JPH03180920A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a keyboard device excellent in operability by changing the output pattern of a pattern generating means to change the function display of a key top. CONSTITUTION:A light emitting element 10 and a pattern control circuit 11 constitute the pattern generating means for optically outputting a function display pattern to be displayed on a key top 7. A holographic optical element 9 diffracts at least one of wavelengths of function display patterns propagated from the element 10 controlled by a pattern control circuit 11 through a waveguide plate 14, made incident and displayed on the key top 7 in the key top direction. The function display pattern of the diffracted wavelength is propa gated through a supporting member 12 and forms its image on a diffusion face 8. Thus, the switching of the function display patterns selectively outputted from the element 10 through the circuit 11 and displayed on the key top 7 is controlled in accordance with the sorts of function and software used by a computer body. Thus, the function corresponding to the purpose of the com puter body can be selectively displayed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding the improvement of the function display of the key top of a keyboard device that inputs information by selectively driving the key I/tub based on the function display, the application of the key top to the computer body. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device with excellent operability that selectively displays functions according to the key top. A key top in which one of the surfaces is formed as a diffusion surface;
a pattern generating means for optically outputting a function display pattern to be displayed on the key top; and a pattern generating means for diffracting at least one wavelength of the function display pattern output from the pattern generating means to form an image on a diffusing surface of the key top. A holographic optical element is provided to change the output pattern of the pattern generating means, thereby changing the function display of the key/tube.

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is for displaying the functions of geatop! (The present invention relates to a keyboard device that inputs information by selectively activating the keyboard, and more specifically, relates to improving the function display of the key tops.

In the recent information society, systems using computers and word processors are frequently used.

In complex systems, it may be used as a single personal computer, a terminal for a large computer or a supercomputer, a word processor, or even as a data collection device that mainly performs table subtraction. Often used.

When using different personal computers in this manner, it is desirable to change the function display using letters and symbols displayed on the key tops of the keyboard depending on the software and purpose of use.

[Prior Art] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system using a conventional keyboard device. In the figure, 1 is the main body of a personal computer, and 2 is a keyboard for inputting information into the main body 1. As shown in FIG. 3 to 6 are the above-mentioned main body] The main body 1 and 6 are selectively placed on the keychain 2 depending on the purpose of the main body.
It is. For Pi II, Template 3 has Compico, -
The function of each key when used as a word processor is displayed on Templates 1 and 4, and the function of each key when used as a word processor is displayed on Templates 1 and 4.
- 5 displays the functions of each key when used as a personal computer, and templates 1 and 6 display the functions of each key when used as an expression 1 arithmetic or database management device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with such a conventional configuration, the user must prepare and exchange multiple templates corresponding to the software used. It's inconvenient.

In order to solve this complexity of template replacement, multiple characters and symbols are displayed on the key tops so that they can be used for multiple purposes.・There is a problem that the symbols are difficult to read and the operability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of these points,
An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device with excellent operability in which functions corresponding to the use of a computer main body are selectively displayed on a key top.

[Means for Solving the Problem] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the keyboard device of the present invention,
A cross section of part of the figure is shown. In the figure, 7 is key I
・It is a whelk. On the back side of the top surface of the key top 7, a diffusion surface 8 shaped like frosted glass is formed. A holographic optical element 9 that diffracts at least one wavelength of incident light toward the key top 7 is arranged below the key top 7 . Reference numeral 10 denotes a light emitting element, and a display pattern is switched and set by a pattern control circuit 11.

These light emitting elements 10 and pattern control circuit 11 constitute pattern generating means for optically outputting a function display pattern to be displayed on the key top 7.

12 is the support part side of the key top 7, 13 is the switch part side,
14 is a light guide plate that optically couples the light emitting element 10 and the holographic optical element 9.

[Function] The holographic optical element 9 controls the pattern control circuit 11
At least one wavelength of the function display pattern to be displayed on the key top 7, which is transmitted through the light guide plate 14 and inputted from the light emitting element 10 controlled by the key top 7, is diffracted in the direction of the key top 7. The functional display pattern of the diffracted wavelength propagates along the support side 12 and is imaged on the diffusing surface 8 . By viewing the function display pattern imaged on the diffusion surface 8, the user can grasp the functions assigned to each key.

This allows the keyboard device to control the functions used on the main unit,
The key top 7 is selectively output from the light emitting element 10 via the pattern control circuit 11 depending on the type of software.
By controlling the switching of the function display pattern to be displayed, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the type of function 7 software used on the main body.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the main parts of an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view and (b) is a bottom view. Components common to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. It is shown with a . In the figure, 15 is a light emitting diode array used as a light emitting element, for example, a light guide plate 14 made of acrylic resin.
There is a 1 kerf on the tapered surface. The light emitting diode array 15 has a wavelength λ, for example, as shown in FIG.
It has an emission wavelength characteristic that shows a peak of 1. The light emitting diode array 15 according to the control of the button control circuit 11
The function display pattern to be displayed on the key top 7 outputted from the light guide plate 14 is propagated while being totally reflected inside the light guide plate 14, and is incident on the holographic optical element 9 pasted on the light guide plate 1-4. The incident angle and diffraction angle of the holographic optical element 9 are such that, for example, the function display pattern of wavelength λ1 among the wavelengths of the function display patterns output from the light emitting diode array 15 having the emission wavelength characteristics shown in FIG. It is designed to be imaged on the diffusing surface 8 of. The functional display pattern of wavelength λ1 diffracted by the holographic optical element 9 is transmitted through the support part 12 made of acrylic resin, for example, and is imaged on the diffusion surface 8 formed on the back surface of the top surface of the key top 7. be done.

The functional display pattern imaged on the diffusion surface 8 in this manner has a diffusion characteristic and is therefore visible not only from a specific direction such as being located on an extension of the light beam but from any direction.

In addition, although the above-mentioned Example showed the structure which stuck a holographic optical element to a light guide plate, it is also possible to form it directly on a light guide plate.

Alternatively, the output image of the light emitting element may be spatially propagated to the holographic optical element without using a light guide plate.

Moreover, the support part shrine through which the diffraction image is transmitted is not limited to acrylic resin, and may be hollow to allow spatial propagation inside.

Further, the light emitting element is not limited to a light emitting diode array, but may be a combination of a liquid crystal and a surface light source, for example.

Furthermore, the diffusion surface formed on the key top may be the top surface.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard device with excellent operability in which functions corresponding to the intended use of the computer body are selectively displayed on the key top. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagram of light emission wavelength characteristics of a light emitting diode array; Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional device. It is. In FIG. 1, 7 is a key top, 8 is a diffusing surface, 9 is a holographic optical element, 10 is a light emitting element, and 11 is a pattern control circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A keyboard device for inputting information by selectively driving a key top (7) based on a function display, comprising: a key whose top surface is formed as a diffusion surface (8); a top (7); pattern generation means (10, 11) for optically outputting a function display pattern to be displayed on the key top (7); and a function display output from the pattern generation means (10, 11). A holographic optical element (9) is provided to diffract at least one wavelength of the pattern and image it on the diffusing surface (8) of the key top (7), changing the output pattern of the pattern generating means (10, 11). A keyboard device characterized in that the function display of the key top (7) is changed by changing the function display of the key top (7).