JPS62237621A - Optical matrix keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for inputting information, and more particularly to a keyboard used by a person to input information.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of keyboard inputs signals by directly pressing keys on a diaphragm between the package inside the keyboard, inputting signals by pressing with finger pressure from a synthetic resin cover, or Previously, a method was used in which signals were input by pressing the contacts on the package with a key or finger.

In any case, conventional keyboards have a structure in which the electrical part and the mechanical part are in direct contact.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional keyboard described above, when pressing the diaphragm of the package in the keyboard with a key, when pressing with a finger from above the cover, and when pressing the diaphragm of the package in the keyboard with a finger, it is difficult to press the contact point of another method on the package. In both cases, the electrical part and mechanical part were in direct contact, which resulted in some restrictions on the structure of the key, making the keystrokes complicated, and making it difficult to adjust the keystrokes to fit the size of the board. The disadvantage was that it required a separate package.

Means for Solving Problem C] The present invention has been made by focusing on the conventional problem described in E. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical matrix keyboard in which a part of the structure can be simplified, there are no restrictions on key strokes, and the circuit can be simplified.

To this end, the present invention provides a group of light emitting diodes arranged corresponding to the columns of the keyboard, a group of light receiving elements receiving signals from the group of light emitting diodes, and a group of light receiving elements arranged corresponding to at least the rows of the keyboard. The present invention provides an optical matrix keyboard having a face circuit that can determine which key on the keyboard has been pressed through the group of light receiving elements.

[Example] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical matrix keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a group of light emitting diodes, and 2 is a group of light receiving elements arranged corresponding to the group 1 of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diode group 1 is arranged corresponding to the row of the keyboard 2, and sends out optical signals to the light receiving element group 3. Similarly, the light emitting diode groups 4 are arranged corresponding to the rows of the keyboard 2, and send optical signals to the light receiving element groups 5. In addition, these light receiving element groups 3.5
It is possible to determine which key 6 on the keyboard 2 has been pressed based on the combination of whether light is blocked or received to which element, and an interface circuit 19 including a circuit for detecting these combinations (see FIG. 6 below) ), a signal corresponding to the pressed key 6 is outputted to the outside. FIG. 2 shows an example of the shape of the key and a diagram of the principle of light blocking.

The key 6 is usually fixed in a fixed position by a spring 6a, and the light 7 from the light emitting diode of the light emitting diode group 1.4 is -t
--6 and is detected by the light receiving element of the light receiving element group 3.5. When the key 6 is pressed, the light 7 illuminates the protrusion 6 of the key 6F.
b, and cannot reach the light receiving elements of the light receiving element group 3.5, so it can be determined that the key 6 has been pressed. FIG. 3 shows another example of the shape of the key. The key 8 blocks normal light 9, and only when the key 8 is pressed passes the light receiving element group 3.
It is detected by the light receiving element No. 5.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. The light emitting diode groups 10 are arranged corresponding to the rows of the keyboard 11 and normally supply optical signals to the light receiving element groups 12. In this case, each key 20 of the keyboard 11 has a reflective plate 14 on the protrusion 20a below the key 20, as shown in FIG. 14 and is received by the light receiving element group 12, but when the key 20 is pressed, the light is reflected by the reflecting plate 14 as shown in FIG. 5(C), and is detected by the corresponding element of the light receiving element group 13. Elementary T groups 12 and 1
The pressed key 20 can be determined based on the combination of the three signals.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an interface circuit 19 that detects signals from a group of light receiving elements and outputs them to the outside. The signal from the light receiving element is taken out by the combinational circuit 15 as a signal corresponding to the pressed key, converted to the corresponding code by the code converter 16, and then serial/parallel converted by the interface conversion circuit 17 to match the external interface. , parity addition, and transmission signal addition are performed and outputted to the outside by the driver/receiver circuit 18.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a group of light emitting diodes arranged corresponding to the columns of the keyboard, a group of light receiving elements receiving signals from the group of light emitting diodes, and a group of light receiving elements arranged corresponding to at least the rows of the keyboard. The optical matrix keyboard has a face circuit that can determine which key on the keyboard has been pressed through the light-receiving element group. They can be completely separated, and as a result, the structure of the package and keys can be simplified, there are no restrictions on key strokes, and the circuit can be simplified.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optical matrix keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 2(a) and 3(b) are FIG. 1 is a principle diagram showing an example of the key shape of the keyboard and the state of light blocking/transmission; FIG. 4 is a plan structural diagram of an optical matrix keyboard according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a principle diagram showing an example of the shape of keys on the keyboard and states of light blocking/transmission, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit constituting the interface. ■, 4.10: Light emitting diode group 2.11: Keyboard 3.5.12.13: Light receiving element group 6.8.20: Key 7.9.21: Optical signal 19: Interface circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] a group of light emitting diodes arranged corresponding to the rows of the keyboard and a group of light receiving elements receiving signals from the group of light emitting diodes;
An optical matrix keyboard comprising: a group of light receiving elements arranged corresponding to at least a row of the keyboard; and a face circuit capable of determining which key on the keyboard has been pressed via the group of light receiving elements.