JPH03147120A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To freely set a display and an input of a function key, to eliminate the need of a guide label, and to efficiently use the function key by using the function key for a touch type liquid crystal panel. CONSTITUTION:In a liquid crystal panel 1, there are the display areas 2 of three stages and 11 lines, and in each display area, each function of a function key array used in a program is displayed. In the peripheral part on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1, a photosensor 3 and a light source (infrared rays) 4 are placed opposingly and a touch sensor is formed thereby. When the display area in which a character is displayed is touched, the photosensor detects it, it is decided that the key corresponding to its display area is depressed, and it is transmitted to a host device (program). In such a manner, a display and an input can be set freely, a guide label at every program becomes unnecessary, and the use efficiency is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a keyboard, and more particularly to a keyboard in which display input can be freely set by using a touch-type liquid crystal panel as part of the function keys.

[Conventional technology]

Some of the function keys on conventional keyboards have only array numbers written on them, and each key has a different meaning depending on the O8 or program.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The function keys on conventional keyboards only have array numbers written on them, and each key has a different meaning depending on the program, so unless you create a guide label for each program, you won't know which key has what meaning. It has two disadvantages: the user cannot understand the program, and the more programs that are used, the more guide labels there are, which confuses the user when using the program.

[Means to solve the problem]

The keyboard of the present invention is a keyboard equipped with an input key and a function key, wherein the function key is arranged facing a liquid crystal panel having a display area of 0 columns and m columns, and the periphery of the surface of this liquid crystal panel. It is composed of a matrix-type touch sensor section consisting of an optical sensor and a light source.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the function keys of the keyboard of the present invention.

The liquid crystal panel 1 has display areas 2 of 3 rows and 11 columns, and each display area displays each function of the function key arrangement used in the program. An optical sensor 3 and a light source (infrared rays) 4 are arranged facing each other on the peripheral portion of the surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 to form a touch sensor. When a user touches a display area where characters are displayed, an optical sensor detects the touch, and the information is transmitted to a higher-level device (program) as if a key corresponding to that display area has been pressed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the function key control section. The display information sent from the host device is stored in the storage section 7 from the interface control section 5 via the display control section 6. At the same time, the information is displayed on each display area of the liquid crystal panel 1 via the display control section 6. While a certain program is running, the functions of each function key required by that program are displayed as they are. The input control section 8 constantly monitors the touch sensor section 9, determines which key has been pressed based on the combination of the outputs of each optical sensor, and reports the result to the host device via the interface control section 5.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention has the advantage that by using a touch-type liquid crystal panel for the function keys, the display and input of the function keys can be freely set, and there is no need for guide labels, making it possible to use the function keys efficiently.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the function keys of the keyboard of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the function key control section. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Liquid crystal panel, 2... Display area, 3... Light sensor, 4... Light source, 5... Interface control unit,
6...Display control unit, 7...Storage unit, 8...Input control unit, 9...Touch sensor unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a keyboard equipped with an input key and a function key, the function keys are arranged in n stages and m columns (n, m
is a positive integer), and a matrix-type touch sensor section consisting of a light sensor and a light source arranged opposite to each other around the surface of the liquid crystal panel. keyboard.