JPH11288352A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device capable of simplifying wiring around the main body of a computer or the like. SOLUTION: This keyboard device 10 is provided with a case 11, the plural pieces of operation keys 12 disposed so as to respectively project head parts on the upper surface of the case and a control circuit 13 for generating control signals based on signals from the respective operation keys. Further, on the side face and/or back surface of the case, the connector parts 14, 15, 16 and 17 of at least one USB(universal serial bus) interface and an USB hub 18 for connecting the respective connector parts and the control circuit are provided.

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.

[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]

Recently, a universal serial bus (U.S.A.) has been used as a general-purpose interface for connecting peripheral devices of a personal computer.
(Universal Serial Bus) interface, a so-called USB interface, has been established, and various products corresponding to this USB interface, such as a keyboard device, a mouse, and a terminal adapter for ISDN connection, have come to be marketed.

However, in the USB interface having such a configuration, the peripheral devices to be connected are not directly connected to each other, but are connected, for example, to the US.
A so-called U having a plurality of B interface connectors
Each peripheral device is connected to the USB hub using an SB hub. For this reason, U
If there are many connection cables to the SB hub, there is a problem that wiring around the personal computer becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device capable of simplifying wiring around a main body of a computer or the like.

[0008]

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;
A keyboard device further comprising at least one USB interface connector on the side and / or back of the case, and a USB hub connecting each connector and the control circuit. Is achieved by

[0009] The keyboard device according to the present invention preferably includes a receiving unit detachably attached to a connector portion provided on the side surface of the case.

[0010] In the keyboard device according to the present invention, a signal from a transmitting unit of a wireless mouse is preferably input to the receiving unit.

[0011] In the keyboard device according to the present invention, a signal from a transmission unit of the wireless remote controller is preferably input to the reception unit.

[0012] In the keyboard device according to the present invention, a mouse connection cord is preferably attached to a connector provided on the side of the case.

[0013] In the keyboard device according to the present invention, preferably, the connector on the back of the case is connected via a cable to a computer main body or a USB hub.
Connected to the connector part of the interface.

The keyboard device according to the present invention preferably includes a transmission unit detachably mounted on a connector portion provided on the back of the case, and the transmission unit is provided on a computer main body or a USB hub or the like. A signal is transmitted to a receiving unit detachably attached to the connector of the USB interface.

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 control circuit generates a control signal, 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, since the keyboard device has a built-in USB hub and has a plurality of USB interface connectors connected to the USB hub, various devices to be connected to a main body such as a computer are provided. For example, a joystick, a game controller, or the like can be connected to the connector of the USB interface of the keyboard device, so that the wiring around the main body of the computer or the like can be simplified.

In the case where a receiving unit detachably attached to a connector portion provided on the side of the case is provided, a signal from a transmitting unit of a wireless mouse or a remote control device is transmitted to the receiving unit. Is input, a control signal from the operation of the wireless mouse or the remote control device is input to the keyboard device. Therefore, the transmission distance of the wireless mouse or the remote control device can be shortened, and the transmission unit of the wireless mouse or the remote control device can be shortened. Power consumption can be reduced.

When the mouse connection cord is attached to the connector provided on the side of the case, the mouse connection cord can be shortened, and the operability of the mouse is improved.

When the connector on the back of the case is connected via a cable to a connector of a USB interface provided on a computer body or a USB hub, the keyboard device can be used as a USB standard product. Become.

A transmission unit detachably attached to a connector provided on the back of the case is provided. This transmission unit is detachable from a connector of a USB interface provided in a computer main body or a USB hub or the like. When a signal is transmitted to the receiving unit mounted on the device, the keyboard device acts as a wireless keyboard device, and wiring around a computer or the like can be simplified.

[0020]

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 13 to be generated (see FIG. 4), one connector section 14 provided on the side of the case as shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of connectors provided on the back of the case as shown in FIG. (In the case of the figure, three) connector part 1
5, 16, 17, the control circuit 13 and the connector 1
USB hub 18 (see FIG. 4)
And a connection cable 19 connected to, for example, a main body (not shown) of a personal computer.

The operation keys 12 and the control circuit 13 are:
It has the same configuration as each operation key and control circuit in a conventional keyboard device.

Each of the connector sections 14 to 17 is a connector section of a USB interface. In particular, the connector section 14 is for connecting a mouse. And
The connectors 14 to 17 and the control circuit 13 are bus-connected to each other.

Here, the receiving unit 20 shown in FIG. 5 can be detachably attached to the connector section 14. The receiving unit 20 is configured similarly to a known receiving unit of a wireless mouse 21 having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, and as shown in FIG. 8, a signal from the transmitting unit 22, for example, The infrared signal is received, the control signal by the operation of the mouse 21 is restored, and the signal is input to the USB bus 18 from the connector unit 14 via the plug 23 of the USB interface.

The keyboard device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Is configured as described above, and the keyboard device 10
When the desired operation key 12 is pressed, the control circuit 13 generates a corresponding control signal based on a signal from the operation key, 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, a desired key input can be performed on the personal computer 11.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the above-mentioned receiving unit 20 is connected to the connector section 14 of the keyboard device 10, and a signal from the transmitting unit 22 of the wireless mouse 21 is For example, when an infrared light signal is transmitted, a control signal restored by the receiving unit 20 is input to the control circuit 13 from the connector unit 14 via the USB hub 18, and the personal computer main body is connected via the connection cable 19. Is input to Thus, by operating the wireless mouse 21, desired coordinate information can be input to the main body of the personal computer.

In this case, the transmission unit 22 of the wireless mouse 21 is connected to the connector 14 of the keyboard device 10.
Since the distance to the receiving unit 20 mounted on the personal computer is significantly shorter than the distance to the main unit of a conventional personal computer or a receiving unit provided near the main unit, the transmission of the wireless mouse 21 required for signal transmission is performed. The power consumption of the unit can be significantly reduced.

The receiving unit 20 described above not only receives a signal from the transmitting unit 22 of the wireless mouse 21 but also, for example, as shown in FIG. Various operations can be performed.

A cable-connected mouse 26 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can also be used for the connector section 14 of the keyboard device 10. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the mouse 26 outputs a control signal by an operation of the mouse 26 via a cable 27, similarly to a known cable-connected mouse. At the tip is a USB interface plug 2
7a is provided. Then, as shown in FIG.
The plug 27a is connected to the connector 1 of the keyboard device 10.
4, the control signal by the operation of the mouse 26 is transmitted from the connector 14 of the keyboard device 10 to the US.
The signal is input to the control circuit 13 via the B hub 18 and is input to the main body of the personal computer via the connection cable 19.

Thus, by operating the wireless mouse 21, desired coordinate information can be input to the main body of the personal computer.
In this case, the distance from the mouse 26 to the connector 14 of the keyboard device 10 is significantly shorter than the distance from the conventional mouse dedicated connector provided on the back of the main body of the personal computer. Can be greatly reduced, for example, to about 30 cm, and the operability is improved.

FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the keyboard device according to the present invention. In FIG. 13, the keyboard device 30 has substantially the same configuration as the keyboard device 10 shown in FIG. It is connected by. According to the keyboard device 30 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, one of the connector sections 15, 16, and 17 is connected to the personal computer 31 having the USB interface connector section at both ends by the USB interface. U with plug
The connection is made via the SB cable 32. still,
The personal computer 30 has a built-in USB hub, and a plurality of connector sections 33 of a USB interface connected to the USB hub may be provided on the front surface as shown in FIG.

Here, the keyboard devices 10 and 3 described above are used.
0, the joystick 34 and the game controller 35 having a known configuration are connected to the connector unit 14 either directly or in combination with the mice 21 and 26 connected via the receiving unit 20, as shown in FIG. A USB interface plug provided at the end of the connection cable can be inserted. Thereby, the mouse 21 or 26, the joystick 34, and the game controller 35 necessary for various input operations can all be connected to the keyboard device 10 without connecting to the main body of the personal computer. Surrounding wiring can be simplified.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the connection of the keyboard device 30 to a personal computer. In FIG. 14, a transmitting unit 36 is detachably attached to the connector section 14 of the keyboard device 30. On the other hand, a receiving unit 37 is detachably attached to the connector section 33 on the front surface of the personal computer 31.

The transmitting unit 36 generates and outputs, for example, an infrared light signal based on a control signal from the control circuit 13 of the keyboard device 30, and this infrared light signal is used as the infrared light signal. The reception signal is received by the unit 37, so that the reception unit 37 restores the control signal and inputs the control signal via a USB hub built in the personal computer 31. In this case, since there is no connection cable between the keyboard device 30 and the personal computer 31 and the connection can be made wirelessly, the wiring around the personal computer 31 can be further simplified.

In the above-described embodiment, the keyboard device connected to the personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the keyboard device. It is clear that can be applied. In the above-described embodiment, the transmission units 22 and 36 generate an infrared light signal as a signal to be transmitted, and the reception units 20 and 37 receive the infrared light signal and restore the control signal. Thus, infrared light transmission and reception is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is apparent that wireless transmission and reception may be performed.

[0035]

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, since the keyboard device has a built-in USB hub and has a plurality of USB interface connectors connected to the USB hub, various devices to be connected to a main body such as a computer are provided. For example, a joystick, a game controller, or the like can be connected to the connector of the USB interface of the keyboard device, so that wiring around the main body of the computer or the like can be simplified. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent keyboard device capable of simplifying wiring around a main body of a computer or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a keyboard device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view showing a part of the rear surface of the keyboard device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the keyboard device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the keyboard device of FIG. 1;

5A and 5B show the configuration of a receiving unit to be connected to a connector on the side surface of the keyboard device of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view and FIG. 5B is a front view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a wireless mouse used with the receiving unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the wireless mouse shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a connection state between the wireless mouse and the keyboard device shown in FIG. 6;

9 is a schematic perspective view showing a connection state between the keyboard and the wireless mouse and the wireless remote controller shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a cable-connected mouse connected to a connector on the side surface of the keyboard device of FIG. 1;

11 is a schematic perspective view of the cable connection type mouse shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a connection state between the cable-connected mouse and the keyboard device shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a connection state between the keyboard device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a cable-connected mouse, a joystick, a game controller, and a personal computer.

14 is a schematic perspective view showing a wireless connection between the keyboard device of FIG. 13 and a personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10, 30 Keyboard device 11 Case 12 Operation keys 13 Control circuit 14 Connector (side) 15, 16, 17 Connector (back) 18 USB hub 19 Connection cable 20, 37 Receiving unit 21 Wireless mouse 22, 36 Transmission unit 23 , 27a plug 24 wireless remote controller 26 cable connection type mouse 27 cable 31 personal computer 32 USB cable 33 connector 34 joystick 35 game controller

Claims (7)

[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; A keyboard device further comprising at least one USB interface connector on the side and / or back of the case, and a USB hub connecting each connector and the control circuit. . 2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit detachably attached to a connector provided on a side surface of the case. 3. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein a signal from a transmission unit of a wireless mouse is input to the reception unit. 4. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein a signal from a transmitting unit of the wireless remote controller is input to the receiving unit. 5. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein a mouse connection cord is attached to a connector provided on a side surface of the case. 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector on the back of the case is connected to a connector of a USB interface provided on a computer main body or a USB hub via a cable. A keyboard device according to claim 1. 7. A transmission unit removably attached to a connector provided on the back of the case,
6. The transmitting unit according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits a signal to a receiving unit detachably attached to a connector unit of a USB interface provided on a computer main body or a USB hub. A keyboard device according to any one of the above.