JPS5971217A - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a key switch, and more particularly to a key switch that can output multipurpose signals by operating a single key top.

Conventional technology 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 leads to improvement, and is especially effective when used for cursor movement. The present inventor has proposed several such key-sits so far. For example, a key switch proposed for cursor movement control is equipped with a single key top and four independent displacement detection means, and when the cursor moves diagonally, two adjacent displacement detection means operate simultaneously. There are some things that can be done by detecting that something is happening. Of course 2 next to each other
When two 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, accurate key top operation is required. This means that, for example, when you want to move the cursor straight up, if there is ambiguity in the operating position line or operating direction of the key top, the cursor may sometimes move diagonally upward. Accuracy in cursor movement control is particularly important when reaching the target position, so a key switch with this structure requires a certain degree of precision in key top operation in order to prevent cursor malfunctions. Become.

Furthermore, when using such key switches to select and execute various functions for screen editing, it is necessary to prevent or invalidate duplicate signal output in some way. 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. The purpose of this is a key switch that can output multi-purpose signals by operating a single key top, so even if the key top is operated in a somewhat ambiguous position or direction, duplicate signals will be output. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch with high operational reliability, which operates to prevent the above problems and 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. As shown in FIG. 6, a CPU 9, a RAM 10, and a ROM II are housed inside the main body 1 of the Hersonal Ken computer. 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, alphabetical and symbol keys, and 14 is a part of function keys. To briefly explain these function keys, ``DELJ is the character deletion key, r
IN]+ is a character insertion key, rcLRJ is a screen clear key, and rHOMEJ 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. The operation in this case is to simply move the key top 4-1 to the left (arrow A) or upward (arrow B) in the operation explanatory diagram of the cursor moving key switch 4 shown in FIG.
) moves the cursor to the left or up.

The structure of this cursor moving key switch 4 is shown in FIG. To give a brief explanation of the drawings, Figures 5 (A), (B) and (C) are similar to Figure 4 (A).
) is a sectional view for explaining the operation of the part cut by the operation display character part (left) and (right), and FIG. 5(D) is a plan view of the structure corresponding to FIG. 4(A). be. Also, Figure 4 (B
) is a cross-sectional view of the structure located between the operation arrow C and 0 in the diagonal direction of the key top 4-1 in FIGS.
) is an operation explanatory diagram obtained by rotating FIG. 4A by 45 degrees to the left. A plan view of the structure corresponding to FIG. 4(B) is shown in FIG. 5(H).

In the above figures, first, as shown in FIG. A spherical motion-conducting pole 6 and a leaf spring contact 7 are provided, and the leaf spring contact 7 comes into contact when a horizontal force is applied to the key top 4-1. Furthermore, information based on this contact is read by the CPU 9 to control the direction of movement of the cursor. For example, when the key top 4-1 is pressed in the direction A in FIG. The cursor K can be moved to the left by applying force to the contact point 7X and making contact with the contact point 7X (see Figure 5 CB)]. Next, release the key top 4-1 from the key top 4-1.
The four duplicate input prevention protrusions 8 provided around the key top accommodating protrusion 5-3 have an appropriate interval between them and the locking part 5-1 of the key switch main body 5. The size of is such that, for example, when the key top 4-1 is pressed in the A direction, none of the convex portions 8 prevents the leaf spring contact 7X from coming into contact with the key top 4-1. Here, if the leaf spring contact 7 is
When the key top 4-1 is pressed in a direction in which the key top 4-1 is not provided, a convex portion 8xy (hereinafter, the subscript specifies the position of the convex portion 8) provided on the key top 4-1 to prevent duplicate input is pressed. ), leaf spring contact 7
Force is applied to both X and 7y, and both contacts come into contact, but because of the protrusion 8xy, the movement of the key top 4-1 is caused by the key switch main body 5 as shown in FIG. 5(G).
It collides with the locking part 5-1 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 it is the result of an ambiguous operation on key top 4-1, and the direction in which it was pressed is (left) or (top)
If there is any deviation from direction C, the protrusion 8xy will act as a fulcrum and the component force in the direction of deviation will push the leaf spring contact 7X or 7y so that the correct operation is applied. A force is introduced and the corresponding leaf spring contact can be brought into contact to move the cursor K in the desired left or upward direction. Next, when you release your hand from the key top 4-1, the action conduction ball 6 is pushed back by the spring force of the leaf spring contact 7, and the key top 4-1 returns to its original position. The key top 4-1 is balanced at a position where the circumference of the 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.

The leaf spring contacts 7 include leaf spring contacts 7-1 and 7-2 spaced apart by an insulator 12, as shown in FIG. These contacts 7-1 and 7-2 close as shown in FIG. 5(B) when a sliding force is applied to the key top 4-1.

Therefore, the terminal 7t2 is the grounded terminal 7t.

Since it is short-circuited to , it outputs O port. However, when it is not closed, it is 5 ports due to the action of the pull-up resistor R. The CPU 9 is configured to periodically check the terminals 7t2 of the 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, the CPU 9 is again input.
It may be configured such that the service to the key switch is terminated by inputting an interrupt to the key switch. In any of the above cases, contact information of the contacts is taken into the CPU 9 at predetermined intervals while the key switch is being serviced. Therefore, by monitoring the terminals 7t2 of the four sets of leaf spring contacts, it is possible to detect in which direction the cursor K is to be moved. Furthermore, if the periodically acquired contact information is the same, the CPU 9 repeats the same control.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the key switch according to the present invention uses a key switch activated by selectively pressing different positions on a single key top operation surface for moving a cursor.

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 using the left part (point A) or the upper part of the key top 41 in the operation explanatory diagram of the key switch (hereinafter referred to as cursor movement key switch) 40 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. By pressing (point B) from above, the cursor is moved to the left or upward. The structure of this cursor moving key switch 40 is shown in FIG. Here, a brief explanation of the drawings is shown in Figures 9 (A), (B), and (C).
is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the part cut by the operation display character part (left) and (right) in Fig. 8 (A), and Fig. 9 (
D) is a plan view of the structure corresponding to FIG. 8(A). Fig. 8 (B) is an explanatory view of the operation that is rotated 45 inches to the right from Fig. 8 (A), and Fig. 9 (E) is a cross-sectional view of the structure between the operation press points A and B as seen from the opposite side of point C. .

Shown in (F) and (G). And Figure 8 (B)
A plan view of the structure corresponding to this is shown in FIG. 9(H).

In the above figures, first, as shown in FIG. 9(A), a spherical operation conduction pole is attached to the lower side of the key top 41 which is rotatably attached to the key switch body 5 (or the electronic device body). 6 and a spring contact 7 are provided, and the spring contact 7 comes into contact when force is applied to the key top 41 from above. Further, the information based on this contact is read by the CPU 9, thereby controlling the moving direction of the cursor. For example, when the key top 41 is pressed down from above at point A in FIG. 8(A), force is applied to the leaf spring contact 7X in FIG. It can be moved [see Figure 9(B)]. Here, the four duplicate input prevention protrusions 8 provided on the lower surface of the key top 41 are spaced appropriately between them and the locking part 5-2 of the key switch body 5 when the key top 41 is released. For example, when the key top 41 is pressed down at point A, which convex portion 8
Also, it is assumed that the plate spring contact 7X does not interfere with the contact. If the key top 41 is pressed down from above while the leaf spring contact 7 is not provided, as shown at point 0 in FIG. Assuming that there is no part 8xy (hereinafter, the subscripts are used to specify the position of the convex part 8), the leaf spring contacts 7X and 7y
Force is applied to both of them, causing both contacts to come into contact, but because of the protrusion 8xy, the key top 41 is not pressed as shown in Figure 9 (
As shown in G), the locking surface 5- of the key switch main body 5
2 and can be stopped midway. At this time, leaf spring contact 7
X 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 from the zero point even slightly to either (left) or (top), the protrusion 8xy will act as a fulcrum to correct the deviation. Due to the component force in the direction, the leaf spring contact 7X or 7
A pushing force is directed to apply a force to either correct operation of y, and the corresponding leaf spring contact contacts to move the cursor K to the desired left 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 is connected to a four-part 5 provided at a position corresponding to the locking surface 5-2 of the key switch body 5. -4 is fitted. Therefore, the key top 41 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 action conduction pole 6 is pushed back by the spring force of the leaf spring contact 7, and the key top 41 returns to its original state. Balance in a position where you can be pushed up evenly.

The means for detecting the opening and closing of the leaf spring contact 7 is the same as that shown in FIG.
This is equivalent to that described in the embodiment.

In the above explanation, the operation conduction pole 6 and the leaf spring contact 7 are
Even if the number of protrusions 8 is increased to increase the directions in which the cursor can move, or even if a commercially available switch is used in place of the operation conduction pole 6 and the leaf spring contact 7, the display part 2 and the key switch 4 Alternatively, it goes without saying that it does not matter if 40 is in a separate casing from main body 1.

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 and the locking part to prevent duplicate inputs are provided. This function prevents duplicate signal output and operates to reliably obtain a desired output signal, so a key switch with high operational reliability can be provided. Furthermore, 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. Further, since the convex portion 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 the drawing]

9. FIG. 1 is a side 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 section of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIGS. 4(A) and CB> are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the key switch of the first embodiment according to the present invention. 5(A)-(C) and (E)-(G) are cross-sectional views of the key switch of the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5(D)
and (H) are also plan views, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a personal computer equipped with a key switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of terminal connection for detecting opening and opening of a leaf spring contact, FIGS. 9(A)-(C) and (E)-(G) are sectional views of the key switch of the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9(I)
) and () () are also plan views. Here, 1... personal computer main body, 2...
...Display section, 3...Keyboard section, 4,40...Key switch, 4-1.41...Key top, 5-1.
... Locking part, 5-2... Locking surface, 6... Operation conduction pole, 7... Leaf spring contact, 8... Convex part, 15...
Projection, 16... operation section. Patent Applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Agent Yasunori Otsuka Patent Attorney Yasunori Otsuka 1 Figure 1 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Vision 6 Figure 2 ('S7 Figure + 5 Figure 8 (B) Figure

Claims (1)

[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, the single key top A convex portion is provided on the single key top to prevent an operation from acting across adjacent displacement detection means, and a locking portion corresponding to the convex portion is provided on the accommodating portion of the single key top. A key switch characterized by: 2. Multiple displacements of the side surface of a disc-shaped single key top that is freely slidable at a predetermined distance from the side surface of the single key top 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 detection means is interpolated, and a locking portion corresponding to the convex portion is provided on a side surface of the housing portion. 3. A unit that has a protrusion that stands upright at the center of the disc-shaped operation part, and the lower end of the protrusion fits into and is supported by a fitting part provided on the main body of the key switch or the main body of the electronic device. The key top is provided with a convex portion at a position that interpolates a plurality of displacement detection means at the lower part of the periphery of the operating section of the single key top, and the locking portion corresponding to the convex portion is attached to the main body of the key switch or the main body of the electronic device. The key switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the key switch is provided in the section. 4. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of displacement detection means outputs a cursor movement signal.