piezoelectric element that converts the signal into a digital signal, and an A/D converter that converts this signal into a digital signal, and outputs the pressure of keystrokes on the key top as a code.