JPH11175238A - Wireless keyboard or wireless mouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse capable of adjusting the transmission distance and transmission range of optical signals in accordance with the style of use. SOLUTION: The transmission distance of optical signals is adjusted by an adjustment circuit composed of a variable resistor and a knob 12 for adjustment for regulating a current to a photo IC for transmitting the optical signals, and the transmission range (angle) of optical signals is adjusted by a circuit mechanism for adjusting the transmission range (angle) of optical signals from the photo IC. By adjusting this transmission distance or transmission area, even when the same types or different types of communication equipment are adjacently installed, the deformation of data caused by the interference of light can be eliminated by adjusting the communication distance and area (angle).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse for inputting a personal computer or a work station via an optical signal, and more particularly to a wireless keyboard capable of adjusting a transmission distance and a transmission range of an optical signal. It relates to a keyboard or a wireless mouse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a keyboard for inputting key information and a mouse as a pointing device are employed as input devices for OA equipment such as a personal computer and a workstation, and input key information from a keyboard or movement from a mouse. It is configured to transfer information to a personal computer or the like via a cable.

The keyboard and mouse are usually operated by placing them on a desk. However, the cable often hinders the operation of the keyboard and mouse. Recently, personal computers have been widely used in ordinary households, and TV screens have been used by families. If the keyboard and mouse are connected with a cable, such as when using the Internet to access, the operation range will be limited,
Cables tend to get in the way.

In order to solve the problem of the cable recently, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-36446, an input / output device such as a keyboard and a signal transmission / reception between a personal computer or the like as an upper device are transmitted by an optical signal. A wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse using the same have been proposed. In these devices, a bidirectional optical signal transmission / reception unit is mounted on an input device and a host device to realize bidirectional communication.
Communication control equivalent to that of a keyboard with a cable, such as "alphanumeric" shift, LED lighting control of a keyboard by an instruction from a host device, and ACK / NAK (normal response / retransmission request) can be performed.

[0005]

However, in the wireless device, there is a possibility that data may be garbled due to mutual interference of optical signals or external noise caused by adjacent devices performing optical communication. Although the reliability of communication is enhanced by the NAK retransmission request in the above-described conventional technology, the operation speed is reduced by retransmission, and normal reception may not be performed at all due to noise.
There was a problem that the disadvantages related to interference and noise could not be eliminated.

[0006] The interference and noise are mainly caused by the fact that the frequency and wavelength of optical communication are in the same range as other equipment, but the distance and area (angle) of optical communication are also one of the causes. . This is because the operating positions of the keyboard and mouse and the installation location of the receiving device are different for each individual depending on the usage pattern, and a communication distance of 5 m or more is required when used at home. It was necessary to maximize the distance and operating range (angle). Therefore, the conventional wireless device has a problem that when installed in an office where the distance between the devices is short, interference with adjacent devices increases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse capable of adjusting a transmission distance and a transmission range of an optical signal according to a use mode, in order to eliminate the above-described disadvantages of the related art.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an input unit for inputting key information and / or movement information, and an optical unit for converting the input key information or movement information into an optical signal for transmission. A signal transmitting unit, an optical signal receiving unit that receives an optical signal from a higher-level device, and a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse that includes a control unit that controls the optical signal transmitting unit and the receiving unit, A first adjustment unit for adjusting an optical signal transmission distance and / or a second adjustment unit for adjusting a range of a transmission area of the optical signal transmission unit are provided.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a personal computer to which a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse according to the present embodiment are applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a circuit configuration of each part. The computer system includes a personal computer 4 as a host device, a wireless keyboard 1 for inputting key information to the computer 4, a wireless mouse 2 as a pointing device for inputting cursor movement and click information on the screen, A reception controller 3 for transmitting and receiving optical signals to and from the keyboard 1 and the mouse 2 and transferring the signals to the computer 4;
The transmission and reception of signals between the computer 4 and the computer 4 are performed by optical signals. Incidentally, the reception control unit 3 may be mounted inside the computer 4 in some cases.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 1 includes a key matrix 5 in which a plurality of keys are arranged, an optical signal transmitting section 7 for transmitting and receiving optical signals to and from the receiving control section 3, and an optical signal receiving section 8. A control unit 6 for controlling these circuits, a power supply unit 9 for supplying power to each circuit, and a reach of an optical signal from an optical transmission unit 7 and a range of a transmission area (transmission angle ) Is provided.
The reception control unit 3 includes an optical signal transmission unit 7 of the keyboard 1.
And an optical signal receiving unit 11 and an optical signal transmitting unit 12 for transmitting and receiving an optical signal to and from the optical signal receiving unit 8 and a control unit 10 for controlling the optical signal receiving and transmitting and receiving optical signals between the personal computer 4 and the keyboard 1. Is what you do. Further, the mouse 2 according to the present embodiment includes a travel detection unit that detects mouse travel and a click detection unit that detects left and right clicks of a click button, instead of the key matrix 5 of the keyboard 1 shown in FIG. The movement and click information is transmitted to and received from the reception control unit 3 via the signal transmission unit and the optical signal reception unit. The configuration of the mouse is the same in an embodiment described later, and the mouse may be another input / operation device such as a track pole with a numeric keypad or a joystick.

When the key information or the movement information is input by the key matrix 5 (or the mouse running mechanism) by the user's operation, the control unit 6 of the keyboard 1 of the computer system having the above-described configuration performs its own optical communication. The signal is converted into an optical signal format, and is input to an optical signal transmitting unit 7 including a photodiode, a preamplifier, and a waveform shaping circuit. The transmitting unit 7 transmits an optical signal to the reception control unit 3. The reception control unit 3 that has received the optical signal at the reception unit 11 converts the reception signal into an interface of the personal computer 4 by processing of the control unit 10 and transfers the signal to the computer 4 via a cable. Signal transmission from the computer 4 to the keyboard 1 and the mouse 2 is performed in a procedure reverse to the above procedure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an adjusting section 20 for adjusting a transmission distance and a transmission area (angle) of the keyboard according to the present embodiment. The optical signal is transmitted by the photo ICs 11a and 11b which transmit the optical signal from the keyboard 1. The transmission distance of the optical signal by the photo IC is determined by the current flowing through the photo ICs 11a and 11b. , 11b are determined by the mounting angle. As for the relationship between the transmission distance and the angle at the horizontal position, the distance increases as the angle approaches 0 degrees, and decreases as the angle approaches 90 degrees.

The adjusting unit 2 of the keyboard 1 according to the present embodiment.
Numeral 0 includes a circuit for controlling a current value of a drive signal supplied to the photo ICs 11a and 11b and a mechanism for adjusting a mounting angle of the photo IC 11a. The area can be adjusted, and details of these circuits and the like are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an adjustment circuit for adjusting the transmission distance of an optical signal. This circuit is provided by a control unit 7 which receives a key input signal from a key matrix 5 and supplies the photo ICs to photo ICs 11a and 11b. When the power from the power supply Vcc is controlled by turning on and off the transistors Tr41 and Tr42, the power from the power supply Vcc is adjusted by the variable resistance R40, and the photo IC 11a is changed by changing the resistance value of the variable resistance R40. The transmission distance of the optical signal can be adjusted by adjusting the value of the current supplied to the first and the second signals 11b.

The adjusting mechanism is constructed such that the photo ICs 11a and 11b are rotatably mounted as shown in FIG. 5, and the turning positions of the photo ICs 11a and 11b are adjusted by a knob 12. IC
By rotating 11a and 11b, the range (angle) of reaching the optical signal can be adjusted. For example, when the optical signal is used in an office or the like, it can be limited to 1 to 2 m. It can be used in places where there is no communication or at home with a maximum communication distance (5 m or more).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an adjustment circuit for adjusting the transmission distance of an optical signal according to another embodiment of the present invention. This circuit is a circuit for adjusting by a command from the computer 4 or by the switch 14. In order to enable adjustment by a command from the computer 4, an optical signal is supplied to both the keyboard 1 and the mouse 2 and the reception control unit 3. A transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit are provided.

This circuit is connected to the control unit 6 to which a key input signal from the key matrix 5 is input, and to the power from the power supply Vcc supplied to the photo ICs 11a and 11b via resistors R0 to R4 having different resistance values. A plurality of transistors Tr61 to Tr65 and a selector 13 for selectively connecting the plurality of transistors Tr61 to Tr65 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 6, and the control unit 6 switches the switch S1 of the selector 6 in accordance with an instruction from the computer 4. The transmission ports 0 to 4 of the selector 13 can be selected by selecting the transistors Tr61 to Tr65 driven by S3 to S3.

This circuit is controlled by the control unit 6 according to an instruction from the host.
By selecting a transistor to be driven by the selector 13, the amount of output light can be adjusted in accordance with the current value flowing through the photo ICs 11a and 11b in accordance with the resistance values of the resistors R0 to R4. When the optical signal receiving unit 8 is not used in this circuit, a switch 14 capable of setting a plurality of numerical values is mounted on the keyboard 1, the information of the switch 14 is read by the control unit 6, and the transmission ports 0 to 0 of the selector 13 are read. By making the number 4 selectable, it is possible to adjust the current value and control the amount of output light by the same circuit as described above.

Next, an adjustment circuit for adjusting the transmission distance of the optical signal and a mechanism for adjusting the transmission area (angle) of the optical signal according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This circuit is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in that the photo IC 11a connected to each of the transistors Tr71 to Tr74 is different.
To 11e, a switch 14 capable of setting a plurality of numerical values,
Providing resistors R70 to R74 having the same resistance value,
As shown in FIG. 8, 11a to 11e are arranged at different positions and angles on the computer side of the keyboard 1, and other parts are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG.

The circuit thus configured selects the transmission ports 0 to 4 of the selector 13 in accordance with a command from the computer 4 or information of the switch 14 and causes only one photo IC to emit light. As a result, the circuit selectively drives the photo IC in accordance with the arrangement of the keyboard and the computer, and can prevent a problem that light enters and interferes with an adjacent device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the mechanism for adjusting the reach (angle) of the optical signal. This mechanism is provided with a rotatable reflector 15 on the keyboard 1 and a photo IC.
The optical signal is reflected by the reflection plate 15 and transmitted, and the transmission area can be adjusted by the rotation angle of the reflection plate 15. The reflection plate 15 is linked with a knob (not shown) attached to the outside of the keyboard 1, and by adjusting the angle of the reflection plate 15 by moving the knob, the photo IC 11 a transmits the reflection plate 1.
5 is used to illuminate communication light to adjust the angle of the reflection plate 15 to prevent a problem that light enters and interferes with an adjacent device.

As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, the current supplied to the photo IC as the first adjusting unit for adjusting the optical signal transmission distance from the optical signal transmitting unit to the wireless input / operation device such as the keyboard. A circuit for adjusting, and a mechanism circuit for adjusting a transmitting direction of a photo IC / selecting a photo IC at a plurality of positions as a second adjusting unit for adjusting a range (angle) of a transmission area of the optical signal transmitting unit. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse capable of adjusting a transmission distance and a transmission range of an optical signal according to a usage pattern.

Note that the present invention can be represented as the following embodiments. <Embodiment 1> A wireless keyboard and mouse including an input device that modulates key input information or mouse movement information by an operation into an optical signal and transmits the signal, and a control device that receives and demodulates the optical signal and transfers the signal to a higher-level device. A photodiode that transmits an optical signal, a photo IC having a preamplifier and a waveform shaping circuit, and a variable resistor that can adjust the current to the photo IC are mounted on the input device, and the optical signal is transmitted by a knob directly connected to the variable resistor. Wireless keyboard and mouse characterized by adjustable distance. <Embodiment 2> Circuits for transmitting and receiving optical signals are provided in both the input device and the reception control device, the transmission port of the input device-side control section can be selected by a selector, and different resistances are mounted on the lines. The wireless keyboard and mouse are characterized in that the current to the photo IC can be adjusted by adjusting the transmission distance of the optical signal. <Third Embodiment> In the input device, photo ICs are mounted at different angles on a plurality of transmission port lines, respectively.
A wireless keyboard and a mouse, wherein a range of a transmission area can be set by selecting a photo IC for transmitting light. <Embodiment 4> A wireless keyboard and mouse provided with a switch capable of setting a plurality of numerical values on the input device side, and a function of reading the numerical values by a control unit and selecting a transmission port. <Embodiment 5> A wireless keyboard and mouse characterized in that a movable reflector is provided on the input device side, light is applied from the photo IC to the reflector, and the range of the transmission area can be set by the angle of the reflector.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first adjustment unit and / or the optical signal transmission unit for adjusting the optical signal transmission distance from the optical signal transmission unit to a wireless input / operation device such as a keyboard. To provide a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse that can adjust a transmission distance and a transmission range of an optical signal according to a use mode by providing a second adjustment unit that adjusts a range (angle) of a transmission area. Can be. Therefore, according to the present invention, the wireless keyboard and the wireless mouse can freely adjust the transmission distance and the area (angle) even when the same type or another type of optical communication device is installed adjacent to the wireless keyboard and the wireless mouse. Data corruption can be prevented. Further, it is possible to provide a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse having the same hardware without having to separate the wireless keyboard from the office or home use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a computer system to which a wireless keyboard and a mouse according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a keyboard and a communication unit of a reception control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the transmission distance and area (angle) of a wireless device.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an adjustment circuit for adjusting a transmission distance of an optical signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a transmission range of an optical signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an adjustment circuit for adjusting a transmission distance of an optical signal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an adjustment circuit for adjusting a transmission range of an optical signal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a transmission range of an optical signal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a transmission range of an optical signal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wireless keyboard, 2 wireless mouse, 3 reception control unit, 4 personal computer, 5 key matrix, 6 control unit, 7 optical signal transmission unit, 8 optical signal reception unit, 9 power supply unit, 10
Control unit, 11a to 11e Photo IC, 12 adjustment knob, 13 selector for selecting transmission port, 1
4 Switch for selecting transmission port, 15 Reflector.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input section for inputting key information and / or movement information, an optical signal transmitting section for converting the input key information or movement information into an optical signal and transmitting the same, and receiving an optical signal from a higher-level device. In a wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse including an optical signal receiving unit and a control unit that controls the optical signal transmitting unit and the receiving unit, a first adjusting unit that adjusts an optical signal transmission distance from the optical signal transmitting unit and or A wireless keyboard or a wireless mouse, further comprising a second adjusting unit for adjusting a range of a transmission area of the optical signal transmitting unit.