MXPA97006426A - Interconnection device for processing unit control or terminal of the network, keyboard, portable computer and accessory for thim console - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interconnection device (180) between a user and a CPU or a terminal of the network, for example a microcomputer keyboard or a game console accessory, which includes control means such as keys provided on the upper surface of a housing. The device further includes at least two buttons (181, 181 ') on each of the two side surfaces (183, 183') of the keyboard. The buttons are connected to the connections of certain keys. the keyboard can also be provided with support areas (110, 110 ', 111) on both front corners and on the front edge of the upper side (6) thereof, a microcomputer (102, 102') which is provided under each of said areas and connected in parallel to any of the keys on the keyboard (180). The device can be used to control the programming elements, particularly for a game of electrified Roman billiards.

Description

INTERCONNECTION DEVICE FOR PROCESSING UNIT CENTRAL OR TERMINAL OF THE NETWORK, KEYBOARD, LAPTOP AND ACCESSORY FOR CONSOLE OF GAMES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interconnection device for a central processing unit or a terminal of the network. It also refers to a computer keyboard, a laptop and a game console accessory, with ergonomic buttons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are several interconnection devices that are used to transmit information from a user to a central processing unit or to a terminal network. The main interconnect device for a computer is the keyboard. The original computer keyboards have their total shape and shape and distribution of their keys similar to those of typewriters. Also known are those whose ergonomic characteristics have been improved by the Ref.25506 addition of numeric keys and keys for the four operations grouped in the form of a separate keyboard located to the right of the alphabetic keys. Subsequently many function keys have been added to the boards because of the increasing complexity of the physical elements and programming elements present in the market. They make it possible to access either the existing preprogrammed functions .initially in the memory only for reading the computer or the functions programmed by means of the programming elements. To further improve the comfort of the user and the speed of typing or typing for a prolonged period without fatigue, keyboards with curved shapes have been considered. The means of interconnection present on laptops have followed the same evolution. The ergonomic features of the function and control keys, present on the game consoles or on their interconnection devices that form the accessories, have been improved. In the case of products of programs ie games, all the keys can be used to obtain multiple luminous game effects, visible on the screen. The user will apply his experience by pressing the appropriate keys at the correct time and repeating this same operation many times. During prolonged use of a conventional keyboard, this can lead to both a reduction in typing speed and additional fatigue in the muscles and tendons of the fingers, hands and wrists. A disadvantage of the prior art interconnection devices and corresponding keypads is the fact that these control means are generally located on the upper face of the interconnection device, the computer keyboard, the computer case or case. portable or console games or their accessories. Access to some of them is therefore often not very ergonomic. Patent EP-A-0 520 090 discloses a keyboard that incorporates on one of its side faces a mouse or slider that has specific functions which do not replace the keys of the keyboard. The document "Patent Abstract of Japan", vol. 16, No. 70 (P-1315) describes a mouse or slider provided with ten digital keys that makes it possible for the user to directly enter a digital path through this mouse or slider instead of through the computer keyboard.

The document "Patent Abstract of Japan", vol.

, No. 202 (P-477) describes a combination of a conventional keyboard and a pedal-type keyboard, the keys of which are connected in parallel with the keys of conventional keyboard functions. The purpose of the invention is to propose an interconnection device for a central processing unit or a network terminal, which provides an additional means of control with a different arrangement, specially adapted to the positions of the user's hands. According to the invention, the interconnection device between a user and a central processing unit or a network terminal comprising a box or case comprising first means for controlling the central processing unit accessible on the upper face of the box or case, and second means for controlling the central processing unit or the terminal of the network, the second control means are placed on at least one of the side faces of the box or case, characterized in that the second control means are connected inside the case or box to the control means between the first control means. The invention is based on the observation that, in many cases, it is difficult to access certain keys without having to move the forearm, extend one or more fingers excessively and twist the hand. This usually happens when the user wishes to use the more distant keys located at the right and left ends with respect to the orientation of the marks of the signs on the keys. Because of the tendency toward profusion of the number of keys on the upper face, the lateral arrangement of the new controls is particularly astute. Preferably, the lateral arrangement and the position along the side face also makes it possible for the user to touch the other accessible keys with the palm of the hand or with the fingers remaining free. Different types, shapes and sizes of the control means, particularly in the form of buttons, can be used. The button or buttons added to the side faces of the keyboard according to the invention, will be either physically connected, in particular to the key connections, or will be directly connected to the microprocessor controlling the interconnection device. According to a first aspect of the invention, a computer keyboard comprising a case or support box, a key assembly, particularly alphanumeric keys, typing or typing keys, and function keys, is characterized by of similar controls in the form of buttons placed on their side faces. According to a second aspect of the invention, a laptop box or case will comprise the same types of control means on its side faces. According to a third aspect of the invention, a game console will comprise an accessory having identical control means placed on its side faces. The use of these additional buttons, in particular, will make it possible to obtain the same result as using the known keys and will therefore be well adapted ergonomically for certain video games. Advantageously, it is also possible to provide an interconnection device according to the invention further comprising, at the two front corners of the upper face of the box or case, at least two pressure zones, left and right respectively, and, within the box or case under each pressure zone, means for detecting the pressure applied to the pressure zone, and arrangements are made to generate in response to the detection of the pressure, a control, particularly a control of jumps that is going to be sent to the central processing unit. In a preferred embodiment of such an interconnection device according to the invention, the latter also comprises at least one frontal pressure zone and, within this box or case under this frontal pressure zone, means for detecting the pressure applied to the area. of frontal pressure, and arrangements are made to generate, in response to the detection of the pressure on this frontal pressure zone, a frontal skip control that is to be sent to the central processing unit. In a particular modality, two frontal pressure zones located in the vicinity of the left and right pressure zones, respectively, are provided. Preferably return means are provided for applying a return force which substantially opposes the pressure forces applied by a user. They may comprise, for example, return springs. The upper face of the box or case generally has at least two elastically deformable pressure zones. In a particular embodiment, the detection means comprise switching means, for example micro-switches, or any other contact, connected in parallel to the two connectors of a predetermined key located on the upper face of the box or case in such a way that a detection of the pressure on a pressure zone by the corresponding detection means, is equivalent to the descending oppression of the predetermined key. By an arrangement of the user's hands on either side of the keyboard or the console's accessories, the game on the Roman billiards screen, thanks to the invention, will be as enjoyable to play as a Roman pool table game. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent further from the following description which refers to a non-limiting example. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a complete view of an assembly of a computer keyboard according to the invention, a central processing unit and a video screen; Figure 2 is a top view of the keyboard of the computer according to the invention, observed with both hands of a user; Figure 3 is a simplified electrical diagram of a part of the keyboard of the computer according to the invention, showing the connections of the buttons; Figure 4 is a simplified electrical diagram of a part of the computer keyboard showing another method of connecting the buttons according to the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of a mode of the computer keyboard according to the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the computer keyboard according to the invention, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to the invention, and Figure 8 is a complete view of a game console comprising an accessory or a keyboard according to the invention, figure 9 shows an example of a keyboard according to the invention, which further comprises pressure zones, figure 10 shows an example of a portable computer, which includes the pressure zones, Figure 11 shows the position of the hands of a user, of a keyboard such as s < shown in Figure 9; Figure 12 is a simplified diagrammatic view of an example of electrical connections within a keyboard according to the invention, as shown in Figure 1; Figure 13 shows an example of a game console according to the invention, which includes pressure zones; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of one of the corners of a keyboard according to the invention; Figure 15 is a top exploded view of the corner shown in Figure 14; Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a keyboard according to the intention, provided with pressure zones in the Figure 17 shows an example of a keyboard according to the invention, comprising four pressure zones; Figure 18 shows a particular method of connecting the switches within the keyboard according to the invention as shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 shows another particular method of connecting the switches within a keyboard according to the invention, additionally provided with a double oversep selection switch; and Figure 20 shows the use of a cross-shaped button on a keyboard according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention In the example shown in the figures, computer 1 comprises, in particular, a keyboard 2, a central processing unit 3 generally equipped with several storage units, in particular a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive or a unit of CD-ROM, and a video screen 4. In the case of the network terminal, it is possible, for example, to consider the combination of only one screen, a keyboard according to the invention and a connection unit of the network, this combination may be able to be completed by a CD-ROM drive. The keyboard 2 consists of a case or support case 6 on the upper face 12 of which a key assembly is regularly placed. Not exhaustively, the keys are alphabetic keys 7, numeric keys 8, typographic keys 9 for obtaining punctuation marks and most common symbols, and function keys 11 that make it possible to have access to such different controls as the letters of the box or upper case, the movement of the cursor on the screen, the deletion or deletion of characters, tabulations, protections or safeguards, ... etc., together with various tasks which the programming elements will be able to distribute to certain specific keys that bear the marks Fl, F2, up to F12. According to the invention, the keyboard 2 of the computer comprises two additional buttons 13 and 14 each placed ergonomically on the two lateral faces 16, 17 of the keyboard 2. These two buttons 13, 14 are respectively connected to any key 7, 8. , 9, 11 of the keyboard 2. The keys used generally for this connection are the keys that allow the selection of the characters of the box or upper case. The keys that are also used are those located respectively furthest to the left and right of the keyboard, that is, those physically closest to the added buttons. The other two keys that can also be used are the keys of functions 11, Fll, and F12. In many packages of programming elements, they are not normally distributed in any particular control. A keyboard 2 has a wiring system produced in the form of an array 18 having as many column wires 71 as there are the columns of the keys and as many wires of the lines 72 as there are rows of keys. For a greater clarity, only a small number of wires of columns and wires of lines or rows, has been shown in Figures 3 and 4. The pushing or pressing on a key 24 makes or establishes an electrical connection at the point of the intersection between the lines and the columns corresponding to this key 24, this connection is detected by a dedicated microprocessor 32 which then transmits a code called a scan code by means of the serial interconnect cable 21 to the specific bus bar 19 of the central processing unit 3. Each additional button 53, 54 it is connected in parallel to a predetermined key. The cable 23 left from one of the connectors of the button 54 is connected to the cable 27 of the column of the key 24 and the other connector of the button 54 is connected by the cable 29 to the cable of the line 31 of the key 24. The two specific cables 27, 31 for the key 24, are connected to the microprocessor 32 which is connected to the central processing unit 3. The pressing of the button 54 will have the same effect when the key 24 to which it is pressed is pressed. connected. For example, it is possible to enforce that the buttons 56, 57 are directly connected by the cables 58, 59 to the integrated circuit 22 without passing through a key. This makes it possible, by the internal programming or by the programming elements, for the additional button or buttons, which have a specific scanning coding recognized by the central processing unit 3 without using a code already assigned to a key. This leads therefore to obtain new keys that have a new function. This involves the production of a specific microprocessor 22 capable of receiving these new connections. The buttons 13, 14 are fixed or integrated into the substantially vertical side faces, 16, 17 of the box or case 6 of the keyboard 2. In this case or case, they are pressure switches of the spring-loaded type having one or more return springs. These buttons only remain if a continuous pressure is applied. They are of a minimum size so that they can be actuated or activated by the tip of an operator's finger or by several of the operator's fingers 33 striking or pressing these buttons. They can be any way, round in particular. However, in the case of an elongated shaped button 34, it can form a defined angle of inclination A with respect to the upper surface 12 of the keyboard. The angle A will be chosen in such a way that it responds to the ergonomic criteria corresponding to the position of the last phalange 37 of the first finger, of the second finger or of the third finger and to the auricle of a hand 38 placed vertically and parallel with the lateral edge , the palm 42 facing the side edge 17. The cruciform button 36 provides four possible control positions for the same switch. The button 13, 14 is positioned on the side face at a defined distance with respect to the front part or the trailing edge, determined by the natural position of a hand 38 of the user. The button 13, 14 is positioned in such a way that when the first finger and / or the second finger and / or the third finger and / or the atrium 33 is placed on the button, the thumb 39 can reach one or more of other keyboard keys. In the case of a different operative position, either palm 42 or more precisely the yolk of the thumb 43 of the palm of the hand or one or more fingers that remain free 44, they can press the keys of the upper face, on the extreme right side or on the extreme left side of the board, while the use of the button with one or more fingers 33. The button is placed, in particular, in the region of the upper third furthest from the front edge 41 of the keyboard 2.

By a completely equivalent design, a portable computer 46 with a flat display screen 48 and a keyboard 47 comprises, on one or both of the side faces 49, 51, one or more additional buttons 52. Its connection, its shape and its arrangements are produced in a completely identical manner with that described above for the separate computer keyboard 2. In a similar manner, a video game console 73 comprises a box or case 74 of the central processing unit and joystick-type interconnecting means 76, 77, connected to this case or case 74. The game programs in the form of a cartridge 78 are read by the central processing unit 74 and the keys 79 allow various functions such as the start and selection of the difficulty of the game. An interconnection device forming an accessory 81 having for example the shape of a parallelepiped-shaped box or case 82 is connected to the central processing unit 74 of the console. According to the invention, this accessory possibly comprises, in addition to its keys, control means in the form of two buttons 82, 84 each placed on the side faces, 86, and 87 respectively, of the box or case 82.

The connection of the buttons to a microprocessor destined in the accessory 87 or in the console 74 or in parallel with the keys 79 or if necessary with the keys of the accessory 81, its shape and its arrangement, are produced in a manner which is completely identical to that which has been described above for the separate computer keyboard. It will be possible to provide an accessory of the same type that is connected to the serial port of the computer or the laptop. In the simplest case, this addition of two keys, one on each of the faces of the keyboard 2, of the laptop 46 or of the accessory 81 of the game console, makes the use of any type of programming elements more pleasant due to its easier operation. By pressing one of these buttons, you will obtain, depending on the type of wiring used, the same effect as with a conventional key or a different effect. In both cases, the button will have no effect on the normal operation of the keyboard. Used in particular with the game programs, these two buttons will be able to control the movement on the screen of the images or figurines to obtain game effects. The user of the game console 73 will take the accessory 81 on his knees, or place it on a table.

These buttons have a specific use in the case of the programming elements for the game of Roman billiards 66 where the two buttons are truly adapted by the use of two fins 62, 63 proposed to return the 64 ball in conditions approaching reality. The player who uses the keyboard or the accessory, has exactly the same position of the hands 38 and the wrists, that a player on a Roman pool table, with the same ability to jump the keyboard and to press other buttons with the palm 42 hand to get other visual and audible effects. For certain existing programming elements, the user will have to choose the two keys physically connected to the two buttons as the keys equipped with fins. Tilting with the top of the play function will naturally be possible by repeatedly oppressing with the palm at a high frequency. It is also possible to design, with reference to Figure 9, a keyboard 180 according to the invention, connected to a central processing unit 184 and comprising, on each corner of the upper face 184 of its case or case 182, two zones of pressure 110, 110 'and on each of its side faces 183, 183', a control button 181, 181 '. An interconnection device is thus obtained, which makes it possible to reproduce, in a particularly realistic manner, the totality of the sensations experienced by a Roman pool table player. In effect, each side button is assigned to control a right or left wing within the game program. Under each pressure zone 110, 110 ', the keyboard 180 comprises, as shown in Figures 12, 14 and 16, a microswitch 102, 102 'comprising a moving part positioned against the inner surface of the upper face so that, when a significant pressure is applied to the pressure zone 110, the effect of this is to place the moving part 108 and cause the closing of the microswitch 102 and therefore a contact between the two conductors 103, 104 connected to the connectors of this microswitch. A spring 105 positioned close to the microswitch 102 ensures the return of the top face 106 to a substantially flat equilibrium position. The other pressure zone can of course have an internal structure identical to that which has already been described. Each microswitch 102, 102 'is connected by means of a pair of conductors 103, 104; 103 ', 104' to a predetermined key T, T 'of the matrix of the keys 140 of the keyboard 180, with reference to Figure 12, and is associated with a return spring 105, 105'. It is possible, for example, to provide connections directly to the level of keys, or to provide connections at the level of ur. control circuit 141 of the keypad 180, this control circuit is usually connected by a serial interconnect 142 to the central processing unit. Each control button 181, 181 'controls a switch 191, 191' connected to any key F, F 'among all the keys 140 of the keypad 180. The oppression of a control button 181, 181' is equivalent accordingly to the oppression in the F, F 'key with which it is associated. It is therefore sufficient to assign a control function of the fin to each of the connected keys by means of the parameterization of the programming elements. The player using the keyboard 180 can then activate the two flaps by pressing the control buttons 181, 181 'with his fingers 121, 121' and he can send jumps to the Roman billiards, either to the right or to the left, or frontally, by applying pressure on one and / or on the other of the pressure zones 110, 110 ', either with the right hand, or with the left hand, or with both hands simultaneously as shown in figure 11. The user of the program of Roman billiards game using the keyboard 180 according to the invention can, while pressing the K keys, also press the pressure zone 110 :: or _ the palm of his hand 311 as shown in figure 16. 3r it applies a significant pressure on this zone of pressure, therefore expressing a desire to impart a jump to the game of Roman billiards, it then causes the closing of the microswitch 102, which is equivalent to the oppression of the key T to which this micro-switch 102 is connected. It is assumed that this T key has been previously designed, for example when the game starts, as the key corresponding to the jump command to the right or to the left depending on whether the right or left pressure zone is the only one in question. The return spring 105 ensures the return of the pressure zone 110 to the substantially flat position when the player is no longer applying pressure to the latter. It should be noted that the microswitch 102 may be connected in parallel to any keyboard key, since the products of the Roman billiards game program offer a parametrization of the various control keys. This other embodiment of the invention can also be implemented for a portable computer 100 whose main case or case 202 is provided, on the one hand, with two pressure zones 110, 110 'placed in the two front corners of its upper face 162 and, on the other hand, with two control buttons 201, 201 'placed on their two side faces 2C3, 203', with reference to Figure 10. It is also possible to design, within the scope of the present invention, a game console 210 connected to a television set 112 and comprising, on the one hand, on the upper face 172 of its box or case 211, two pressure zones 110, 110 'and, on the other hand, two control buttons 130, 130' on the side faces 213, 213 ', with reference to figure 13, of the box or case. Advantageously, it is possible to design a keyboard according to the invention, comprising four pressure zones, as shown in figure 17. The keyboard 170 therefore comprises, in addition to two side buttons 181, 181 ', a left pressure zone 110 ', a right pressure zone 110 and two frontal pressure zones 111', 111 positioned for example close to the left and right pressure zones 110 ', 110, respectively. With each pressure zone 110 ', 111', 111, 110, there is associated a switch 102 ', 112', 112, 102 placed, inside the box or case 190 of the keyboard 170, between the two parts, upper 191 and lower 192 respectively, of this case or case 190. Furthermore it is possible to provide return means such as springs and means for adjusting these return means, for example one or more screws accessible under the keyboard. Furthermore, the keyboard according to the invention may additionally comprise means for fixing the upper and lower parts of the keyboard in such a way that the switches of the pressure zones become then inoperative. These fixing means can be particularly appreciated to avoid any undesirable control due to a pronounced tightness on the keyboard when the latter is being used in an ordinary manner. The switches, 112 ', 102', 112, 102, which can be of any technology, are each connected to the predetermined keyboard keys. Accordingly, by way of non-limiting example, in the example shown in Fig. 17, the left switches 102 'and right 102 respectively, are connected in parallel to the "G" and "D" keys respectively of the keyboard 170, while the left and right front switches 112 ', 112 respectively are both connected in parallel in the space bar 171 of the keyboard 170. In a particular embodiment of a keyboard 170, such as that shown in Figures 17 and 18, the side buttons 181' , 181 are arbitrarily connected to the "W" and "" keys; "respectively of the set of keys 172 that equip this keyboard, while the switches of the left and right pressure zones 102 ', 102 are connected to the" G "and" D "keys and the switches of the frontal pressure zones 112 ', 112 are connected to the space bar 171.

It is also possible to design a keypad 195 according to the invention, provided with the double override switch 199, making it possible to modify the assignment of the side buttons 181 ', 181 according to the type of program of the fin used. Indeed, for certain program products used with the DOS operating system, the functions of the left and right fins respectively, are imperatively associated with the keys 196, 197 of the box or upper case on each side of the keyboard, while for the products of the recent programming elements, used with the Windows 95 operating system, these functions of the fins are associated respectively with the keys "W" and ";" or with any other programmable key for the programming elements. This double override switch 119 may be located for example on the back face of the keyboard 195. Within the scope of the present invention, it is also possible to design a keyboard 220 comprising, on at least one of its side faces 236, a device 230 of the cruciform type combining four switches each associated with an arrow of direction 231, 232, 233, 234: upwards, to the right, downwards, towards the target, with reference to figure 20. Each switch is connected in parallel to the corresponding key 241, 242, 243, 244, present on the keyboard, by the additional tracks 235 produced on the keyboard connection plane. To implement the invention, it will be possible either to adapt the existing keyboards by means of wiring the additional buttons in parallel with the existing keys, or to produce a specific keyboard that integrates these additional buttons. Such a keyboard will then have to be provided with a specific microprocessor or microcontroller to ensure the decoding of these additional buttons. An advantageous technique for producing the keyboard according to the invention consists in designing a specific flexible printed circuit, adapting the flexible printed circuit of a conventional keyboard, adding connection tracks and contact modules placed, on the one hand, on each side end of this printed circuit for the finned keys and, on the other hand, on the front section of this flexible printed circuit for the detectors of the pressure zones. The present invention can also be implemented for videotext terminals, in particular a Minitel. It is therefore possible to provide a videotext terminal with two beats placed respectively on the two lateral faces of your keyboard. The invention can be applied •ionally to keyboards connected to a central processing unit or to a terminal via wired connections, for example infrared or radio frequency connections. The keypads according to the invention can also be implemented for terminals of the network, particularly those known as "Network Computers" (NC) which can be installed, for example in accommodations, businesses, hotel rooms, public places, schools and shops The invention is not, of course, limited to the examples described and shown. The number of buttons on the face or side faces will be variable. In the specific case of the game of Roman billiards, it is possible for example to provide, in addition to the two buttons assigned to the two control functions of the fins, two additional control devices assigned to the control of the effects of the movement of the Roman billiards. It will be possible for the type of button used, which is different depending on the desired function that will be assigned to them, for example sliding switches, rotary knobs or touch-sensitive keys, without technology limitation. It will be possible that the shape of these buttons changes according to the technical or fashion developments. Furthermore, it is possible to provide, still within the scope of the present invention, buttons that are phosphorescent or that are still provided with lighting means.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (19)

1. An interconnection device (2, 180) between a user and a central processing unit (3) or a network terminal, comprising a box or case (6) having a first means for controlling the accessible central processing unit on the upper face of the box or case (6), and second means (13, 14; 53, 54; 56, 57; 181, 181 '; 201, 201') to control the central processing unit (3) or the terminal of the network placed on at least one of the lateral faces (16, 17) of the box or case (2), characterized in that the second control means (13, 14; 53, 54; 56, 57; 181, 181 ', 201, 201') are directly connected in parallel with the control means between the first control means.

2. An interconnection device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second control means (56, 57) are connected inside the box or case to the means (32) to control the first control means of the interconnection (2).

3. An interconnection device (180) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, in the two front corners of the upper face (106) of the box or case (212), two pressure zones (110, 110 ') and, inside the box or case (212) under each pressure zone (110, 110'), means (102, 102 ') for detecting the pressure applied to the pressure zone (110, 110'), and in that these arrangements are made to generate, in response to the detection of a pressure, a control, particularly a jump control, which is to be sent to the central processing unit (19).

4. An interconnection device according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises at least one frontal pressure zone and, within the box or case under the frontal pressure zone, means for detecting the pressure applied to the pressure zone. frontal, and because the arrangements are made to generate, in response to the detection of a pressure on the frontal pressure zone, a frontal jump control that is to be sent to the central processing unit.

5. An interconnection device (180) according to claims 3 c 4, characterized in that it further comprises, within the box or case (212) under each pressure zone (110, 110 '), return means (105) to apply a return force that substantially opposes the opposing pressure forces applied by a user.

6. An interconnection device (180) according to claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises means for adjusting a detection threshold of the pressure detection means.

7. An interconnection device (180) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the upper face of the box or case has at least two elastically deformable pressure zones.

8. An interconnection device (180) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that for each pressure zone (110, 110 '), the detection means comprise switching means (102, 102') connected in parallel to each other. two connectors of a predetermined key (T, T ') located on the upper face (106) of the box or case (212) in such a way that the detection of a pressure on the pressure zone (110, 10') by the corresponding detection means (102, 102 ') is equivalent to a downward pressure of the predetermined key (T, T').

9. An interconnection device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the switch means comprise, under each pressure zone (110, 110 '), at least one microswitch (102, 102 ').

10. An interconnection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second control means are placed on the lateral faces (16, 17) in such a way that either a palm (42) of a hand (38) or a finger (39, 44) of any user who places one or more of his fingers (33) on the second control means (13, 14), touches at least one of the first control means present on the box or case (6)

11. An interconnection device according to claim 10, characterized in that the button (13, 14, 34, 36) has a size defined in such a way that a user can operate it using one or more of his fingers (33).

12. An interconnection device according to claim 10, characterized in that the button (34) has any shape, in particular an elongated shape with respect to the width of the box or case and / or has a slope (A) defined with respect to the plane of the upper surface (12) of the box or envelope (6).

13. An interconnection device (220) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second control means comprise, on at least one of the side faces, a multi-contact button (230) combining four switches placed in a transverse formation , each of these switches (231-234) is connected in parallel to a corresponding arrow key (241-244) on the upper face of the interconnection device (220).

14. A computer keyboard (2, 180), characterized in that it is in the form of an interconnection device according to any of the preceding claims.

15. A portable computer '6, 100), characterized in that it comprises a keyboard ('17; it is an interconnection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. An accessory (81), in particular for a game console (73), characterized in that it is in the form of an interconnection device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

17. A game console (210), characterized in that it comprises an interconnection device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

18. The application of an interconnection device, of a keyboard (2, 180) of a computer, of a portable computer (46, 100), of a game console (210) or of an accessory (81), in particular for a game console (73), according to any of the preceding claims, to control a program (66) of a Roman billiards program by at least two buttons, each button is respectively placed on one of the opposite side faces and associated with a fin (62, 63) represented on the screen.

19. The application of an interconnection device according to any of claims 1 to 13, to the control of a computer network (NC).