JPH03220611A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To freely set the key arrangement by providing plural keys with code generating parts, whose key part sides are provided with code generating parts to generate identification codes peculiar to pertinent keys, and a board part where keys with code generating parts can be freely detachably set to key positions. CONSTITUTION:Keys incorporating identification code generating circuits which generate identification codes peculiar to respective keys and a board 11 for arrangement of keys incorporating identification code generating circuits which outputs the identification code generated from each key 1 to the higher-order side are provided, and plural keys 1 are used. Thus, keys are freely arranged to input data as desired, and keys are freely arranged on the base board to easily change the arrangement of keys 1 on the keyboard 11 or change the number of keys 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a keyboard, and particularly to a keyboard that can freely arrange keys.

[Conventional technology]

Keyboards are widely used for inputting information in OA equipment, etc., and the user (operator) can place the keys at the key positions on the baseboard based on the key top display, such as the key engraving. Desired input can be performed by pressing and operating a desired key among the keys.

Code data is used to determine which key on the keyboard was operated, that is, to determine what information the user intended to input, but the mechanism for generating such a code is as follows. configuration has been adopted. In other words, on the board body side, there is an identification code corresponding to the key position. For example, a circuit is provided to generate code data (preset and determined code data for each manual key position), and when a key is operated, the identification code corresponding to the key position is used as a key code and is transmitted to a higher-level device, such as a main control unit, etc. It is generated in order to be supplied to the processing equipment.

By outputting the code to a predetermined host device, the key position is directly determined and each key set at each key position is indirectly identified.

In this way, conventionally, this type of keyboard has a configuration in which the baseboard for key arrangement has a circuit that generates an identification code corresponding to the key position, and the above code is generated by the key position ( For example, it indicates the column (row from the top and position from the left).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, such a configuration lacks flexibility when it comes to changes such as changing the key arrangement. In other words, in the conventional keyboard described above, each key is identified by having a circuit on the base board for key arrangement that generates an identification code corresponding to the position of the key. The key code is fixed for each position, and in the end, in conventional keyboards, the key code is determined for each key position.

For this reason, for example, if you change the key position from a key display that consists of keys to another key display, you will not be able to input as shown on the key top. If there is a request to change the product to make it easier to do it manually, or to manufacture a product with such specifications, we will not be able to meet these requests. In order to meet the above requirements, there are inconveniences such as the need to separately manufacture a new keyboard.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide flexibility in changing the key arrangement, etc.
The purpose is to provide a keyboard that allows free setting of key layouts.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides a keyboard that outputs codes through key operations, including a plurality of keys with code generation sections each having a code generation section on the key section side for generating an identification code unique to the key; The device is characterized by comprising a code generating section and a board section on which a key can be set.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a vertical sectional view of an example of a key with a built-in identification code generation circuit in a key type keyboard with a built-in identification code generation circuit according to an embodiment of the keyboard of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an external view of an example of a key arrangement board with a built-in identification code generation circuit, which serves as a board section on which such a key can be detachably set at a key position.

The key 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a key with a built-in identification code generation circuit built into the key, and includes a sensor 2 that detects an operation on the key 1, a control circuit 3, and a key unique to the key 1. an identification code generation circuit 4 that generates an identification code, an identification code output terminal 5, and a sensor 2.
．． It has a power terminal 6 for supplying power to the control circuit 3 and the identification code generation circuit 4, and a key fixing pin 7.

In this embodiment, when the key 1 with a built-in identification code generation circuit is pressed, the sensor 2 detects this and sends a signal to that effect to the control circuit 3, and the control circuit 3 generates an identification code. An identification code output command is issued to the circuit 4, and the identification code generation circuit 4 outputs the key l.
The unique identification code will be outputted through the identification code output terminal 5.

Note that the key display can be applied to the two surfaces of the key 1j in a timely manner, and may be a stamp, for example.

As mentioned above, the key 1 has a built-in identification code generation circuit, which has a built-in circuit that generates a unique identification code for each key.
is used in combination with a keyboard layout board having the configuration shown in FIG.

The key placement board with built-in identification code generation circuit shown in FIG. 2 has a required number of key positions set on the board body 11, and for each key position, there is a power terminal 6 on the key side, an identification code output terminal 5, and an identification code output terminal 5. An insertion port for the key fixing pin 7 is provided. That is, a power terminal insertion port 8, an identification code output terminal insertion port 9, and a key fixing pin insertion port 10 are respectively formed. Further, in the illustrated example, an external connection cable 12 is drawn out from the board main body 11, and the obtained identification code is sent to a host device such as a main control unit via this cable.

Each key 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be removably set in any of the key positions of the 11 examples of the board main body shown in FIG. 2, and therefore, the keys can be freely arranged. FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the key type keyboard with a built-in identification code generating circuit according to the present embodiment, including the state of the circuit system connections in the key set state.

As shown in Figure 3, the circuit system is the identification code transmission bus 1.
3 and a power supply bus 14, these are connected to the external connection cable 12, and the identification code output terminal 5 and power supply terminal 6 of each set key 1 with a built-in identification code generation circuit are connected to the identification code transmission bus 13. , a key 1 connected to the power supply bus 14 and with a built-in identification code generation circuit.
The identification code generated can be output to the upper side.

As described above, this embodiment is a key type keyboard with a built-in identification code generation circuit, which has a key 1 with a built-in identification code generation circuit and a board for arranging keys with a built-in identification code generation circuit. A key with a built-in identification code generation circuit 1 having a built-in circuit for generating an identification code, and a key arrangement board with a built-in identification code generation circuit for outputting an identification code generated by the key l with a built-in identification code generation circuit to a host side. have.

In keyboards that output codes by key operation,
By using a plurality of keys 1 with built-in identification code generation circuits, each of which has an identification code generation circuit 4 built into the key as described above, it is possible to input data as desired even if the keys are arranged freely compared to conventional keyboards. By arranging them freely on the baseboard, it is possible to easily rearrange the arrangement of the keys on the keyboard, change the number of keys, etc., and achieve a high level of adaptability.

This point will be explained in more detail below.

First, the identification code generating circuit built-in key 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is set at an appropriate position on the board body 11 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, that is, at a key position. Of course, this setting itself may be done by the manufacturer, or by the user.

When such setting is performed, a code directly corresponding to the set key 1 can be obtained as an identification code, rather than a code corresponding to the key position, in the following manner.

That is, when the key fixing pin 7 is inserted into the key fixing pin socket 10, the power terminal 6 is connected to the power supply bus 14 through the power terminal socket 8, and the sensor 2,
Power is now supplied to the control circuit 3 and the identification code generation circuit 4. Further, the identification code output terminal 5 is connected to the identification code transmission bus 1 through the identification code output terminal insertion port 9.
Therefore, it is possible to directly transmit the identification code corresponding to key 1 to the host device.

In this way, each key 1 can be set at any key position.

The method of using the key-type keyboard with a built-in identification code generating circuit according to the present embodiment configured as described above is the same as that of the conventional keyboard, and the operation in that case is as follows.

Now, when key 1 with built-in identification code generation circuit on the keyboard is pressed (for example, in Figure 3, in the first row from the left,
When the key l is pressed), a signal is sent from the sensor 2 of the key 1 to the control circuit 3 of the key 1, and the key 1 is pressed.
An identification code output command is issued to the identification code generation circuit 4 of the key 1, and an identification code unique to the key 1 is generated.

Unlike before, this identification code is directly used by the key 1.
It represents itself. Then, the output key 1
The unique identification code is passed from the identification code output terminal 5 to the identification code transmission bus 13 and sent to the host device via the external connection cable 12, where the key is identified.

The above-mentioned operation is the same even if the setting position of the key l is changed, that is, the key arrangement is rearranged, and therefore input can always be performed as indicated by the keys.

As mentioned above, conventional keyboards have the disadvantage that when changing the key 0 arrangement, it is necessary to manufacture a separate keyboard to suit the change, but this embodiment eliminates this difficulty. do not have.

For example, when changing the key arrangement or number of keys, it is also possible to change the engravings on the keys and create a conversion table for the identification code generated for each key operation and use software to handle this. According to the example,
Even if you do not use such a conversion table method,
You can freely change the key arrangement to perform manual operations as desired.

Therefore, by arranging and using the key 1 with a built-in identification code generation circuit on the key arrangement board with a built-in identification code generation circuit as in this embodiment, it is possible to rearrange the key arrangement and change the number of keys as necessary. With the specifications of one key-type keyboard with a built-in identification code generation circuit, the functions of several types of conventional keyboards with different shapes can be easily realized without changing the software.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, but can be modified in various ways, and can be widely applied to keyboards that output codes by key operations.

In addition, for example, it is not necessary to change the arrangement of a certain key part of the keyboard 7, but if a change is required in other key parts other than that part, only the part that requires the change. It is also possible to apply the present invention, and such an embodiment may be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the keyboard of the present invention, flexibility can be given to the key arrangement, and even if the key arrangement is changed for ease of use, it is possible to perform manual operations as desired. This has the effect of increasing compatibility compared to conventional methods.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a vertical sectional view of an example of a key with a built-in identification code generation circuit in a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 FIG. 2 is an external view of an example of a key arrangement board with a built-in identification code generation circuit; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the key type keyboard with a built-in identification code generation circuit, including the connection state of the circuit system. 1 ・ 2 ・ 3 ・ 4 ・ 5 ・ 6 ・ 7 ・ 8 ・ 9 ・ 10 ・ 11 ・ 12 ・ 13 ・ 14 Key sensor control circuit with built-in identification code generation circuit Identification code generation circuit Identification code output terminal Power terminal Key fixing bin Power terminal socket Identification code Output terminal socket Key fixing pin socket Board body External connection cable Identification code transmission bus Power supply bus 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a keyboard that outputs a code by key operation, a plurality of keys with a code generation section each having a code generation section on the key side for generating an identification code unique to the key, and a code that can be attached and detached to the key position. A keyboard comprising: a board section into which a key with a generation section can be set.