JP2008033843A - Computer system, keyboard, and structure of key for keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer system, a keyboard, and a structure of keys for the keyboard with improved operability, providing cursor input without frequently changing positions of fingers to be moved to desired positions. <P>SOLUTION: The computer system is provided with the keyboard 2 provided with the plurality of keys for inputting information such as characters into a computer, and a computer body 4 receiving input of preset positional information corresponding to the plurality of keys 10 by operation of each key, setting coordinate positions of the keys regarding the operation, and displaying each piece of corresponding information in a display part. Electrostatic sensors 22 are provided in the plurality of keys 10, a conductive film 12 communicated with the electrostatic sensor 22 is attached to a touch face 10A of each key 10 provided with the electrostatic sensor 22, and a cursor drive control means 6 for acquiring and processing input information from each electrostatic sensor 22 as a cursor moving amount is provided in the computer body 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer system and a keyboard, and more particularly, to a keyboard in which a plurality of arranged keys are provided with a key input mechanism and a touch pad mechanism in a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook personal computer). .

  A keyboard is indispensable as an information input device to a computer. Also, the importance of a pointing device (cursor input) that moves points on the screen and performs various operations such as clicking and dragging to give various instructions to the computer is also increasing. In a desktop personal computer, a mouse is typically used for cursor input, but a track ball or a track pad is also used.

On the other hand, the spread of notebook computers is remarkable. In this notebook computer, there are many restrictions in design and design, and the operability of the built-in cursor input is extremely important.
Conventionally, even in a notebook computer, a track ball has been used as a cursor input means. However, in order to use the track ball, the keyboard needs to have a certain thickness. It is difficult to use. For this reason, in thin notebook computers, the use of track pads instead of track balls has become the mainstream (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the track / pad built-in keyboard 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1, a key input unit 100A for inputting characters and the key input unit 100A are provided on the right side of the keyboard 100 separately from the key input unit 100A. The numeric keypad portion 100B is provided, and the track pad portion 101 is provided on the numeric keypad portion 100B. The track pad unit 101 can function as a numeric keypad, and can also function as a cursor input by pressing a specific key.

By the way, recently, widening of television screens is in the direction of standardization. Also, as influenced by this, the number of notebook personal computers 110 having a wide screen 111 having a horizontal to vertical ratio of 16: 9 as shown in FIG. 16 is increasing. And it is predicted that the widening of the screen 111 of the notebook computer 110 will be standardized.
Such a keyboard 112 of the notebook computer 110 generally includes a key input unit 113 for inputting characters arranged on the screen side, and a touch pad 114 disposed on the front side of the key input unit 113. Many are arranged in parallel in the width direction.

JP-A-11-102247

However, in the keyboard 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the track pad unit 101 is provided in the numeric keypad unit 100B of the keyboard 100, and the numeric keypad unit 100B is separated from the key input unit 100A for inputting characters. Placed in position. As a result, when performing an operation as a key input or a cursor input, for example, the right hand must be once released from the key input unit 100A or the numeric keypad part 100B and moved from either one to the other part. There is a problem in that the operability is poor because the hands are frequently reciprocated at two distant positions to operate the two functions.
Further, since the keyboard 100 is provided with a key input portion 100A and a numeric keypad portion 100B provided at the right end thereof, it is difficult to further reduce the size of the keyboard 100.

Further, in the notebook personal computer 110 having a wide LCD screen, the aspect ratio of the LCD screen 111 and the aspect ratio of the keyboard 112 are formed to be substantially the same, so the space in the width direction of the keyboard 112 is reduced.
In the keyboard 112, the width dimension of the key input unit 113 arranged on the screen side is naturally determined because the key size is formed according to the standard. Therefore, when the touch pad 114 is arranged on the front side of the key input unit 113, the width direction dimension of the touch pad 114 is limited, and the area of the touch pad 114 is reduced.

In order to operate the small touchpad 114 in such a region, the necessary operation surface is insufficient. For example, one finger of the right hand must be frequently changed to move it to a desired position. In other words, the operability is poor.
Further, since the key input unit 113 and the touch pad 114 provided on one side in the width direction are arranged on the keyboard 112, it is difficult to further reduce the size of the keyboard 112.
(Object of invention)

  For this reason, in the present invention, the inconvenience of the conventional example is improved, and the cursor input can be performed without frequently changing the position in order to move the finger of the hand to a desired position. An object is to provide a computer system, a keyboard, and a keyboard key structure.

  In order to achieve the above object, a computer system according to the present invention includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting information such as letters or numbers to the computer, and presets corresponding to the keys of the keyboard. A computer main body that inputs the position information together with the operation of each key, sets the coordinate position of the key related to the operation, and displays each corresponding information on the display unit, and each key is equipped with a predetermined input sensor Has been. Furthermore, a plurality of keys on the keyboard are equipped with electrostatic sensors, and a conductive film communicating with the electrostatic sensors is attached to the touch surface of each key equipped with each electrostatic sensor. The apparatus includes a cursor drive control unit that takes in and processes input information from each of the electrostatic sensors as a cursor movement amount (claim 1).

Therefore, according to this, by touching a plurality of keys on the keyboard, the conductive film mounted on the touch surface of each key and the electrostatic sensor mounted on each key are operated, and these electrostatic sensors are operated. Input information from the mold sensor is taken in by the cursor drive control means as a cursor movement amount and processed.
Therefore, a plurality of keys on the keyboard can be used for cursor input. As a result, cursor input can be performed without frequently changing the position of the finger of the hand, thereby improving operability.
In addition, since a wide range over a plurality of keys can be used for cursor input, a wide operation surface can be secured, and more effective position designation and coordinate data input can be performed.
Further, a plurality of keys can be used for inputting a cursor in addition to inputting information such as letters or numbers to a computer. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a touch pad for inputting a cursor separately from a plurality of keys. As a result, the space for providing the touch pad can be reduced, and the keyboard can be downsized.

  Further, the keyboard described above is equipped with switching means for switching and setting each sensor output between the electrostatic sensor unit composed of the plurality of electrostatic sensors and the input sensor unit composed of the input sensor attached to each key. The switching means may be provided with a mode switching control unit that operates in conjunction with the switching means and switches the computer main body to the normal input mode or the cursor mode corresponding to each sensor information. Good (claim 2).

In this way, when the switching means is operated, the mode switching control unit is linked, and the mode switching control unit switches the keyboard to either the normal input mode or the cursor mode.
For this reason, it is possible to perform normal input and cursor input only by operating the switching means without releasing the fingers of the hand from the keyboard. As a result, operability can be improved.

  Furthermore, the keyboard according to the present invention includes a plurality of keys for inputting information such as characters or numbers to the computer main body, and the position information of each key is pre-equipped as selection information for various information corresponding thereto. A function of feeding the computer to the computer main body via an input sensor, wherein the plurality of keys are equipped with electrostatic sensors, and the touch surface of each key equipped with the electrostatic sensors communicates with the electrostatic sensors. A structure equipped with a conductive film, and equipped with switching means for switching and setting each sensor output between an electrostatic sensor unit composed of a plurality of electrostatic sensors and an input sensor unit composed of a normal input sensor attached to each key (Claim 3).

For this reason, according to this, the keyboard is equipped with a switching means, and by switching the switching means, the respective sensor outputs of the electrostatic sensor section and the input sensor section can be switched and set.
Therefore, when switching to electrostatic sensor input, a plurality of keys on the keyboard can be used for cursor input. As a result, cursor input can be performed without frequently moving the finger of the hand, thereby improving operability.
In addition, since a wide range over a plurality of keys can be used for cursor input, a wide operation surface can be secured, and more effective position designation and coordinate data input can be performed.
Further, a plurality of keys can be used for inputting a cursor in addition to inputting information such as letters or numbers to a computer. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a touch pad for inputting a cursor separately from a plurality of keys. As a result, the space for providing the touch pad can be reduced, and the keyboard can be downsized.

  Further, the input sensor provided in each of the plurality of keys described above is constituted by a pressure sensor that functions when the key is pressed, and the key is held around the pressure sensor and on the substrate holding the key. The electrostatic sensor may be arranged on the surface portion (claim 4).

  In this way, the pressure sensor is provided corresponding to the key, and the electrostatic sensor is disposed around the pressure sensor. Therefore, the key and the sensor are gathered compactly, and the space can be reduced. .

  Further, the above-described key is constituted by a head portion having an external contact surface on the outer surface and a holding member that holds the head portion flexibly from the back side and is supported by the substrate. A conductive film may be provided on the entire surface of the part, and the holding member may be formed of a conductive member or a conductive holding member formed by attaching the conductive film to the entire surface.

In this way, since the head part constituting the key is held by a flexible holding member, when the head part is pressed, the head part feels slightly sunk, and a light touch when inputting A feeling can be obtained.
In addition, since the conductive film is attached to the head portion and the holding member is formed of a conductive holding member, each of the plurality of keys can be an electrostatic sensor portion. As a result, all of a plurality of keys can be used as cursor input, so cursor input can be performed without frequently changing the position to move a finger of a hand to a desired position. Improvements can be made.

  Further, the holding member described above is constituted by a pantograph mechanism in which a central connecting portion is arranged so as to be close to and away from the substrate in a vertical direction, and the connecting portion of the pantograph mechanism faces the substrate. It is good also as a structure equipped with the said pressure sensor fixedly equipped on the said board | substrate corresponding to this press member.

As a result, when the head portion of the key is pressed, the connecting portion of the holding member approaches the substrate by the pantograph mechanism, and the pressing member contacts the pressure sensor and normal input becomes possible. This pantograph mechanism can obtain a feeling of pressing when the keyboard is pressed because the connecting portion can be moved close to and away from the substrate in the vertical direction.
In addition, since the holding member and the pressure sensor are arranged directly under the head portion, the structure can be made compact.

  Furthermore, the keyboard described above may be configured such that the electrostatic sensor is disposed between a leg portion of a holding member forming a part of each key and the substrate.

  As a result, the electrostatic sensor may be made to correspond to the leg portion of the holding member, so that the electrostatic sensor can be reduced in size.

  In the above-described keyboard, the conductive film on the outer surface and the back surface of the head portion of each key is divided into four by a cross-shaped insulating film, and each of the four conductive films on the back surface includes a pantograph mechanism. The upper end surfaces of the four leg portions of the holding member are arranged corresponding to each other, and the contact surfaces of the four leg portions of the holding member with the substrate corresponding to the conductive films on the back surface divided into four parts. It is good also as a structure which arrange | positioned the said electrostatic type sensor to each (claim 8).

  As a result, the change in the charge is detected regardless of which part of the conductive portion of the key divided into four is touched. Since even one key can detect a change in electric charge at four locations, a plurality of keys greatly increases the number of detection locations. As a result, the movement of charges becomes clear, and position designation on the display screen, coordinate data input, and the like can be clearly performed.

  Furthermore, the structure of the keyboard key according to the present invention includes a head portion having an external contact surface on the upper surface, and a holding member disposed on the substrate and holding the head portion so that the head portion can be moved up and down from the back surface side The holding member is formed of a conductive holding member formed of a conductive member or a conductive film partially or in front, and a conductive film conducting to the holding member is formed on the upper surface of the head portion. The holding member is configured by a pantograph mechanism in which a connecting portion at the center thereof is arranged to be close to and away from the substrate in the vertical direction, and the connecting portion of the pantograph mechanism faces the substrate. A pressing member is provided, a pressure sensor for pressing information input is fixed on the substrate corresponding to the pressing member, and the pantograph mechanism is provided corresponding to the conductive film of the head portion. The electrostatic sensor for each position information input to the contact surface with the substrate of the leg portion is disposed (claim 9).

  Therefore, according to this, when the keyboard key is pressed, the pressing by the pressing member attached to the holding member can be detected by the pressure sensor provided on the substrate, and the conductive film of the head portion is contacted. Thus, it can be detected by the electrostatic sensor disposed on the contact surface between the conductive holding member and the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to give the key both functions of input operations such as letters and numbers and cursor input operations. Since the keyboard key can be used as the cursor input, the cursor input can be performed without frequently changing the position in order to move the finger of the hand to a desired position, and the operability can be improved.

Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, according to this, a plurality of keys on the keyboard can be used for cursor input. As a result, cursor input can be performed without frequently changing the position of the finger of the hand, thereby improving operability.
In addition, since a wide range over a plurality of keys can be used for cursor input, a wide operation surface can be secured, and more effective position designation and coordinate data input can be performed.
Furthermore, in addition to using a plurality of keys for inputting information such as letters or numbers to a computer, it can also be used for cursor input, so a touchpad for cursor input can be used as a plurality of keys. There is no need to provide them separately. As a result, the space for providing the touchpad can be reduced, so that the keyboard can be downsized.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a computer system S as a first embodiment of the present invention.
The computer system S includes a keyboard 2 having a plurality of keys 10 and a computer main body 4 that displays input information from the keys 10 of the keyboard 2 on the screen display unit 3.

Each of the plurality of keys 10 is equipped with an electrostatic sensor 22 (see FIG. 2), and the touch surface 10B (see FIG. 6) of each key 10 has a conductive film 12 (see FIG. 6) communicating with the electrostatic sensor 22. (See FIG. 7).
Therefore, the computer main body 4 is configured to detect a change in the capacity of the plurality of keys 10 to specify the movement direction and the movement amount, and to use the plurality of keys 10 for cursor movement information. ing.

  The computer main body 4 captures and processes the cursor movement information generation means 5 that generates input information from each electrostatic sensor 22 as the cursor movement amount, and the cursor movement amount and direction from the cursor movement information generation means 5. Cursor drive control means 6 is provided.

In the cursor movement information generation means 5, the coordinate position as the first reference is specified, and the movement direction and the movement amount that are specified by calculating the difference from the next input information are calculated. The cursor movement information generating means 5 is provided with a memory 7.
The memory 7 stores the correspondence between input information and coordinate information. Accordingly, the cursor movement information generation means 5 exchanges signals with the memory 7 and appropriately takes out the information stored in the memory 7 to proceed with the work.

The cursor drive control means 6 controls the movement of the cursor based on the information specified by the cursor movement information generation means 5.
Then, the movement status of the cursor whose movement is controlled by the cursor drive control means 6 is displayed on the screen display unit 3 connected to the cursor drive control means 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the keyboard 2 includes an electrostatic sensor unit 23 including a plurality of electrostatic sensors 22 and an input sensor unit 25 including input sensors 24 attached to the keys 10. Switching means 26 for switching and setting the sensor output is provided.

  The switching means 26 is also provided with a mode switching control unit 27. The mode switching control unit 27 operates in conjunction with the switching unit 26, and sets a normal input mode setting unit 28 for setting the computer main body 4 to a normal input mode corresponding to each sensor information. A cursor input mode setting unit 29 to be set. The switching means 26 can switch and set to either the normal input mode setting unit 28 or the cursor input mode setting unit 29.

A contact point a1 is connected to the input sensor unit 25, and a contact point b1 is connected to the electrostatic sensor unit 23.
Further, a contact point a2 is connected to the normal input mode setting unit 28, and a contact point b2 is connected to the cursor input mode setting unit 29.
Switches S1 and S2 are respectively arranged between the contact a1 and the contact b1 and between the contact a2 and the contact b2, and these switches S1 and S2 simultaneously operate in the same direction, and the contact a1 and the contact a2 or the contact b1. And the contact b2, and the contacted contact can be energized.

Therefore, for example, when the switches S1 and S2 are activated and the contact point a1 and the contact point a2 are connected, the input sensor unit 25 and the normal input mode setting unit 28 are electrically connected. Is possible.
On the other hand, when the switches S1 and S2 are activated and the contact b1 and the contact b2 are connected, the electrostatic sensor unit 23 and the cursor input mode setting unit 29 are electrically connected. Cursor input is possible.

Here, the first changeover switch unit 30 is configured including the contact a1, the contact b1, and the switch S1, and the second changeover switch unit 31 is configured including the contact a2, the contact b2, and the switch S2.
The first switch unit 30 and the second switch unit 31 are configured to be interlocked with each other, whereby the switching unit 26 is configured.

  The normal input mode setting unit 28 and the cursor input mode setting unit 29 are both provided in the computer main body 4.

  As described above, in the computer system S, when the cursor can be input by the switching means 26, when a plurality of keys 10 on the keyboard 2 are touched, the conductive film 12 mounted on the touch surface 10B of each key 10 is passed through. The electrostatic sensor 22 mounted on each key 10 and the change in capacitance thereof are detected, and information sequentially input from each electrostatic sensor 22 is the cursor driving direction and amount of movement as the cursor. It is taken in by the control means 6 and displayed on the screen display unit 3.

As a result, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the computer system S, when the cursor input is enabled by operating the switching means 26, a plurality of keys 10 on the keyboard 2 can be used for cursor input. As a result, cursor input can be performed without frequently changing the position of the finger of the hand, thereby improving operability.

  (2) Since a wide range over a plurality of keys 10 can be used for cursor input, a wide operation surface can be secured, and more effective position designation and coordinate data input can be performed.

  (3) In addition to using a plurality of keys 10 for inputting information such as letters or numbers to a computer, it can also be used for cursor input, so a plurality of touchpads for cursor input can be used. There is no need to provide it separately from the key. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the keyboard because the space for providing the touchpad can be reduced.

Next, based on FIGS. 3-14, the detail of the said keyboard 2 is demonstrated as 2nd Embodiment of this invention.
The keyboard 2 is used in the computer system S described above.
FIG. 3 shows an overall outline of the notebook personal computer 1 provided with the keyboard 2, and FIG. 4 shows an overall plan view of the keyboard 2.

The notebook personal computer 1 according to the second embodiment is of the wide type as described above, and the LCD screen 3 is a screen display unit having a wide screen size, and the keyboard 2 having substantially the same size as the LCD screen 3. And can be folded so that the surface of the LCD screen 3 and the surface of the keyboard 2 face each other.
The keyboard 2 of the present invention can be applied even if the notebook computer 1 and the LCD screen 3 are not wide type.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard 2 has keys 10 having various functions such as keys for inputting characters and numbers to the computer, Enter key, Esc key, space key, half-width / full-width key, Alt key and the like. A plurality are arranged according to the standard.

  As described above, the keyboard 2 includes a plurality of keys 10 each of which is a normal input for inputting characters and numbers to the computer, a cursor input for specifying a position on the display screen and inputting coordinate data, and the like. It is configured to be possible. These input switching functions are given to one of the plurality of keys 10, and the key is used as a changeover switch key 10A.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view in which a part of the keyboard 2 as described above is vertically sectioned. FIG. 6 shows the details of one key 10 as a longitudinal sectional view.
As shown in FIG. 5, adjacent keys 10 are arranged at a predetermined key pitch and supported on a substrate 21 by a holding member 15 constituting the key 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the key 10 includes a head portion 11 having a contact surface from the outside (that is, a surface on which a finger or the like contacts) on an outer surface (mainly surface; touch surface) 10 </ b> B, and the head portion 11. The holding member 15 is supported by the substrate 21 while being bent from the back side.

A conductive film 12 is provided on the entire outer surface and back surface of the head portion 11 as shown in FIGS. The conductive film 12 is formed, for example, by applying a conductive coating, and is set in a state in which the front surface side and the back surface side are electrically connected to each other through the side surface.
The conductive film 12 is divided into four by a cross-shaped insulating film 13 provided on the entire surface of the head portion 11 of the key 10. That is, the conductive film 12 of the head part 11 is partitioned into four parts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the conductive film 12 and the insulation processing portion 13 corresponding to the above surface are formed on the back surface of the key 10, and the conductive film 12 is divided into four on the back surface as well as the front surface. It has been.

The holding member 15 is formed of a conductive holding member or a conductive holding member formed by attaching a conductive film to the entire surface.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the holding member 15 has a pantograph mechanism A as a main part.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the pantograph mechanism A is configured to include two sets of supports 17, and these supports 17 include two rod-like members 16 arranged at a predetermined interval. Is formed.
Further, the support body 17 is formed in an H shape in a plan view, and is incorporated so as to have an X shape in a side view as shown in FIGS. And the intersection of the X-shaped part of each support body 17 is the said connection part B. As shown in FIG.
For example, a prismatic pressing member 18 is bridged over the connecting portion B in a state of facing the substrate 21.

The pressing member 18 and the support body 17 are connected by a support shaft 18 </ b> A inserted from the outside of each support body 17 over the pressing member 18. Such a structure is the pantograph mechanism A.
Therefore, when the head portion 11 of the key 10 is pressed, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of each support member 17 constituting the holding member 15 are centered on the connecting portion B at the center portion of each support member 17 as shown in FIG. As shown by the middle arrow C, they can be moved toward and away from each other.
That is, as described above, the pressing member 18 at the connecting portion B of the holding member 15 can be moved close to and away from the substrate 21 in the vertical direction.

A conductive film 19 coated with a conductive coating is provided on the surface of each support 17 of the holding member 15 as described above.
In addition, an insulating film 20 (see FIG. 8) subjected to an insulating process is provided on the surface of the pressing member 18 of the holding member 15.

  The conductive films 19 at the four upper ends of each support member 17 in the holding member 15 can be brought into contact with the respective back surfaces of the four conductive films 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d of each head part 11, and The conductive films 19 at the four lower ends of each support 17 are always in contact with the electrostatic sensor 22.

  In the configuration as described above, the head portion 11 of the key 10 is supported by a support member (not shown) so that the lower surface of the head portion 11 and the four upper end portions of each support member 17 in the holding member 15 are as shown in FIG. In a normal state (when the keyboard 2 is not used), the two are supported so that they are in contact with each other with a slight pressure just enough to touch.

Therefore, when each part divided into four parts of the head portion 11 is brought into contact with a conductor such as a hand, only the contacted part sinks slightly as shown by the phantom line in FIG. The portion that is in contact with the corresponding portion of the conductive portion 19 of the holding member 15 is energized. That is, a change in charge occurs at the contacted portion, the change in charge is detected by the electrostatic sensor 22, and the signal is output to the computer main body 4.
In contrast, the four lower ends of the support pair 7 in the holding member 15 and the four electrostatic sensors 22 disposed on the substrate 21 are always in contact as described above.

  FIG. 11 shows the arrangement of the key 10, the holding member 15 having the pantograph mechanism A, the four electrostatic sensors 22, and the pressure sensor 24 as viewed from above the key 10. Yes.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, the conductive film 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, which is divided into four parts in the head portion 11 of the key 10, is disposed on the substrate 21, and the respective conductive films 12a, 12b, Four electrostatic sensors 22 corresponding to 12c and 12d are provided. These four conductive films 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d and the four electrostatic sensors 22 can be in contact with each other via a holding member 15 that is H-shaped in plan view.
Further, the pressing member 18 of the holding member 15 and the pressure sensor 24 can come into contact with each other.

On the substrate 21, a pressure sensor 24 that is an input sensor is provided at a position substantially coaxially below the key 10. The pressure sensor 24 detects the depression of the key 10 and outputs a signal to the computer main body 4. The pressure sensor 24 is disposed at a substantially middle position between the four electrostatic sensors 22.
In other words, the electrostatic sensor 22 is provided on the holding surface portion of the key 10 around the pressure sensor 24 and on the substrate 21 that holds the key 10.

  Due to the structure in which a plurality of keys 10, electrostatic sensors 22 and pressure sensors 24 are arranged, the keyboard 2 has a normal input sensor 24 and a cursor input sensor 22 as shown in FIG. It has a structure with

Each electrostatic sensor 22 is given coordinates (Xn, Yn).
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 13, the movement amount [((X1-X2)) between the coordinate A point (X1, Y1) and the coordinate B point (X2, Y2) of the electrostatic sensor 22 that detects the change in charge. , (Y1-Y2)) is calculated and calculated by the cursor movement information generating means 5 of the computer main body 4 in the computer system S, and the cursor of the computer main body 4 is determined by the information specified by the cursor movement information generating means 5 The drive control means 6 functions and the cursor is controlled to move on the LCD screen 3.

Here, in FIG. 13, the coordinate A point is a coordinate detected when the conductive film 12 a of the conductive films 12 in one key 10 is pressed, and the coordinate B point is moved by a predetermined amount from the coordinate A point. The coordinates detected when the conductive film 12d of the conductive films 12 in the one key 10 is pressed, and the coordinate C point is the conductivity in the one key 10 when moved by a predetermined amount from the coordinate B point. The coordinates are detected when the conductive film 12b of the film 12 is pressed.
The output movement amount is input to the LCD screen 3 from the cursor drive control means 6, and a locus as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

In the keyboard 2 configured as described above, as described above, there are a plurality of switching operations between a normal input operation for inputting characters and numbers to the computer and a cursor input operation for specifying a position on the display screen and inputting coordinate data. Of these keys 10, for example, one key is used as a changeover switch key 10A having a switching function, and by pressing this changeover switch key 10A, it is possible to switch between normal input and cursor input. Yes.
Then, when the changeover switch key 10A is pressed, whether the input is switched to the normal input or the cursor input is displayed on the lower side and one corner of the LCD screen 3 with, for example, “communication” and “f”. It is configured.

  That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the “Ctrl” key at the left end of the keyboard 2 and the lower corner of the plurality of keys 10 is a changeover switch key 10A having a changeover function.

  The changeover switch key 10A is provided with a changeover means 26 for the computer system S, and the changeover means 26 performs a changeover control.

That is, the changeover switch key 10A includes a first switch portion 30 and a second switch portion 31 that constitute the changeover means 26 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, when the changeover switch key 10A is pressed and the switches S1 and S2 are connected to the contact a1 and the contact a2, the input sensor unit 25 and the normal input mode setting unit 28 are brought into conduction, and normal operation by a plurality of keys 10 is performed. Input is possible.
On the other hand, when the changeover switch key 10A is pressed and the switches S1 and S2 are connected to the contact b1 and the contact b2, the electrostatic sensor unit 23 and the cursor input mode setting unit 29 are electrically connected, and a plurality of switches Cursor input with the key 10 is enabled.

  When the keyboard 2 can be input by pressing the changeover switch key 10A, when a conductor such as a human body or a finger touches and moves the touch surface 10B of the key 10, the electrostatic sensor 22 detects the electric charge. The cursor movement generation means 5 traces the change in the charge and generates the movement amount. By outputting this amount of movement, cursor input is realized.

  At this time, in the computer main body 4, the changeover switch key 10 </ b> A sets the position of the electrostatic sensor 22 corresponding to the conductive film 12 of the key 10 first touched by a conductor such as a human body or a finger as a zero point, and in which direction Whether the object has been moved is generated by the cursor movement generation unit 5, controlled by the cursor drive control unit 6, and output to the LCD screen 3.

When the finger is moved as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 13, the point A at which the first charge change is detected is used as a reference point, and the lateral movement amount X / vertical movement to the point B at which the charge change is finally detected. The quantity Y is output. After the output, point B becomes the reference point, and the horizontal movement amount X / vertical movement amount Y to the next detection point C is output.
By repeating such operations, position designation on the display screen and coordinate data input can be performed.

Next, an operation method of the keyboard 2 configured as described above will be described.
First, when normal input with a plurality of keys 10 is desired, the changeover switch key 10A is pressed to connect the switches S1 and S2 to the contact a1 and the contact a2, and the input sensor unit 25 and the normal input mode setting unit. The normal input becomes possible by making the terminal 28 conductive. In this case, “T” is displayed in the lower corner of the LCD screen 3.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to perform cursor input using a plurality of keys 10, the changeover switch key 10A is pressed to connect the switches S1 and S2 to the contact b1 and the contact b2, and the electrostatic sensor unit 23 and the cursor. By making the input mode setting unit 29 conductive, cursor input becomes possible. In this case, “K” is displayed in the lower corner of the LCD screen 3.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(4) Normal input and cursor input that can be performed by a plurality of keys 10 can be selectively used by simply pressing the changeover switch key 10A. When the cursor can be input, the cursor can be input without frequently changing the position of the finger of the hand, so that the operability can be improved.

  (5) Since a wide range over a plurality of keys 10 can be used for cursor input, a wide operation surface can be secured and more effective movement amount input can be performed.

  (6) Since normal input and cursor input can be performed with a plurality of keys 10, for example, a touch pad mechanism for cursor input is not provided on the keyboard 2 separately from keys for normal input such as character input. Also good. As a result, the keyboard 2 can be further downsized.

  (7) The conductive film 12 of the key 10 is divided into four parts 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d in the plane, and these conductive films 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d are provided at four locations on the support body 17 constituting the holding member 15 The conductive portion 19 is in contact with the electrostatic sensor 22, and the conductive portion 19 is in contact with the electrostatic sensor 22. Therefore, a change in charge is detected regardless of which part of the conductive film 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the key 10 that is divided into four is touched. Since a single key 10 can detect a change in electric charge at four locations, a plurality of keys 10 greatly increase the number of detection locations. As a result, the movement of charges becomes clear, and position designation on the display screen, coordinate data input, and the like can be clearly performed.

  (8) The holding member 15 constituting the key 10 has the pantograph mechanism A, and when the head portion 11 is pressed, the upper and lower ends of the two sets of support members 17 constituting the holding member 15 are the pressing members. Since it rotates up and down via the 18 support shafts 18A, a good pressing feeling can be obtained.

  (9) Since the “Ctrl” key at the left end of the keyboard 2 and the lower corner of the plurality of keys 10 is used as the changeover switch key 10A, it is operated by pressing with the little finger of the left hand when performing the changeover operation. it can. For this reason, the left and right hands can be switched while being placed in the standard position for character input work during key operation, thereby improving operability.

  (10) The plurality of keys 10 includes the head portion 11 and the holding member 15, and the conductive film 12 is provided on each of the head portion 11 and the holding member 15, and below the holding member 15. A conductivity type sensor 22 is provided, and a pressure sensor 24 is provided below the head portion 11. As described above, since the head portion 11 and the holding member 15 are common parts for normal input and cursor input, a simple configuration can be achieved, and the use of common parts can save parts. And cost reduction.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

  For example, in the second embodiment, the switching mechanism of the changeover switch key 10A is configured to use the switching means 26 of the computer system S of the first embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, the switching control circuit 35 as shown in FIG. 14 may be configured to be switched by operating the switch key 10A.

That is, in the switching control circuit 35, the signal 37 is connected to the circuit 37A connected to the power source 36, and the contact 40 is connected to the branch circuit 37B connected in parallel to the circuit 37A. Is provided.
The contact 40 is configured to be turned on when a signal is present, and electricity flows. The contact 39 is configured to be turned off when a signal is present, thereby blocking the flow of electricity. The changeover switch key 10A is connected to the contact 39 and the contact 40.

  In addition, the contact 39 operates at the time of normal input, and the contact 40 operates at the time of cursor input. Information on normal input and cursor input is input to the computer main body 4.

For this reason, when the changeover switch key 10A is pressed, the flow of electricity to the contact 39 is interrupted with the presence of a signal, and as a result of the electricity flowing to the contact 40, cursor input becomes possible. At this time, the electrostatic sensor 22 works to detect a change in the electric charge of the conductive film 12 in the key 10.
In contrast, when the changeover switch key 10A is not pressed, normal input is possible by energizing the pressure sensor 24.

  In the control circuit 35 having the above-described modified form, switching between normal input and cursor input can be performed by either one of the operations of not pressing the switch key 10A or continuing to press the switch, so that the switching operation is easy. The effect that can be obtained.

  Further, when switching between normal input and cursor input, the changeover switch key 10A arranged at the left end can be operated by pressing with the little finger of the left hand. Therefore, the operation can be switched while the left and right hands are placed at the standard position during the character input operation, thereby improving the operability.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the “Ctrl” key is provided with a switching function as the changeover switch key 10A. However, the “Ctrl” key may not be used, and any key may be used as the changeover switch key.

In the second embodiment, the holding member 15 has the pantograph mechanism A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, four independent spring materials are erected below the head portion 11 of the key 10, and the four conductive films 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d that constitute the conductive film 12 are formed by these spring materials. You may make it support so that contact is possible.
In this case, a conductive film may be provided on each of the four spring members, and the lower end thereof may be fixed to the substrate 21 and an electrostatic sensor may be provided around the lower end. Furthermore, a protrusion member that can come into contact with the pressure sensor 24 disposed on the substrate 21 when the head portion 11 is pressed may be provided on the back surface of the key 10.

  The structure of the computer system, keyboard and keyboard key of the present invention can be used as a notebook computer having a wide screen, a notebook computer having a general large key screen, or a desktop computer. You can also

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the computer system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the keyboard used with the computer system shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows embodiment which equipped the keyboard of this invention in the notebook personal computer. It is a top view which shows the keyboard of embodiment disclosed in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic composition of the keyboard part of V arrow view of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the key part of the said embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the electroconductive part of the key of the said embodiment, FIG. 7 (A) represents the surface of a key, FIG.7 (B) represents the back surface of the key. It is a perspective view which shows one of the support bodies which comprise the pantograph mechanism of the said embodiment. It is a front view which shows the pantograph mechanism comprised combining the support body of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship of the key of the said embodiment, a pantograph mechanism, a pressure sensor, and an electrostatic sensor. It is a XI arrow line view in FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the sensor group comprised by the key etc. of the said embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the cursor input of the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the function switching control circuit of the said embodiment. It is a top view which shows the conventional keyboard. It is a top view which shows the other conventional keyboard.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Notebook personal computer 2 Keyboard 3 LCD screen which is a screen display part 4 Computer main body 5 Cursor movement information generation means 6 Cursor drive control means 7 Memory 10 Key 10A Changeover switch key 11 Head part 12 which comprises key Conductive film 15 Panda graph mechanism Holding member 17 Supporting member 18 constituting the holding member 18 Pressing member 19 Conductive film 22 Electrostatic sensor 24 Pressure sensor 26 as an input sensor 26 Switching means 27 Mode switching control unit 28 Normal input mode setting unit 29 Cursor input mode setting unit S computer system A pantograph mechanism B connecting part

Claims (9)

A keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting information such as letters or numbers to the computer, and position information set in advance corresponding to the keys of the keyboard together with the operation of the keys. A computer system that sets the coordinate position of the key and displays each corresponding information on a display unit, wherein each key is equipped with a predetermined input sensor;
A plurality of keys on the keyboard are equipped with electrostatic sensors, and a conductive film communicating with the electrostatic sensors is attached to the touch surface of each key equipped with each electrostatic sensor,
A computer system, wherein the computer main body is equipped with cursor drive control means for taking in and processing input information from each electrostatic sensor as a cursor movement amount. The computer system of claim 1,
The keyboard is equipped with switching means for switching and setting each sensor output between an electrostatic sensor unit composed of the plurality of electrostatic sensors and an input sensor unit composed of an input sensor attached to each key,
The switching means is provided with a mode switching control unit that operates in conjunction with the switching means and switches and sets the computer main body to either the normal input mode or the cursor mode corresponding to each sensor information. Computer system. The computer main body is provided with a plurality of keys for inputting information such as characters or numbers in the computer main body, and the computer main body is provided with input information preliminarily provided as selection information of various information corresponding to the keys. In the keyboard with the function to send to
A plurality of keys on the keyboard are equipped with an electrostatic sensor, and a conductive film communicating with the electrostatic sensor is attached to the touch surface of each key equipped with the electrostatic sensor,
The keyboard is equipped with switching means for switching and setting each sensor output of an electrostatic sensor unit composed of the plurality of electrostatic sensors and an input sensor unit composed of a normal input sensor attached to each key. Keyboard. The keyboard according to claim 3,
The normal input sensor provided in each of the plurality of keys of the keyboard is configured with a pressure sensor that functions when the key is pressed,
A keyboard characterized in that the electrostatic sensor is arranged on a holding surface portion of the key on a substrate holding the key around the pressure sensor. The keyboard according to claim 3 or 4,
The key is composed of a head portion having an external contact surface on the outer surface, and a holding member that holds the head portion flexibly from the back side and is supported by the substrate.
A keyboard comprising: a conductive film provided on an entire surface of the head portion; and the holding member formed of a conductive holding member or a conductive holding member formed by attaching a conductive film to the entire surface. The keyboard according to claim 5, wherein
The holding member is configured by a pantograph mechanism in which a connecting portion at a central portion thereof is disposed so as to be close to and away from the substrate in a vertical direction.
A keyboard comprising a pressing member facing the substrate at the connecting portion of the pantograph mechanism, and the pressure sensor fixedly mounted on the substrate corresponding to the pressing member. The keyboard according to claim 3, 4, 5, or 6,
A keyboard characterized in that the electrostatic sensor is disposed between a leg portion of a holding member forming a part of the key and the substrate. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein:
The conductive film on the outer surface and the back surface of the head portion of the key is divided into four by a cross-shaped insulating film, and each of the conductive films on the back surface divided into four is formed on the four leg portions of the holding member having a pantograph mechanism. Place the end faces correspondingly,
The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic sensor is arranged on a contact surface of the four legs of the holding member with the substrate corresponding to each of the four conductive films on the back surface. A keyboard key structure comprising: a head portion having a contact surface from outside on the top surface; and a holding member disposed on the substrate and holding the head portion so as to be vertically movable from the back surface side,
The holding member is formed of a conductive member or a conductive holding member formed by attaching a conductive film to a part or front of the holding member, and a conductive film conducting to the holding member is provided on the upper surface of the head part.
The holding member is configured by a pantograph mechanism in which a connecting portion at a central portion thereof is disposed so as to be close to and away from the substrate in a vertical direction.
The connecting portion of the pantograph mechanism is equipped with a pressing member facing the substrate, and a pressure sensor for inputting pressing information of each key is fixed on the substrate corresponding to the pressing member,
In accordance with the conductive film of the head portion, electrostatic sensors for position information input are respectively arranged on the contact surfaces of the four legs provided in the pantograph mechanism with the substrate. Keyboard key structure.

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