JPH1091306A - Keytop, character cap and character cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a physically handicapped person to perform easy input operations with his foot toes and at a remote place by means of the large and easy-to-see characters by showing a bent and enlarged graphic character on every keytop over its upper and front faces. SOLUTION: A keytop A uses a hard material that is obtained by bonding a high polymer sheet onto the synthetic resin or a metal, etc. An upper face part 9 of the keytop A has a square shape including a slightly sunken part where a toe touches. In regard to the graphic characters shown the keytops A, 45 KANA (Japanese syllabary) or KATAKANA (square form of Japanese syllabary) characters excluding three special KATAKANA characters are shown on the front faces 8 of the keytops A in the bent and enlarged forms as KANA characters 15. In other words, the upper edge of an enlarged character is inhibited from touching a graphic character that is shown over both alphanumeric and KANA/symbol display parts with the lower edge of the enlarged character inhibited from swelling out to the lower part of the face 8 respectively. The horizontal width of each character is limited to be kept approximately between the right and left edges of the part 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a graphic character of a two-handed information processing type keyboard (keyboard) such as a word processor or a computer.
A generic term for alphabets, numbers, special characters for alphabets, and special characters for katakana. ) Is displayed (there are 48 key tops on which graphic characters are displayed), a character cap to cover each graphic character key, and a character cover covering the entirety of the 48 graphic character keys. . For details, enlarge graphic characters (some characters bend and expand)
The present invention relates to a key top, a character cap, and a character cover, wherein characters and symbols to be inputted are displayed in different colors on a key top by controlling the control keys and shift function keys to display the graphic characters, so that the characters are easy to see. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional keyboard is shown in FIG. 17 (only graphic character keys are displayed), JIS X 6002 "Information processing keyboard layout" (commonly widely used) or JIS X 6004 "Kana kanji". There is a type defined as a two-handed operation type information processing system such as a “conversion type keyboard array for Japanese input device”. Also, as the U.S. specification, small letters are displayed at the upper left (lower left) of the top of the keytop, each manufacturer's own, the Japanese syllabary arrangement, and the kana characters are slightly larger than other symbols and alphanumeric characters. There was a word processor. Also, JIS X 600
In Fig. 2, the top surface of the keytop is separated by a dotted line as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, and is divided into four parts, a kana display section, an alphanumeric display section, an alphabet symbol display section, and a kana symbol display section. , The position of the display on the key upper surface.

Further, there are a plurality of special characters for alphabetic characters and katakana special characters having similar character shapes, which are shown in FIG. Also, some word processors had a number, a symbol, or a figure displayed on the front of the keytop, and some had a sticker for changing the key arrangement. Further, as a cover to be put on a key top, there are those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-57519 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 60-20641, which change characters on the key top into different characters or pictures. Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 61-94928 discloses a sheet cap for changing a character string to another language.

[0004]

In the above technology,
The top surface of the keyboard top is narrow and only touches the fingertip. As shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of characters and symbols are displayed in small, same colors at predetermined positions on the top surface of the keyboard. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to use for people with bad eyes. In particular, there is a problem that a person with presbyopia has difficulty in reading characters on the key top and cannot see the characters without wearing reading glasses. In addition, for a person with a disability who inputs data by looking at the keyboard from a distant place, such as when inputting with the toes, there is a problem that the characters are small and difficult to see. In addition, if one key displays four types of characters and symbols of the same color, which are small and of the same size, it is difficult to identify only one of them when one key is displayed. Some people have disabilities, and it is difficult for people with disabilities to input data. Also, in word processors and the like, numbers, symbols, figures, and the like are displayed on the front part of the key top, and there is a problem that it is difficult to see because there are too many characters. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, there are a plurality of graphic characters having similar character shapes to the JIS standard, and these characters are displayed due to the difference between the kana input mode and the alphabet input mode and the difference caused by pressing the shift function key. Is for any letter or symbol on the keytop,
Judgment must be made based on the display position of the characters and symbols on the key top, and there is a problem that it is difficult to distinguish them.

[0005] In addition, since a kana key is irregularly displayed on a JIS layout keyboard as shown in FIG. 17, a beginner must look over the entire graphic character key at the time of input and search for characters one by one. It was inconvenient. Also,
The characters on the top of the keyboard are displayed horizontally on the top of the keyboard, but the eyes at the time of input are obliquely above the front,
There is a problem that the character looks slightly shrunk in the vertical direction because the character is viewed obliquely. In addition, since the individual graphic characters are all displayed in the same size and are not displayed in different colors, there is a problem that kana or alphabetic characters are mixed with other characters or symbols, making it difficult to see. In addition, the color of the top was only white, gray, or black, and there was not much aesthetic sensation. Also, at the time of input, you do not always look at the keyboard, compare the display and the keyboard alternately, and cover the keyboard with both fingers,
There is a problem that characters on the key top are hidden and difficult to see. In addition, there are many people who input in Romaji, but there was no keyboard for Japanese Romaji input.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and displays characters in a large (bent) manner and displays characters on a keytop in different colors in accordance with an input mode, thereby making it possible to input characters. In order to make it easy to see which character or symbol on the keytop corresponds to which character or symbol on the keytop, the display position of the character is changed to make it easier to see, a keyboard dedicated to inputting Roman characters is shown, and the keytop with the kana displayed The aim is to quickly find the desired kana by coloring each line of the sound. Further, the character cap and the character cover are intended to achieve the above-mentioned purpose only by putting on the conventional keyboard, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a key top, a character cap, and a character cover which are easy to input. Is what you do.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key top in which a graphic character displayed on the key top is displayed in a bent and enlarged manner over the top and front portions of the key top. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a graphic character displayed on an alphanumeric display is provided at the upper left end of the upper surface of the key top,
The graphic characters displayed on the English symbol display section are displayed in the upper center of the top of the keytop, the graphic characters displayed on the kana symbol display section are displayed on the upper right side of the upper section of the keytop, and the graphic displayed on the kana display section The characters are displayed in a bent and enlarged manner over the top and front portions of the key top. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display is displayed on the left side of the front part of the keytop and the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display part is displayed on the alphanumeric display part on the front part of the keytop. On the right side of the displayed graphic characters, the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section are enlarged and displayed on the upper part of the key top, and the graphic characters displayed on the kana symbol display section are displayed on the kana display section. Is displayed at the upper right of the screen. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a graphic character displayed on a kana display part is displayed on the left side of a front part of the key top and a graphic character displayed on a kana symbol display part is displayed on a right side of a graphic character displayed on the kana display part. On the other hand, the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section are enlarged and displayed on the upper part of the keytop, and the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section are displayed on the upper right of the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section. It was done.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the top of the key top is divided into three parts, a kana display part, a kana symbol display part, an alphanumeric display part and an alphanumeric display part, and graphic characters displayed on each part. Are color-coded. The key top according to claim 6 divides the key top on which the kana is displayed into groups for each row of the kana syllabary table, and further comprises three keys, a long code key, a voiced voice key, and a semi-voiced voice key, as one group. The keytop is colored with a different color for each group in addition to the kana group.
3, 4, and 5. 8. The key top according to claim 7, wherein the five letters "AIUEO" displayed on the key top (A) are displayed in different colors from the other alphabets. The character cap according to claim 8 is a character cap having a cap-like shape similar to a key top and provided with an adhesive layer on an inner surface.
5, 6, and 7 are displayed. 10. The character cover according to claim 9, wherein the character cover is formed of a soft elastic polymer sheet, has a shape encoded on the entire top of the keyboard on which the graphic characters are displayed, and has the graphic characters displayed thereon. Claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 at the position of the character cover corresponding to the key top of each figure character while detachably covering the figure.
A character cover characterized in that graphic characters having the same contents as the graphic characters displayed on the key top described in any one of the above are individually printed.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, graphic characters (FIG. 1)
The letters, katakana, kana characters, numbers, special characters for alphabets, and special characters for katakana shown in Fig. 8) are bent and enlarged using the top and front parts of the keytop. Since the character can be displayed larger than the displayed character, the character can be used wider than the entire area of the top surface of the key top, and the character can be displayed thicker. In addition, even when viewed from a distance, such as a person with a disability who is inputting with his toes, the characters are large and easy to see, so input is easy. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the graphic characters other than the graphic characters displayed on the kana display portion are displayed above the upper surface portion of the key top, so that the lower portion of the upper surface of the key top is widened, and the kana display portion that is bent and enlarged is displayed. Can be displayed larger on the upper side. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section and the alphanumeric symbol display section are displayed on the front of the keytop, and the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section and the kana symbol display section are displayed on the keytop. It is displayed on the top surface and the graphic characters in the kana display area are enlarged and displayed, so when viewing in the alphabet input mode, look at the front of the keyboard, and in kana input mode, look at the top of the keyboard and input. ,
Input errors due to differences in input modes can be reduced. This is easy to see and input because the kana is largely displayed when the kana input is mainly used.

According to the present invention, the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section and the kana symbol display section are displayed on the front of the keyboard, and the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section and the alpha symbol display section are displayed. Is displayed on the top of the keytop,
In the alphabet input mode, the user looks at the top surface of the keyboard, and in the kana input mode, the user looks at the front surface of the keyboard, so that input errors due to differences in the input modes can be reduced. This is easy to see and input because the alphabet is displayed large when mainly inputting alphabets or Roman letters. According to the invention described in claim 5, the graphic characters displayed on the key top are divided into three parts by combining the kana display part, the kana symbol display part, and the alphanumeric display part and the alphanumeric sign display part, Since the display is color-coded, it is possible to prevent input errors due to differences in input modes for graphic characters having similar character shapes as shown in FIG. According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects, the key-top on which the kana is displayed is divided into groups for each row of the kana syllabary, and The three keys, the number key, the voice mark key, and the half voice point key, are added as one group, and the key tops are colored with different colors for each group. Therefore, search for the key top of the desired kana character by color group. Even if the kana characters are arranged irregularly like a JIS layout keyboard, the desired kana can be input quickly. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the English vowel "AUEO" is displayed in different colors, even those who are not accustomed to the Roman alphabet can easily input the Roman alphabet. In addition, the color-coded display makes it possible to quickly search for vowels even if alphabets are irregularly arranged on the keyboard.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the graphic characters according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh aspects are displayed on the character cap, the effects of the first to seventh aspects are improved. In addition, it can be easily attached to a commercially available keyboard without changing the keyboard. According to the ninth aspect, the character cover has the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and fifth aspects.
Since the graphic characters described in 6 and 7 are displayed, in addition to the effects of claims 1 to 7, it is possible to easily cover and use a commercially available keyboard without changing the keyboard. In addition, since the character cover covers only the key top of the graphic character, the size of the key top of the graphic character part of the standard JIS layout keyboard is fixed, so that it can be used by covering the keyboard of any manufacturer. .

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 shows a keyboard layout of graphic character keys defined in JIS standard JIS X 6002, and the type and number of characters of keys on the keyboard are determined. The key type includes a graphic character key, a control character key and a shift function key, and the number of graphic character keys is 48. The graphic characters accommodated in the keyboard are shown in FIG.
There are kana 1 (or katakana), numeral 4, special characters 6 for alphabetic characters, and special characters 3 for katakana. The top surface of the key top A is divided into four parts, a kana display section 11, a kana symbol display section 12, an alphanumeric display section 13, and an English symbol display section 14, which are divided by dotted lines as shown in FIGS. FIG. 18 shows graphic characters that are divided and displayed in each section. Here, the kana display section 1
The graphic character displayed in No. 1 is a kana (or katakana) shown in “(1) Graphic character displayed in kana display section” in FIG.
There are 45 characters and three special characters for katakana. further,
The graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13 are 26 alphabetic characters, 10 numeric characters, and 11 special characters for alphabetic characters shown in "(2) Graphical characters displayed on alphanumeric display unit" in FIG.

Further, the graphic characters displayed on the kana symbol display section 12 are displayed in a small form as shown in "(3) Graphic characters displayed on the kana symbol display section" in FIG.
There are 9 characters, 1 character of the kana (Katakana), and 5 special characters for Katakana. Further, the graphic characters displayed on the English symbol display unit 14 are 21 special characters for English characters shown in “(4) Graphic characters displayed on the English symbol display unit” in FIG. As described above, in the JIS standard, the range of display positions of individual graphic characters displayed on the top of each key top is determined. In addition, the type of the graphic font, such as the type of the font, the thickness of the character, and the type of the inverted black-and-white character is not limited. In addition, there are keyboards that display special characters that are not in the JIS standard for each maker. These keyboards can also be added at predetermined positions on the key top in the input mode.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a key top A according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 36 is a top view of the entire key top A. The key top A is formed of a hard material such as a synthetic resin or a metal sheet bonded to a polymer sheet, and the upper surface portion 9 is rectangular and a portion corresponding to a finger is slightly concave. The key top A of the JIS arrangement shown in FIG.
In FIG. 18, three special characters for katakana are removed from the graphic characters displayed in the kana symbol display part of (1) of FIG.
Forty-five kana or katakana characters are bent and enlarged and displayed on the top surface 9 and the front surface 8 of the key top A, and the kana 15 is enlarged and displayed. That is, the upper end of the enlarged character does not touch the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13 and the kana symbol display unit 12, and the lower end of the enlarged character does not protrude below the front surface 8. The width of the character is set to such a size as to substantially enter the left and right sides of the upper surface portion 9.

Therefore, in order to display a graphic character on the curved surface of the trapezoidal key top A, a deformed character whose character size is slightly extended in the horizontal direction (vertical direction) can be used. In the case of the key top A having the above-described configuration, the kana character can be displayed larger than that displayed only on the top surface of the key top, so that the target character can be easily searched. In addition, the enlarged and displayed kana 15 can be displayed in bold characters, which makes it easier to see. Normally, both fingers are put on the keyboard A for input, and the characters on the key top A are hidden, making it difficult to see. Easier to do. 5 and 6 are top views in which the alphabet 5 and the numeral 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention are bent and enlarged, and FIG. 52 is a top view of the entire key top A. This is used for a keyboard dedicated to inputting Roman or English characters, and does not display Kana characters.

FIG. 5 shows only the keys on which the alphabetical character 5 is displayed among the graphic characters, and the alphabetic character 5 is displayed on the upper surface 9 of the key top A.
And the front part 8 is bent so as to be in the plane where the top part 9 and the front part 8 are joined together. The enlarged alphabet 16 is larger than the originally displayed alphabet 5. It is displayed. FIG. 6 shows that, with respect to only the key in which the numeral 4 is displayed in the graphic characters, the numeral 4 is bent over the upper surface portion 9 and the front surface portion 8 of the key top A, and The number 17 is enlarged and displayed at a certain size, and is larger than the initially displayed number 4. This is because, when inputting a Roman character or an English sentence, the alphabet 5 and the numeral 4 are displayed in large characters using the upper surface portion 9 and the front surface portion 8 of the key top A, so that the upper surface of the key top A is also clearer to make it easier to see. There are advantages.

FIGS. 7 and 37 show a top view of a key top A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The key top A is formed of a hard material such as a synthetic resin or metal and a polymer sheet attached thereto. The upper surface portion 9 is a square and slightly concave. Of the graphic characters displayed in FIG.
The graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section (2) is located at the upper left end of the upper surface 9 of the keyboard A, and the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section (4) is located at the upper center of the upper surface 9 of the keyboard A. Next, the graphic characters displayed in the kana symbol display section (3) are displayed on the upper right end of the upper surface 9 of the key top A. Also,
Of the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section of (1), 45 characters of kana or katakana excluding three special characters for katakana are bent over the upper surface portion 9 and the front surface portion 8 of the key top A. The upper end of the character does not touch other graphic characters displayed above the upper surface portion 9; the lower end of the character does not protrude below the front surface portion 8; Is displayed as a pseudonym 15 which is enlarged and displayed. Therefore, in order to display characters on the curved surfaces of the upper surface portion 9 and the front surface portion 8 of the key top A, it is possible to use a deformed character in which the size of the character is slightly extended in the horizontal (vertical) direction.

Among the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section of (1) in FIG. 18, three special characters for katakana are
It is displayed as it is or enlarged and below the upper surface portion 9. With the key top A having the above configuration,
When inputting kana characters, the characters are large and it is easy to find the target key. In addition, since characters are usually input by placing both fingers on the keyboard, the characters on the key top A are hidden, making it difficult to see. However, if the finger is slightly shifted, the desired kana can be seen from the gap between the fingers, so that it is easy for beginners to input. In addition, since graphic characters other than the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section 11 are displayed above the upper surface portion 9, the upper surface portion 9 is widened and the kana characters can be displayed in a larger size, so that it is easy to see.

FIGS. 8 and 38 show a top view of a key top A according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The key top A is made of a hard material such as a synthetic resin or metal and a polymer sheet adhered thereto. It is formed, and the upper surface part 9 is quadrangular and slightly concave. Of the graphic characters displayed in FIG.
The graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section (2) are displayed on the left side of the front part 8 of the key top A, and the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section (4) are displayed on the alphanumeric display section 13. To the right of the graphic character to be displayed, the graphic character displayed in the kana display section of (1) is enlarged and displayed on the upper surface 9 of the key top A, and the graphic character displayed in the kana symbol display section of (3) is displayed. Are displayed at the upper right of graphic characters displayed on the kana display section 11.

In the case of the key top A having the above-described configuration, the display positions of the kana character and the alphanumeric characters are displayed on different surfaces. In the input mode, the input may be performed by looking at the front part 8 of the key top A. The difference in the input mode is indicated by the difference in the display position of the graphic character, such as a special character having a similar character shape as shown in FIG. Has the advantage that it can be recognized and input visually and instantly. Also,
Normally, input is performed by placing both fingers on the keyboard, and the characters on the key top A are hidden, making it difficult to see. However, if the finger is slightly shifted, the desired kana character can be seen from the gap between the fingers, making it easy for beginners to input.

FIG. 9 is a key top A in which numerals are displayed in a large scale, and FIG. 10 is a key top A in which alphabets 5 are displayed in a large scale.
FIG. 39 is an overall view of the key top A, showing a top view of the key top A according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The top is made of a hard material such as a synthetic resin or a metal sheet with a polymer sheet adhered thereto, and the upper surface 9 is slightly concave in a rectangular shape. Among the graphic characters displayed in FIG. 18, the graphic character displayed in the kana display section of (1) is set to the left of the front part 8 of the key top A, and the graphic character displayed in the kana symbol display section is set to (3). On the right side of the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section 11, (2) the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section are enlarged and displayed on the upper surface portion 9 of the key top A, and (4) the graphic characters are displayed on the alphabet symbol display section. The displayed graphic character is displayed at the upper right of the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13. With the keyboard A having the above-described configuration, when inputting a Roman character or an English sentence, the alphabet 5 or the numeral 4 is displayed in a large size on the upper surface 9 of the keyboard A, so that there is an advantage that characters can be easily viewed and input. . In addition, pseudonym 1 is key top A
Since the display mode is displayed on the front part 8, the difference in the input mode is indicated by the difference in the display position of the graphic character. Therefore, special characters having similar character shapes as shown in FIG. There is an advantage that you can definitely recognize and input.

FIGS. 11 to 16 and FIGS. 40 to 43
FIGS. 5A and 5B show a top view of the key top A according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which differences in input modes are indicated by differences in the color of graphic characters displayed on the key top A. The figure is black-and-white, making it difficult to see, but is color-coded as follows. The colors of the graphic characters displayed in FIG. 18 are classified as follows for each display unit. Graphic characters (45 kana or katakana characters and 3 special characters for katakana) displayed on the kana display section of (1) are displayed in black, for example. The graphic characters (9 small kana or katakana characters and 5 small special characters for katakana or katakana) displayed in the kana symbol display section (3) are displayed in red, for example.

The graphic characters (26 alphabetic characters, 10 numeric characters, and 11 special characters for alphabetic characters) displayed on the alphanumeric display unit (2) and the graphic characters (alphabetic characters) displayed on the alphanumeric display unit (4) Are displayed in blue, for example. As described above, the graphic characters displayed on the key top A are divided into three parts, and the characters and symbols displayed in each part are displayed in different colors. Here, FIG. 11 shows a key top A of a normal JIS arrangement.
Are displayed in different colors. 12 and 40
Is a color-coded representation of the graphic character of the key top A of the first embodiment in which the enlarged and displayed kana 15 is displayed over the upper surface 9 and the front 8. 13 and 41, the enlarged display of the kana 15 is displayed over the upper surface 9 and the front 8 and is displayed on each of the kana symbol display unit 12, the English symbol display unit 14, and the alphanumeric display unit 13. The graphic characters are displayed above the upper surface 9 of the key top A, and the characters of each part of the key top A of the second embodiment are displayed in different colors.

FIGS. 14 and 42 show the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13 on the left side of the front part 8 of the key top A, and the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 14 are displayed on the front part 8 of the key top A. The graphic character displayed on the kana display section 11 is enlarged and displayed on the upper surface section 9 of the key top A to the right of the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section 13 of FIG.
The character of each part of the key top A according to the third embodiment in which the graphic character displayed in FIG. 2 is displayed on the upper right of the graphic character displayed in the kana display section 11 is displayed in different colors. FIG.
16 and FIG. 43, the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section 11 are displayed on the left side of the front part 8 of the key top A, and the graphic characters displayed on the kana symbol display section 12 are displayed on the right side of the graphic characters on the kana display section 12. On the other hand, the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13 are enlarged and displayed on the upper surface 9 of the key top A, and the alphanumeric symbol display unit 1 is displayed.
The character of the key top A of the fourth embodiment is displayed in different colors by displaying the graphic character displayed on the upper right of the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13.

The character input method is as follows in the kana input mode.
The color of the graphic character displayed on the kana symbol display section 12 is changed when the shift function key is pressed in the kana input mode. Enter as a landmark. Further, in the alphanumeric input mode, input is performed using the color of the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section 13 as a mark, and when the shift function key is pressed in the alphanumeric input mode, the alphanumeric display section 14 is displayed.
Input using the color of the graphic character displayed in the mark as a mark. In the case of the key top A having the above-described configuration, the input mode is displayed in a different color depending on the display position of the graphic character, and further, the display is performed in a different color of the graphic character. As shown in FIG. 19, special characters and the like having similar character shapes have the advantage that they can be visually and instantly recognized and input without error, and there is an advantage that input errors are reduced. The graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section 13 and the alphanumeric display section 14 are set to the same color because the display of multicolored characters and symbols on the narrow key upper surface makes it harder to see. Judgment of input was made based on the difference.

FIGS. 44 to 51 show top views of the entire key top A of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
The key-top A in which the kana 1 is displayed is assigned to each row of the kana syllabary of the kana, that is, the row is composed of “Aioueo” as one group, and “Kakikukeko”, “Sashisusesoso”,
"Tatsutsuto", "What is it?", "Hahifueho",
Divide into 10 groups, "Mamimumemo", "Yayuyo", "Rarirero", and "Wadon". Furthermore, a long code key 18 "-", a voice mark key 19 "゛", and a half voice key 2
In addition to the three keys of 0 "@" as one group, the kana group is added to the group of kana, and the key tops A shown in Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for each of the above 11 groups are obtained by the above method. It is a key top colored in a different color.

FIG. 44 is a top view in which the key top A of the first embodiment is color-coded, FIG. 45 is a top view in which the key top A of the second embodiment is color-coded, and FIG. 46 is a key top A of the third embodiment. 47 is a top view in which keytop A of the fourth embodiment is color-coded, FIG. 48 is Embodiments 1 and 5, FIG. 49 is Embodiments 2 and 5, and FIG. 50 is Embodiment 3.
FIG. 51 and FIG. 51 are top views of the key top A of the fifth embodiment in which the features of the fourth and fifth embodiments are further added. With the key top A having the above-described configuration, in addition to the features of the first to fifth embodiments, the key top A of the target kana character can be searched using the color group as a guide. Even if the kana characters are arranged irregularly, the desired kana can be input quickly. For children and the elderly, it is easier to find characters by coloring them with a high-contrast color. For those who are used to it, coloring them with a low-contrast color will not tire their eyes.

FIG. 53 is a top view of the key top A according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Of the alphabets 5 displayed on the key top A, the five characters "AIUEO" are different from the remaining alphabets 5. The key top A is displayed in different colors by color. Since the letters of the vowel "AIUEO" of the alphabet 5 are displayed in different colors, the vowels are easy to find, and even those who are not accustomed to Roman letters can easily enter Roman letters. FIG. 53 shows a key top A in which the alphabet 5 and the numeral 4 displayed on the alphanumeric display unit 13 are displayed in a bent and enlarged manner. it can. Note that the present embodiment can also be used for a keyboard whose characters are not enlarged.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a character cap B covered on a key top A, showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This character cap B is formed by coating a polymer sheet on plastic or metal. It has a cap-like shape similar to the key top A, and has a bottom surface opened so as to cover the key top A. On the character cap B, the graphic characters displayed on the key top A of the first to seventh embodiments are displayed, and on the inner surface, a detachable adhesive layer 21 having a low viscosity is provided.
Use it over each of the tops A. In addition, a rubber-based bond, a silicon-based filler, a double-sided tape, or the like is used for the adhesive layer 21, but any material that cannot be easily removed may be used.

The present embodiment can be easily attached to a commercially available keyboard and used.
The effect of key top A is as follows. FIG. 21 shows character cap B
The upper surface portion 29 is slightly wider than that of the key top A, and can be mounted regardless of the size of the key top A. This is because the size of the bottom surface of the key top A is fixed in the standard type JIS keyboard, but the width and height of the upper surface portion 9 are slightly different for each manufacturer. FIG. 22 shows a character cap B surrounding the entire keyboard A. FIG. 23 shows a shape in which the key cap A is inserted in close contact with the character cap B and the key cap A is sandwiched below the character cap B. FIGS. 24 to 35 are diagrams in which the graphic characters displayed on the key top A of the first to seventh embodiments are displayed on the character cap B, and the graphic characters of the embodiment of the key top A in FIGS. 36 to 53 are character caps. B
Are also examples of the character cap B.

FIG. 54 is a sectional view in which the character cover C is put on the key top A, FIG. 55 is a front view, FIG.
FIG. 57 is a side view, and FIG. 58 is a top view showing the graphic characters of the key top A of the first embodiment, showing a character cover C of the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The character cover C is formed in a cap shape at a corresponding location of a soft elastic polymer sheet or an ultra-thin sheet material made of a material such as rubber, in correspondence with the arrangement of the key tops A on which graphic characters are displayed. Thereby, each key top A is individually fitted at the formation location, and is formed so as to be in close contact with the key top A over the entire covering surface thereof. In addition, the character cover surface of this cap-shaped forming portion is provided with the first to seventh embodiments.
The graphic characters up to are printed. Since this is used over the key top A, it can be easily used on a commercially available keyboard without changing the keyboard, and the effects of the key top A of the first to seventh embodiments are added.

Further, since the character cover C covers only the key top A of the graphic character, the JIS standard keyboard has an advantage that it can be attached to any manufacturer's keyboard. This is because, in the case of the JIS standard keyboard, the size of the key top A of the graphic character is almost the same. However, in many word processors and the like, the key top A of “nu” is large, so that only the part of “nu” is set to a different size from the others.
The character cover C displays the graphic characters displayed on the key top A in FIGS. In addition, a character cover having a structure in which a cap-shaped one made of a polymer material displaying the graphic characters of Examples 1 to 7 is connected to the shape of the key top A in the JIS arrangement can be used. The display position of the graphic character is displayed at the above-mentioned determined position, but is not limited to the above and may be slightly shifted.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, graphic characters (generic names of alphabetic characters, katakana, kana characters, numerals, special characters for alphabetic characters, and special characters for katakana shown in FIG. 18) are formed on the top of the key top. Since the display is bent and enlarged using the front part, it can be displayed larger than the character displayed on the normal key top, so it can be used wider than the entire area of the top part of the key top, and the character can also be displayed Since the characters can be displayed thickly, the characters are larger and easier to see. In addition, even when viewed from a distance, such as a person with a disability who is inputting with his toes, the characters are large and easy to see, so input is easy. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the graphic characters other than the graphic characters displayed on the kana display portion are displayed above the upper surface portion of the key top, so that the lower portion of the upper surface of the key top is widened, and the kana display portion that is bent and enlarged is displayed. Can be displayed larger on the upper side. According to the invention described in claim 3,
The graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display and the alphanumeric display are displayed on the front of the keytop, and the graphic characters displayed on the kana display and the kana symbol display are displayed on the top of the keytop,
In addition, since the graphic characters in the kana display area are displayed in an enlarged manner, when in the alphabet input mode, look at the front of the keyboard.
Also, in the kana input mode, the input is made while looking at the top of the key top, so that input errors due to differences in the input mode can be reduced. This is easy to see and input because the kana is largely displayed when the kana input is mainly used.

According to the present invention, the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section and the kana symbol display section are displayed on the front of the keyboard, and the graphic characters displayed on the alphanumeric display section and the alpha symbol display section are displayed. Is displayed on the top of the keytop,
In the alphabet input mode, the user looks at the top surface of the keyboard, and in the kana input mode, the user looks at the front surface of the keyboard, so that input errors due to differences in the input modes can be reduced. This is easy to see and input because the alphabet is displayed large when mainly inputting alphabets or Roman letters. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the graphic characters displayed on the key top are divided into three parts by combining the kana display section, the kana symbol display section, and the alphanumeric display section and the alpha symbol display section. Since the color-coded display is performed, it is possible to prevent an input error of a graphic character having a similar character shape due to a difference in the input mode as shown in FIG. According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects, the key-top on which the kana is displayed is divided into groups for each row of the kana syllabary, and The three keys, the number key, the voice mark key, and the half voice point key, are added as one group, and the key tops are colored with different colors for each group. Therefore, search for the key top of the desired kana character by color group. Even if the kana characters are arranged irregularly like a JIS layout keyboard, the desired kana can be input quickly. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the English vowel "AUEO" is displayed in different colors, even those who are not accustomed to the Roman alphabet can easily input the Roman alphabet. In addition, the color-coded display makes it possible to quickly search for vowels even if alphabets are irregularly arranged on the keyboard.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the graphic characters according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh aspects are displayed on the character cap, the effects of the first to seventh aspects are reduced. In addition, it can be easily attached to a commercially available keyboard without changing the keyboard. According to the ninth aspect, the character cover has the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and fifth aspects.
Since the graphic characters described in 6 and 7 are displayed, in addition to the effects of claims 1 to 7, it is possible to easily cover and use a commercially available keyboard without changing the keyboard. In addition, since the character cover covers only the key top of the graphic character, the size of the key top of the graphic character part of the standard JIS layout keyboard is fixed, so that it can be used by covering the keyboard of any manufacturer. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a key-top in which a pseudonym of a first embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

Fig. 2 Top view of JIS standard key top

FIG. 3 is a top view of a JIS standard key top.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a JIS standard key top.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a key top in which an alphabetic character according to the first embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a key top in which numbers of the first embodiment of the present invention are bent and enlarged.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym of the second embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a key top according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a key top in which numerals of the fourth embodiment of the present invention are enlarged.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a keyboard in which an alphabetic character is enlarged and displayed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a JIS standard key top according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a key top in which a kana according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged and other characters are displayed above the key top.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a key top in which numerals in the fifth embodiment of the present invention are enlarged.

FIG. 16 is a top view of a key top in which an alphabetic character is enlarged and displayed according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a JIS arrangement graphic character key top.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of graphic characters displayed on a JIS layout key top.

FIG. 19 is a character diagram similar to a figure described in the JIS standard.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the character cap according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention attached to a key top.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a character cap according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention attached to a key top;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing another character cap attached to a key top according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing another character cap mounted on a key top according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a top view of a character cap in which English characters according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in a bent and enlarged manner.

FIG. 25 is a top view of a character cap in which numerals of the eighth embodiment of the present invention are bent and enlarged.

FIG. 26 is a character cap top view in which the kana of the eighth embodiment of the present invention is displayed in a bent and enlarged manner.

FIG. 27 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym of the eighth embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 28 is a top view of a key top in which numerals according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention are enlarged.

FIG. 29 is a top view of a key top in which an alphabetic character is enlarged and displayed according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a top view of a JIS standard key top according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 32 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym of the eighth embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 33 is a top view of a key top in which a pseudonym of the eighth embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 34 is a top view of a key top in which numerals of the eighth embodiment of the present invention are enlarged.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged top view of the English alphabet of the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a top view of the entire key top in which the pseudonym of the first embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged;

FIG. 37 is a top view of the entire key top in which the pseudonym of the second embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 38 is a top view of the entire key top according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a top view of the entire key top according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a top view of the entire key top in which the pseudonym of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is bent and enlarged.

FIG. 41 is a top view of the entire keytop in which the kana of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is displayed in a bent and enlarged manner and other characters are displayed above the keytop.

FIG. 42 is a top view of the entire key top in which the pseudonym of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 43 is a top view of the entire keyboard with enlarged letters and numbers according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a top view of the entire key top in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 45 is a top view of the entire key top in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 46 is a top view of the entire keytop in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 47 is a top view of the entire key top in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 48 is a top view of the entire key top in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 49 is a top view of the entire key top in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 50 is a top view of the entire keytop in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 51 is a top view of the entire key top in which kana keys according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 52 is a top view of the entire key top in which the alphabetic characters and numerals of the first embodiment of the present invention are bent and enlarged.

FIG. 53 is a top view of the entire keyboard according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention in which the character cover is covered with the key top;

FIG. 55 is a front view of the character cover according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a rear view of the character cover according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a side view of the character cover according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 58 shows a character cover according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
Top view of character cover displaying graphic characters

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Key top B Character cap C Character cover 8, 28 Front part 9, 29 Top part 11 Kana display part 12 Kana symbol display part 13 Alphanumeric display part 14 Alphabet symbol display part 18 Long tone code key 19 Dakuten key 20 Semi-voiced key key 21 Adhesive layer

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A graphic character displayed on a key top is
A key top that is displayed in a bent and enlarged state over the top part (9) and the front part (8) of the key top (A). 2. The graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section (13) is located at the upper left end of the upper surface (9) of the key top (A), and the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section (14) is key top ( A graphic character displayed on the kana symbol display section (12) is displayed at the upper right end of the upper face section (9) of the key top (A) in the upper center of the upper face section (9) of A), and the kana display section (11). The graphic characters displayed on the top of the top (A) (9)
Key top with a bend-enlarged display straddling the front part (8). 3. The graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section (13) is located on the left side of the front part (8) of the key top (A), and the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display section (14) is key top ( A graphic character displayed on the kana display portion (11) is displayed on the upper surface portion (9) of the key top display (A) on the right side of the graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display portion (13) on the front surface portion (8) of (A). ), And the graphic characters displayed on the kana symbol display section (12) are displayed at the upper right of the graphic characters displayed on the kana display section (11). 4. A graphic character displayed on a kana display section (11) is displayed on the left side of a front part (8) of a key top (A), and a graphic character displayed on a kana symbol display section (12) is displayed on the kana display. The graphic character displayed on the alphanumeric display unit (13) is enlarged and displayed on the upper part (9) of the key top (A) to the right of the graphic character displayed on the unit (11), and the alphanumeric character display unit (14) is displayed. ) Is a key top in which the graphic characters displayed in the upper left of the graphic characters displayed in the alphanumeric display section (13) are displayed. 5. The top surface (9) of the key top (A) is composed of a kana display section (11), a kana symbol display section (12), an alphanumeric display section (13) and an alpha symbol display section (14). A key top that is divided into three parts and the graphic characters displayed in each part are displayed in different colors. 6. A key top (A) on which a kana is displayed,
Each row of the kana syllabary table is divided into groups, and three keys of a long code key (18), a voiced voice key (19), and a semi-voiced voice key (20) are added to the kana group as one group. The key top according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the key top (A) is colored with a different color for each of the groups. 7. A key-top in which five letters of the alphabet AUEO displayed on the key-top (A) are displayed in different colors from other alphabets. 8. A character cap (B) having a cap-like shape similar to the keyboard (A) and provided with an adhesive layer (21) on an inner surface thereof. Character cap that displays graphic characters described in crabs. 9. A keyboard made of a soft elastic polymer sheet, having a shape encoded on the entire top of the keyboard (A) on which graphic characters of the keyboard are displayed, and the upper surface of the entire key top (A) on which graphic characters are displayed. Claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 at the position of the character cover (C) corresponding to the key top (A) of each figure character, while detachably covering the figure.
A character cover characterized in that graphic characters having the same contents as the graphic characters displayed on the key top (A) described in any of the above items are individually printed.