JPH03196210A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To change the described characters in response to the switch of functions by using a hologram which projects a character image on the dispersion surface of each key top, a light source which inputs the character image into the hologram, a character pattern, and an image transmission means. CONSTITUTION:A key top 3 actuates a switch element 4 via a driving rod 31 made of a hollow or transparent material. A character generating part 5 describes a character on the upper surface of the key top through the rod 31 to show the function of the element 4. The part 5 consists of a hologram 51 which projects a character image onto the dispersion surface of the key top 3, a light source 52 which inputs the character image into the hologram 51, a character pattern 53, and an image transmission means 54 like a reflector, etc. In such a constitution, a character pattern can be replaced with another in response to the switch of functions. Then the character described on the key top 3 is easily changed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to an input device for inputting information to an information processing device, etc., and aims to provide a keyboard that can change written characters in response to switching functions. It has a key top that operates the element, and a character generation section that displays characters indicating the function of the switch element on the top surface of the key top through a drive rod made of a transparent material, and a character image is displayed on the diffused surface above the key top. A character generating section is composed of a hologram to project, a light source that makes a character image incident on the hologram, and a character pattern and image propagation means.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an input device for inputting information to an information processing device, etc., and particularly relates to a keyboard that changes the characters written on the key tops in response to switching functions. It is often used as a word processor or a data aggregation device mainly for spreadsheets. Furthermore, by connecting via a telephone line or the like, the large-sized computer can be operated from a personal computer as a terminal for the large-sized computer.

However, the characters and symbols written on the keyboard of a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as characters) represent the functions of the switches in the original use of the keyboard, and if the keyboard is used for other purposes, these characters should be replaced. Needs to be rewritten. Therefore, it is desired to realize a keyboard that can change the written characters in response to switching functions.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional keyboard.

In the figure, a large number of key tops 1 are arranged on the surface of the keyboard, and letters indicating the functions of the switch elements are usually written on the top surface of the key tops 1. By selecting and pressing a desired key top from among the key tops 1, a switch element (not shown) coupled to the key top 1 is activated.

The characters written on the key tops of such keyboards represent the functions of the switch elements in the original use of the keyboard. When the keyboard is used for other purposes, the functions of the switch elements change, and for example, it is necessary to change the character on key top 1 to "Create Graph" as shown in the figure.

However, in conventional keyboards, the characters representing the functions of the switch elements are written on the key tops by means such as engraving, as shown in the figure, and these characters cannot be changed even if the functions of the switch elements change. Therefore, as shown in the figure, a template 2 is placed near the key top, and the characters written on the template 2 represent the functions of the switch elements.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, with conventional keyboards in which templates are placed near the key tops, the templates are lost and the functions of the switch elements become unclear.

Forgetting to place a template when switching keyboard usage. There were problems such as overlooking characters in the template and causing input errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard that can change written characters in response to switching functions.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the principle of the keyboard according to the present invention. The same objects are represented by the same symbols throughout the plan.

The above problem is solved by connecting the switch element 4 via the drive rod 31.
A key top 3 for operating the switch element 4, and a character generating section 5 for displaying characters indicating the function of the switch element 4 on the upper surface of the key top 3 through a drive rod 31 made of a hollow or transparent material. A hologram 5 projects a character image onto a diffusion surface 32, and a hologram 51 projects a character image onto a diffusion surface 32.
This is achieved by the keyboard of the present invention in which the character generating section 5 is constituted by a light source 52 that enters the character pattern 53 and an image propagating means 54.

[For production]

In Fig. 1, there is a key top that operates a switch element via a drive rod, and a character generator that displays characters indicating the function of the switch element on the upper surface of the key top through a drive rod made of a hollow or transparent material. In the present invention, the character generating section is constituted by a hologram that projects a character image onto a diffusing surface on a key top, a light source that makes the character image incident on the hologram, a character pattern, and image propagation means such as a reflecting mirror. With this keyboard, it is possible to exchange character patterns, for example, in response to function switching, and it is possible to realize a keyboard in which characters written on the keypad 7 can be easily changed.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing one embodiment of the keyboard according to the invention, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing another embodiment of the keyboard according to the invention.

In FIG. 2, the keyboard according to the present invention has a key top 3 equipped with a drive rod 31.
1 is slidably fitted into the panel 6. Further, a coil spring 7 is provided between the key top 3 and the panel 6, and the key top 3 is always pushed up by the coil spring 7.

A switch element 4 is fixed to the side of the dry pro throat 31, and is configured so that when the key top 3 is pressed down, the contacts of the switch element 4 are closed.

On the other hand, a character generating section 5 is incorporated below the drive rod 31, and the character generating section 5 includes a hologram 51 that projects a character image onto the diffusion surface 32 on the keyed knob 3, and a hologram 51 that projects the character image onto the hologram 51. a plurality of (two in the figure) light sources 52a, 52b and character X turns 53a, 53b,
The image propagation means 54 is composed of a reflection hologram or the like having wavelength selectivity.

Note that although a drive rod made of a transparent material is illustrated as the drive rod 31, a hollow drive rod may be used from the bottom to the diffusion surface 32, for example.

Various characters to be written on the key top 3 are drawn on the character patterns 53a and 53b, and the light source 52a or 52b
By selecting and lighting up, a corresponding character pattern is irradiated, and a character image drawn on the character pattern is incident on the hologram 51 via the image propagation means 54. The hologram 51 is configured to image the incident light onto the diffusing surface 32 on the key top 3, and the character image is projected onto the diffusing surface 32 on the key top 3 through the transparent drive rod 31.
projected on.

In another embodiment of the keyboard according to the present invention shown in FIG.
a and 5b are a hologram 51 that projects a character image onto the diffusion surface 32 on the key top 3, and a hologram 5 that projects a character image onto the diffusion surface 32 on the key top 3, respectively.
1, a light source 52 and a character pattern 53, and an image propagation means 54 made of a transparent light guide plate. Note that in this embodiment, the hologram 51 is connected to the image propagation means 54.
However, even if the hologram 51 is directly formed on the side surface of the image propagation means 54, the effect will not change.

Character pattern 53 provided on the slope of the image propagation means 54
, various characters to be written on the key tops 3 are drawn respectively, and when one of the light sources 52 is selected and turned on, the corresponding character pattern is illuminated, and the character image drawn on the character pattern is displayed. The light enters the hologram 51 via the image propagation means 54.

The hologram 51 is configured to image the incident light onto the diffusing surface 32 on the key top 3, and the character image is transmitted to the diffusing surface 32 on the key top 3 via the transparent drive rod 31.
Projected onto 2.

In this way, it has a key top that operates a switch element through a drive rod, and a character generating part that displays characters indicating the function of the switch element on the top surface of the key top through a drive rod made of a hollow or transparent material. , key) 7 A hologram that projects a character image onto the diffuser surface on the screen,
A keyboard according to the present invention in which the character generating section is constituted by a light source that inputs a character image into a hologram, a character pattern, and an image propagation means, and the characters written on the key tops can be easily changed in response to function switching. can be realized.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard that can change written characters in response to switching functions.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing the principle of the keyboard according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the keyboard according to the invention; Fig. 3 is another embodiment of the keyboard according to the invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing an example of a conventional keyboard. In the figure, 3 is the key top, 4 is the switch element, and 5.5a
, 5b is a character generation part, 6 is a panel, 7 is a coil spring,
31 is a drive rod, 32 is a diffusion surface,
51 represents a hologram, 52.52a and 52b a light source, 53.53a and 53b a character pattern, and 54 an image propagation means. : $, odd day moon C two naro keyboard iya']? Example of a cross section (2)
Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] A key top (3) that operates a switch element (4) through a drive rod (31), and a key top (3) that operates a switch element (4) through a drive rod (31) made of a hollow or transparent material. It has a character generation part (5) on the top surface that displays characters and symbols indicating the function of the switch element (4), and a character image and symbol image are displayed on the diffusion surface (32) on the key top (3). The character generating section (5) includes a hologram (51) to project, a light source (52) that makes a character image or symbol image incident on the hologram (51), a character pattern (53), and an image propagation means (54). A keyboard characterized by comprising: