JPS5853766B2 - projection keyboard - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a keyboard that outputs information for each key by selectively operating a large number of keys, such as a data input keyboard in an electronic computer.

If a single key corresponds to uppercase or lowercase letters, such as an English typewriter, only uppercase letters should be engraved on the key tops, and uppercase or lowercase letters can be selected by operating the shift lever. Can be done.

However, when there are many types of input information, such as on a keyboard for data entry into a computer, one key is assigned to handle several or more completely different characters, and one of the characters is selected. The user then enters the desired information by operating the keys.

For example, in the key file method, a key file that displays the contents of each key is moved, and the key file is referenced to select the desired key. Since selection operations must be performed, operation errors are likely to occur.

On the other hand, there are keys with 2 to 8 characters engraved directly on one key top, but the characters are small and difficult to read, resulting in poor operability and being prone to operational errors.

In particular, when the number of characters is in the thousands to tens of thousands of characters, such as with a kanji keyboard, the operability is extremely degraded.

In order to solve this problem, the special public
As described in Publication No. 4, there is a system in which groups of characters are photographed on microfilm, each character group is selected, and projected from the bottom of the keyboard.

However, since wiring for extracting the output signals of each key is required on the underside of the keyboard, it is difficult to project clearly when projecting from the underside of the keyboard.

Furthermore, in order to enable clear projection, the keyboard must be significantly modified from its conventional design concept, leading to increased costs.

On the other hand, as described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-81015, if the projection is from the surface side of the keyboard, there is no need to change the structure of the keyboard significantly, but the microfilm and its drive unit are placed above the keyboard. Since a projection part such as a light source is provided, not only is the operability poor, but if there is a large projection part in front of and above, the user will feel oppressed, which is not favorable from an ergonomic point of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve these conventional problems and to realize a projection keyboard that has excellent operability and does not give an operator a feeling of pressure.

The technical means of the present invention taken to achieve this purpose includes an original image in which the content to be displayed on the keyboard is recorded in a reduced size, and by enlarging and projecting the original image onto the keyboard from the keyboard surface side, the keyboard is displayed. In the projection keyboard, the original drawing is set on the side of the operation console on which the keyboard is provided;
A projector for projecting the original image is provided, a reflecting mirror is provided above the keyboard, and the image projected by the projector is reflected onto the keyboard by the reflecting mirror. The contents of the keys, such as characters, are displayed directly on the key tops, and each character is enlarged and projected on each key top, making it extremely easy to see, offering excellent operability, and greatly reducing operational errors. can.

Each key top is assigned a plurality of characters, and a plurality of types of microfilms are prepared correspondingly, and by selecting and projecting the microfilm, one key is assigned a plurality of characters.

Nevertheless, the key display is directly on the key top, and only one character is displayed. In particular, the present invention provides a set part for the original drawing on the side of the operation console where the keyboard is provided, and a projection for projecting the original drawing. The image projected by the projector is reflected and displayed on the keyboard by a reflecting mirror provided above the keyboard.

Therefore, a projector such as an original image setting section and a light source can be provided on the console, and operations such as selecting an original image and handling the projector are simplified.

Moreover, unlike those that have a projection part on the top of the keyboard,
Since a projector such as an original drawing setting unit and a light source is provided on the operation console side, the size of the projector is not limited, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.

Moreover, since only one thin reflecting mirror is disposed above the keyboard, unlike conventional devices that have a large projection section in front of them, there is less feeling of pressure, and this can greatly contribute to improving work efficiency.

Next, the projection keyboard of the present invention will be explained in detail based on the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the projection keyboard, FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.

The operation console 1 is equipped with a keyboard 2, and is also equipped with a mechanism 4 for guiding and sliding a plurality of frames of microfilm 3, a projector 5 for enlarging and projecting the microfilm 3, and a reflector 6. .

Each key top 2t of the keyboard - pa...
There are no characters displayed on it, and it is colored pure white so that characters can be projected optically and clearly onto it.

On the other hand, microfilm 3 has many frames 3p...-
... has been photographed and recorded.

During each frame 3p, each key on the keyboard is 2t...
The key top display of ... is recorded in the same layout as the keyboard.

Then, one frame 3p of the microfilm is enlarged by a projector 5 and projected onto the keyboard 2 via a reflecting mirror 6.

Then, each key top 2t of the keyboard...
- Above, the characters recorded on the microfilm are enlarged and projected, and the characters, symbols, etc. to be assigned to that key are enlarged and displayed on the key top.

At this time, one character/symbol is displayed on each key top, and moreover, it is projected and displayed in a large size over the entire surface of the key top.

With this configuration, the characters and symbols that are the contents of each key are displayed directly on the top of each key, so unlike the conventional method where you refer to a key file one by one and select the corresponding key. This improves operability and reduces key operation errors.

Moreover, since one character/symbol is displayed on one key top, the key top can be displayed in a large size over the entire key top, making the operability even easier.

In addition, if there is a large number of information such as characters and symbols handled by one keyboard, such as a kanji keyboard,
In order to assign multiple characters/symbols to one key, the microfilm 3 has multiple frames 3p...
・You can take pictures of different key top displays and select any frame when operating keys to enlarge and project it onto the keyboard.

At this time, since one key is used to handle multiple contents, the contents of the characters input when each key is operated automatically changes according to the frame selection on the microfilm. .

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a mechanism for selecting microfilm frames and electrically switching keyboard input in response to frame selection, FIG. 5 is a partially sectional front view of the same mechanism, and FIG. FIG.

The microfilm 3 is placed on an original image mounting plate 7, and is guided by a guide mechanism 4 so as to be slidable back and forth in a fixed direction so as to pass through the projector.

On the side of the microfilm 3, each frame 3p...
Positioning holes 8...°, °°°° are raised at equal intervals, and on the projector side, positioning holes 8...
A ball 9 to be fitted into the positioning hole 8 is held and pressed into the positioning hole 8 by a spring 10.

For this reason, the knob 11 fixed to the microfilm 3
When the microfilm 3 is slid in the longitudinal direction as shown by the arrow, each positioning hole 8...-
By fitting the ball 9 into the frame 3, each frame 3p of the microfilm is accurately positioned at the center of the projector 5.

The projector 5 has a built-in lens system for enlarging and projecting a frame film located at the center toward a reflecting mirror 6, and a lamp 12 as a light source is provided at the bottom.

Also, on the inside of the original picture mounting plate 7, a plurality of microswitches S are attached to the metal fittings 13 at the same intervals as the positioning holes 8 of the microfilm. It is being

For each micro switch S..., the roller sR...... at the tip of the operating lever is
The knob 1 is switched by moving the microfilm so that it is switched by being pushed down by the dog 14 at the lower end of the knob 1.
The operating rollers sR of the microswitches are arranged under each stop position of the microswitch.

Therefore, as mentioned above, when the knob 11 is operated to slide the microfilm 3 and project the desired frame film onto the keyboard 2, the knob 11 also slides and the microswitch S located below is is dog 1
4 to detect which frame is being projected and displayed.

Based on this detection signal, the contents of the characters and symbols corresponding to each key when each key on the keyboard is operated are also automatically changed to match the display of the projected frame.

Therefore, by preparing many types of frames and selecting and projecting them, one key top surface can be
Although only one character/symbol is projected, a single key can handle many characters/symbols, making it easy to use keys easily and accurately even on devices that process a huge number of characters, such as a kanji keyboard. This reduces operator key operation errors.

If there are many characters to be assigned to one key, the number of frames can be increased by making the microfilm endless.

Further, although microfilm has been exemplified as the original image projected onto the keyboard, the invention is not limited to so-called microfilm as long as the content displayed on the keyboard is recorded in a reduced size.

Furthermore, by forming the keyboard surface into a screen-like flat surface where the key tops do not protrude, and on the other hand recording only the characters on the key tops or the frame of the key tops along with the characters on the key tops, it is possible to record each frame individually. By changing the layout of colors, patterns, etc., the burden of key selection on the operator can be further reduced.

It has a wide range of applications, such as projecting a slip or picture onto a screen-like keyboard and pressing each part with your finger to obtain input corresponding to each part.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the projection type keyboard according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire device, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. FIG. 4 and subsequent figures show the microfilm selection mechanism; FIG. 4 is a plan view, FIG. 5 is a partially sectional front view, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line V--■ in FIG. 5. In the figure, 2 is a keyboard, 2t... is a key top, 3 is a microfilm, 3p... is a microfilm frame, 5 is a projector, 6 is a reflector, 11
is a knob, and S... is a micro switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A projection system that includes an original image in which the contents to be displayed on the keyboard are recorded in a reduced size, and enlarges and projects the original image onto the keyboard from the keyboard surface side, so that the keyboard display is performed optically. In the type keyboard, there is a set part for the original drawing on the side of the operation console where the keyboard is installed, and
A projection type characterized in that a projector for projecting the original drawing is provided, a reflecting mirror is provided above the keyboard, and the image projected by the projector is reflected onto the keyboard by the reflecting mirror. keyboard.