JPS60264011A - Key input unit and method of assembling same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Application in Industry-1-] The present invention relates to a manual key device and a method for assembling the same. The present invention relates to a manual key device whose display can be changed and a method for assembling the same.

[Prior Art 1] In conventional human key devices such as keyboards, one key is used as a plurality of human keys by operating a shift key or a function key.

Therefore, on one key, a plurality of pieces of manual labor information are displayed in correspondence to each function key manual labor or shift key manual labor. The input information is generally displayed on the keypad portion of the key or on the board surface around the key.

[Problems with the prior art] However, in the case where multiple key manual input information is written on the key top, it is difficult to see because several keys are displayed within the limited area of the key top. It is difficult to determine which key is in the input state, and there is a limit to this. In addition, when multiple key human input information is written around a key, functions can only be assigned to a limited number of keys.However, when a large number of functions are assigned, the key position and description become distant. 1-1 It is difficult to determine which key input information is in the manual state, and there is a problem that the probability of input errors and the like increases.

Therefore, we have decided to place the keys adjacent to a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), or to have the keys integrated into the liquid crystal display (LCD), or to place a transparent key panel above the LCD. Some proposals have been made in which switches or switches using rubber elasticity are arranged, and some attempt to make the human power information variable and display it through a transparent part.

However, among those that use a variable display device, it is difficult to downsize the keyboard etc. in those that are placed adjacent to the former variable display device, and the display of input information and the position of the keys are separate. Therefore, it is difficult to say that it is easy to input. On the other hand, in the latter case, since the information is displayed through a transparent part, it is difficult to see the displayed information, and since the liquid crystal display device is installed at the bottom, a separate display with spring elasticity that is normally used is used. This is difficult to employ when attempting to use keys, and problems remain with key touch and input operations.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and in addition to eliminating such problems, it is possible to change the display of each of a plurality of keys to its input function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a manual key device that can be changed according to designations or shifts and can reduce input errors, and a method for assembling the same.

[How to solve problems J! 9] In order to achieve such objective 1 and solve the above-mentioned problems, the key human-powered device of the specific invention of this application has the following features:
The two terminals of the vertical or horizontal electrodes of the plurality of display devices are connected vertically or horizontally via a flexible wiring board, and each of the plurality of display devices is installed on each key arranged in the vertical or horizontal direction. It was designed to do so.

In addition, in an assembly method as a related invention of this application, each terminal of a vertical or horizontal electrode of a plurality of display devices is connected vertically or horizontally via a flexible wiring board, and each of the plurality of display devices are installed on each of the keycaps arranged in the vertical or horizontal direction, and each display is fixed to each keypad by attaching a keycap with a transparent window. It is something.

[Function] By connecting the display devices vertically or horizontally via the flexible wiring board and placing the display devices on each key top or key side, the display device can be placed in close contact with the keys. Human power information is displayed and can be done. Moreover, the human-powered information can be freely displayed and displayed by data transfer from the arithmetic processing unit (CPU) side, for example.

As a result, it is possible to realize a key-operated device that is easy to use manually, can change the display of each of a plurality of keys according to the designation or shift of its input function, and can reduce human errors.

In addition, by assembling the display unit in a fixed manner using the keycap as described above, the assembly is easy.
This simplifies the process and allows for more efficient work.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial explanatory diagram of a flexible wiring board portion that connects each display arranged on each key of a key-powered device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial explanatory view of the key subassembly of the keyboard before the device is installed, FIG. 3 is an external view of the key cab attached to each key top part of the key switch part, and FIG.
A partial cross-sectional explanatory view of the keyboard showing the assembled state of the key cab, each key switch section, and the flexible wiring board shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control circuit of this key-powered device. Note that in each of these figures, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

1 is a flexible wiring board, which has a plurality of vertical wiring bands 2 and a plurality of horizontal wiring bands 3 in the form of a matrix, and dot matrix... An opening 5° 5, φ .

Each vertical wiring band 2 of the flexible wiring board 1 has a wiring 2 having a terminal portion connected to each vertical electrode terminal of the liquid crystal display 4.
a, 2a, .e. are provided in parallel, and each horizontal wiring band 3 has a terminal portion connected to each horizontal electrode terminal of the liquid crystal display 4.

3a and .PHI. are provided in parallel.

Note that the wirings m2a and 3a are respectively connected via internal electrodes of the liquid crystal display 4.

Here, liquid crystal displays 4, 4 .・This is a dot-matrix type display device, which is responsible for each display area of one large liquid crystal display device, each of which is designated by a specific address.

Such liquid crystal display devices 4, 4. . . The assembly of the flexible substrate 1 with the board fixed thereon is attached to the key subassembly of the keyboard shown in FIG.

In the key subassembly shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 1o denotes a wiring board of the keyboard, on which key switches M i t , 1 t , . , lla.

Each $11 unit has a built-in spring and switch. And in the northern part, there are 1ll key tops each.
It has numbers b, llb, and ψ.

Here, the switches built in each key switch unit 11 are connected to predetermined lines in a matrix (reference numeral 27 in FIG.
), and the connection signal is manually input to the encoder 23 (see FIG. 5). In addition, each key top part 1
1b, 11b.

Φ-- is made of a resilient synthetic resin member, and the key cab 12 shown in FIG. 3 is attached thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3, the key cab 12 includes key switch sections 11, 11. - Each key top part 11b, 11b
, Q. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
1b,llb.

It has the function of being removably fixed to...

Now, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, this key cab 1
Reference numeral 2 is made of a synthetic resin member, and includes a hood part 13 made of a transparent plate part (window part) through which the inside of the hood part 13 can be seen through, and a mounting fixing part 14. Note that the entire key cab 12 may be made of a transparent member.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, this key cab 12, each key switch part 11, and the flexible wiring board 1 seen as the first cause
The assembled state will be explained below.

In addition, since the relationship between the parts of this key manpower device is almost the same in both the vertical (Y direction) and horizontal (X direction) cross sections, the cross section shown in Figure 4 The figure is an explanatory view of the finger surface in the vertical direction, and is also an explanatory view of the cross section in the horizontal direction.

First, as shown in Figure 4, each liquid crystal display 4, 4°φ...
are installed at the intersections of the respective matrices of the flexible wiring board 1 to form a liquid crystal display device, which is produced as an assembly of the flexible wiring board 1. Next, assemble and disassemble this flexible wiring board 1 for each key switch section 1.
Each of the liquid crystal displays 4°4 and φfist is arranged in the key top portions 11b, llb, . . . 1, respectively. Then, the keys are sequentially fixed by the key cab 12 as shown in the figure.

Note that when this key cab 12 is attached, the key top portions 11b, llb, ... are deformed, and the elastic force of the key top portion 11b and the projections 14a and 14a provided on the back side and bottom peripheral surface of the key cab 12 are 14b, the protrusion 14b fits around the key top portion 11b, so that
The protrusion 14a presses down and fixes the liquid crystal display 4. Keys 15, 15 . with variable indicators here. - is assembled.

As shown in the figure, each vertical wiring band 2 and each horizontal wiring band 3 of the flexible wiring board 1 has a length that allows some slack between each key switch 11 when assembled. Therefore, when any one of the keys 15, 15, Φ, etc. is input, the vertical wiring band 2 and the horizontal wiring band 3 around the flexible wiring board l change according to the slack, and the manual state of the key is changed. , so there is no problem with manual operation. Moreover, each liquid crystal display 4 has the advantage that it can be independently taken out and replaced by removing the key cap 12.

Now, what about these three key human resources? The l position will be driven by the control circuit shown in FIG. 5, for example.

That is, when any one of the keys on the keyboard is input, a signal is generated on one of the lines of the matrix wiring section 27, and this signal is sent to the ink face (PIlo) 22 via the encoder 23 for calculation processing. Device (CPU
) That system in 20? It is notified as predetermined input information via path 21.

Here, when this human power information is a function key or shift key that shifts to a predetermined function input or shift, the arithmetic processing unit 20 determines this as a function key or shift key corresponding to the input key information, and In response to this, the area corresponding to the function or shift of the predetermined keyboard display character code area 28a of the memory (MEM) 2.8 is accessed. Next, read out the 11th character code in the order corresponding to the display address of the key, and send it to the character generator 24 via the interface 22.
Send to. The character generator 24 receives this character code, sequentially develops bit information corresponding to the character code in the order of addresses on the liquid crystal display 4, and sends the hit information to the X-direction drive circuit 26 and the Y-direction drive circuit 25, respectively. do.

As a result, the input information according to the function or shift is
It is expanded into a pattern and displayed on each display 4 corresponding to each address position.

In this way, a predetermined character pattern corresponding to the new manual information is displayed on each corresponding liquid crystal display 4 according to the function or shift key.

Note that the input information for each key, which is displayed after bit expansion in the above case, is stored in advance as a bit pattern in the memory 28 or RAM, and then inputted into the character generator 24.
]TF contact dry drive circuit drive circuit 26. The Y-direction drive circuit 25) may also be driven. By using the RAM or memory 28 area in this way, it is possible to select and display any character on each key in the same way as a general display device, and the characters to be input can be selectively and freely displayed. It is something.

Here, the arithmetic processing trace R2o may be specially provided for displaying keys on a keyboard, separately from the arithmetic processing device 20 that executes a general application program.

This can be provided on the keyboard side. In addition, when provided on the keyboard side, the character generator 24 is accessed by generating an address for generating a corresponding bit pattern according to the human power of the function key or shift key using the ROM without using the arithmetic processing unit 2o. death,
Predetermined input information may be displayed in correspondence with the keys.

By the way, as in this embodiment, each key has a liquid crystal display 4゛＼
4 and are connected by matrix wiring, a common external drive circuit (X-direction drive circuit 26. Using the Y direction drive circuit 25),
There is an advantage in that these can be regarded as each element of one liquid crystal display device and can be driven individually in response to addresses.

However, each liquid crystal display 4, 4. ...In contrast, drive circuits for driving the liquid crystal display 4 may be provided below, and the vertical and horizontal wirings 2a and 3a of the flexible wiring board 1 are connected to such drive circuits. It's okay.

In addition, in the example, the matrix-like wiring is performed using one flexible wiring board, but it is also possible to use one flexible wiring board that has a plurality of strip-shaped wirings divided by slits in the vertical direction, and one flexible wiring board that has a plurality of strip-shaped wirings divided by slits in the horizontal direction. By overlapping two wiring boards, one flexible wiring board having a plurality of strip-shaped wirings and one flexible wiring board having a plurality of strip-shaped wirings, it is possible to realize matrix wiring.

Furthermore, the intersection points of each matrix are used as openings 11 to connect each flexible wiring pattern with the internal wiring of the liquid crystal display.
A plurality of book wiring patterns may be provided in parallel, and the electrode terminals of the display may be connected in parallel thereto. Such wiring is particularly effective when the display does not have a dot matrix electrode structure.

In the example, a switch is provided at the bottom of the key, but this switch is provided below the display, and wiring for the switch on the keyboard side and driving the display are provided. If the wiring of the keyboard is connected to the wiring of the keyboard by a flexible board, the wiring of the wiring board of the keyboard (wiring board 10 in the embodiment) can be eliminated, and the wiring of the liquid crystal display is connected to the front side of the flexible wiring board. , and you can also wire the switch on the back side.

By the way, instead of wiring in a matrix as described in iii, it is also possible to connect each liquid crystal display with one strip-shaped flexible layout substrate in either the vertical or horizontal direction. Of course. In such a case, only a specific function key will be displayed as Of change.
It can also be mixed with conventional keys that cannot be changed.

In addition, although the embodiments have been mainly described using liquid crystal displays, the present invention is not limited to liquid crystal displays, and can be applied to, for example, LED displays, electroluminescent displays, plasma displays, etc. Various types of indicators such as displays can be used. Furthermore, the electrode arrangement is not limited to a dot matrix type as long as electrode terminals are arranged on the outside.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the liquid crystal displays are sequentially arranged for keys arranged in a matrix, but
Such a display only needs to be installed on the necessary keys, and in this case, a flexible wiring pattern of the same size as the liquid crystal display should be installed where the LCD display is not required. It is possible to provide a dummy board that is only used for connection.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to keychains, but can be applied to various key-powered devices, including operation panels in which a plurality of keys are arranged in a circular pattern. It is.

[Effects of the Invention] As can be understood from the above explanation, according to the specific invention of this application, each terminal of the vertical or horizontal electrodes of a plurality of display devices is connected vertically or horizontally via a flexible wiring board. Since a plurality of indicators are installed on each key arranged vertically or horizontally, if this indicator is placed on the top or side of each key, it will be easier to This means that the input information can be displayed in close contact with the user. In addition, the input information is selected to be 11 points 1] by take transfer from the arithmetic processing device side, for example, so that the front brim becomes 11 points.

As a result, it is possible to realize a key manual device in which each table j(< of a plurality of keys can be changed according to the designation or shift of its manual function, making input easier and reducing input errors. .

In addition, a set of key human-powered scraps (l) which is a related invention of this application is also disclosed.
According to this method, each terminal of the vertical or horizontal electrodes of a plurality of display devices is connected in the vertical or horizontal direction via a flexible wiring board, and each of the plurality of display devices is arranged in the vertical or horizontal direction, respectively. By attaching a key camp having a transparent window part to each key top part 6, each display device is fixed to each key top part. It will be easy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial explanatory diagram of a flexible wiring board portion that connects the displays arranged on each key of a human-powered key C device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Figure 3 is an external view of the key cab attached to each key top of the key switch section, and Figure 4 is a partial explanatory diagram of the key assembly of the keypad before it is installed. 1 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of the keyboard showing the assembled state of each key switch part and the flexible wiring board shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control circuit of this key-powered device. The board, 2 is a vertical wiring band, 3 is a horizontal wiring band, 4 is a liquid crystal display, 5 is an opening, IO is a keyboard wiring board, 11 is a key switch part, lla is its bottom,
Ilb is a key top part, 12 is a key cab, 13 is a hood part, I4 is a mounting fixing part, and 15 is a key. Special language applicant Kajiyama I1q

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Each terminal of the vertical or horizontal electrodes of the plurality of displays is connected vertically or horizontally via a flexible wiring board,
A key-powered device characterized in that each of the plurality of indicators is installed on each key arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. (2) The key-powered device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wiring board is provided with matrix-shaped wiring strips vertically and horizontally, and each display is installed at the intersection of the wiring strips. (3) The key according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display device has electrodes arranged in a dot matrix, and a drive circuit is integrated therein. Human powered device. (4) Each terminal of the vertical or horizontal electrodes of a plurality of display devices is connected vertically or horizontally via a flexible wiring board, and each of the plurality of display devices is arranged vertically or horizontally. An assembly of a key power device, characterized in that each of the indicators is fixed to each of the keypads by installing a keycap having a transparent window on each keytop. Method.