U.S. patent application number 10/695999 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for keyboard device capable of automatically changing function of certain key without pressing a specific key.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kamizono, Hidenobu.
Application Number | 20040119697 10/695999 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 16009845 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040119697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kamizono, Hidenobu |
June 24, 2004 |
Keyboard device capable of automatically changing function of
certain key without pressing a specific key
Abstract
A keyboard device includes a sensor (1) for detecting whether
hands of a user are present at the home position, a function
switching key to select one of the two functions by pressing a key
(2), a sensor validating/invalidating switch (3) to changeover the
validation/invalidation of the detection result of the sensor, and
a microcomputer 6 for selecting the function according to the
detection result of the sensor (1) when the sensor
validating/invalidating switch (3) is validated, and by the
function switching, key when the same is invalidated.
Inventors: |
Kamizono, Hidenobu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
NEC CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
16009845 |
Appl. No.: |
10/695999 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10695999 |
Oct 30, 2003 |
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09599569 |
Jun 23, 2000 |
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6697054 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0219 20130101;
G06F 3/023 20130101; G06F 3/0238 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/168 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 1999 |
JP |
176226/1999 |
Claims
What is claimed is
1. A keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any one of two
functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, wherein whether
hands of a user are present at the home position is detected by a
sensor, and one of the two functions affected by said certain keys
is selected based on the result of the detection by said
sensor.
2. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said certain
keys are ten-key section provided with numeric input function and
cursor shift function.
3. A keyboard device for key,inputting by selecting any one of two
functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, comprising a
sensor for detecting whether hands of a user are present at the
home position; a function switching key to select one of said two
functions by pressing a key; a sensor validating/invalidating
switch to changeover the validation/invalidation of the detection
result of said sensor; and a control section for selecting said
function according to the detection result of said sensor when said
sensor validating/invalidating switch is validated, and by said
function switching key when the same is invalidated.
4. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said certain
keys are ten-key section provided with numeric input function and
cursor shift function.
5. A keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any one of two
functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, comprising: a
function switching key to changeover the function to be selected
each time when it is pressed down; a sensor, which is active (ON
state) when hands of a user are present at the home position and
inactive (OFF state) when they are not at the home position; and a
control section for monitoring respective events of press-down of
said function switching key, transitions from ON state to OFF state
of said sensor and from OFF state to ON state of said sensor, and
selecting alternatively said two functions, each time when one of
events occurs.
6. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said certain
keys are ten-key section provided with numeric input function and
cursor shift function.
7. A keyboard device, comprising a first group of keys provide on a
keyboard; a sensor for detecting whether hands of a user are
present at the home position of this first group of keys; a second
group of keys provided on this side opposite to said first group of
keys taking said sensor as border; and a control section for
monitoring the detection result of said sensor and disabling the
input by said second group of keys while said sensor detect
hands.
8. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second
group of keys includes at least one of a group of numeric input
keys and a group of cursor shift keys.
9. A keyboard device, comprising a first group of keys provide on a
keyboard; a left hand sensor for detecting whether the left hand of
a user is present at the left hand home position of said first
group of keys; a right hand sensor for detecting whether the right
hand of a user is present at the right hand home position; a second
group of keys provided on this side left opposite to said first
group of keys taking said left hand sensor as border; a third group
of keys provided on this side right opposite to said first group of
keys taking said right hand sensor as border; and a control section
for monitoring the detection result of said left hand sensor and
said right hand sensor and disabling the input by said second group
of keys while said left hand sensor detect the hand and disabling
the input by said third group of keys while said right hand sensor
detect the hand.
10. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second or
third group of keys are group of numeric input keys.
11. A keyboard device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second
or third group of keys are group of cursor shift keys.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard device which is
used for information processing apparatus or the like, and
particularly to a keyboard device for changing over two functions
affected by certain keys of a keyboard, or changing over
validation/invalidation of the input of certain keys.
[0002] Conventionally, keyboards used for information processing
apparatus are required to dispose efficiently necessary keys in a
limited space, or to prevent miss operation of key inputting. For
this effect, in certain keyboard devices, a key is eliminated by
replacing the function of that key with simultaneous press of a
plurality of another keys, or a same key is used for several
functions by changing over by a select key, as described in an
unexamined Japanese Utility Model Publication No. SHO 59-151328,
namely 151328/1984.
[0003] On the other hand, an unexamined Japanese Patent Publication
No. HEI 04-354012, namely 354012/1992, discloses a keyboard device
for changing over the key arrangement by a switching key, wherein a
combined input of a plurality of desired key invalidates input from
the switching key, and thereafter, even when the switching key is
pressed in the following input, the input will be cancelled in
order to avoid miss input.
[0004] In the prior art mentioned above, the function changeover of
certain keys is performed by pressing the switching key, and the
cancellation of this switching key is also executed by the combined
input of a plurality of keys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
perform automatically the function changeover of certain key,
valid/invalid setting of switching key, prevention of miss input of
certain keys, or the like, without pressing a specific key.
[0006] Other objects of the present invention will become clear as
the description proceeds.
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any one
of two functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard, wherein
whether hands of a user are present at the home position is
detected by a sensor, and one of the two functions affected by the
certain keys is selected based on the result of the detection by
the sensor.
[0008] The certain keys may be ten-key section provided with
numeric input function and cursor shift function.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a keyboard device for key inputting by selecting any
one of two functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard,
comprising: a sensor for detecting whether hands of a user are
present at the home position; a function switching key to select
one of the two functions by pressing a key; a sensor
validating/invalidating switch to changeover the
validation/invalidation of the detection result of the sensor; and
a control section for selecting the function according to the
detection result of the sensor when the sensor
validating/invalidating switch is validated, and by the function
switching key when the same is invalidated.
[0010] The certain keys may be ten-key section provided with
numeric input function and cursor shift function.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a keyboard device for key inputting by selecting
any one of two functions affected by certain keys on a keyboard,
comprising: a function switching key to changeover the function to
be selected each time when it is pressed down; a sensor, which is
active (ON state) when hands of a user are present at the home
position and inactive (OFF state) when they are not at the home
position; and a control section for monitoring respective events of
press-down of the function switching key, transitions from ON state
to OFF state of the sensor and from OFF state to ON state of the
sensor, and selecting alternatively the two functions, each time
when one of events occurs.
[0012] The certain keys may be ten-key section provided with
numeric input function and cursor shift function.
[0013] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a keyboard device, comprising: a first group of
keys provide on a keyboard; a sensor for detecting whether hands of
a user are present at the home position of this first group of
keys; a second group of keys provided on this side opposite to the
first group of keys taking the sensor as border; and a control
section for monitoring the detection result of the sensor and
disabling the input by the second group of keys while the sensor
detect hands.
[0014] The second group of keys may include at least one of a group
of numeric input keys and a group of cursor shift keys.
[0015] According to further another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a keyboard device, comprising: a first
group of keys provide on a keyboard; a left hand sensor for
detecting whether the left hand of a user is present at the left
hand home position of the first group of keys; a right hand sensor
for detecting whether the right hand of a user is present at the
right hand home position; a second group of keys provided on this
side left opposite to the first group of keys taking the left hand
sensor as border; a third group of keys provided on this side right
opposite to the first group of keys taking the right hand sensor as
border; and a control section for monitoring the detection result
of the left hand sensor and the right hand sensor and disabling the
input by the second group of keys while the left hand sensor detect
the hand and disabling the input by the third group of keys while
the right hand sensor detect the hand.
[0016] The second or third group of keys may be group of numeric
input keys.
[0017] The second or third group of keys may be group of cursor
shift keys.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows an example of arrangement on the keyboard of
respective components in the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the composition of the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an example of arrangement on the keyboard of
respective components in the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the composition of the
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the composition of the third embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, description will be made
as regards a keyboard device according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows an example of arrangement of each component on
a keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, a ten key section 2 is supposed to
have two functions of group of numeric input keys and group of
cursor shift keys, and the operation to validate one of these
functions and invalidate the other function will be described.
[0027] In FIG. 1, a sensor 1 is disposed at a position in contact
with or covered by the left hand when the left hand is put on the
home position (home position is a state where the left index rests
on the key [F] and the right index on the key [J] during the key
input), detects a human hand on the sensor by, for instance,
detecting infrared light, and changes to ON state upon its
detection. Here, this sensor may well be any sensor provided that
it detect the contact of the hand with the sensor or the proximity
of the hand around the sensor, and it may be another sensor, for
example, a contact sensor put ON upon detection of the hand, or a
temperature detection sensor or the like, put ON upon detection of
a predetermined ambient temperature.
[0028] A ten key section is equivalent to a ten key section
including keyboard for personal computer or the like, and the key
signification changes according to the state of "NumLock". Here, it
shall be described as group of numeric input keys if "NumLocked",
or as group of cursor shift keys if "non" "NumLocked", however it
may well be inverted.
[0029] The sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is a switch to
select the use of the output from the sensor 1 or the use of
"NumLock" key (not shown) on the keyboard to change the state of
"NumLock" of the ten key section 2. When the "sensor is valid", the
state of "NumLock" of the ten key section 2 depends only on the
output of the sensor 1, and when the "sensor is not valid", the
state of "NumLock" will change only by pressing down the "NumLock"
key (not shown) on the keyboard.
[0030] The status display section 4 indicates the state of
"NumLock" of the ten key section 2 for informing the user of the
actual state by, for example, turning on when "NumLocked", and
blinking when "not NumLocked" or by other states.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the composition of the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] The microcomputer 6 judges the actual state of "NumLock" of
the ten key section 2 from the whole keys 5, the sensor 1 and the
sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 to indicate it on the
status display section 4, and also, converts according to the state
of "NumLock" with its inner key code table, and transmits the key
code to the motherboard. Now, if a key other than the ten key
section 2 is input, the function of respective keys rests
invariable independent of the state of the sensor 1 or the NumLock
key (not shown) and the function is completely identical to a
convention keyboard. Here, it will be described supposing that the
sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is not valid when it is
connected to the GRD (ground) side, and valid when it is connected
to the voltage Vcc side.
[0033] Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3
is a flow-chart showing the operation of the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0034] First, when the power supply of the keyboard is turned on,
the microcomputer 6 initializes the state of "NumLock" of the ten
key section 2 to "not NumLocked" state (step S1).
[0035] Given the "not NumLocked" state, the microcomputer 6 informs
the user of the "not NumLocked" state, namely, that the ten-key
section 2 can be used as group of cursor shift keys, by blinking
the status display section 4 (step S2).
[0036] Next, the microcomputer 6 detects if the sensor
validation/invalidation switch 3 is connected to the voltage Vcc
side (valid) or is connected to the GRD side (not valid) (step
S3).
[0037] According to the detection result of the step S3, if the
sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is valid, the microcomputer
6 detects if the output of the sensor 1 is ON or OFF (step S4).
[0038] Upon the detection result of the step S4, if the output of
the sensor 1 is ON, namely if the hand is in contact with the
sensor or in the proximity of the sensor, the microcomputer 6
judged that the state is "not NumLocked". This is the state where
the key is operated with the left hand on the home position (step
S5).
[0039] Upon the detection result of the step S4, if the output of
the sensor 1 is OFF, namely if the left hand is displaced beyond
the detection range by the sensor 1, the microcomputer 6 judged
that the state is "NumLocked". (step S6).
[0040] In the step S3, if the sensor validation/invalidation switch
3 is not valid, the microcomputer 6 detects if the "NumLock" key
(not shown) on the keyboard is pressed down (step S7) and judged
that the state is "NumLocked" if it is pressed down. Thereafter,
while the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is not valid, two
states of "not NumLocked" and "NumLocked" are to be inverted
alternatively (step S8).
[0041] After "NO" of the steps S5, S6, S7 and S8, the microcomputer
6 indicates the state of "NumLock" in the respective step on the
status display section 4. For example, in the step S5, as the state
is "not NumLocked", the status display section 4 blinks, while in
the step 6, as the state is "NumLocked", the status display section
4 will be turned on, to inform the user of the present state (step
S9).
[0042] Next, the microcomputer 6 detects if a key other than
NumLock key (not shown) on the keyboard is pressed, and proceeds to
the step S11 if it is pressed, and returns to the step S3 if it is
not pressed. Here, it is detected if a key other than NumLock key
is pressed, because it is unnecessary to transmit the key code to
the motherboard, even if NumLock key is pressed (step S10).
[0043] In the step S10, if a key other than NumLock key is pressed,
the microcomputer 6 detects, uninterruptedly, if a key of the ten
key section 2 is pressed (step S11).
[0044] Then, upon the detection of the depression of a key of the
ten key section 2, the microcomputer 6 judges if the state of
"NumLock" of the ten key section 2 is "NumLocked" state or "not
NumLocked" state according to one of states of the steps S5 to S8,
and proceeds to the next step S14 or step S15 (step S12).
[0045] In the step S11, if a key of the ten key section 2 is not
pressed, namely, a key other than the one of the ten key section 2
is pressed, the microcomputer 6 outputs the key code corresponding
to this pressed key to the motherboard, independent of the state of
"NumLock" (step S13).
[0046] In the step S12, if the state is "NumLocked", the
microcomputer 6 performs the conversion according to the
"NumLocked" state with its inner key code table, and transmits the
key code as numeric input key to the motherboard (step S14).
[0047] In the step S12, if the state is "not NumLocked", the
microcomputer 6 performs the conversion according to the "not
NumLocked" state with its inner key code table, and transmits the
key code as cursor shift key to the motherboard (step S15).
[0048] After the state S10, S13, S14 or S15, it returns to the step
S3, to repeat the operation mentioned above.
[0049] As described hereinbefore, according to this embodiment, it
is possible to change over the ten key section 2 automatically to
one of group of numeric input keys or group of cursor shift keys
according to the output ON/OFF of the sensor 1 for detecting the
presence of user's left hand.
[0050] Note that, in the embodiment, the sensor
validation/invalidation switch 3 and NumLock key may both be
eliminated, and the changeover of two functions may well be
performed always by the sensor 1.
[0051] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described referring to drawings. FIG. 4 shows an example of
arrangement of each component on a keyboard according to the second
embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5 is a block diagram
showing the composition of the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0052] In the first embodiment of the present invention mentioned
above, when the sensor validation/invalidation switch is not valid,
the state of "NumLock" changes only by pressing down the "NumLock"
key, and when the sensor validation/invalidation switch is valid,
the state of "NumLock" changes only by the output of the
sensor.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the second embodiment of
the present invention, the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3
is eliminated from the composition of the first embodiment of the
present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Also, it is
different in that the state of "NumLock" can be changed either by
the output of the sensor 1 or by pressing down the "NumLock" key.
In other words, the state of "NumLock" can be changed alternatively
by the occurrence of respective event of sensor ON, sensor OFF and
"NumLock" key pressed down.
[0054] The operation of this second embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail referring to FIG. 6. Compared
to FIG. 3, flow-chart showing the operation of the first embodiment
of the present invention, steps S3 to S8 of FIG. 3 are replaced
with steps S16 and S17, so steps S16, S17 will be described
below.
[0055] The microcomputer 6 detects the occurrence of either of
events including ON state.fwdarw.OFF state of the sensor, OFF
state.fwdarw.ON state of the sensor, by means of a signal from the
sensor 1 and "NumLock" key.
[0056] If the occurrence of one of events is detected in the step
S6, "NumLock" state will be changed. For example, if the state
before the occurrence of event is "not NumLocked", it is changed to
"NumLocked" state, and if the state before the occurrence of event
is "NumLocked", it is changed to "not NumLocked" state (step
S17).
[0057] If none of event has occurred in the step 16, it proceeds to
the step S10.
[0058] As described hereinbefore, in this embodiment of the present
invention, as the sensor validation/invalidation switch 3 is
eliminated, the state of "NumLock" can be changed alternatively at
each occurrence of any one event, by monitoring always the
occurrence of respective events including ON state.fwdarw.OFF state
of the sensor, OFF state.fwdarw.On state of the sensor, or
depression of "NumLock" key.
[0059] In the first or second embodiment of the present invention
described hereinbefore, the ten key section is provided with two
functions of numeric input and cursor shift, that are changed over
according to the sensor output; however, it is obvious that the
present invention is not limited to this, but can be applied to a
group of key having other functions. Also, it may well be applied
to a single key provided with two functions, in place of a group of
keys such as ten key section.
[0060] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be
described referring to drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the
composition of the third embodiment of the present invention, and
in this example, keys are arranged in a portion that is usually
used as palm rest.
[0061] In FIG. 7, a sensor 1L and a sensor 1R are disposed at the
position to be in contact with or covered by the left hand or he
right hand respectively, when both hands are put on the home
position, and similarly to the first or second embodiment of the
present invention, these sensors detect the human hand over the
sensor by detecting infrared beam and turn ON upon the
detection.
[0062] A group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 and a group of
dedicated cursor shift keys 8 are disposed by dividing separately a
group of numeric input keys and a group of cursor shift keys
provided with the ten key section of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4.
[0063] A microcomputer not shown inside the keyboard device makes
the sensor 1L correspond to the group of dedicated numeric input
keys 7 and the sensor 1R to the group of dedicated cursor shift
keys 8 respectively, and controls to cancel the group of dedicated
numeric input keys 7 when the sensor 1L is On and to cancel the
group of dedicated cursor shift keys 8 when the sensor 1R is
ON.
[0064] Now, the operation of the third embodiment of the present
invention will be described referring to FIG. 7.
[0065] First, when the user puts their hands on the home position,
the sensor 1L and the sensor 1R detect respectively the presence of
left hand and right hand respectively and turn ON.
[0066] The microcomputer in the keyboard device cancels the group
of dedicated numeric input keys 7 when the sensor 1L is On and
cancels the group of dedicated cursor shift keys 8 when the sensor
1R is ON. Consequently, the group of dedicated numeric input keys 7
and the group of dedicated cursor shift keys 8 are both cancelled,
whereby, the key input will not be performed event when the group
of dedicated numeric input keys 7 or the group of dedicated cursor
shift keys 8 are pressed by mistake, during other key input.
[0067] Next if it is desired to operate the group of dedicated
cursor shift keys 8, the right hand is detached from the home
position, to turn OFF the sensor 1R. The microcomputer detects that
the sensor 1R is turned OFF, and validates the corresponding group
of dedicated cursor shift keys 8. Then, in this state, if the group
of dedicated cursor shift keys 8 is operated, their input is taken
as valid, and the microcomputer outputs a key code as key for
cursor shift to the motherboard.
[0068] If the group of dedicated numeric input keys 7 is to be
operated, the left hand is detached from the home position, to turn
OFF the sensor 1L. The microcomputer detects that the sensor 1L is
turned OFF, and validates the corresponding group of dedicated
numeric input keys 7. Then, in this state, if the group of
dedicated numeric input keys 7 is operated, their input is taken as
valid, and the microcomputer outputs a key code as key for numeric
input to the motherboard. Here, the group of dedicated numeric
input keys 7 may be operated by the right hand, provided that the
left hand is out of the home position.
[0069] As described hereinbefore, according to this embodiment,
keys can be arranged in a portion that is usually used as palm rest
and where, conventionally, keys were not arranged in order to avoid
miss input by accidental press by the hand, because a key or a
group of keys arranged in this side of the sensor is invalidated
when a hand is in the proximity of the sensor.
[0070] In the third embodiment of the present invention described
hereinbefore, it is controlled to validate or invalidate, the group
of dedicated numeric input keys 7 or the group of dedicated cursor
shift keys 8, respectively by the output of the sensor 1L for left
hand detection or the sensor 1R for right hand detection; however,
it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to this,
but can be applied to a group of key having other functions and,
also, it may well be applied to a single key in place of a group of
keys.
[0071] Besides, the only one sensor for left hand detection or
right hand detection may be provided, and in can be controlled to
validate or invalidate, the group of keys arranged this side of the
sensor, making them correspond to this single key.
[0072] The first effect of the present invention is that the user
is not obliged to press the switching key, thereby saving one
trouble, as the function of certain keys or a group of keys, by
detecting the presence of hands at the home position on the
keyboard.
[0073] The second effect of the present invention is that keys can
be arranged in a portion that is usually used as palm rest and
where, conventionally, keys were not arranged in order to avoid
miss input by accidental press by the hand, because a key or a
group of keys arranged in this side of the sensor is invalidated
when a hand is in the proximity of the sensor.
* * * * *