JP4475838B2 - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a keyboard device used as data input means for various information processing apparatuses.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, keyboard devices have been widely used as devices for inputting data to information processing devices such as personal computers and word processors. A large number of keys are arranged on the operation surface of the keyboard device so as to be compatible with many information processing functions of the information processing device.
[0003]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as personal computers have been increasingly reduced in size, and portability and storability have increased dramatically. However, the keyboard device has a certain limit in miniaturization because it is necessary to ensure the operability of the operation keys, and there are still problems in carrying and storage.
[0004]
Therefore, as a technique for reducing the size of the keyboard device without impairing the operability of the keyboard device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-117723 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-25413 divide a flat keyboard portion into left and right parts, There has been proposed a keyboard device configured such that they can be folded in two by connecting them with a hinge member. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-337733, the keyboard part is divided into left and right parts so that they can be folded in two, and a panel-like display device is connected to one of the divided keyboard parts for folding. A configuration is described in which a display device can be further folded on the keyboard.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the foldable keyboard device as described above has been invented mainly for the purpose of reducing the external dimensions when being carried or stored, and since the operation surface is closed in the folded state, the keyboard The device was configured so that it cannot be used.
[0006]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-337733 describes a configuration in which an input key can be operated even in a folded state by arranging operation keys on the back side of the folded keyboard portion. However, in this configuration, since the operation keys that are not normally used are also provided on the back surface, there is a disadvantage that this increases the cost.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and not only in a non-use state such as when being carried or stored, but also during use, the outer dimensions can be reduced as necessary, and even in a reduced state, it is constant. It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device that can perform an input operation with an inexpensive structure.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, in the keyboard device according to the present invention, a keyboard portion in which operation keys are arranged on the operation surface is divided into at least two keyboard units, and the keyboard units connected to the divided positions are connected. Each keyboard unit is formed to be electrically connectable by abutting the end faces, and the keyboard units are connected to each other via a pair of link members attached between side end faces sandwiching the connecting end face of the keyboard unit. in coupled Ru keyboard device, the link member has a support shaft at both ends near one of the support shaft is rotatably mounted to the side end surface of one of the keyboard unit, the other support shaft and the other keyboards The rotation of the guide groove formed in the guide groove formed from the vicinity of the connection end surface to the vicinity of the opposite end surface along the side end surface of the unit. And while being slidably engaged, while rotating the link member, either the one keyboard unit or the other keyboard unit is lifted, and the engagement position of the other support shaft with respect to the guide groove is connected By moving in a direction away from the end face, the one keyboard unit and the other keyboard unit are configured to be able to overlap each other, and it is determined whether or not the keyboard units overlap each other. Thus, when the keyboard units are vertically overlapped, the input operation from the operation key of the keyboard unit located at the uppermost stage becomes effective .
[0009]
According to this configuration, the keyboard portion is divided into a plurality of keyboard units and connected so that they can be stacked one above the other, so that the outer dimensions (mounting area) are reduced in the stacked state. Portability and storage are improved. The plurality of divided keyboard units are in a state where the entire operation surface can be used when the connecting end surfaces are abutted and electrically connected. The dividing direction of the keyboard part may be the left-right direction or the front-rear direction. The number of divisions is not particularly limited, but 2 to 3 is practical in consideration of operability and cost.
[0010]
In this invention, the link member for connecting the keyboard units has support shafts in the vicinity of both ends thereof, one support shaft is rotatably attached to the side end surface of one keyboard unit, and the other support shaft is the other support shaft. The one keyboard is rotated and slidably engaged with a guide groove formed along the side end surface of the keyboard unit from the vicinity of the connection end surface to the vicinity of the opposite end surface, and the link member is rotated. The one keyboard unit and the other keyboard unit are moved by lifting either the unit or the other keyboard unit and moving the engagement position of the other support shaft with respect to the guide groove in a direction away from the connection end surface. Is characterized as being superimposable on top and bottom .
[0011]
In this configuration, the keyboard units to be connected to each other are connected biaxially between the side end surfaces, and at least one of the support shafts is slidable along the side end surface of the keyboard unit. The keyboard unit can be superimposed in parallel. As a result, the operation surfaces of the keyboard units can be overlapped with the same orientation.
[0012]
The keyboard device according to this configuration is preferably provided with locking means for fixing the keyboard units to each other in a state where they are stacked one above the other. This locking means can be formed by a simple member such as a claw shape, a pin shape, or a clip shape that engages with the side end surfaces of the upper and lower keyboard units. Thereby, the form which the keyboard unit overlapped up and down can be hold | maintained stably.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the keyboard device of the present invention, an input signal from the operation key is transmitted to an external device such as a personal computer or a portable information device on the side end surface of the keyboard unit positioned at the uppermost stage when the keyboard units are stacked one above the other. Is provided with an input signal sending terminal for sending to the input signal, a connection cord is detachably connected to the input signal sending terminal, and it is determined whether or not the keyboard unit overlaps vertically, and the keyboard unit overlaps vertically In this case, the input operation from the operation key of the keyboard unit located at the uppermost stage is effective for the external device .
[0014]
According to this configuration, since the input operation can be performed from the uppermost keyboard unit even when the keyboard units are overlapped, the keyboard device can be used with a small mounting area even when the work space is small. it can. Of course, in the state where the keyboard units are overlapped, the usable operation keys are limited to the amount arranged on the uppermost keyboard unit. However, when the operation keys necessary for input are limited, the keyboard The work space can be efficiently utilized rather than the state where the entire surface is spread on the desk. The case where the operation keys necessary for input are limited is, for example, a case where numerical input is performed using only numeric keys (numerical keys) and calculation keys, or Internet browsing is performed. The configuration for enabling the input operation from the uppermost keyboard unit when the keyboard units are overlapped is, for example, an input signal sending means for transmitting an input signal from the operation key to an external device. This can be realized by providing the keyboard unit.
[0015]
Furthermore, when performing an input operation from the uppermost keyboard unit with the keyboard units overlapped, a detection unit that detects a state in which the keyboard units overlap vertically is provided, and the detection unit detects the overlapping state. Sometimes, the input signal of the operation key in the keyboard unit located at the uppermost stage may be converted into a specific signal. According to this configuration, even if the number of operation keys arranged on the uppermost keyboard unit is small, various operability can be obtained by setting key conversion.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
<First Embodiment>
1 to 5 show a keyboard device 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this keyboard device 1A, two keyboard units 2 (2a, 2b) formed by dividing a substantially flat keyboard portion into left and right are connected via a pair of front and rear link members 3. The keyboard portion has an upper surface as an operation surface, and a large number of operation keys 4 are arranged on the operation surface. The keyboard portion is divided into approximately two equal parts on the left and right, and the operation keys 4 are also distributed to the left and right keyboard units 2 by approximately the same number.
[0018]
An input signal sending terminal for sending an input signal from the operation key 4 to an external device such as a personal computer or a portable information device is provided on the side end surface (left end surface) opposite to the division position in the left keyboard unit 2a. 5 is provided, and a connection cord 6 is detachably connected to the input signal transmission terminal 5.
[0019]
The left keyboard unit 2a and the right keyboard unit 2b are provided on the connecting end surfaces of the connecting end surfaces, as shown in FIG. The connection terminal 7 (see FIG. 5) is electrically connected. The connection terminal 7 transmits electric power and electric signals, but the transmission can also be performed by optical communication or wireless communication.
[0020]
The link member 3 that connects the left and right keyboard units 2a and 2b is connected to the left and right keyboard units 2a and 2b via two connecting pins 8 (8a and 8b) that are inserted into shaft holes formed near both ends thereof. Are attached to the front and rear side end surfaces, respectively. The link member 3 and each connecting pin 8 are rotatable with respect to each other, and each connecting pin 8 constitutes a support shaft of the link member 3. The distance between the axes of the two connecting pins 8a and 8b is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the keyboard portion.
[0021]
One of the two connecting pins 8 (in this example, the connecting pin 8b on the right side in the drawing) is a fixed portion near the connecting end surface on the front and rear side end surfaces of the keyboard unit 2 on the same side (in this example, the keyboard unit 2b on the right side in the drawing). Fixed in position.
[0022]
The other of the two connecting pins 8 (in this example, the connecting pin 8a on the left side in the figure) is formed along the front and rear side end surfaces of the keyboard unit 2 on the same side (in this example, the left side keyboard unit 2a in the figure). The guide groove 9 is engaged, and the engagement position can be moved from the vicinity of the connection end face to the vicinity of the left end face.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the left and right keyboard units 2a and 2b are developed on the same plane, the connecting end surfaces of both the keyboard units 2a and 2b are abutted with each other. In this state, the entire operation surface of the keyboard unit can be used. At this time, the left connecting pin 8a is engaged with a position in the vicinity of the connecting end surface in the guide groove 9 formed in the front and rear side end surfaces of the left keyboard unit 2a.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows a state in which the left keyboard unit 2a is lifted by separating the two keyboard units 2a and 2b from the state shown in FIG. When the keyboard units 2a and 2b are separated into left and right, the engaging position of the left connecting pin 8a with respect to the guide groove 9 temporarily moves to the connecting end face side from the position shown in FIG. As a result, the distance between the two keyboard units 2a and 2b is increased and the electrical connection is also cut off, so that the link member 3 is rotatable with respect to both the connecting pins 8a and 8b. Then, the left keyboard unit 2a is lifted while rotating the link member 3, and the left keyboard unit 2a is operated by moving the engagement position of the left connection pin 8a with respect to the guide groove 9 away from the connection end surface. It is overlaid on the right keyboard unit 2b in a posture with the surface facing upward.
[0025]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the left keyboard unit 2a completely overlaps the right keyboard unit 2b. As a result, the mounting area of the keyboard device 1A is about half that when both the keyboard units 2a and 2b are developed on the same plane. The keyboard device 1A is carried and stored in this state. Even in this state, since the connection state between the operation key 4 arranged on the left keyboard unit 2a and the connection cord 6 is maintained, an input operation can be performed from the operation key 4 of the left keyboard unit 2a.
[0026]
A member denoted by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 4 is a lock member for fixing the left and right keyboard units 2a and 2b in an overlapped state. In this example, the connecting end surface of the left keyboard unit 2a and the right end surface of the right keyboard unit 2b are aligned vertically, so that the claw-shaped lock member 10 is engaged therewith. The lock member 10 is normally housed in a recess 11 formed on the right end surface of the right keyboard unit 2b, and slides upward as necessary to be hooked on the connecting end surface of the left keyboard unit 2a. Is formed. However, the position where the lock member 10 is provided is not limited to this position, and may be a position that engages with the front and rear side end surfaces of the keyboard unit 2, for example.
[0027]
<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 shows a keyboard device 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard device 1B is formed so that the keyboard part is divided into three parts on the left and right sides, and three keyboard units 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) can be stacked one above the other. Therefore, when the keyboard units 2 are overlapped, the width becomes about one third of that when the entire surface is developed. An input signal sending terminal 5 for sending an input signal from the operation key 4 to an external device is provided on the left (upper) keyboard unit 2a. Input operation can be performed.
[0028]
The three keyboard units 2a, 2b, 2c are connected via two pairs of link members 3 (3a, 3b). The pair of link members 3a connect the left (upper) and center (middle) keyboard units 2a and 2c, and the other pair of link members 3b connect the center (middle) and right (lower) keyboard units 2c and 2b. It is connected. The structure and operation of the link member 3 and its periphery are the same as those of the keyboard device 1A according to the first embodiment. The lock member 10 for overlapping and fixing the keyboard unit 2 is provided in two upper and lower stages.
[0029]
<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 7 shows a keyboard device 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the keyboard device 1C, the keyboard portion is divided into two parts, and two keyboard units 2 (2d, 2e) are formed. The rear keyboard unit 2d can be overlaid on the front keyboard unit 2e. It is formed as follows. The basic structure is the same as that of the keyboard device 1A according to the first embodiment, and the structure in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are replaced. However, in this embodiment, of the two connecting pins 8 (8d, 8e) constituting the support shaft of the link member 3, the front (lower) connecting pin 8e is the side end surface of the front keyboard unit 2e. It slides along the guide groove 9 formed in the above. Also in this embodiment, the input operation can be performed from the upper (rear) keyboard unit 2d in a superposed state.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the depth can be halved by dividing the keyboard part into front and back. In a general keyboard, numerical keys are arranged on the rear side (the side far from the user). In this way, by superimposing the rear keyboard unit 2d on the front keyboard unit 2e, The numerical key 4a approaches the user, and the operability at the time of inputting numerical values is improved.
[0031]
<Detection means and key conversion>
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of detection means for detecting a state in which the keyboard unit 2 (2a, 2b) overlaps vertically. As shown in each of the above embodiments, when the keyboard units 2 are stacked one above the other, the operation keys 4 arranged on the keyboard unit 2b other than the uppermost layer cannot be operated. Is about half or less than one-third of the full deployment. Therefore, it is desirable that the function of the operation key 4 in the uppermost keyboard unit 2a can be converted according to the usage mode when the keyboard units 2 are overlapped. The conversion of the key arrangement may be performed manually by providing a changeover switch, but it can also be automatically performed by providing detection means for detecting the state in which the keyboard unit 2 overlaps.
[0032]
The illustrated detection means is composed of a push switch 12 provided on the bottom surface of the upper keyboard unit 2a and a protrusion 13 formed on the surface of the lower keyboard unit 2b. The push switch 12 and the protrusion 13 are disposed so as to face each other when the keyboard units 2a and 2b are overlapped. Then, when the protrusion 13 pushes the push switch 12 in an overlapping state, a personal computer or the like connected to the upper keyboard unit 2a detects that the keyboard units 2a and 2b are in an overlapping state, and The key arrangement in the keyboard unit 2a is converted.
[0033]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of key conversion processing. When it is detected that the keyboard unit 2 is in an overlapped state, for example, when the “Q” key is pressed, the key conversion is performed on the assumption that “4” is input. By such key conversion, the upper keyboard unit 2a can be used like a numeric keypad, for example.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the keyboard device of the present invention, the keyboard portion is divided into a plurality of keyboard units and connected so that they can be stacked one above the other. And storage properties are improved.
[0035]
Then, by enabling the input from the keyboard unit located at the uppermost stage when they are overlapped, the keyboard device can be used with the placement area reduced. Thereby, it is possible to obtain good operability even when the work space on the desk is small or when it is placed on the knee while moving and used.
[0036]
In this way, a keyboard device can be obtained which can be reduced in size as required and can perform a certain input operation even in a reduced size. This keyboard device can be used effectively regardless of whether the entire keyboard section is expanded or miniaturized by overlapping, so it is structurally efficient and inexpensive. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a keyboard device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the front side of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the keyboard unit is developed and connected on the same plane.
3 is a side view of the front side of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in the middle of overlapping keyboard units. FIG.
4 is a perspective view of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which keyboard units are overlaid. FIG.
5 is a partial exploded perspective view showing a structure of a connecting portion of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a keyboard device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a keyboard device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing an embodiment of detection means for detecting a state in which keyboard units overlap each other.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for converting an operation key input signal in the uppermost keyboard unit when the keyboard units overlap with each other;
[Explanation of symbols]
1A, 1B, 1C Keyboard device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) Keyboard unit 4 Operation key 4a Numerical key 3 Link member 8 (8a, 8b) Connecting pin (support shaft)
9 Guide groove 10 Lock member (locking means)
12 Push switch 13 Protrusion

Claims (1)

The keyboard part with operation keys arranged on the operation surface is divided into at least two or more keyboard units, and each keyboard unit is electrically connected by abutting the connecting end surface of each keyboard unit facing the division position. In the keyboard device, each keyboard unit is connected to each other via a pair of link members attached between side end surfaces sandwiching the connection end surface of the keyboard unit.
The link member has support shafts in the vicinity of both ends thereof, one support shaft is rotatably attached to the side end surface of one keyboard unit, and the other support shaft is along the side end surface of the other keyboard unit. It is rotatably and slidably engaged with a guide groove formed from the vicinity of the connection end surface to the vicinity of the opposite end surface,
While rotating the link member, either the one keyboard unit or the other keyboard unit is lifted, and the engagement position of the other support shaft with respect to the guide groove is moved away from the connection end surface. The one keyboard unit and the other keyboard unit are configured to be superposed one above the other,
An input signal sending terminal for sending an input signal from an operation key to an external device such as a personal computer or a portable information device on the side end surface of the keyboard unit positioned at the top when the keyboard unit is vertically stacked And a connection cord is detachably connected to the input signal transmission terminal,
It is determined whether or not the keyboard unit overlaps vertically. When the keyboard unit overlaps vertically, it is confirmed that the input operation from the operation key of the keyboard unit located at the top is effective for the external device. Characteristic keyboard device.

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