JP3524438B2 - Keyboard input device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard input device provided with a pointing device for controlling a position of a cursor. 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball is installed as a separate component from a keyboard input device in a graphic display device or the like. In this case, an installation space dedicated to the pointing device is used. Is required, and there is a disadvantage that the installation area of the entire graphic display device is unnecessarily large. [0003] Therefore, a keyboard input device in which a number of key switches are arranged, a trackball as a pointing device is incorporated, and both are integrated,
It has been conventionally proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-148408. The keyboard input device integrated with the pointing device as described above has an advantage that it can be easily carried in addition to an advantage that the installation area can be reduced, and is used in a field where miniaturization of a portable personal computer or the like is essential. Demand tends to increase. The above-mentioned conventional keyboard input device integrated with a pointing device incorporates components of a trackball such as a ball and an encoder into a key switch, and the ball is connected to the key switch. Since it is rotatably exposed from the top surface of the trackball, downsizing of the trackball is naturally limited in consideration of the operability of the ball, and there is room for improvement in terms of downsizing. In addition, since the arrangement of the input key switch group is standardized, the key switch with a built-in pointing device must be arranged beside the input key switch group, and each key switch is hit. For the operator (operator), it is necessary to move the fingertip from the home position to the lateral direction every time the pointing device is used, and there is also a problem that the operator tends to be tired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a keyboard input device which is suitable for miniaturization and has excellent operability. [0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of detection sensors for outputting a base having a columnar body that will be leaning a detected value in accordance with the tilt angle of the columnar body by the operator's fingers or the like When,
By inserting an insertion hole provided in the bottom surface into the upper end of the column, a pointing device having a soft cap attached to the upper end of the column is used, and the cap of the pointing device is inserted into each key. while disposed between the switch, protruding the upper surface of the cap from the top of the key switch, and the lower end inner peripheral edge of the cap
Is provided with a notch . The pointing device thus configured can be installed at a free position such as a home position without being restricted by the arrangement of the key switches. In use, the cap is pressed in an arbitrary direction by a finger of an operator or the like. Then, the columnar body is tilted, and a detection value corresponding to the tilt angle is output from each detection sensor. The control unit calculates the moving direction, the moving amount, and the moving speed of the cursor based on these output signals. The position of the cursor on the display can be controlled in any direction. [0007] In the keyboard input apparatus of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION comprises a base on which the columnar body is erected to mount, the insertion holes to be inserted into the upper end of the columnar body to the bottom surface A soft cap that elastically receives a pressing force from an operator's finger or the like, a plurality of detection sensors provided on the base, and outputs a detection value according to a tilt angle of the columnar body; A control unit for controlling the position of a cursor displayed on a display based on a detection signal from a sensor, and disposing the cap between a number of key switches, and moving the upper surface of the cap from the upper surface of the key switch. Protrude ,
In addition, a notch is provided at the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the cap . According to such a configuration, when the cap protruding from between the respective key switches is pressed in an arbitrary direction by the operator's finger or the like, the columnar body is tilted, and a detection value corresponding to the tilt angle is detected. Since the control unit calculates the moving direction, the moving amount, and the moving speed of the cursor based on these output signals, the position of the cursor on the display can be controlled in an arbitrary direction. Since the pressing force from the operator's finger or the like is transmitted to the column through the soft cap, the column can be tilted with a soft operation feeling, and the cap is placed on the upper end of the column . By inserting the insertion hole, since the cap is mounted on the upper end of the columnar body, it is possible to prevent displacement when pressing the cap with fingers or the like of the operator. It is possible to provide a keyboard input device with excellent operability suitable type of. Further, by providing a notch on the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the cap, the outer surface of the columnar body and the inner surface of the cap come into contact at an obtuse angle, so that stress concentration at the contact portion can be avoided and the columnar shape can be avoided. Since the contact area between the body and the cap is reduced, the columnar body can be deformed without displacement with respect to the cap, and a stable detection value is output from each detection sensor. Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pointing device, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pointing device, and FIG.
Is a front view of a base provided in the pointing device of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the base, FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the base,
7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a cap provided in the pointing device of FIG. 1, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a keyboard input device provided with. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pointing device according to this embodiment includes a base 2 having a columnar body 1.
And four strain gauges 3 as detection sensors attached to the side surfaces of the columnar body 1, a flexible cable 4 connected to each strain gauge 3, and a cap attached to an upper end of the columnar body 1 The base 2 is fixed on a metal plate described later. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the base 2 is
It has a plate-shaped pedestal 6 and the columnar body 1 erected at the center of the pedestal 6, and these columnar body 1 and pedestal 6 are integrally formed using a synthetic resin such as polyphenylene ether (PPE). I have. The columnar body 1 has a quadrangular pyramid shape, and its four outer surfaces are tapered so as to taper upward from the pedestal 6, and the lower part of each outer surface is used to position the strain gauge 3. Are formed. Further, a hollow portion 7 having four vertical walls is formed inside the columnar body 1, and the thickness of the columnar body 1 is the largest on the pedestal 6 side by this hollow portion 7, and becomes gradually thinner upward. Is set to As described above, since the thickness of the columnar body 1 is gradually increased downward and the sectional modulus Z of the columnar body 1 is set to gradually increase downward, the upper end of the columnar body 1 is pressed. Outer skin stress σ
= M / Z (M is bending moment) is uniformed in each part,
A decrease in detection accuracy due to a variation in the position where the strain gauge 3 is attached can be reduced. On the other hand, recesses 6a are formed at three places on the upper surface of the pedestal 6, and projections 6b are formed at three places on the back surface of the pedestal 6 corresponding to each recess 6a. The lower surfaces of the protrusions 6b are in the same virtual plane, and the recesses 6a and the protrusions 6b are set at the same distance from the axis passing through the center of the columnar body 1, respectively. The cap 5 is made of a soft material such as silicone rubber. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cap 5 has an insertion hole 8 for being attached to the upper end of the columnar body 1. ing. A notch 5a as a chamfer is formed in the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the insertion hole 8, and the outer surface of the columnar body 1, the cap 5, and the inner surface come into contact at an obtuse angle by the notch 5a. . Referring back to FIGS. 1 to 3, the strain gauges 3 are attached to the outer surfaces of the columnar body 1 using an adhesive. As described above, each strain gauge 3 has a rib 1a. Affixed as positioning reference. The flexible cable 4 is extended on the upper surface of the pedestal 6 by inserting the through hole 4a into the columnar body 1. The flexible cable 4 and each of the strain gauges 3 are made of solder, conductive adhesive, or the like. Connected using. Therefore, when the operator presses the cap 5 in an arbitrary direction with a finger, the columnar body 1 tilts in accordance with the pressing force, and according to the pressing force from each strain gauge 3 attached to each outer surface of the columnar body 1. The respective distortion values are output. In addition, an overcoat layer 9 described later is applied to the entire strain gauge 3 and the connection portion between the flexible cable 4 and the strain gauge 3 so as to be protected from humidity, dust and the like. The adhesive for attaching the strain gauge 3 to the outer surface of the columnar body 1 needs to be selected in consideration of compatibility with the material of the base 2 and workability. The overcoat layer 9 needs to be selected in consideration of the influence on the strain gauge 3 and workability. Therefore, a soft type U is used as the overcoat layer 9.
V-curing type (hardness after curing JIS-A20, Young's modulus =
0.2 kgf / cm ² ), hard type UV curing type (hardness after curing JIS-D50, Young's modulus = 300 kgf /
cm ² ), room temperature curing type (hardness after curing JIS-A24,
An evaluation test was performed on these three types of overcoat layers using Young's modulus = 0.2 kgf / cm ² ). The material of the base 2 used was polyphenylene ether (Young's modulus = 257 kgf / cm ² ), the adhesive was a one-part epoxy thermosetting type, and the test contents were as follows: before and after the overcoat layer was applied. Resistance value R ₀
Resistance change ΔR before and after applying the variable overcoat layer
It is two items of fluctuation. 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams showing the results of this evaluation test. As is clear from these figures, the hard type UV-curable overcoat layer has an initial resistance value R
It was found that the variation was large in both ₀ and the resistance change ΔR, and had an adverse effect on the strain gauge 3. The cause is that the Young's modulus of the hard UV-curable overcoat layer is 300 kgf / cm ² while the Young's modulus of the PPE which is the material of the base 2 (the column 1) is 257 kgf / cm ^2. Probably because it is higher than ² and base 2. The soft type UV-curable overcoat layer and the room temperature-curable overcoat layer exhibit almost the same fluctuation characteristics in both the initial resistance value R ₀ and the resistance change ΔR, but are compared with the room temperature-curable type. Since the curing time of the UV curing type is extremely short, it has been found that the most suitable overcoat layer is a soft type UV curing type in consideration of workability. In the pointing device configured as described above, the base 2 is mounted on the metal plate 10 via the membrane sheet substrate 11 and the metal plate 1
The three support pieces 10a cut and raised to zero are fixed in the recesses 6a of the base 6 by bending them. At this time, the base 2 is supported at three points by three protrusions 6b formed on the back surface of the pedestal 6, so that the smoothness of the mounting surface is maintained with high accuracy. The metal plate 10 and the membrane sheet substrate 11 are arranged inside the keyboard input device shown in FIG. 10, and a large number of key switches 12 are mounted on the metal plate 10 and the membrane sheet substrate 11. The key top of each key switch 12 and the cap 5 of the pointing device are exposed from the top surface of the housing 13 forming the outer shell of the keyboard input device and slightly protrude from the key top. F, J
Are exposed so as to be surrounded by the respective key tops of three keys G, H, and B located in the middle of the space key 12a, specifically, directly above the space key 12a. With this arrangement, it is possible to operate the pointing device with the left and right forefingers while operating with other fingers, thereby improving operability. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the arithmetic processing portion of the pointing device. As shown in FIG. 13, signals output from the respective strain gauges 3 are input to a control unit 14 via a flexible cable 4. , This control unit 14
After calculating the moving direction, moving amount and moving speed of the cursor, the moving data is transmitted to the host 15 side.
The control unit 14 has an interface with the mouse 16 so that the mouse 16 as another pointing device can be connected. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the control unit 14. As shown in FIG.
An A / D converter 18, a CPU 19, and a D / A converter 20 are provided. In the present embodiment, of the four strain gauges 3 described above, two strain gauges 3 facing each other in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are set as one set.
The voltage obtained from (Y +, Y−) is divided and output to the operational amplifier 17. The operational amplifier 17 detects the voltage V ₁ and D
After increasing / subtracting the correction value V ₂ sent from the CPU 19 via the / A converter 20 and removing the variation of each strain gauge 3 itself, the output voltage V ₃ is converted via the A / D converter 18. Send to CPU19. Similarly, the divided voltage obtained from the pair of strain gauges 3 (X +, X−) in the X-axis direction is also sent to the CPU 19 after the operational amplifier 17 removes the variation of each strain gauge 3 itself. . The CPU 19 is based on the output voltage V ₃ obtained from each of the strain gauges 3 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and a table showing a relationship between stress (gf) and strain value (μm / m) of the strain gauge 3. Then, the movement direction, movement amount and movement speed of the cursor are calculated, and the movement data is transmitted to the host 15 side. Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. FIG.
In the keyboard input device shown in FIG. 0, when the operator presses the cap 5 in an arbitrary direction with a finger, the columnar body 1 tilts in accordance with the pressing force, and each strain gauge adhered to each outer surface of the columnar body 1. From 3, a strain value proportional to the pressing force is output as a change in resistance value. At this time, since the columnar body 1 has a hollow structure, the columnar body 1 is easily deformed, and furthermore, each outer surface of the columnar body 1 is tapered so as to become gradually thicker toward the pedestal 6 side. The variation in the stress acting on the strain gauge 3 is reduced, and a stable resistance value is output. Further, a cutout portion 5a is formed at the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the cap 5, and the outer surface of the columnar body 1 and the inner surface of the cap 5 come into contact at an obtuse angle. Since the contact area between the cap 1 and the cap 5 is reduced, the columnar body 1 can be deformed without displacement with respect to the cap 5, and a stable resistance value is output from this point as well. The resistance value output from each strain gauge 3 in this manner is input to the control unit 14 via the flexible cable 4, and as described above, the control unit 14 converts the output value from each strain gauge 3 into an output value. After calculating the moving direction, the moving amount and the moving speed of the cursor based on the moving data, the moving data is transmitted to the host 15 side. Thus, in the graphic display device not shown, the cursor is moved in accordance with the pressing force on the cap 5, and for example, when the cap 5 is slowly pressed in an arbitrary direction, the cursor is also slowly moved in the same direction. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounted state of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Numeral 6 is a plan view of a base provided in the pointing device, and portions corresponding to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in these figures, in this embodiment,
Three mounting holes 6c are provided on the pedestal 6 of the base 2 at equal distances from the center line of the columnar body 1, and three bosses 10b extending downward through the metal sheet 10 through the membrane sheet substrate 11 are provided. The base 2 is fixed to the metal plate 10 using screws 21 in a state in which the upper surface of each mounting hole 6c is vertically attached to the lower surface of the boss 10b. With this configuration, a part of the pointing device is arranged in the space below the metal plate 10, so that the height of the columnar body 1 and the cap 5 projecting above the metal plate 10 can be reduced. This is advantageous for reducing the thickness of the keyboard input device. The present invention can be modified in various ways other than the above-described embodiment. For example, the shape of the columnar body 1 is not limited to a quadrangular pyramid, but may be a conical shape as shown in FIG.
Each strain gauge 3 may be adhered to the peripheral surface. Further, the position where each strain gauge 3 is attached is not limited to the outer surface of the columnar body 1,
As shown in FIG. 18, it is also possible to adhere to the inner wall of the hollow portion 7 of the columnar body 1. In this case, it is possible to protect each strain gauge 3 against external factors such as static electricity and humidity. Has a positive effect. Further, the number of the strain gauges 3 is not limited to four. In short, at least two strain gauges 3 may be provided so that deformation of the X-axis component and the Y-axis component of the columnar body 1 can be detected. . Furthermore, the thickness of the columnar body 1 may be gradually increased downward by forming the hollow portion inside the columnar body 1 in a tapered shape. The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects. The pointing device controlling the position of the cursor, a base having a columnar body that will be tilted by the operator's fingers or the like, a plurality of sensor for outputting a detection value corresponding to the tilt angle of the columnar body, the bottom surface And a soft cap attached to the upper end of the column by inserting the insertion hole provided in the upper end of the column. The cap of the pointing device is inserted between each key switch. And the upper surface of the cap is projected from the upper surface of the key switch, so that the pressing force from the operator's finger or the like is transmitted to the column through the soft cap, and the tilt angle of the column is The position of the cursor on the display can be controlled in any direction according to the
Such a pointing device can be installed in any position in the home position, etc. Without being bound to the sequence of each key switch, further, by inserting the insertion hole of the cap to the top end of the columnar body, the cap is The keyboard input device, which is mounted on the upper end of the columnar body, can prevent displacement when the cap is pressed by an operator's finger or the like, thus providing a keyboard input device suitable for miniaturization and excellent in operability. can do. Furthermore, the aforementioned
By providing a notch at the inner peripheral edge at the lower end of the
The outer surface of the cap contacts the inner surface of the cap at an obtuse angle
Therefore, stress concentration at the contact portion can be avoided, and
Since the contact area between the body and the cap is reduced,
Can be deformed without displacement with respect to the cap.
A stable detection value is output from the detection sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pointing device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pointing device. FIG. 4 is a front view of a base provided in the pointing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the base. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the base. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a cap provided in the pointing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a plan view of a keyboard input device provided with the pointing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the results of an initial resistance value variation test of an overcoat layer. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a result of a resistance change amount variation test of an overcoat layer. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating an arithmetic processing portion of the pointing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control unit provided in the arithmetic processing unit of FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting state of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a plan view of a base provided in the pointing device. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a modification of the columnar body. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the pointing device. [Description of Signs] 1 Columnar body 2 Base 3 Strain gauge (detection sensor) 4 Flexible cable 5 Cap 5a Notch 6 Base 10 Metal plate 11 Membrane sheet substrate 12 Key switch 13 Housing 14 Control unit 15 Host 17 Operational amplifier 18 A / D converter 19 CPU 20 D / A converter

Continuation of front page       (56) References JP-A-7-93092 (JP, A)                 JP-A-62-125429 (JP, A)                 Actual opening Hei 5-36537 (JP, U)                 International Publication 92/9996 (WO, A1)                 "NEW MODEL IMPRES               SION ”, monthly ASCII, A               Skiing, February 1, 1993, Vol. 17, No.               No. 2, p. 264-265

Claims (1)

(57) has a base on which the columnar body is erected to Patent Claims 1 pedestal, an insertion hole to be inserted into the upper end of the columnar body to the bottom, the operator A soft cap that elastically receives a pressing force from a finger or the like, a plurality of detection sensors provided on the base and outputting a detection value according to a tilt angle of the columnar body, and detection from these detection sensors A control unit for controlling a position of a cursor displayed on a display based on a signal, the cap being arranged between a number of key switches, and an upper surface of the cap protruding from an upper surface of the key switch , and A notch in the inner peripheral edge of the lower end of the cap
Keyboard input device, wherein a is provided.