KR20000006873A - Keyboard Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A keyboard device enables a screen display control function and/to a directional control function of a cursor under an operation of a function conversion key. CONSTITUTION: The keyboard device comprises: a main character key part(10a) of character and number keys; a 10-key part(14) having a number and cursor-displacement function; a 4-direction key part(16) for an exclusive cursor direction control; a screen control function key part for a control of a screen display status; wherein the cursor-displacement function and the screen control function are additionally assigned to keys in the main character key part(10); a function conversion key(28) installed on a key matrix panel, for selecting the cursor-displacement function and the screen control function assigned to the main character key part; an encoder for encoding operations for the screen control function and the cursor-displacement function selected in an operation status of the function conversion key; a control part(42) for generating displacement data of the cursor and the screen control function on the basis of the encoding result, wherein the control part performs a control operation for visually displaying the operation status of the function conversion key; and a lamp driving part(46) for driving a lamp(28a) installed on the key matrix panel under the control of the control part.

Description

Keyboard Device {Keyboard Apparatus}

The present invention relates to a keyboard device for inputting information, and more specifically, to additionally assign a function for changing the display state of the CRT screen or the position of the cursor to specific keys selected in the main character key string. The present invention relates to a keyboard device designed for easy setting of specific functions and four-way control of a cursor.

As is well known, a means for inputting information is indispensable for a computer system capable of processing a large amount of information, and a keyboard device is representative as information input means of the computer system.

1 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the structure of a keyboard device according to the related art, in which the consonant and vowels of Korean characters, Arabic numerals and special symbols (eg # Main character key section 10a arranged with keys for selective input of,,%, *, ---) and mode setting key for switching the mode for 4-way position change for the input of Arabic numerals and cursor 'NUM LOCK' key 12, and the Arabic numerals '0' to '9' can be selectively input according to the operation state of the 'NUM LOCK' key 12, for example, '8', '4', For the '2' and '6' keys, a 10-key portion 14 is provided with a function for moving the position of the cursor up, down, left and right on the CRT screen.

In addition, on the key matrix panel 10, a dedicated four-way key portion 16 for moving the cursor on the CRT screen up, down, left, and right is provided.

In addition, the main character key portion 10a on the key matrix panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a space bar key 18 for setting a space between letters, a special symbol or a Korean character assigned to a special key or a character key. A shift key 20 is provided for inputting, for example, letters 'ㅃ', 'ㅉ', 'ㄸ', 'ㅆ' and uppercase letters of English under a shift function, and for setting or changing specific functions. A 'Ctrl' key 22 and an 'Alt' key 24 are also provided.

In addition, on the key matrix panel 10 shown in the drawing, a screen control function key part 26 for additionally controlling the display state of the CRT screen is additionally provided on the upper side of the 10-key part 16. The key section 26 includes an 'INS' key 26a, an 'Home' key 26b, a 'Page Up' key 26c, and a 'DEL' key (26d). ), 'End' key 26e, and 'Page down' key 26f.

However, according to the keyboard device shown in FIG. 1, the key matrix panel 10 has a dedicated 4-key unit 14 and a dedicated 4-key unit 14 assigned with a function for changing the position of the cursor at a position spaced from a special symbol and a character key. As the direction key portion 16 is positioned, the direction keys can be manipulated only by moving the right hand relatively far from the character input state.

In addition to the Arabic numeral keys of the 10-key portion 14, the Arabic numeral keys are also assigned to the uppermost column of the main character key portion 10a, and the 4-key portion 14 of the cursor is assigned to the 10-key portion 14 as well. In the state in which the direction key control function is added, the dedicated four-way key part 16 is provided separately and redundantly, so that the keys having the same function are duplicated on the keyboard device so that the layout of the key array can not be miniaturized.

Such a state is not only provided with a four-way key for the displacement of the cursor, but also a screen control function key for controlling the display state of the screen, even in a portable computer called a "laptop computer" requiring relatively small size and light weight. Since the situation is set, and the overall layout of the keyboard device is constrained, it is necessary to design a keyboard device having a smaller size and smoother key operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and additionally provides a screen display control function key and a 4-direction key for 4-direction control of the cursor for specific keys of the main character key portion to which Arabic numerals, letters and special symbols are assigned. It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device that can be assigned to a function so that the display control function and / or cursor direction can be controlled under the operation of a function change key, and the visual state of execution of the additional function is visually displayed.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a main character key portion in which letters and numbers are arranged, a 10-key portion in which numbers and cursor displacement functions are assigned, and 4 for exclusive cursor direction control. A keyboard device in which a direction key portion and a screen control function key portion for controlling a screen display state are arranged on a key matrix panel, wherein the cursor displacement function and the screen control function are additionally added to the optional keys in the main character key portion. Assigned; A function switching key for selecting a cursor displacement function and a screen control function assigned to the main character key portion provided on the key matrix panel, and for the screen control function and cursor displacement function selected in an operation state of the function conversion key. An encoder for encoding a key operation, a control unit for generating a screen control function and displacement data of a cursor based on the encoding result of the encoder, and performing a control for visually displaying an operation state of the function conversion key; Provided is a keyboard device comprising a lamp driving portion for driving a lamp installed on the key matrix panel under the control of.

Preferably, the screen control function is 'INS', 'Home', 'Page Up', 'Delete', 'End', 'Page Down' Page down) ', and the screen control function includes' 7' key, '8' key, '9' key, '0' key, '-' key, and '=' key. Character key for 4-direction displacement of cursor is designated '지정' key, 'ㅑ' key, 'ㅓ' key and 'ㅣ' key.

The control unit may include a control for generating a window displaying a screen control function and a cursor displacement function selected in the operation state of the function conversion key on the screen.

The screen control function and the cursor displacement function are assigned to the keys on the opposite side with respect to the function conversion key around the central portion of the key matrix panel.

Therefore, according to the above-described keyboard device of the present invention, the screen control functions (for example, 'INS', 'Home', 'Page Up', 'DEL', and 'End' arranged in the main character key part simultaneously with the operation of the function conversion key). ',' Page down ') or the four-way displacement of the cursor is selectively operated, the lamp lights under the control of the control unit to visually display the execution of additional functions, and the selected screen control function or the displacement control of the cursor is activated. Will be executed.

For better visual confirmation, a screen control function or a cursor which is currently executed on the screen under the control of the control unit when the screen control function or a key for setting the displacement direction of the cursor is selectively operated simultaneously with the operation of the function change key. A window for displaying the displacement control function of is formed.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a keyboard device according to a conventional example;

2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a keyboard device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram of a keyboard device according to the present invention;

4A is a diagram illustrating a screen for visually displaying a direction changing function of a cursor executed by a keyboard device according to the present invention;

4B is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a screen visually displaying execution of a specific function executed by a keyboard device according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10: key matrix panel, 14: 10-kibu,

16: 4-direction key, 28: function change key,

28a: lamp, 50: CRT screen,

52: Windows.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement structure of a keyboard device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, denoted by the same reference numerals for the same elements as those of the keyboard body shown in FIG. 1.

According to the key matrix panel 10 shown in FIG. 2, in the keyboard device shown in FIG. 1, the main character key unit 10a has a function conversion key for selectively setting a screen control function or a 4-direction control function of a cursor ( 28) is provided, the function conversion key 28 may be additionally installed in a position where the operation is easy in the main character key portion 10a of the general keyboard device, but the function conversion key for a more simplified layout of the keyboard device. (28) is preferably arranged at the position of the shift key 20 shown in FIG. 1 and assigns the function of the shift key to the space bar key 18 as an additional function. The function change key 28 is preferably a toggle type key, but a key of a type such that the screen control function or the cursor displacement function can be employed only when the key is operated.

Further, on the key matrix panel 10, a lamp 28a of the LED element is provided for visually displaying the operation state when the function conversion key 28 is operated.

In addition, '7' key 26a ',' 8 'key 26b', '9' key 26c ',' 0 'key arranged in the uppermost character key string in the main character key section 10a. (26d '),'-'key (26e'), and '=' key (26f '), the' INS ',' Home ',' 'to enable the removal of the screen control function key portion 26 shown in FIG. Page Up ',' DEL ',' End 'and' Page down 'functions are assigned correspondingly.

According to the present invention, the '7' key 26a ', the' 8 'key 26b', the '9' key 26c 'and the' 0 'key.

(26d '),'-'key (26e'), and '=' key (26f ') are generally special symbols that can be input under the shift function (e.g.,' & ',' * ',' (',' ) ',' _ 'And' + ') are also assigned, but the special symbols can be input under the operation of the conventional shift key (20 in FIG. 1) or the spacebar key 18 to which the shift function is added. Under the operation of the function change key 28, the screen control function of the above item is selectively executed.

In addition, the Korean character 'ㅏ' key 30, 'ㅑ' key 32, 'ㅓ' key 34, and 'ㅣ' key (36) in the main character key portion 10a of the key matrix panel 10. )) Key to move the cursor up, down,

A direction changing function for changing left and right is additionally assigned.

Here, 'K', 'I', 'J', and 'L' in English are also included in the 'ㅏ', 'ㅑ', 'ㅓ', and 'ㅣ' keys (30,32,34,36). Although it is assigned, the Hangul and English character input modes can be converted by a normal Hangul / English conversion function, and the 'ㅏ' key 30, '' with the function conversion key 28 operated. When one of the keys 32, 34, 36 is simultaneously operated, the cursor changes in a specific direction on the CRT screen.

Preferably, when the function conversion key 28 is disposed on the left side of the key matrix panel 10, '7' key 26a ',' 8 'key 26b' to which the screen control function is assigned, '9' key (26c ')

'0' key (26d '),'-'key (26e'), '=' key (26f ') and' ㅏ ',' ㅑ 'for 4-direction displacement of cursor

Keys 30, 32, 34, and 36 of 'ㅓ' and '|' are disposed on the side opposite to the function change key 28 for the convenience of operation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a keyboard device according to the present invention, and reference numeral 40 denotes that the kisscan signal is temporarily stored in a buffer (not shown) when a specific key is operated in the key matrix panel 10. When stored and applied, an encoder for interpreting the kisscan signal and outputting a multi-bit code corresponding to the manipulated key is shown. 42 denotes a key data storage unit for the multi-bit code from the encoder 40. A control unit which processes the character code data by processing the character data to be displayed on the CRT screen by referring to the key data stored in 44), and when the function conversion key 26 is operated on the key matrix panel 10. Only the LED lamp 28a is turned on under the control of the control unit 42 to indicate a lamp control unit for displaying the screen control function or the direction displacement state of the cursor.

Therefore, in the above keyboard device of the present invention, the 'ㅑ' key 32 is simultaneously used to move the cursor on the screen upward while the function change key 28 is operated during the normal information input process. When the key is pressed, the kisscan signal is applied to the encoder 40, and the encoder 40 reads the multi-bit code corresponding to the simultaneous operation of the function conversion key 28 and the 'ㅑ' key 32. It outputs to the control part 42.

Then, the controller 42 controls the lamp driver 46 to visually display the four-direction change mode in response to the operation of the function change key 28 so that the lamp 28a is turned on. On the basis of the multi-bit code, key data for displacing the cursor upward from the current position on the CRT screen is generated and applied to, for example, the computer main body. Accordingly, the cursor displayed on the CRT screen corresponds to the 'ㅑ' key ( During operation 32) it is displaced upward and moved to the desired position.

Similarly, in the state in which the function change mode is selected by the operation of the function change key 26, any one of the keys 32, 34, 36 of 'ㅑ', 'ㅓ', 'ㅣ' is operated. When the lamp 28a is turned on under the control of the control unit 42, an arrow in the direction corresponding to the operated key is displayed on the window 52 on the screen 50, and the cursor is pressed during the operation time of the key. Displacement is made.

On the other hand, if the function state of the switching key 28 is released, the 'ㅏ', 'ㅑ',

Keys 30, 32, 34, and 36 of 'ㅓ' and 'ㅣ' are returned to a state in which input of Korean or English characters is selectively performed. In addition, under the control of the controller 42, the lamp 28a turned on by the lamp driver 46 is turned off.

Then, in order to execute the screen control function, the '7' key 26a ',' 8 'key 26b', '9' key 26c ', and' 0 'are operated while the function change key 28 is operated. When any one key is selected among 'key 26d', '-' key 26e ', and' = 'key 26f', a function for controlling the display state assigned to the selected key ('INS' , 'Home', 'Page Up', 'DEL', 'End', 'Page down') are executed, and when the operation state of the function conversion key 28 is released, the '7' key 26a ' '8' key (26b '),' 9 'key

(26c '),' 0 'key 26d', '-' key 26e ', and' = 'key 26f' return to their original functions.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, when the operation of the function change key 28 is performed, the lamp driver 46 lights the lamp 28a under the control of the controller 42 to set the 4-direction change function of the cursor. Although the status is visually displayed, in general, when the document is edited by the keyboard device, the CRT screen is usually observed, so that the lighting state of the lamp 28a is not recognized immediately. As described above, when the function conversion key 28 is operated, a window 52 for graphically displaying the direction of movement of the cursor is designed on the screen 50 under the control of the controller 42 to increase the visual confirmation effect. More preferably.

Here, the direction of the arrow in the window 52 is the '키' key 30, the 'ㅑ' key 32, the ',' key 34, '|' in the operating state of the function conversion key 28. (36) It is changed in response to the selective operation of the key, and the direction of the arrow eventually means the direction of movement of the cursor, so that the visual confirmation effect on the movement of the cursor becomes better.

Similarly, the '7' key 26a ', the' 8 'key 26b', the '9' key 26c 'and the' 0 'key (with the function change key 28 operated). 26d '),'-'key 26e' and '=' key 26f 'are selected, the selected screen control function is displayed in the window 52 on the screen 50, Accordingly, visual recognition of the execution status of the screen control function is possible.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist and gist of the invention. For example, the function change key 28a can be changed to a position where optimal operation is possible, and correspondingly, the lamp 28a is also preferably changed to a position where visual recognition is easy.

In addition, the window 52 displayed on the screen 50 when the function conversion key 28a is operated has an upper position of the screen 50, but for the better visual recognition, the current cursor position or It is preferable to display in a manner that follows the movement path of the cursor.

In addition, when the 4-direction displacement of the cursor by the function change key 28 and a specific key is possible, the 10-key portion 14 and the dedicated 4-direction key portion 16 shown in FIG. 1 can be removed. (See FIG. 2), thereby facilitating reduction and manufacture of the overall dimensions of the keyboard device.

Then, the screen control function for controlling the screen display state under the operation of the function conversion key 28 and the function conversion key 28 and the four-direction function for the displacement of the cursor are the function conversion key for easy operation. 28 is located on the left side of the key matrix panel 10 while the screen control function and the cursor displacement function are disposed on the right side, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the function conversion key 28 and the screen control are not limited thereto. The function and the cursor displacement function may be changed to keys at positions where better operation is possible.

In the above description, the graphic window 52 for the display of the screen control function and the displacement function of the cursor is controlled based on the key data output from the control unit 42 of the keyboard device. Of course, it is also possible to apply a method in which the main controller of the computer main body controls the display by the keyboard control related program.

As described above, the keyboard device according to the present invention provides a main character key by additionally assigning a screen control function and a cursor displacement function to a key included in the main character key part while providing one function conversion key in the main character key part. The screen control function or the cursor displacement function can be operated on the screen, and thus the screen control function or the cursor displacement function can be more easily executed.

In addition, by assigning a function conversion key, a screen control function, and a cursor displacement function in the main character key part, the 10-key part 14 and the dedicated 4-direction key part 16 installed in the conventional keyboard device can be removed. Accordingly, the overall dimension of the keyboard device and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and it is more preferable to apply the key arrangement of such a configuration to a portable computer.

Furthermore, as the graphic window is displayed on the lamp and / or the screen when the screen control function or the cursor displacement is executed under the operation of the function change key, visual recognition of the screen control function or the cursor displacement function becomes possible.

Claims (5)

Main character key part with alphanumeric keys arranged, 10-key part assigned with numbers and cursor displacement functions, 4-direction key part for exclusive cursor direction control, and screen control function key part for controlling the display state In the keyboard device disposed on the key matrix panel, The cursor displacement function and the screen control function are additionally assigned to optional keys in the main character key portion; A function conversion key installed on the key matrix panel for selecting a cursor displacement function and a screen control function assigned to the main character key portion; An encoder for encoding the operation of the key for the screen control function and the cursor displacement function selected in the operation state of the function conversion key; A controller for generating a screen control function and displacement data of a cursor based on the encoding result of the encoder and performing a control for visually displaying an operation state of the function conversion key; And a lamp driver for driving a lamp installed on the key matrix panel under the control of the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the screen control function is' INS ',' Home ',' Page Up ',' DEL ',' End ',' 'Page down', and the screen control function includes '7' key, '8' key, '9' key, '0' key, '-' key, and '=' key. Keyboard device, characterized in that. The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the character keys for the 4-direction displacement of the cursor added to the main character key part are 'ㅏ' keys, 'ㅑ' keys, 'ㅓ' keys, 'ㅣ' keys. Device. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller includes a control for generating a window displaying a screen control function and a cursor displacement function selected in an operation state of the function conversion key on the screen. Device. The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screen control function and the cursor displacement function are assigned to the keys on the opposite side with respect to the function change key around the center of the key matrix panel. .