JP2014164610A - Keyboard cover, key input conversion method, and key layout conversion system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard cover capable of flexibly changing a key layout of a keyboard.SOLUTION: A keyboard cover 10 covers input key 32 of a keyboard. Among members forming the keyboard cover 10, a movable member which may depress the input key of the keyboard to be covered is formed to depress one or a plurality of the input keys 32. A layout of the movable member is different from a key layout of the keyboard. The number of movable members may be less than the number of input keys 32 of the keyboard.

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard cover for covering a physical keyboard, a key input conversion method and a key layout conversion system using the keyboard cover.

  In recent years, with the explosive spread of computers such as PCs (Personal Computers), a keyboard which is one of those input interfaces (hereinafter simply referred to as “keyboard”) has become indispensable. Yes. Since the keyboard is assumed to input characters, a large number of keys having different sizes (hereinafter referred to as “keyboard keys” or simply “input keys” in this specification) are arranged on the keyboard.

  Although the keyboard is generally premised on inputting characters, software applications that require operations different from character input, such as piano simulation software and game software, have been executed on the PC due to recent high-performance PCs. Opportunities have increased. In such a case, for example, an application operated by a user interface different from the keyboard key layout, such as a keyboard or a game controller, is executed on the PC. Or a new interface such as a dedicated external USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface must be prepared (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

F. Block, H. Gellersen, and N. Villar: Touch-Display Keyboards: Transforming Keyboards into Interactive Surfaces, Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1145-1154 (2010).

  There are many PC applications. For example, there are many applications such as a media player, a game, and Web browsing that are operated only with a mouse or a few keys. However, it is difficult for a person who is not used to operating a computer such as a child or an elderly person, a visually handicapped person, or a handicapped person to select an appropriate key from a mouse operation and a large number of keys. If you can easily create a dedicated interface for operating each application, you can operate the application intuitively.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a keyboard cover that can easily change the key layout of the keyboard.

  In order to solve the above problems, a keyboard cover according to an aspect of the present invention is a keyboard cover that covers an input key of a keyboard, and among members constituting the keyboard cover, the input key of the covering keyboard can be pressed. The movable member is configured to be capable of pressing one or a plurality of input keys, and the layout of the movable member is different from the keyboard key layout.

  According to this aspect, the layout of the movable member that can be operated by the user in the keyboard cover can be easily changed to a layout different from the key layout of the keyboard to be covered.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a key input conversion method. In this key input conversion method, when a keyboard cover configured to press a predetermined input key of the keyboard when attached to the keyboard is pressed, the input key that is pressed when the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard is pressed. Detecting whether or not the input key is pressed and generating an input signal of the second input key when the first input key is input from the keyboard when the input key is pressed. Let

  According to this aspect, the layout of the movable member that can be operated by the user in the keyboard cover can be easily changed to a layout different from the key layout of the keyboard to be covered.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a key layout conversion system. This key layout conversion system includes a keyboard for inputting information to the computer, a keyboard cover for covering the input keys of the keyboard, and a computer for executing a program for causing the computer to realize a key input conversion function of the keyboard. When the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard, the layout of the movable part of the keyboard cover is different from the keyboard key layout. When the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard, one or more predetermined input keys on the keyboard are pressed. It is configured. The program detects whether or not the input key that is pressed when the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard is pressed, and inputs the second input key when the pressing of the first input key is detected. The function of generating a signal is realized in a computer.

  According to this aspect, the layout of the movable member that can be operated by the user in the keyboard cover can be easily changed to a layout different from the key layout of the keyboard to be covered.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to realize each step of the key input conversion method.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation of the present invention converted between a method, apparatus, server, system, computer program, recording medium, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention. The computer program may be transmitted via a communication line.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the keyboard cover which can change the keyboard layout of a keyboard simply can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the keyboard for PC. It is a figure which shows typically the keyboard virtually arrange | positioned on the keyboard. FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing a keyboard type keyboard cover. FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams showing various aspects of the bar of the keyboard according to the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the detection of the strength and depth which press a key, when using the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the difference in the keyboard key pressed by the presence or absence of the protrusion attached to the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle which implement | achieves the keystroke from the keyboard area | region outside. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the weight which presses a keyboard key after a cover key contacts a keyboard key. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the weight in the middle of pushing the cover key. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the keystroke of a cover key. It is a figure which shows the dial implement | achieved with the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the slider implement | achieved with the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the image of the screen shot of the mapping software which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the key layout of the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the sectional side view at the time of installing the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment on the keyboard of notebook type PC. It is a figure which shows typically the function structure of the mapping software which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process in the mapping software which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the external appearance in before cutting in the keyboard cover which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments. First, the theory that is the basis of the embodiment will be described as a prerequisite technology, and then a specific embodiment will be described.

1. 1. Introduction FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a PC keyboard. Currently, a PC keyboard as shown in FIG. 1 is indispensable as an input device for a computer because of its high input speed and high input accuracy. Since the keyboard is supposed to input characters, a large number of keys having different sizes are arranged on the keyboard. Various applications exist on the PC, and the user operates the application using a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard.

  However, when an application such as a keyboard or a game controller that is operated by a user interface different from the keyboard key layout is executed on the PC, the key layout of the user interface may be destroyed and rearranged on the PC keyboard or dedicated. It was necessary to prepare a new interface such as an external USB interface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the keyboard arrangement of the keyboard instrument is applied to the keyboard, there is a keyboard key that crosses the boundary between the keys, so the user intuitively determines which key the keyboard key belongs to. Can not. Further, although the surface of the keyboard is smooth, the user feels uncomfortable when a finger is caught between the keyboard keys.

  There are many PC applications. For example, there are many applications such as a media player, a game, and Web browsing that are operated only with a mouse or a few keys. However, it is difficult for a person who is not used to operating a computer such as a child or an elderly person, a visually handicapped person, or a handicapped person to select an appropriate key from a mouse operation and a large number of keys. If you can easily create a dedicated interface for operating each application, you can operate the application intuitively.

  In order to solve these problems, a wide variety of external USB interfaces have been developed. However, preparing a dedicated USB interface for each application is expensive to introduce and is troublesome to carry. Further, for example, customization such as “I want to make only the up arrow of the cross key longer” or “I want to make the switch heavier” cannot be made flexible.

  Therefore, the keyboard cover according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured so that the key arrangement of the keyboard can be changed flexibly. Specifically, the keyboard cover according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured so that the keyboard is regarded as a matrix of keys and has a key layout specialized for the application to be operated, and is newly installed on the keyboard. Then change the keyboard layout. The keyboard cover according to the embodiment is made of a thin plastic plate or cardboard, and a key having an arbitrary shape (hereinafter referred to as “cover key” in the present specification) can be created by cutting the keyboard cover. In addition, by placing a protrusion under the cover key, you can provide various keying feelings such as multiple click feelings and changes in the weight and depth of pressing, and you can detect the strength of pressing and the depth of pressing. .

2. Related technologies Describes technologies related to input support for keyboards and touch panels.

2.1. Keyboard input support Introduction of keyboard cover Keyboard covers for the purpose of preventing dust and dirt are sold by OA suppliers. This copies the keyboard layout as it is so that each keyboard key can be pressed smoothly. It is easy to add annotations to the keyboard cover with a felt-tip pen, etc., which improves the intuitiveness when operating a specific application. However, it is not possible to change the shape of the key itself or change the weight or keystroke of the key.

Introduction of sensors and actuators There are cases where the input function is expanded by adding a new input mechanism such as a sensor to the PC keyboard, projecting the projector image on the keyboard, and embedding the display in each key. .

  For example, ThumbSence [1] has a problem that when the left and right mouse buttons of a touchpad, which are widely used as a pointing device for notebook PCs, are operated, the input speed is reduced because the hand leaves the home position of the keyboard. It is a technology to solve. Specifically, the function of the mouse button is assigned to the keyboard while the finger is touching the touch pad. With this technology, the user can press the mouse button assigned to the keyboard with another finger while touching the touchpad with the thumb.

  While ThumbSence assigns commands to each key in addition to the mouse button function while the finger is touching the touchpad, various operations can be performed with the hand at the keyboard home position. Learning key assignments is cumbersome.

  Pointing Keyboard [2] has a mechanism in which an infrared sensor for two-dimensional coordinate detection is superimposed on the keyboard, detects the difference between “pressing” and “tracing” the keyboard, and keys on the same surface. Enables both input and pointing operations.

  The Touch-Display Keyboard [3] has a display and touch sensor attached to the top of each key, and buttons and web links are mapped to each key and displayed. Furthermore, a combination input of a mouse and a touch is realized on the keyboard by inputting a gesture using a touch sensor or displaying a working screen on a keyboard display.

  FingerWorks TouchStream [4] is a commercially available system. This is a keyboard that can be used for character input by tapping the surface of a keyboard following the operation of a conventional keyboard, but can be input by dozens of types such as pointing by tracing with two fingers and double clicking by tapping with three fingers. However, these systems are designed with a dedicated board and cannot be applied to existing keyboards. The design can be visually changed by attaching a display, but tactile design such as touch feeling cannot be changed.

Use of keystroke information There is a technology that extends the input function using only keystroke information of the keyboard without adding a special device to the keyboard. For example, the inventor's research group of the present application has proposed graphic command input performed on a keyboard [5]. The user can draw a figure by sliding his finger on the keyboard in the manner of a single stroke, and input the drawn figure as a command to the system. SHARK [6] is a character input method on the software keyboard. Instead of tapping the key, it is input by tracing in the way of a single stroke so that the target alphabet key is connected. The system treats the input as a figure and recognizes what word was entered.

  The keystroke information on which keys on the keyboard are pressed and released is called keystroke dynamics and is used in various studies. The main application of keystroke dynamics is personal authentication. It is known that keystroke dynamics have different habits for each individual and are known to be different, and by learning keystroke dynamics for fixed text, it has been confirmed that the same level of discrimination accuracy as handwritten signatures can be achieved [7 ]. Authentication methods using keystroke dynamics are attracting attention because they have advantages such as using acquired information instead of biometric information related to privacy and being difficult to imitate even if known to others. 8]. As another application example, an attempt to recognize a user's emotion has also been made. In this method, it was confirmed that seven types of emotional states can be recognized at two levels using keystroke dynamics.

  These can be easily introduced without the need for additional devices. However, it is not possible to change the physical keyboard layout such as changing the key size.

2.2. Support for Input on Touch Panels In recent years, product development and research for supporting operations on touch panels have been actively conducted due to the explosive spread of smartphones and tablets. For example, PlayPad [9] from NYKO is a game controller cover for smartphones. SoloMatrix's Spike [10] is a hardware keyboard integrated with the iPhone (R) protective case. These are intended to improve input speed and input accuracy by installing a tangible device on the touch panel.

  qwikkeyz [11] is a protective filter with touch guide that supports the iPhone software keyboard. As a result, it is possible to provide a sense of pressing a button and to smoothly input a sentence. Y. Jansen et al. [12] used a touch panel such as iPad (registered trademark) to operate a large screen display, and installed a controller for large screen displays that could place tangible devices such as sliders and dials anywhere on the touch panel. is suggesting. When complex operations (for example, parameter adjustment) are performed on a large screen display, blind operations are required, and the operability of the slider displayed on the touch panel makes the tangible slider placed on the touch panel difficult. The operability has become clear from the evaluation experiment.

  These devices have improved operability by placing a tangible device on the touch panel, and a new interface is installed on the input interface. However, as with the keyboard cover according to the embodiment, a multiple-click feeling is provided. It is different in that it does not realize a new keystroke feel and input function that utilizes the characteristics of the keyboard, such as providing a keyboard and detecting the strength of pressing.

3. Design The keyboard cover according to the embodiment is made of a thin plastic plate or cardboard, and has a simple structure with notches and protrusions of any shape, but a keyboard with a key layout specialized for the application you want to operate is constructed. it can.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a cut similar to a keyboard is made in a plastic plate, and a protrusion for pressing a specific keyboard key is attached to the cover key. As a result, a keyboard cover having a keyboard instrument layout can be arranged on the keyboard. In addition, the black key on the keyboard protrudes compared to the white key, but by changing the height of the protrusion as shown in FIG. Put out.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, by arranging two protrusions with different heights under the key, the timing at which each keyboard key is pressed changes, and the strength of the keystroke can be detected. This keyboard cover can be easily used as a teaching material for lectures in musicology such as composition theory and instrument structure while using a personal computer at school. In addition, since the plastic plate can be easily processed, an original keyboard cover can be created. Furthermore, as will be described in detail below, by devising the position and height of the protrusions, it is possible to change the keystroke feeling such as keystrokes and flexibly customize it including operability.

  As another example, a media player controller, numeric keypad, drum pad, and game controller can be constructed as shown in FIG. The keyboard cover for the media player shown in FIG. 4A can operate the functions of “play (Play) / stop (Stop) / volume increase / decrease (Volume) / music selection (Back / Next) / play position”. Functions other than the playback position are operated with a horizontally long key with a U-shaped cut. The playback position is designated using a circular slider that imitates a DJ turntable.

  Also, the numeric keypad and drum pad shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C have U-shaped cuts and protrusions attached to each cover key. It is supposed to be pushed. Further, the game controller shown in FIG. 4D has a cross key and two buttons. These cover keys are cut out from the base cover.

  The four-way key has four protrusions attached to detect up, down, left, and right. In addition, a handle is attached on the button to improve operability. In this way, an intuitive operation can be realized by arranging a keyboard cover specialized for the operation of a specific application on the keyboard. These have the effect of preventing malfunctions caused by pressing keys that are not related to the operation of the application at exhibitions where a large number of unspecified people attend, and intuitively explaining the operation method. The same effect can be obtained when a person who is unfamiliar with keyboard operation, such as a child, the elderly, a visually impaired person, or a handicapped person, operates the application.

3.1. Requirements Requirements for designing such a keyboard cover include the following.
(I) Ease of use The proposed keyboard cover is used in various situations, and it is assumed that the keyboard cover is replaced for each application. Therefore, it is necessary to be lightweight, power-saving, and inexpensive to manufacture.
(Ii) Customizability Aiming at a keyboard cover specialized for application specifications and end-user requirements, it is necessary to be able to customize easily to meet the detailed requirements.
(Iii) Versatility The keyboard layout of PC keyboards varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Manufacturers that manufacture keyboard covers intended to prevent dust and dirt are addressing this problem by providing keyboard covers that have the same key layout as each keyboard. However, when the user changes the PC to be used, it is necessary to purchase a new keyboard cover. The keyboard cover for preventing dust and dirt needs to copy the keyboard layout as it is so that each keyboard key can be pressed smoothly. On the other hand, the keyboard cover proposed in this study is intended for specific application operations, and the keyboard keys used are also limited. Therefore, a mechanism that does not depend on the keyboard layout is required.

3.2. Characteristics of the keyboard cover The proposed keyboard cover uses a hard keyboard cover such as plastic board or cardboard, and has a protrusion under the cover key. All of these materials are inexpensive and lightweight, and no power supply is required to use the keyboard cover, so they can be used easily. This satisfies requirement (i). The characteristics using these mechanisms will be described below.

3.2.1 Utilization of hard cover Utilizing a hard cover improves operability as follows.

Creation of Arbitrary Shape Key As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an arbitrary shape cover key can be arranged on the keyboard by cutting the hard cover. As a result, the meaning of the function can be understood visually and intuitively, and erroneous operations that erroneously press different keys are reduced. Moreover, since it can customize easily in order to respond to a detailed requirement specification, requirement (ii) is satisfied.

Decorations on and around the cover key As shown in FIG. 4A, characters and pictures for explaining the cover key can be added on and around the cover key. Thereby, the meaning of the function assigned to the cover key can be visually and intuitively understood. In addition, entertainment can be enhanced by adding decoration.

Tangible key As shown in Fig. 4 (d), the cover key is completely separated from the keyboard cover, and the height of the cover key and the keyboard cover is changed so that the three-dimensional tangible cover key is placed on the keyboard. Can be placed.

3.2.2. Utilization of protrusions By utilizing protrusions, the input function can be expanded as follows.

Detection of Depressing Strength and Depressed Depth As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions are attached to the same cover key, and the arrangement and steps of the protrusions are changed. When the cover key is pressed strongly, the difference in timing when each keyboard key is pressed becomes short, but when the cover key is pressed weakly, the difference in timing when each keyboard key is pressed becomes long. Thereby, the strength of pressing the cover key can be detected. Further, the indentation depth can be detected by the same method.

Designation of keyboard key to be pressed As shown in requirement (iii), the keyboard layout of the keyboard differs depending on the manufacturer. In addition, the keyboard has a limit on the number of keys that can be simultaneously pressed, and the number of simultaneously pressed keys varies depending on the combination of keys pressed. In the operation of an application such as a piano that assumes a plurality of simultaneous keystrokes, it is desirable that the number of keyboard keys to be pressed is as small as possible.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the keyboard keys to be pressed can be limited by attaching protrusions to the keyboard cover according to the embodiment. Further, it is assumed that the protrusion is attached with a double-sided tape or the like, and the position of the protrusion can be freely changed. Therefore, when the keyboard key arrangement is changed, the positions of the protrusions may be rearranged. These satisfy requirement (iii).

Expansion of pressing range As shown in Fig. 7, if even the cover key protrusion is within the keyboard area, the cover key may protrude from the keyboard area, even if the cover key is pressed from outside the keyboard area. Recognize pressing of cover key. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cover key is pressed outside the keyboard range, the protrusion above the space key in FIG. 7 is also pressed, and at the same time the key under the protrusion is pressed. In this way, the user can perform an operation even when a key is pressed from outside the keyboard area.

Change in pressing weight As shown in FIG. 8, by increasing the number of protrusions under the cover key, the number of keyboard keys to be pressed increases when the cover key is pressed. Thereby, after the cover key comes into contact with the keyboard key, it is possible to change the weight of pressing the keyboard key. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the weight during pressing of the cover key can be changed by the material and thickness of the keyboard cover, insertion of a slit into the cover key, and the like.

Change keystrokes As shown in FIG. 10, legs are attached to the four corners of the keyboard cover to create a gap between the keyboard cover and the keyboard. By changing the height of the feet attached to the keyboard cover, the depth from when the cover key is pressed to when the keyboard key is pressed can be changed. In addition, the key stroke for each cover key can be changed by attaching a protrusion to the cover key and increasing the distance from when the cover key is pressed to when the keyboard key is pressed.

Providing a plurality of click feelings As shown in FIG. 5, when a cover key that is cut into an elongated U-shape is created and a plurality of protrusions are arranged on the cover key, a keyboard key corresponding to the protrusion is pressed. Since there is a time difference in timing, a plurality of click feelings (feelings of pressing keyboard keys) can be provided.

Build dials and sliders Build simple dials and sequence bars. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a protrusion is disposed under a circular hollowed dial. Moreover, it becomes easy to turn the dial by attaching a handle on the dial. If there is a gap between the keyboard keys at this time, the protrusion will collide with another key and it will not rotate well. Therefore, as shown on the left side of FIG. 11, a smooth dial operation can be performed by attaching a projection like a triangular prism. Further, using this characteristic, when a right prism type protrusion is attached as shown on the right side of FIG. 11, a dial that rotates only in one direction can be created. The grain size of the slider can be changed by changing the number and arrangement of the protrusions. The position of the slider with the U-shaped notch with no protrusions can be measured with the finest granularity. For example, when four protrusions are attached at regular intervals as shown in FIG. When the cover key is pressed, only the corresponding keyboard key is pressed. When the cover key is pressed between the protrusions, the keyboard keys under the two protrusions are pressed. As a result, seven types of position recognition are possible.

Object recognition from protrusion pattern By arranging a plurality of protrusions under the object and making the arrangement pattern unique, it is possible to recognize the object with the keyboard key pressed down.

3.3. Method of Using Keyboard Cover A method of using the keyboard cover according to the embodiment will be described. Basically, item number 1 and item number 2 are executed only for the first time, and item number 3 and item number 4 are executed for the second and subsequent times.

Item 1. Creation of an arbitrary keyboard cover A keyboard cover corresponding to an application to be used is created in consideration of the characteristics of the keyboard cover described in 3.2 above. At this time, if necessary, a non-slip sticker is attached to the keyboard cover to prevent the keyboard cover from shifting. This is effective when using applications that have many repeated operations such as keyboard instruments, drums, and games, and the keyboard cover is likely to be displaced, and cannot be corrected during operation.

  In order to give a unique ID (IDentification) to the keyboard cover, one key is selected from the function keys, and a cover key is created at a position corresponding to the selected function key. The selected function key is not used by other keyboard covers and is unique. The function keys are not used for purposes other than the keyboard cover ID.

Item 2. Mapping of Keyboard Keys and Application Functions The software shown in FIG. 13 is used to determine the mapping of keyboard keys and application functions. In FIG. 13, a keyboard key corresponding to various functions such as playback / stop is set for iTunes (registered trademark) as an example. Also, the keyboard cover ID and the application to be operated are set.

Item 3. Installing the keyboard cover Install the keyboard cover you created on the keyboard.

Item 4. Operation item number of application Press the ID cover key created in item 1. As a result, the application assigned by the item number 2 is automatically activated, the mapping of the keyboard key and the function of the application is read, and the application can be operated with the keyboard cover installed on the keyboard.

4). Implementation An implementation example of the keyboard cover prototype described in 3 above will be described. Using acrylic board as the keyboard cover material, modeling the keyboard cover using Corel CorelDrawGraphics Suite (trademark or registered trademark) X5 on Windows 7 (registered trademark), and using EPILOG LASER mini as the laser cutter Cutting and engraving were performed. This time, a laser cutter was used to create an elaborate prototype, but a thin acrylic plate can be cut with a cutter or scissors, so it can be implemented without such equipment and software.

5. Trial Evaluation A keyboard type keyboard cover prototype (shown in Fig. 3) was actually used by 3 experienced piano players and 8 inexperienced piano players, and interviews were conducted regarding their feeling of use. In addition, the test subject's behavior shown below was observed by the inventor of the present application and confirmed with the test subject after use.

  The keyboard-type keyboard cover was visually easy to understand, and all subjects understood what purpose the keyboard cover was used on at the same time it was installed on the keyboard without any special explanation. In addition, all subjects commented after actually playing that "the keyboard type cover is easier to play than using the PC keyboard as a keyboard". In addition, the comment was obtained that “the operability is inferior compared with the existing digital keyboard instrument, but it is easy to carry and can be used easily, so we want to use it depending on the situation when going out”.

  On the other hand, with regard to the improvement point, one piano experience commented that "It can be used when advanced performance such as simple composition is not required, but the key is light considering the performance". Therefore, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5, when a keyboard-type keyboard cover was made with a thick acrylic plate and used as a trial, a positive comment was obtained that “it is close to the actual weight of the keyboard”. There was also a comment that there was a distance until the cover key reached the keyboard key, and it was better to be closer to the keystroke of an actual keyboard instrument. However, since the prototype on the right side of FIG. 5 is heavier and thicker than the prototype of FIG. 3, a user who places importance on carrying rather than operability seems to prefer the prototype of FIG.

  In addition, comments were obtained from three subjects that "the prototype in Fig. 3 is transparent for both the white key and the black key, but if they are colored, it will be easier to visually understand." In addition, since one subject was a keyboard beginner, there was a comment that “I want to write the scale on each key and use it”. It is easy to add color to the keyboard cover and add explanations, and the keyboard cover is low cost, so you can easily edit it. In this way, since detailed requests differ depending on the user, it is an advantage of this approach that it can be easily customized for each request.

6). Conclusion As described above, according to the keyboard cover according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a keyboard cover in which the key layout of the PC keyboard can be changed flexibly.

7). Reference [1] J. Rekimoto: ThumbSense: Automatic Mode Sensing for Touchpad-based Interactions, Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 852-853 (2003).
[2] Arito Tsukada, Takeshi Hoshino: Pointing Keyboard: Key input / pointing input device, 10th Interactive System and Software Workshop (WISS 2002), pp. 61-66 (2002).
[3] F. Block, H. Gellersen, and N. Villar: Touch-Display Keyboards: Transforming Keyboards into Interactive Surfaces, Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1145-1154 (2010).
[4] FingerWorks, Inc: TouchStream Stealth http://www.fingerworks.com/.
[5] Takuya Katayama, Kazuya Murao, Tsutomu Terada, Masahiko Tsukamoto: Graphical command input method using keystroke information on keyboard, Journal of Human Interface Society, Human Interface Society, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 167? 176 (2012).
[6] PO Kristensson and S. Zhai: SHARK2: A Large Vocabulary Shorthand Writing System for Pen-Based Computers, Proceedings of the 17th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, pp. 43-52 (2004).
[7] R. Joyce, G. Gupta: Identity Authentication Based on Keystroke Latencies, Communications of the ACM, Vol. 33, Issue 2, pp. 168-176 (1990).
[8] C. Epp, M. Lippold, and RL Mandryk: Identifying Emotional States using Keystroke Dynamics, Proceedings of the 36th International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 715-724 (2011).
[9] PlayPad web page: http://nyko.com/products/productdetail/?name=PlayPad.
[10] Spike web page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matrix/spikemakes-the-iphone-as-easy-to-type-on-as-it-is.
[11] qwik-keyz web page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1934392683/qwikkeyztm-keyboard-touchguide-for-the-iphone.
[12] Y. Jansen, P. Dragicevic, and J. Fekete: Tangible remote controllers for wall-size displays, Proceedings of the 37th International Conference on Human Factors
in Computing Systems, pp. 2865-2874 (2012).

[Concrete example]
Embodiment FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a key layout of the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a keyboard cover 10 for converting the keyboard input key layout into the game controller interface layout shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 14, the keyboard cover 10 is configured to cover the input keys of the keyboard when attached to a keyboard such as a notebook PC.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, among the members constituting the keyboard cover 10, the movable members that can press the input key of the keyboard to be covered are members denoted by reference numerals 14, 16 a, and 16 b. The member denoted by reference numeral 14 is a cross-shaped movable member, and the members denoted by reference numerals 16a and 16b are both push-button movable members. In the example shown in FIG. 14, these movable members are separated from the main member 12 constituting the keyboard cover 10, and the user depresses an input key located below the movable member by depressing the movable member. Can do.

  Since the keyboard cover 10 is configured to cover the keyboard, the size of the keyboard cover 10 is approximately the same as the keyboard to be covered. Since a keyboard such as a notebook PC generally includes about 100 to 110 input keys, the size of one input key is approximately 1/100 or less of the size of the keyboard cover 10. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 14, among the members constituting the keyboard cover 10, the layout of the movable members 14 and 16 capable of pressing the input keys of the keyboard to be covered is different from the keyboard key layout. 14 and the movable member 16 are also larger than one input key.

  For this reason, in the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment, the number of input keys that can be pressed by one movable member is not limited to one, and one or more input keys can be pressed. In addition, a plurality of movable members may depress one input key, for example, the left end of the space key is pushed down by a movable member with the keyboard cover 10 and the right end is pushed down by another movable member. is there. For this reason, in the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment, the number of movable members may be equal to or greater than the number of input keys. When the number of movable members is smaller than the input keys, the movable members that can be operated by the user can be limited to the number of input keys necessary for the operation of the application. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user interface that is easy to operate for users who are handicapped.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a side sectional view when the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment is installed on the keyboard of the notebook PC 30. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 15, as shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard cover 10 having a keyboard layout in which a plurality of keys associated with a predetermined pitch are arranged on the keyboard of the notebook PC 30. It is a figure which shows a sectional side view. In FIG. 15, members indicated by reference numerals 32 a to 32 f are input keys of the notebook PC 30. Further, members indicated by reference numerals 20 a and 20 b are protrusions 20 that are obtained between the keyboard cover 10 and the notebook PC 30. The protrusion 20 is provided with a gap between the input key of the notebook PC 30 and the keyboard cover 10, so that the corresponding input key 32 c can be pushed down only when the keyboard 18, which is a movable part, is pushed down. 10 is attached.

  A member denoted by reference numeral 22 is a convex portion 22 provided so that the input key 32 f is always pressed when the keyboard cover 10 is attached to the keyboard of the notebook PC 30. For this reason, the convex part 22 is provided in the surface which opposes a keyboard, when the keyboard cover 10 is attached to a keyboard. The convex portion 22 is provided so as to always press one or more predetermined input keys of the keyboard regardless of whether or not the movable member of the keyboard cover 10 is pressed down.

  Here, for example, the layout of the keyboard cover 10 is different from that of the game controller interface shown in FIGS. 4D and 14 and the keyboard type interface shown in FIGS. The keyboard cover 10 is configured such that the convex portions 22 are attached at different positions. As a result, an application executed on the PC to which the keyboard cover 10 is attached can identify which layout of the keyboard cover 10 is attached. Therefore, the “predetermined input key” that the convex portion 22 is depressed is an identification key of the keyboard cover 10 determined for each layout of the keyboard cover 10, and specifically, one or more function keys. This function key may be the function key described above in 3.3-1 of the base technology.

  As described above, the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment is configured such that one or more input keys can be pressed as input keys that can be pressed by one movable member. Moreover, the layout of the movable member of the keyboard cover 10 is not fixed. Therefore, it is useful if one or more input keys pressed by the movable member can be mapped to inputs of other input keys different from the input keys. In addition, it is preferable that the key input mapping can be automatically switched according to the input key that is depressed by the convex portion 22 described above.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating the functional configuration of the mapping software 40 according to the embodiment, and specifically illustrates the functional configuration of the mapping software illustrated in FIG. 13. The mapping software 40 according to the embodiment includes a key press detection unit 42, a key input conversion unit 44, a conversion pattern storage unit 46, and a conversion pattern acquisition unit 48. Each part of the mapping software 40 shown in FIG. 16 is realized by a program module for causing a computer to realize the function. However, those skilled in the art can easily understand that at least a part of the functions realized by the module computer may be realized as functions of an operating system executed by the computer executing the mapping software 40. is there.

  The key press detection unit 42 detects whether or not the input key of the keyboard of the computer executing the mapping software 40 is pressed. As a specific example, the key press detection unit 42 is in a pressed state when the keyboard cover 10 configured to press a predetermined input key on the keyboard when attached to the keyboard is attached to the keyboard. Detects whether the input key is pressed. As described above, the keyboard cover 10 includes the convex portion 22 provided so that the predetermined input key 32 is always pressed. Therefore, when the keyboard cover 10 including the convex portion 22 is attached to the keyboard, the key press detection unit 42 detects the press of the input key even when the user does not press the movable member.

  The key input conversion unit 44 acquires the input key press from the key press detection unit 42. When the acquired input is a mapping target key, the first input key that has been pressed is generated as an input signal of the second input key. In order to realize this, the key input conversion unit 44 acquires a conversion pattern of key input from the conversion pattern storage unit 46. Here, the “key input conversion pattern” is used to convert the input signal of the first input key pressed down by pressing the movable member of the keyboard cover 10 into a second input signal different from the input signal. It is the mapping pattern of the input signal defined.

  The key input conversion unit 44 acquires information on the always pressed key by the convex portion 22 from the key press detecting unit 42. Subsequently, the key input conversion unit 44 acquires the key input conversion pattern corresponding to the information of the key pressed at that time from the conversion pattern storage unit 46 based on the information of the constantly pressed key acquired from the key press detection unit 42. For this reason, the conversion pattern storage unit 46 stores the information of the constantly pressed key and the conversion pattern in association with each other. As described above, when the keyboard cover 10 is attached to the keyboard, the key input conversion unit 44 can automatically acquire a conversion pattern to be set.

  By the way, as described above, the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment allows the user to freely customize the layout of the pressing members. For this reason, the conversion pattern corresponding to the information of the constantly pressed key acquired from the key pressing detection unit 42 may not be stored in the conversion pattern storage unit 46.

  In this case, the conversion pattern acquisition unit 48 displays the GUI of the mapping software 40 shown in FIG. 13 and allows the user to set the conversion pattern. When the user desires to acquire a conversion pattern from the server 60 that stores various conversion patterns via the network 50, the conversion pattern acquisition unit 48 transmits information on the pressed key to the server 60 to search for the conversion pattern. To do. When there is a desired conversion pattern on the server 60, the conversion pattern acquisition unit 48 downloads the conversion pattern and stores it in the conversion pattern storage unit 46. Here, the server 60 is a server in which the layout of the movable member of the keyboard cover 10, the layout of the input keys of the keyboard, and the information of the input keys that the convex portion 22 is always pressed are stored in association with each other. The user can register information. Thereby, it becomes possible for another user to reuse the conversion pattern created by one user, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the mapping software 40 according to the embodiment. The processing in this flowchart starts when the mapping software 40 is activated.

  The key press detection unit 42 detects the constantly pressed input key by the convex portion 22 from the keyboard on which the keyboard cover 10 is installed (S2). The key input conversion unit 44 searches the conversion pattern storage unit 46 for a conversion pattern to be set based on the information of the constantly pressed input key acquired by the key press detection unit (S4). When there is no conversion pattern to be set in the conversion pattern storage unit 46 (N in S6), the conversion pattern acquisition unit 48 acquires the conversion pattern set by the user or searches the server 60 for conversion to be set. A pattern is acquired (S8).

  When there is a conversion pattern to be set in the conversion pattern storage unit 46 (Y in S6), the conversion pattern acquisition unit 48 sets the conversion pattern (S10). In addition, when the user sets a conversion pattern or acquires the conversion pattern from the server 60, the conversion pattern storage unit 46 stores the conversion pattern in the conversion pattern storage unit 46 and sets the conversion pattern as a processing target.

  The key press detection unit 42 detects an input key input by the user pressing the movable member (S12). The key input conversion unit 44 performs key input conversion according to the set conversion pattern (S14). When the key mapping is to be ended, such as when the keyboard cover 10 is removed (Y in S16), the processing in this flowchart ends. If it is not a layer (N in S16), the process returns to step S12 to continue the key mapping process.

  Next, a key layout conversion system including the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment will be described. This key layout conversion system includes a keyboard for inputting information to the computer, a keyboard cover 10 for covering the input keys of the keyboard, and a computer for executing mapping software 40 for realizing the key input conversion function of the keyboard. .

  The keyboard cover 10 is configured such that the layout of the movable part of the keyboard cover is different from the keyboard key layout when attached to the keyboard. The keyboard cover 10 is configured to always press one or more predetermined input keys of the keyboard when attached to the keyboard.

  The mapping software 40 detects whether or not an input key that is pressed when the keyboard cover 10 is attached to the keyboard is pressed. When the mapping software 40 detects pressing of an input key that is pressed when the keyboard cover 10 is attached to the keyboard, the mapping software 40 sets a key input conversion pattern in accordance with the pressed input key. Further, when the first input key is input from the keyboard, the mapping software 40 generates an input signal of the second input key according to the set conversion pattern.

  Next, the keyboard cover 10 before creating the movable member will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing an external appearance of the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment before cutting. As described above in the base technology 1, the material of the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment is a thin plastic plate or cardboard such as acrylic, and can be processed using, for example, a cutter or scissors. Cutting can also be performed using a cutter. The size of the keyboard cover 10 before processing may be any size as long as it can cover the keyboard of a general-purpose notebook PC, but as an example, the longitudinal direction is 40 cm and the short direction is 20 cm. It is a rectangle.

  Guide 70 is regularly arranged in keyboard cover 10 before processing. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the cross mark at the upper left of the keyboard cover 10 is shown as an example of the guide 70. In order to prevent complication, the reference numeral is not attached, but in the example shown in FIG. 18, the cross-shaped symbol is a guide 70, and the longitudinal direction of the keyboard cover 10 is divided into 20 equal parts and the short direction is divided into 10 equal parts. It is arranged on the matrix at the position to be.

  Thus, by attaching the guide 70 to the keyboard cover 10 before processing, the user can use it as a guideline when designing the layout of the movable member. For example, it can be used for coordinate determination such as an NC (numerical control) program when using a laser cutter. Although not shown, paper or editable image data having the same size as the outer shape of the keyboard cover 10 is prepared, and a cross-shaped mark is added in advance to a position corresponding to the guide 70 attached to the keyboard cover 10. It can be used for layout design of movable members. By storing together with information for identifying the keyboard to be covered (the type of the notebook PC, the keyboard model number, etc.), the layout of the movable member once designed can be shared among different users.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a keyboard cover that can flexibly change a keyboard key layout.

  In particular, since the keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment is a keyboard cover specialized for application specifications and end-user requirements, the keyboard cover 10 is aimed at and can be easily customized to meet the detailed required specifications. it can. The keyboard cover 10 according to the embodiment is intended for operation of a specific application, and the keyboard keys to be used are limited. The keyboard cover 10 can be attached to various keyboards without depending on the keyboard layout. Furthermore, since no power source such as USB power supply is required, cables are not necessary for the specification, handling is easy, and power consumption can be suppressed.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the above description, the mapping software 40 has been described with reference to the case where the conversion pattern is acquired based on the information on the input key that is always pressed by the convex portion 22 of the keyboard cover 10. The mapping software 40 may acquire the conversion pattern using information specifying the type of keyboard to be covered in addition to the information on the input key pressed by the convex portion 22. In this case, a keyboard type specifying unit (not shown) of the mapping software 40 specifies a keyboard type by acquiring a return value of an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by a device driver of a keyboard to be covered, for example.

  Thus, in addition to the information on the input key pressed by the convex portion 22, the information specifying the type of the keyboard to be covered is also used to obtain the conversion pattern, so that the difference in the key layout of the keyboard to be covered is obtained. The keyboard cover 10 having the same movable member layout can be used by being attached to different types of keyboards.

  10 keyboard covers, 12 main members, 14, 16 movable members, 18 keyboards, 20 protrusions, 22 protrusions, 30 notebook PCs, 32 input keys, 40 mapping software, 42 key press detection units, 44 key input conversion units, 46 conversion pattern storage unit, 48 conversion pattern acquisition unit, 50 network, 60 server, 70 guide.

Claims (9)

A keyboard cover covering the input keys of the keyboard,
Among the members constituting the keyboard cover, the movable member capable of pressing the input key of the covering keyboard is configured to be capable of pressing one or more input keys,
The keyboard cover according to claim 1, wherein a layout of the movable member is different from a key layout of the keyboard.   The keyboard cover according to claim 1, wherein the number of the movable members is less than the number of input keys of the keyboard. When the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard, the surface facing the keyboard has one or more protrusions,
3. The keyboard cover according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is provided so as to press one or more predetermined input keys of the keyboard when the convex portion is attached to the keyboard. 4.   The keyboard cover according to claim 3, wherein when the layout of the movable member that can be pressed is different, the convex portion is provided so that a different input key is pressed.   The keyboard cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable member that can be pressed has a keyboard layout in which a plurality of keys associated with a predetermined pitch are arranged. A program for causing a computer to realize a key input conversion function of a keyboard,
Detects whether or not the keyboard cover that is configured to hold down the specified input key of the keyboard when attached to the keyboard is pressed when the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard. Function to
A program for causing a computer to realize a function of generating an input signal of a second input key when detecting the pressing of the first input key.   When a press of an input key is detected, the key input conversion database that stores the type of the input key pressed and the conversion pattern of the key input is stored in correspondence with the type of the input key pressed. The program according to claim 6, further comprising a function of acquiring a conversion pattern of key input. Detects whether or not the keyboard cover that is configured to hold down the specified input key of the keyboard when attached to the keyboard is pressed when the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard. And steps to
A key input conversion of a keyboard, characterized by causing a processor to execute a step of generating an input signal of a second input key when the first input key is input from the keyboard when pressing of the input key is detected Method. A keyboard for entering information into the computer;
A keyboard cover covering the input keys of the keyboard;
A computer that executes a program for realizing a key input conversion function of the keyboard on the computer,
The keyboard cover is
When attached to the keyboard, the layout of the movable part of the keyboard cover is different from the keyboard key layout,
When attached to the keyboard, the keyboard is configured to press one or more predetermined input keys,
The program is
A function of detecting whether or not an input key that is pressed when the keyboard cover is attached to the keyboard is pressed;
A key layout conversion system for causing a computer to realize a function of generating an input signal of a second input key when pressing of the first input key is detected.