JPH0450692B2 - - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a key switch, and more particularly to a key switch capable of outputting multi-purpose signals by operating a single key top.

Prior Art A key switch that can output multi-purpose signals by operating a single key top can improve the efficiency of screen editing operations if it is used, for example, to quickly select and execute various functions with a blind touch while looking at the display screen. It is connected, and it is especially effective when used to move the cursor. The present inventor has proposed several such keysuites so far. For example, a key switch proposed for controlling cursor movement is equipped with a single key top and four independent displacement detection means, and two adjacent displacement detection means are operated simultaneously when the cursor moves diagonally. There are things that can be done by detecting this. Of course, when two adjacent displacement detection means are operating simultaneously, the output signal may be treated as invalid and the cursor may not be moved. In any case, I realized that when using such a key switch to control cursor movement, precise key top operations are required. This means that, for example, when you want to move the cursor straight up, if there is ambiguity in the operating position or operating direction of the keytop, the cursor may sometimes move diagonally upward. Since the accuracy of cursor movement control is particularly important when reaching the target position, a certain degree of accuracy is required in keytop operation in order to prevent erroneous cursor movement with a key switch having such a structure.

Furthermore, when using such a key switch to select and execute various functions for screen editing, it is necessary to somehow prevent or invalidate the output of duplicate signals. This is because some of the executed functions, such as the home clear function, once malfunction, make it difficult to recover lost information.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the prior art described above. Its purpose is to create a key switch that can output multi-purpose signals by operating a single key top, and to prevent duplicate signals from being output even if the key top is operated in a somewhat ambiguous position or direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch with high operational reliability that operates so as to reliably obtain a desired output signal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key switch that can correct ambiguous operations and obtain correct output by adding a simple structure to the key top.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Representative embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal computer using a key switch according to an embodiment of the present invention as a key switch for moving a cursor. Inside the main body 1 of this personal computer, there is a sixth
As shown in the figure, CPU9 and RAM control cursor movement.
10 and ROM11 are housed therein. Further, a display section 2 and a keyboard section 3 are provided externally. Note that FIG. 2 is a front view showing details of the keyboard section 3 including the key switch (hereinafter referred to as cursor moving key switch) 4 of the first embodiment.
In the figure, 13 is an ordinary typewriter keyboard section consisting of numeric, alphanumeric, and symbol keys, and 14 is a function key section. A simple explanation of these function keys is:
"DEL" is a character deletion key, "INS" is a character insertion key, "CLR" is a screen clear key, and "HOME" is a home key that returns the cursor to the home position.

Next, a case will be described in which the cursor K on the display section 2 is moved to the left or upward as shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the operation is
In the diagram for explaining the operation of the cursor moving key switch 4 shown in FIG. A, simply pushing the key top 4-1 leftward (arrow A) or upward (arrow B) moves the cursor K to the left or upward.

The structure of this cursor moving key switch 4 is shown in FIG. To give a brief explanation of the drawings, Figures 5A, B, and C are for explaining the operation of the part cut off by the operation display character section (left) and (right) in Figure 4A. In the cross-sectional view, the fifth
Figure D is a plan view of the structure corresponding to Figure 4A.
In addition, Fig. 4B is a leftward version of Fig. 4A in order to show the cross-sectional view of the structure located between the diagonal operation arrows C and D of the key top 4-1 in Figs. 5E, F, and G.
This is an explanatory diagram of the welding process rotated by 45 degrees. A plan view of the structure corresponding to FIG. 4B is shown in FIG. 5H.

In the above diagrams, first, as shown in Figure 5A,
A spherical motion-conducting ball 6 is mounted around the key top 4-1, which is slidably attached to the key switch body 5 (or it may be the electronic device body).
A leaf spring contact 7 is provided, and the leaf spring contact 7 comes into contact when a horizontal force is applied to the key top 4-1. Furthermore, the movement direction of the cursor K is controlled by reading information based on this contact by the CPU 9. for example,
When the key top 4-1 is pressed in the direction A in FIG. 4A, the leaf spring contact 7x in FIG. The cursor K can be moved to the left by applying force and contacting the contact point 7x [see FIG. 5B]. Next, when the key top 4-1 is released, the four duplicate input prevention protrusions 8 provided around the key top 4-1 are the locking parts of the key switch main body 5 having the key top accommodation protrusion 5-3. 5-1, and the size of the gap is such that, for example, when the key top 4-1 is pressed in the direction A, none of the convex portions 8 prevents the contact of the leaf spring contact 7x. . Here, if the key top 4-1 is pressed in a direction where the leaf spring contact 7 is not provided, such as the direction C in FIG. (Hereinafter, the subscripts are used to specify the position of the convex portion 8.) If there is no plate spring contact 7x and 7y,
Force is applied to both of them, and both contacts come into contact, but because of the convex part 8xy, the key top 4-1
As shown in FIG. 5G, the movement of the key switch body 5 hits the locking portion 5-1 of the key switch body 5 and is stopped midway. At this time, the leaf spring contacts 7x and 7y are adjusted so that they do not come into contact with each other. Or, if it is the result of an ambiguous operation on the key top 4-1 and the pressed direction deviates even slightly from the C direction to either (left) or (up), the protrusion 8xy will serve as a fulcrum and the deviation will be corrected. The component force in the direction leads to a pushing force that applies force to either the leaf spring contact 7x or 7y for the correct operation, and the corresponding leaf spring contact contacts and moves the cursor K to the desired left or upward direction. It can be moved in the direction. Next, when you release your hand from the key top 4-1, the spring force of the leaf spring contact 7 pushes back the motion conduction ball 6, and the key top 4-1 returns to its original position. The key top 4-1 is then balanced at a position where the periphery of the key top 4-1 is evenly pressed. Next, the means for detecting opening and closing of the leaf spring contact 7 will be explained with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the leaf spring contacts 7 are provided with leaf spring contacts 7-1 separated by an insulator 12.
and 7-2 are included. These contacts 7-1 and 7-2 close as shown in FIG. 5B when a sliding force is applied to the key top 4-1. Therefore, the terminal 7t ₂ is short-circuited to the grounded terminal 7t ₁ and outputs 0 volts. However, when it is not closed, the voltage is 5 volts due to the action of the pull-up resistor R. The CPU 9 is configured to periodically check the terminals 7t ₂ of these leaf spring contacts 7.
Alternatively, when at least one contact is closed, an interrupt is input to the CPU 9, thereby starting service to the key switch, and when all contacts are opened, an interrupt is input to the CPU 9 again,
The configuration may be such that the service to the key switch is terminated by this. In any of the above cases,
While the key switch is being serviced, the contact information of the contacts is taken into the CPU 9 at predetermined intervals. Yotsute 4
By monitoring the terminal _7t2 of the set of leaf spring contacts, it is possible to detect in which direction the cursor K is moved. Further, if the contact information that is periodically taken in is the same, the CPU 9 repeats the same control.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the keyswitch according to the present invention utilizes keyswitches operated by selectively pressing different positions on a single keytop operating surface for cursor movement.

Next, a case will be described in which the cursor K on the display section 2 is moved to the left or upward as shown in FIG. 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the operation is performed by pressing the left part (point A) or the upper part (point B) of the key top 41 in the operation explanatory diagram of the key switch (hereinafter referred to as cursor moving key switch) 40 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. ) is pressed from above to move the cursor K to the left or up. The structure of this cursor moving key switch 40 is shown in FIG. To give a brief explanation of the drawings, Figures 9A, B, and C are for explaining the operation of the part cut off by the operation display text section (left) and (right) in Figure 8A. In the cross-sectional view, FIG. 9D is a plan view of the structure corresponding to FIG. 8A. In addition, Fig. 8B is an operation explanatory diagram obtained by rotating Fig. 8A by 45 degrees to the right.
The cross-sectional view of the structure seen from the opposite side of point C between points B is shown in No. 9.
Shown in Figures E, F and G. And Figure 8B
A plan view of the corresponding structure is shown in FIG. 9H. In the above figures, first, as shown in FIG. 9A, a spherical motion-conducting ball 6 is attached to the lower side of the key top 41 which is rotatably attached to the key switch main body 5 (or the electronic device main body).
A leaf spring contact 7 is provided, and when a force is applied to the key top 41 from above, the leaf spring contact 7 comes into contact. Furthermore, as the information based on this contact is read by the CPU 9,
The moving direction of cursor K is controlled. For example, when the key top 41 is pressed down from above at point A in FIG. 8A, force is applied to the leaf spring contact 7x in FIG.
can be moved to the left [see Figure 9B]. Here, the four duplicate input prevention convex parts 8 provided on the lower surface of the key top 41 have an appropriate distance between them and the locking part 5-2 of the key switch main body 5 when the key top 41 is released. The distance is such that, for example, when the key top 41 is pressed down at point A, none of the convex portions 8 prevents the leaf spring contact 7x from coming into contact with the key top 41. If the key top 41 is pressed down from above while the leaf spring contact 7 is not provided, as shown at point C in FIG. , the subscript is used to specify the position of the convex portion 8), force would be applied to both leaf spring contacts 7x and 7y and both contacts would come into contact, but the convex portion 8
Because of the presence of xy, when the key top 41 is pressed down, it is caught on the locking surface 5-2 of the key switch main body 5, as shown in FIG. 9G, and is stopped halfway. At this time, the leaf spring contacts 7x and 7y are adjusted so that they do not come into contact with each other. Or, if it is the result of an ambiguous operation of the key top 41, and the pressed part deviates even slightly from point C to either (left) or (top), the convex part 8xy becomes the fulcrum and the deviation occurs. Depending on the component force in the direction, the leaf spring contact point 7x or 7y
A pushing force is directed such that the force is applied to one of the correct operations, and the corresponding leaf spring contact contacts to move the cursor K in the desired leftward or upward direction.

The key top 41 has a protrusion 15 supporting the operation part 16 at the lower center thereof, and the spherical lower end of the protrusion 15 forms a recess 5-4 provided at a position corresponding to the locking surface 5-2 of the key switch body 5. It is mated with. Therefore, the key top 4-1 is fixedly supported in the horizontal direction, but is supported so as to be tilted when the operating section 16 is selectively pressed in the vertical direction. When you release your hand from the key top 41, the spring force of the leaf spring contact 7 pushes back the action conduction ball 6, and the key top 41 returns to its original state. is balanced at a position where it is pushed up evenly.

The means for detecting the opening and closing of the leaf spring contact 7 is the same as that in Fig. 7, and
The monitoring of the four sets of leaf spring contact terminals _7t2 by the CPU 9 is also the same as that described in the first embodiment.

In the above explanation, even if the number of motion conduction balls 6, leaf spring contacts 7, and convex portions 8 is increased to increase the number of directions in which the cursor K can move, or instead of the motion conduction balls 6 and leaf spring contacts 7, a commercially available switch can be used. It goes without saying that even if the display section 2 and the key switch 4 or 40 are provided in a separate housing from the main body 1, there is no problem.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, multi-purpose signals can be output by operating a single key top, and at the same time, even if the key top is operated in a somewhat ambiguous position or direction, the convex part for preventing duplicate input and the locking part This action prevents duplicate signal output and operates to reliably obtain a desired output signal, thereby providing a key switch with high operational reliability. Further, since the convex portion for preventing duplicate input can be formed integrally with a single key top, the structure of the key switch becomes simple and easy to manufacture. Furthermore, since the protrusion for preventing duplicate input is provided on a single key top, there is an advantage that the other parts of the key switch can be used as conventional products. As described above, although the configuration of the present invention is simple, it can produce extremely large effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal computer using a key switch according to an embodiment of the present invention as a key switch for moving a cursor, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the keyboard portion of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4A. 5A-C and E-G are sectional views of the key switch of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5D and H are sectional views of the key switch of the first embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a personal computer equipped with a key switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a circuit showing an example of terminal connection for detecting opening and closing of a leaf spring contact. 8A and 8B are operation explanatory diagrams of the key switch of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and FIGS. 9A to 9C and E to G are sectional views of the key switch of the second embodiment of the present invention. Figures 9D and 9H are also plan views. Here, 1...Personal computer main body, 2...Display section, 3...Keyboard section, 4, 4
0... Key switch, 4-1, 41... Key top, 5-1... Locking portion, 5-2... Locking surface, 6...
. . . motion conduction ball, 7 . . . plate spring contact, 8 . . . convex portion, 15 .

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A key switch comprising a single key top and a plurality of displacement detection means that output different signals in response to displacement caused by the operation of the single key top,
A convex portion is provided on the single key top to prevent an operation on the single key top from acting across adjacent displacement detection means, and a locking portion corresponding to the convex portion is provided on the housing portion of the single key top. A key switch characterized by the following: 2. Interpolating a plurality of displacement detection means on the side surface of a disc-shaped single keytop that is slidably arranged at a predetermined interval from the side surface of a single keytop accommodating portion provided in the main body of a key switch or the main body of an electronic device. 2. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion is provided at a position where the key switch is located, and a locking portion corresponding to the convex portion is provided on a side surface of the accommodating portion. 3. A single key top that has a protrusion that stands upright at the center of the disc-shaped operation part, and the lower end of the protrusion is fitted into and supported by a fitting part provided on the main body of the key switch or the main body of the electronic device. A convex portion is provided at the lower part of the periphery of the operating portion of the single key top at a position for interpolating the plurality of displacement detection means, and a locking portion corresponding to the convex portion is provided on the main body of the key switch or the main body of the electronic device. A key switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: 4. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of displacement detection means outputs a cursor movement signal.