JPH0745784Y2 - Key input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application] The present invention relates to a key input device such as an operation panel device or a keyboard device.

[Prior Art] In this type of key input device, a plurality of first input keys each having two input functions and a plurality of first input keys are provided.
Is provided with a second input key for switching the input function of the first input key, depending on whether the first input key is operated or the first and second input keys are operated simultaneously.
A configuration is known in which the input function of the input key is switched. For example, in a keyboard device of a personal computer, whether lowercase letters or uppercase letters are input depending on whether only the alphabetic character keys are operated or the alphabetic character keys and shift keys are operated simultaneously. The input function of the character key can be switched.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a conventional key arrangement of such a key input device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a main body of the key input device, the upper surface of which is an input operation surface, and the input keys 3a to 3e each having two input functions.
And switch key 2 for switching these input functions
Are arranged. Generally, the switching key 2 is arranged at the end of the key arrangement. Enter key 3a under such an array
Operate only one of 3e or enter key 3a ~
By operating any of the input keys 3e and the switching key 2 at the same time, the input function of any of the input keys 3a to 3e is switched to perform input.

[Problems to be solved by the device] However, in the key arrangement of FIG. 5, the input keys 3b to 3e other than the input key 3a are separated from the switching key 2. Therefore, in order to operate any one of the input keys 3b to 3e and the switching key 2 at the same time, the operator must operate with two fingers. It is impossible to immediately search for a desired one of the input keys 3b to 3e and the switching key 2 separately and operate them simultaneously with two fingers, and it is easy to make an erroneous operation when in a hurry.

On the other hand, depending on the key input device, it may be required to operate from a plurality of different directions instead of operating from only one direction. For example, the key input device of FIG. 5 may be required to be operated not only from the lower side but also from the upper side. However, in this case, the order of the left and right arrangement of each key is reversed between the case of operating from the lower side and the case of operating from the upper side, and there is a problem that an erroneous operation is easy.

In addition, the key input device is required to have a large number of input functions with a small number of keys due to the recent miniaturization of electronic devices. In order to deal with this, when any two of the input keys 3a to 3e and the switching key 2 are operated at the same time in the example of FIG. 5, another predetermined function is input. It is conceivable to configure it as described above. However, in this case, operating three keys with three fingers at the same time is more difficult than operating two keys at the same time, and there is a problem that the operation is time-consuming and erroneous.

Then, the subject of this invention is in this kind of key input device,
It is to solve the above problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a plurality of first input keys respectively having a plurality of input functions and an input function of the first input keys. A second input key for switching between the second input key and the first input key by operating the first input key to input the first information.
In the key input device for inputting the second information by operating the second input key, the shape of the second input key is increased with respect to the arrangement of the plurality of first input keys, Adopted a structure in which the input keys are arranged at even positions.

[Operation] According to such a structure, when operating the plurality of first input keys and the second input key for switching the input function at the same time, whichever of the first input keys is operated,
The second input key is evenly positioned with respect to any of the first input keys. That is, since the distance or direction is uniform and does not change, the operation can be performed very easily and quickly without any error. In addition, the operation is simpler because the second input key is large in shape.

[Embodiment] The present invention will be described in detail below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an input operation surface of a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a key input device main body, the upper surface of which is an input operation surface, and keys 2 and 3a to 3d are arranged. Each of the keys 3a to 3d is an input key having two input functions. The key 2 is a switching key for switching the input function of each of the input keys 3a to 3d.

The switching key 2 is formed in a semicircular shape, and is arranged near the center of the input operation surface of the key input device body 1 toward the front. The input keys 3a to 3d are formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape, and are adjacent to the outer circumference of the semicircular switching key 2, and the switching key 2
Are arranged in a radial pattern.

By operating only one of the input keys 3a to 3d with such a configuration, the first input function of the operated key of the input keys 3a to 3d is input. Input key 3a again
By operating any one of the input keys 3a to 3d and the switching key at the same time, the second input function of any of the operated input keys 3a to 3d is input.

For example, by operating only the input key 3a as shown in FIG. 2 (A), the first input function of the input key 3a is input, and as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the input key 3a and the switching key are switched. By operating 2 at the same time, the second input function of the input key 3a is input. Here, when the input key 3a and the switching key 2 are simultaneously operated as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the simultaneous operation can be performed very easily with one finger by the above-mentioned key arrangement. Further, in this state, when any one of the input keys 3b to 3d and the switching key 2 are simultaneously operated, it is only necessary to change the direction of the finger. That is, the operation of the input keys 3a to 3d can be easily selected by changing the direction of the finger.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when any one of the input keys 3a to 3d and the switching key 2 are operated at the same time, the key operation can be performed very easily with one finger without any error, and the operability of the key input device is remarkably improved. Can be made.

Second Embodiment Next, FIG. 3 shows an input operation surface of a key input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 (A) and (B) of the first embodiment are indicated by common reference numerals or common reference numerals with a dash.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the switching key 2 is formed in a straight and elongated rectangular shape, and is horizontally oriented at the center of the input operation surface of the key input device body 1. It is arranged.

Also, the input keys 3a each having two input functions.
.About.3d and 3a 'to 3a' are formed in a rectangular shape and are arranged in two rows adjacent to both upper and lower edges in the drawing along the longitudinal direction of the switching key 2. As shown in FIG. Of the two rows of keys, the input keys 3a and 3d ', 3b and 3c', 3c and 3b ', and 3d and 3a' are arranged to face each other with the switching key 2 interposed therebetween.

By operating any one of the input keys 3a to 3d and 3a 'to 3d' in such a configuration, the first input function of that key is input, and any one of these keys and the switching key 2 are input.
By simultaneously operating the keys, the second input function of the key operated simultaneously with the switching key 2 is input. Also in this case, as in the case of the first embodiment, simultaneous operation of two keys can be performed very easily with one finger and can be performed without error.

By the way, in the key arrangement of FIG. 3, input keys 3a and 3a ', 3b and 3
By making b ', 3c and 3c' and 3d and 3d 'have the same input function, the same key operation can be performed from the lower side and the upper side in the figure as shown in FIG. 4 (A). . In this case, the left and right key arrangements of the input keys 3a to 3d and 3a 'to 3d' corresponding to the input function are reversed up and down, so that the key arrangement seen from the upper and lower operating sides becomes the same. You can perform key input without error when operating from above or below.

On the other hand, in the key arrangement of FIG. 3, there is no correspondence between the input keys 3a to 3d and 3a 'to 3d', and the input functions of the respective keys are different. Further, as an example, input as shown in FIG. 4 (B) The keys 3a and 3d 'and the switching key 2 are operated at the same time, so that any one of the input keys 3a to 3d, the switching key 2 and any one of the input keys 3a' to 3d 'are arranged in one row above and below. If a predetermined input function is input by operating three keys at the same time, the key input device can have multiple input functions. In this case, simultaneous operation of the three keys can be performed very easily and without error with one finger as shown in FIG. 4 (B).

The shape of the switching key 2 is not limited to that shown in the drawings in the configurations of the first and second embodiments described above, and the input keys 3a ...
Of course, the shapes and numbers of 3d and 3a 'to 3d' are not limited to those shown in the figures. Further, it is needless to say that another key whose input function cannot be switched by a key other than the above keys may be provided on the input operation surface of the key input device body 1.

[Effects of the Invention] As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a plurality of first input keys respectively responsible for a plurality of input functions and the input functions of the first input keys are switched. A second input key for operating the first input key to input the first information, and the second input key and the first input key for inputting the first information.
In the key input device for inputting the second information by operating the second input key, the shape of the second input key is increased with respect to the arrangement of the plurality of first input keys, Since the structure in which the input keys are arranged so as to be evenly arranged is adopted, the first input keys and the second input key for switching the input function can be operated at the same time.
No matter which of the input keys is operated, the second input key is at a uniform position with respect to any of the first input keys, that is, the distance or direction is uniform and does not change. It can be done easily and without error. Further, since the shape of the second input key is large, the operation becomes easier, and the excellent effect that the operability of the input key can be remarkably improved can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a key arrangement on an input operation surface of a key input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B).
Are explanatory views of the key operation of the same device, FIG. 3 is a top view showing the key arrangement of the key input device according to the second embodiment, and FIG.
5A and 5B are explanatory views of key operation of the same device, and FIG. 5 is a top view showing a key arrangement of a conventional key input device. 1 ... Key input device main body, 2 ... Switching keys 3a to 3d, 3a 'to 3d' ... Input keys having two input functions

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A plurality of first input keys respectively having a plurality of input functions, and a second input key for switching the input functions of the first input keys. A key input device for operating input keys to input first information and inputting second information by operating the second input key and the first input key, wherein the plurality of first inputs A key input device in which the shape of the second input key is enlarged relative to the arrangement of the keys so that the second input keys are arranged at even positions. 2. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the second input key is a semicircular key. 3. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the second input key is a rectangular key.