JPH11312044A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device provided with an extended key group in which the operation of the extended key group can be operated at a remote position, and the assignment change or addition of the extended keys can easily be attained. SOLUTION: This keyboard device 10 is constituted so that a case 11, plural operation keys 12 arranged on the upper face of the case so that each head can be projected, control circuit for generating a control signal, based on a signal from each operation key, bearing 14 provided on the upper face of the case, and remote control type extended key part 20 placed on the bearing so as to be attachable and detachable can be included, and the remote control type extended key part can be provided with plural extended keys 22 and a transmitting part for transmitting an operation signal corresponding to each extended key, and a receiving part 15 can be arranged at a position faced to the transmitting part when the remote type extended key part 20 is placed on the bearing 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device connected to a main body of a personal computer, a word processor or the like and used for inputting data or the like, and more particularly to a keyboard device having an extended key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a personal computer is composed of a main body, a display and a keyboard device connected to the main body. Here, the main body includes a circuit unit including a CPU mounted on a substrate or the like, a power supply unit,
Alternatively, an auxiliary storage device or the like is accommodated. The display has a display screen by a CRT, for example.

[0003] The keyboard device described above includes a plurality of operation keys arranged so that their heads protrude from the upper surface of a case, and a control signal housed in the case and based on a signal from each operation key. And a control signal to be generated, and a control signal from the control circuit is input to the main body via a cable.

According to the personal computer having such a configuration, by pressing each operation key of the keyboard device, appropriate data and the like are input, and can be input to the CPU in the main body.

[0005]

By the way, in recent years, a so-called multimedia function key has been provided which can reproduce a music CD (compact disc) and receive a television broadcast using a personal computer. When using an application such as a keyboard device or an Internet browser, a keyboard device provided with so-called hot keys, in which application activation and various operations are performed by one-touch key operation, has been used. .

[0006] A keyboard device provided with these multimedia function keys and hot keys is constructed by integrally incorporating an extended key group as shown in FIG. 5, for example. That is, in FIG. 5, a keyboard device 1 is a conventional so-called 106 keyboard, that is, a character key 2, a function key 3
And 4 and a keyboard device composed of a cursor key 5 and a numeric keypad 6, an extended key group 7 is integrally incorporated at the right end thereof.

According to the keyboard device 1 having such a configuration, by using the key portions of the 106 keyboard, that is, the character keys 2, the function keys 3 and 4, the cursor keys 5 and the ten keys 6, normal key input and the like can be performed. By operating each key of the extended key group 7,
A multimedia function or a hot key function can be executed.

However, in the keyboard device 1 having such a configuration, the extended key group 7 is fixedly arranged on the surface of the keyboard device 1. Therefore, when performing a so-called multimedia function such as reproduction of a music CD or reception of a television broadcast, for example, a predetermined expansion key of the expansion key group 7 is provided in front of the keyboard device 1 connected to the main body of the personal computer. Need to be manipulated. Further, the functions assigned to the respective expansion keys of the expansion key group 7 are fixed, and allocating other functions or adding other expansion keys requires modification of the keyboard device 1 itself. Was difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention enables the operation of an extended key group to be performed even at a remote position, and makes it possible to easily change or add an extended key.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device having an extended key group.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a case, a plurality of operation keys disposed so that their heads protrude from the upper surface of the case, and a plurality of operation keys. A control circuit that generates a control signal based on the signal;
And further includes a pedestal provided on the upper surface of the case, and a remote-controlled expansion key portion detachably mounted on the cradle, wherein the remote-controlled expansion key portion has a plurality of An extension key and a transmission unit for transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the operation of each extension key, and the receiving table is located at a position opposed to the transmission unit when the remote control type extension key unit is placed. This is achieved by a keyboard device comprising a receiving unit.

[0011] In the keyboard device according to the present invention, preferably, the transmitting section is provided on the front surface of the remote-control-type extended key section, and the receiving section is provided near the front end of the cradle.

The keyboard device according to the present invention is preferably provided with a plurality of types of remote-control-type extended key sections having extended-key arrangements having different functions, as the remote-control-type extended key sections. An appropriate type of remote-controlled expansion key unit is placed on the cradle or used to face the receiver of the cradle.

According to the above configuration, when a desired operation key is operated, the control circuit generates a control signal based on a signal from the operation key, and the main body of a computer or the like connected to the keyboard device. Output to Thus, key input can be performed on a main body such as a computer.

Here, when the extension key of the remote-control-type extension key is operated, an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the extension key is preferably transmitted from a transmission unit provided on the front surface thereof. Accordingly, when the remote-control-type expansion key unit is placed on the cradle, the remote-control-type expansion key is received by a reception unit provided opposite the transmission unit, preferably near the front end of the cradle. When the unit is used at a position remote from the case, a signal from the transmitting unit is transmitted toward the case at the remote position and received by the receiving unit. Then, a control signal corresponding to the operation of the extension key is generated by the control circuit, and a key input of the extension key is performed on a main body such as a computer.

[0015] Therefore, even at a position distant from the keyboard device, by operating the expansion key of the remote-control-type expansion key unit, key input of the expansion key becomes possible. For example, reproduction of a music CD and reception of a television broadcast can be performed. In the case of
Key input of the extension key at the viewing position can be performed.

As the above-mentioned remote-control-type expansion key section, a plurality of types of remote-control-type expansion key sections each having an arrangement of expansion keys having different functions are prepared. , Placed on a cradle or used facing a receiver of the cradle.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 to 4 show one embodiment of a keyboard device according to the present invention.
First, in FIG. 1, the keyboard device 10 is a case 1
1, a plurality of operation keys 12 arranged such that their heads protrude from the upper surface of the case 11, and a control signal stored in the case 11 based on a signal from each operation key 12. A control circuit (not shown) to be generated, a connection cable 13 connected from the control circuit to, for example, a main body (not shown) of a personal computer, a receiving stand 14 and an infrared receiving unit 15, and mounted on the receiving stand 14. And a remote-control-type extended key unit 20 placed.

Each of the operation keys 12 and the control circuit has the same configuration as each of the operation keys and the control circuit in the conventional keyboard device. In the case shown in the figure, the operation keys 12 are a so-called 109 keyboard, which are character keys 12a, function keys 12b, 12c, cursor keys 12d, and ten keys 12
e.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving table 14 is formed as a recess so that the remote-control-type expansion key unit 20 can be stably placed. The infrared receiving unit 1
As shown in FIG. 4, reference numeral 5 denotes a remote control-type extended key unit 20 placed on the receiving stand 14 at a position opposed to an infrared transmitting unit (described later). It is configured to receive a signal.

The remote-control-type expansion key unit 20 is provided on a front surface of the case 21, a plurality of expansion keys 22 arranged such that their heads protrude from the upper surface of the case 21, and a front surface of the case 21. And an infrared transmitter 23 that generates an infrared signal by operating the extension key 22. The case 21 is configured to hold the cradle 1 of the keyboard device 10.
4 so that it can be held in a stable state when placed on the cradle 14. Each of the extension keys 22 is assigned, for example, a multimedia function or a function as a hot key for operating various applications. The infrared transmission unit 23 generates an infrared signal in response to the operation of each extension key 22 and transmits (emits) light from the front surface of the case 21.

The keyboard device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Is configured as described above, and the keyboard device 10
Is pressed, the operation key 12
The control circuit generates a corresponding control signal based on the signal from the personal computer, and inputs the control signal to the main body of the personal computer via the connection cable 19. Thus, by operating any operation key 12 of the keyboard device 10, desired key input can be performed on the personal computer.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the remote-control-type extended key unit 20 is placed on the receiving stand 14 of the keyboard device 10, each extended key 2 of the extended key unit 20 is
When the key 2 is operated, an infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitter 23 in response to the operation of the extension key 22. Thus, the infrared receiving section 15 facing the infrared transmitting section 23 receives the infrared signal and inputs the restored key input signal to the control circuit. Therefore, the control circuit generates a control signal corresponding to the extended key and inputs the control signal to the main body of the personal computer via the connection cable 13. Thus, by operating each of the extension keys 22 of the remote-control-type extension key unit 20, a control signal of the function assigned to the extension key 22 can be sent to the main body of the personal computer.

In this case, since the distance from the infrared transmitting section 23 of the remote-control-type extended key section 20 to the infrared receiving section 15 of the keyboard device 10 is extremely short, the power consumption of the transmission unit of the wireless mouse 21 required for signal transmission is required. Can be greatly reduced, and can be operated in the same manner as the extended keys provided on the upper surface of the case of the keyboard device 10. Further, in this case, the remote-control-type extended key unit 20 is
Since it is not necessary to make a connection simply by placing it on the
Since it can be easily attached to and detached from the cradle, operability is improved.

On the other hand, when the remote-control-type extended key unit 20 is located at a position distant from the keyboard device 10, each extended key unit 20 is extended with the front surface of the remote-control-type extended key unit 20 facing the keyboard device 10. When the key 22 is operated, an infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitter 23 to the keyboard device 10 in response to the operation of the extension key 22. Thereby, the infrared receiving section 15 receives the infrared signal from the infrared transmitting section 23 of the remote-control-type extended key section 20, and inputs the restored key input signal to the control circuit. Therefore, the control circuit generates a control signal corresponding to the extended key and inputs the control signal to the main body of the personal computer via the connection cable 13. Thus, by operating each of the extension keys 22 of the remote-control-type extension key unit 20, a control signal of the function assigned to the extension key 22 can be sent to the main body of the personal computer.

In this case, the extended key 22 is located at a position where the remote-control-type extended key unit 20 is away from the keyboard device 10, for example, at a listening position when reproducing a music CD, and at a listening position when receiving a television broadcast. Can be performed, so that the operability is improved.

The reception of the infrared signal from the remote-control-type extended key unit 20 is performed by the case 11 of the keyboard device 10.
Since this is performed by the infrared receiving unit 15 provided on the upper surface, a dedicated receiving unit is newly provided and the keyboard device 10 is provided.
Alternatively, there is no need to connect to a main body such as a personal computer or the like, and extension key input by the remote-control extension key unit 20 can be easily performed.

The remote-control-type expansion key unit 20 has an expansion key 22 suitable for being used for a specific purpose, for example, reproduction of a music CD or reception of a television broadcast. Although it is difficult to add an expansion key, a plurality of types of remote-control expansion keys 20 each having a dedicated expansion key 22 are prepared for various applications, and an appropriate By selecting and using a remote-controlled expansion key unit 20 of a type having an arrangement of expansion keys, a comfortable expansion key operation can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the keyboard device connected to the personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to, for example, a word processor and a keyboard device for inputting various electronic devices. Clearly, it is possible. In the above-described embodiment, the infrared transmitting unit 23
Generates an infrared light signal as a signal to be transmitted, and the infrared receiving section 15 is configured to perform infrared light transmission and reception by receiving the infrared light signal and restoring the control signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is apparent that wireless transmission and reception may be performed.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a desired operation key is operated, a control circuit generates a control signal based on a signal from the operation key, and a control signal is transmitted to the keyboard device. Output to a computer or other device connected to the computer. Thus, key input can be performed on a main body such as a computer. Here, when the extension key of the remote-control-type extension key is operated, an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the extension key is transmitted from the transmission unit. Accordingly, when the remote-control-type expansion key is placed on the receiving table, the remote-control-type expansion key is received by the reception unit facing the transmission unit, and is used at a position away from the case. In this case, the signal from the transmitting unit is transmitted toward the case at a remote position and received by the receiving unit. Then, a control signal corresponding to the operation of the extension key is generated by the control circuit, and a key input of the extension key is performed on a main body such as a computer. Therefore, even at a position distant from the keyboard device, by operating the expansion key of the remote-control-type expansion key unit, key input of the expansion key becomes possible.
In the case of reproduction of D, reception of a television broadcast, or the like, key input of an extension key at a viewing position can be performed.

Thus, according to the present invention, the operation of the extended key group can be performed even at a remote position, and the assignment or addition of the extended key can be easily changed.
A keyboard device with a very good expansion key group can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a keyboard device according to the present invention, wherein (A) is a schematic plan view and (B) is a side view.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a remote-control-type expansion key unit in the keyboard device of FIG. 1 is removed.

3A and 3B show a remote-control-type expansion key unit in the keyboard device of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view and FIG. 3B is a front view.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an extended key portion receiving base in the keyboard device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating a configuration of an example of a keyboard device including a conventional extended key group.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Keyboard device 11 Case 12 Operation key 13 Connection cable 14 Receiving stand 15 Infrared receiving part 20 Remote-control extended key part 21 Case 22 Expansion key 23 Infrared transmitting part

Claims (3)

[Claims] A control circuit configured to generate a control signal based on a signal from each of the case, a plurality of operation keys disposed so that their heads protrude from an upper surface of the case, respectively; And further includes a receiving base provided on the upper surface of the case, and a remote-control-type expansion key portion detachably mounted on the receiving base, wherein the remote-control-type expansion key portion has a plurality of An operation key and a transmission unit for transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the operation of each extension key are provided, and when the remote control-type extension key unit is placed, the receiving stand is located at a position facing the transmission unit. A keyboard device comprising a receiving unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit is provided on a front surface of a remote-control-type expansion key unit, and the receiving unit is provided near a front end of a cradle. Keyboard device. 3. A plurality of types of remote-control-type expansion keys provided with an arrangement of expansion keys having different functions are provided as the remote-control-type expansion keys. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the unit is mounted on a cradle or used to face a receiving unit of the cradle.