JPS6391729A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control key scanning without deteriorating the characteristic of a stoke key and that of a touch key by deciding an ON action corresponding to the stroke keys and the touch keys while a common scan signal scans the keys. CONSTITUTION:The plural stroke keys and the plural touch keys are provided on the common circuit matrix of an FPC substrate. A count means is provided which counts continuously detected key depressions through key scanning. Besides to that, a decision means is provided which detects that an input device does an ON action based on the result that the count means counts when the stroke key is depressed and when the prescribed number of ON action signals are detected. At the time of depressing the touch key, the decision means detects that the device does an ON action when ON action signals required more than those detected earlier are detected. Thus the input device can have the strength of the stroke key that is excellent in operability and in quick operations with less malfunction and the strong point of the small-sized, inexpensive touch key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to input devices for various electronic devices such as typewriters, word processors, and personal computers, and particularly relates to input devices for various electronic devices such as typewriters, word processors, and personal computers. It relates to a human-powered device assembled with.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, input devices for electronic devices such as electronic typewriters, personal computers, and word processors generally use stroke-type keys (hereinafter referred to as stroke keys) that have excellent operability and are less likely to malfunction.

In this type of input device, in order to reduce manufacturing costs,
Generally, FPC-based (Flexi-File Printed)
Each stroke key is assembled to correspond to each contact in the electrical contact matrix of the circuit board (circuit board).

On the other hand, small and inexpensive touch keys are used in the keyboards of input devices such as calculators and card type calculators.

In the case of input devices for electronic devices, identification of operated keys and O
Key scan control is executed in the control unit in order to determine whether the N operation or ○FF operation is performed, but in order to prevent this key scan control from becoming complicated, conventional human-powered devices use either stroke keys or touch keys. It is common to use only one type of key.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Recently, as electronic devices such as electronic typewriters and word processors have rapidly become more sophisticated, the number of keys on input devices has been increasing. If the number of keyboards is increased, the keyboard will become larger and the manufacturing cost will increase.

By the way, it is conceivable to use small and inexpensive touch keys instead of stroke keys.
In the case of touch keys, the pressing force is very small, so they are hard and lack operability, and when used for a long time, fingertips become extremely fatigued.
Since malfunctions are likely to occur due to chattering because the keys are operated with soft fingertips, it is necessary to increase the time required to determine ON/OFF operations in key scan control, resulting in a problem in that the speed of key operations decreases.

By the way, it is possible to use both stroke keys and touch keys in the input device, but in that case, if the key scan control for stroke keys is also applied to touch keys, it will turn on.
Since the judgment time for operation and OFF operation is short, malfunctions due to hunting occur frequently when operating touch keys, and if key scan control for touch keys is also applied to stroke keys, the judgment time becomes too long. There is a problem in that the speed of stroke key operation is reduced.

(Means for Solving the Problems) An input device according to the present invention is provided with an FPC board having multiple rows and multiple columns of electrical contacts, and a plurality of stroke keys and a plurality of touch keys are arranged on a common circuit matrix of the FPC board. A key scan control means is provided for scanning the key while sequentially outputting a scan signal for each column or row of the circuit matrix, and counting the number of consecutive key presses detected by the key scan. A counting means is provided, and based on the counting result of the counting means, when a stroke key is pressed, when a predetermined number of ON operation signals are detected, it is determined that there is an ON operation, and when a touch key is pressed, the number is greater than the predetermined number. A determining means is provided for determining that an ON operation is occurring when a predetermined number of ON operation signals are detected.

(Function) In the input device according to the present invention, a plurality of scroll keys and a plurality of touch keys are provided on a circuit matrix of an FPC board having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of electrical contacts. The means performs key scanning while outputting a scan signal for each column or row of the circuit matrix.

In response to this key scan, the counting means counts the number of consecutive key presses detected.

Based on the counting result of the counting means, the determining means determines that an ON operation is performed when a predetermined number of ON operation signals are detected when a stroke key is pressed, and when a touch key is pressed, a predetermined number greater than the predetermined number is detected when a touch key is pressed. It is determined that the ON operation is occurring when several ON operation signals are detected.

(Effect of the invention) According to the input device according to the present invention, as described above, the common F
Since multiple stroke keys and multiple touch keys are provided on the circuit matrix of the PC board, the advantages of the stroke keys are that they are easy to operate, have fewer malfunctions, and can be operated at high speed, and the advantages of the touch keys are that they are small and inexpensive. It is possible to create an input device that has the following functions.

Since key scan control is performed using a common scan signal for the plurality of stroke keys and the plurality of touch keys, ON operation determination is performed according to the stroke keys and the touch keys, so that the characteristics of the stroke keys and the touch keys are controlled. Key scan control can be performed without damaging key characteristics.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example in which the input device according to the present invention is applied to an input device of an electronic quiwriter will be described with reference to the drawings.

The keyboard 1 of this input device has a large number of character keys 2 (alphabetic keys,
(number keys, symbol keys, space key, etc.) and numerous function keys 3 (repeat key, margin set key, tab set key, indent key, relocation key, etc.)
is provided.

The character keys 2 are composed of stroke keys 2A, which are frequently used, are easy to operate, and have few malfunctions, and the function keys 3 are composed of touch keys 3A, which are used relatively infrequently. It is formed to be substantially flush with the operating surface of the keys.

In the case of an actual keyboard 1, characters and symbols are displayed on the top surface of each character key 2, and function names are displayed on the top surface of each function key 3. The code data generated when each key is pressed is displayed as shown below. And character key 2 is A, ~A, , 82~
These keys represent the code data of B+4, 03~C1, D2~D I4, E2~EI4, and the function key 3 is F,
- This is a key representing the code data of Fil.

In this embodiment, the large number of character keys 2 and the large number of function keys 3 are arranged in a circuit matrix 4 (including 8 rows and 8 columns of electrical contacts).
(see Figure 5), the keys are scanned by a common scan signal output from a control section C, which will be described later, and key processing control is performed manually. It looks like this.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the case 6 of the keyboard 1,
The part where the character keys 2 are arranged is formed one step lower than the other parts, and the stepped part where the character keys 2 are arranged and the part behind it where the function keys 3 are arranged are shown in the figure. FPC board 5 bent into a crank shape when viewed from the side.
is mounted, and each character key 2 and each function key 3 are provided so as to correspond to each electrical contact 7 of this FPC board 5.

The stroke key 2A constituting the character key 2 includes a key top 8 and a key stem 9 to which the key top 8 is attached.
and a rubber contact plate 1o that supports the key stem 9 in a vertically movable manner. - The key stem 9 has a cylindrical shape, and the shaft portion 8a of the key top 8 is fitted into the cylinder so that the key top 8 can be detachably attached. The contact plate 10 has a cap shape, and the key stem 9 is fixed to the top surface with adhesive or the like.
A protrusion 10a for pressing the electrical contact 7 is formed on the lower surface of the top. The key stem 9 is inserted through a cylindrical guide portion 11a formed on the guide plate 11.
It is guided so as to be vertically movable by a guide portion 11a.

When the key top 8 is pressed down with a finger, the key top 8 and the key stem 9 are pressed down, and the contact 7'L/-)1
0 is elastically deformed and presses the electrical contact 7 with its projection 10a. Furthermore, when you release your finger from the key top 8, the key stem 9 and the key top 8 return to their original positions above due to the restoring force of the contact plate 10, and the contact plate 1
The protruding portion 10a of No. 0 is separated from the electrical contact 7 and no longer presses the electrical contact 7.

The touch keys 3A constituting the function keys 3 are provided at the electrical contacts 7 of the FPC board 5 without intervening any special member other than the membrane member provided on the surface of the FPC board 5 to display the function name. ing.

Next, the FPC board 5 forming the circuit matrix 4 of the keyboard 1 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the FPC board 5 includes an upper plastic film (hereinafter referred to as upper film) 12 and a lower plastic film (hereinafter referred to as lower film) 13 having appropriate flexibility and elasticity, and upper and lower films 12.
・It has a three-layer structure with an insulating spacer 14 sandwiched between 13 and an insulating spacer 14, which is a part of the case 6, on the underside of this FPC board 5 to prevent the FPC board 5 from bending downward. A reinforcing plate 6a is provided and supported by the case 6 by a plurality of pedestals 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a circular hole 14a is formed in the spacer 14 of the FPc4)H5 at a position corresponding to each character key 2 and each function key 3.
Lower mold Pi1a on the lower surface of the upper film 12 at the location 4a.
The electrical contacts 7 are formed by the lower electrode 7b on the upper surface of the lower film 13, and these 64 electrical contacts 7 are printed in a printed circuit to form a circuit matrix 4 of 8 rows and 8 columns as shown in FIG. It is configured.

On the other hand, the control section C of the input device is configured as shown in FIG.
The circuit matrix 4 of the keyboard 1 is composed of a PU 16 (central processing unit), a ROM 17 (read-only memory), and a RAM 18 (random access memory). ~The lower type i7b in row m7 is CPU
6 and connected to corresponding output terminals YO-Y7, respectively, and n. The upper electrodes 7a in rows ˜n7 are connected to corresponding input terminals χ0˜X7 of the CPU 16, respectively. Also, m0
Lower electrode 7b in ~m7 columns and upper electrode 7 in n0~n1 rows
a are connected to the base voltage line via pull-up resistors 19, respectively.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a part of the circuit matrix. When any key is turned on, the output terminals XO to X7 in the corresponding column and the input terminals YO to Y7 in the corresponding row are connected. will be true.

In addition, in the FPC board 5, an upper electrode 7 is basically provided on the lower surface of the upper film I2 so as to correspond to the key arrangement.
a is continuously formed as a printed circuit, a lower electrode 7b is continuously formed as a printed circuit on the upper surface of the lower film 13, and each electrical contact 7 is formed at the intersection of the upper electrode 7a and the lower electrode 7b. However, by partially deleting or adding the circuits of the upper electrode 7a and the lower electrode 7b, the circuit matrix 4 of 8 rows and 8 columns is constructed.

The ROM 17 of the control unit C outputs an "L" level scan signal to each column of the circuit matrix 4 of the keyboard 1 in turn, and detects a scan signal to each row of each column in order. It also includes key scan control and determines key ON and OFF operations in cooperation with the key scan control (the control program for manual key processing control and the position information on the circuit matrix 4 of each key are converted into code data). A code data table to be converted is input and stored in advance.

The RAM 18 stores mo'''m in response to key scanning.
, an m counter that sequentially stores column information from =0~7, n=O~7), its Z□
Instruct the counter in sequence in response to key scans Z□
A counter pointer, a keypad sofa consisting of a stacked FIFO memory (first-in, first-out memory) for storing the code data of the operated stroke key 2A or touch key 3A, and various types of memory for temporarily storing the results of arithmetic processing by the CPU 28 are provided. It is being

The key scan control is similar to that performed with a normal input device, so to briefly explain it based on FIG.
While the scan signal 20 at "L" level of c is output, and while the scan signal is being output to each output terminal YO-Y7, each input terminal X0-
16m5 key scan to input signals sequentially from X7
Execute at the cycle of ec, turn ON operation signal 2 of each key
1 and the OFF operation signal 22 are detected.

For example, press stroke key 2A of (m3, n4) to
If the ON operation is performed from t to t, as shown in the figure, 2
ON operation signals 21 at the rLJ level are continuously detected at the input terminal X4. However, as is clear from the explanation of the flow chart below, the scan signal 20 has eight r
It consists of a set of LJ level signals, and the ON operation signal 21 and the OFF operation signal 22 are 2 msec signals.

By the way, in the case of the stroke key 2A, there is little chattering during key operation, so when two or more ON operation signals 21 are detected, that is, when the stroke key 2A is pressed for at least 16 m5ec, it is determined that the ON operation is being performed. If you do this, there will be no problem.

However, in the case of the touch key 3A, chattering is likely to occur because the key is operated directly with a soft fingertip.
It is necessary to determine that it is an ON operation when the button is pressed down eC or more. This is substantially the same when determining the OFF operation.

In the input device of the present application, the stroke keys 2A and touch keys 3A are incorporated into a common circuit matrix 4 to execute common key scan control, and the stroke keys 2A and touch keys 3A are controlled by manual key processing control. The ON/OFF operation is determined according to the characteristics of the switch.

Hereinafter, key manual processing control will be explained based on the flowcharts in FIGS. 9 and 10. First, the operation of the Z m n counter will be explained using FIGS. 7 and 8 to help understand the flowcharts. shall be taken as a thing.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the Z m n counter of the stroke key 2A, and FIG. 8 shows the operation of the 2mn counter of the touch key 3A. In the figure, the numbers indicate the contents of the 2mn counter, and the solid arrow indicates the detection of the ON operation signal 21. Time movement, dotted arrow is O
This shows the operation when detecting the FF operation signal 22 (an "11" level signal detected at each key scan timing).

In the stroke key 2AOZmn counter,
Assuming that the content (value) of the counter is CNT, CNT = 0 when OFF continues, CNT = 1 when the first ON operation signal 21 is detected, and then CNT = 1 when the first ON operation signal 21 is detected.
When the N operation signal 21 is detected, CNT=2. C
When NT=2, it is assumed that the key is turned on and the code data of the corresponding key is written into the key buffer. Then, even if the ON operation signal 21 is detected for the third, fourth, and fifth consecutive times, the CNT is not counted and amplified.
However, each time the OFF operation signal 22 is continuously detected from the state of CNT-2, CNT is counted up, and when the fourth OFF operation signal is detected (CN
When 4×15 msec has elapsed since T=2), CNT=5 is switched to CNT=O, and when CNT=0, the OFF information of the corresponding key is written in the keypad sofa assuming that the key has been turned OFF.

Note that after the first ON operation signal 21 is detected, when the second ON operation signal 21 is not detected consecutively, CNT=1.
to CNT=O, and CNT=3.4
Or when the ON operation signal 21 is detected at 5, C
Switched to NT=2.

The Z m n counter of the touch key 3A is also approximately the same as the 2 m n counter described above, but the time for ON operation determination and the time for OFF operation determination are longer than that of the Z m n counter of the stroke key 2A. It is set for a long time.

That is, when the first, second, and third ON operation signals 21 are detected in succession, CNT=3, and when CNT=3, the key is assumed to be ON and the code data of the corresponding key is written to the key buffer. be included. Then, even if the ON operation signal 21 is detected for the fourth to eighth times in succession, the CNT
is not counted up and is held at CNT=3, but C
Each time the OFF operation signal 22 is continuously detected from the state of NT=3, CNT is counted and amplified, and the sixth OFF operation is performed.
When an operating signal is detected (from the time of CNT=3, 6
16 msec), CNT=8
to CNT=O, and when CNT=O, it is assumed that the key has been turned OFF, and OFF information of the corresponding key is written in the key buffer.

In addition, if the OFF operation signal 22 is detected when CNT=1 or 2, it is switched to CNT=0, and CNT
It is also switched to CNT=3 when the ON operation signal 21 is detected when CNT=4.5.6.7 or 8.

Next, the key manual processing control routine (2) carried out by the control section C will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, this control is started when the power is turned on to the input device, and in step Sl (hereinafter simply represented by 81 and other steps are handled in the same way), the RAM 18
Initial settings such as clearing each memory and setting the value m of the m counter to 0 are performed. In the next step 82, key manual processing to be described later is performed, and code data corresponding to the operated key is written into the keypad.

In the next step 83, it is determined whether or not a key has been manually pressed based on the data in the key buffer, that is, whether or not the key has been operated. If the key has not been operated, the process returns to S2, and if the key has been operated, the process returns to S4. Move to.

In S4, the code data written in the keeper couch is output to the control device of the quib writer, and the process returns to S2.

Incidentally, steps 82 to S4 are repeated, for example, every 2m5eC.

Next, the key manual processing in S2 will be explained with reference to FIG. In the figure, rmJ indicates the content of the m counter, rnJ indicates the content of the n counter, and rcNTJ indicates the content of the m counter.
, , indicates the contents of the counter.

First, in step 310, it is determined whether the value m of the m counter in the RAM 18 is m=8 or not. When m=8, the process moves to Sit, and when m=8, the process moves to S12. Sl
At l, the value m of the m counter is set to m=0. In the next S12, the value n of the n counter is set to n=Q, and Z,. Write (m, n) to the counter pointer,
Z Indicates Ml'1 counter. Then, in S13, a scan signal at the rLJ level is output from the output terminal Ym (m=o to 7). In the next step 314, the timer is activated and the process waits until a predetermined time (for example, 100 to 200 μ5ec) has elapsed until the scan signal from the output terminal Ym becomes stable. Next, at 815, the input terminal
(n=o to 7) signals are input.

In S16, the signal of input terminal Xn becomes "L" in S15.
It is determined whether the rLJ level signal (ON
When the operation signal is 21), the process moves to S17, and rHJ
When the signal is a level signal (OFF operation signal 22), the process moves to S30.

In S17, it is determined whether the touch key 3A was operated based on the circuit matrix node 4 and the key arrangement;
When the touch key is 3A, the process moves to S18, and when the touch key is not 3A, that is, when there are two strokers, the process moves to S18.
Move to 26.

Also, in step 318, it is determined whether the value CNT of the Zllll'l counter is CNT=2 based on the data of the counter pointer ZIIl,, and when CNT=2, the S
If the process goes to step 19 one more time and CNT=2, the process goes to step S20.

In S19, the operated key (mm + n h
) is read from the code data table of the ROM 17, the code data is written to the keypad, and the process moves to S21.

In S20, it is determined whether or not the value CNT of the Z mn counter is 3 to 8. If Yes, the process moves to S21 and Z
l,, the counter value CNT is set to CNT=3, and S
Move to 23. Moreover, when NO, that is, when CNT=O or 1, Z is selected in S22. counter value C
After 1 is added to NT, the process moves to 323.

In the next step 323, 1 is added to the value n of the n counter. Then, in S24, it is determined whether or not the value n of the n counter is n=3. If n=8, the process returns to S13, and if n=8, the process proceeds to S25, where the value n of the m counter
1 is added to , and the program returns to the main routine of FIG.

On the other hand, when the operated key is touch key 3A, S1
The determination in step S7 is NO, and the process moves from S17 to S326. In S26, it is determined whether the value CNT of the Z□ counter is CNT=1 based on the data of the Z an counter pointer, and when CNT=1, the process moves to S27.
If CNT=1, the process moves to S28.

In S27, the code data corresponding to the operated key (mm, n, . . .) is read from the code data table, the code data is written to the keypad sofa, and S
Move to 29. Further, in 328, it is determined whether the value CNT of the Z□ counter is between CNT=2 to 5, and when the result is NO, that is, when CNT=0, the process moves to 322, and the
When it is s, the process moves to S29. And in S29 Z
After the value CNT of the ff1n counter is set to CNT=2, the process moves to S23.

By the way, if the operation of the keys (m,, n) is canceled, 3
16, the process moves from S16 to S30.

The next 330 to S37 are the keys written on the keypad (
In this step, OFF information is written in place of the code data corresponding to the touch keys 3A, 3A, and 3A.
If the touch key is not the touch key 3A, that is, if it is the stroke key 2A, the process moves to S35.

In S31, the value CNT of ZII, l counter is CNT≦
It is determined whether CNT is 2 or not, and when CNT≦2, the process moves to S34, and when CNT≧3 or more, the process moves to S32.

In S32, it is determined whether CNT=8 or not, and when CNT=8, the process moves to 333, and when CNT=8, that is, when CNT=3 to 7, the process goes to S37.

In S33, the key (m,
, n, ), OFF information is written instead of the code data corresponding to the code data. In the next step 334, CNT=O is set and the process moves to S23.

In addition, when the key whose operation is canceled is not touch key 3A, that is, when it is stroke key 2A, S30 to 33
5, it is determined whether the value CNT of the Z-counter is CNT≦1, and when CNT≦1, the process moves to S34,
Further, when CNT≧2, the process moves to S36. In S36, it is determined whether or not CNT is T-5. When CNT=5, the process moves to S33, and when CNT=5, that is, when CNT=2 to 4, the process moves to S37. and S
At step 37, 1 is added to the value CNT of the Z0 counter, and the process moves to S23.

As mentioned above, the m0 column of the circuit matrix 4 is
2mn based on the signal level of the input terminal
The ON operation and OFF operation of each key can be determined by counting with a counter and using the characteristics corresponding to the stroke key 2A and the touch key 3A, respectively.

In the input device of the above embodiment, the touch key 3A constituting the function key 3 is provided at one location on the rear side of the keyboard 1, but the touch key 3A is not limited to this, and may be provided at either the left or right end of the keyboard 1. It may be provided on either one or both.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, all of the function keys 3 are configured as touch keys, but it is preferable that function keys that are used relatively frequently, such as the tab key, backspace key, and paper feed key, be configured as stroke keys.

The input device of this embodiment is applied to an electronic type-like input device, and in this case, the CPU 6 of the control section,
The ROM 17, RAM 18, etc. can also be used as those of the typewriter control device.

The structure of the FPC board 5 and the structure of the stroke keys 2A in the above embodiments are merely examples, and various existing flexible printed circuit boards and various existing strokes can be used.

Further, the circuit matrix 4 does not need to have 8 rows and 8 columns, and may be freely set depending on the number of keys and the arrangement.

In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the output terminal Ym is connected to r
The LJ level scan signal is output, but the output terminal Ym
For example, an rLJ level scan signal having a width of 2 msec may be output.

The input device of the present invention can be applied not only to electronic typewriters but also to input devices of various electronic devices having character keys 2 and function keys 3, such as personal computers and word processors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Figures 2-
Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the input device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the keyboard of the input device, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the main part of the keyboard, and Fig. 4 is a circuit matrix. A configuration diagram of the control unit, FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram schematically representing the circuit matrix part, FIG. 6 is an operation time chart in key scan control, and FIG. 7 is an explanation of the operation of the 211111 counter for stroke keys. Figure, 8th
9 is a flowchart of a key manual processing control routine, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a key manual processing routine in the routine of FIG. 9. D...Input device, 1...Keyboard, 2A...Stroke key, 3A...Touch key, 4...Circuit matrix, 5...FPC base) counter, C...Control unit,
16...cpu, 17...ROM, 18...R
AM, 20...Scan signal, 21...ON operation signal, 22...OFF operation signal. Patent Applicant: Brother Industries, Ltd. No. 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 YOYI Y2 Y3 --- Figure 6 Time Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An FPC board having multiple rows and multiple columns of electrical contacts, a plurality of stroke keys and a plurality of touch keys provided on a common circuit matrix of the FPC board, and each column or row of the circuit matrix. key scanning control means for scanning keys while sequentially outputting scan signals; counting means for counting the number of consecutive key presses detected by the key scanning; When a key is pressed, the ON operation is determined when a predetermined number of ON operation signals are detected, and when a touch key is pressed, the ON operation is determined when a predetermined number of ON operation signals greater than the predetermined number are detected when the touch key is pressed. An input device comprising: determination means for making a determination.