1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer keyboard technology and more particularly, to a body sensing computer keyboard, which generates vibrations upon clicking a key button, enabling the user to feel a true shock during the playing of a computer game.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the advent of computer and fast development and wide spread of Internet technology, you can see computer in different places in our life. A computer is so smart and can do many things. People may use a computer to help office work or home study, to do many other works such as word processing, statistical computing and graphics, image processing, audio and video playback, query information, shopping, chat and other functions and processing. Because the computer brings convenience to people, it has become an integral part of our lives.
In addition to the host and the screen, the keyboard and the mouse are requisite parts of a computer system. By means of manipulating or pressing the keyboard and the mouse, a user can control computer operations. After years of research and development, keyboard structures have been very sound, but in actual use, there are still many shortcomings to be improved. For example, when a key button is clicked, the linked structure will be moved up and down to compress an elastomer and to further trigger a circuit board, causing the circuit board to produce a trigger signal. However, during the stroke of the clicked key button, the user may be unable to know accurate generation of the trigger signal by means of hand feeling. Therefore, conventional computer keyboards commonly provide a stop structure to limit the down stroke of each key button and to give a reaction force upon completion of the down stroke of each clicked key button. In typing, typing speed affects processing speed. Because there is a limit on human response and action, conventional computer keyboards limit user's typing speed, resulting in more time on processing.
Further, in addition to work and study purposes, computer can also be used to play video games. Playing a computer game is to focus on sound and vision. However, increasing the effect of feeling in the game can make people more likely to play the game. Home video game consoles with a vibration joystick have been created many years ago. By an action in the game to allow the software to generate a corresponding vibration signal and to transmit the vibration signal to the vibration joystick, the vibration joystick creates a vibration effect. However, there is no any commercial computer keyboard can create vibration.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a body sensing computer keyboard, which comprises a trigger module, a plurality of key buttons, a displacement unit, and a vibrator. The trigger module comprises a circuit board carrying a microprocessor and a vibration driving circuit, an elastomer layer disposed at the top side of the circuit board, and a bottom support board attached to the bottom side of the circuit board. The circuit board, the elastomer layer and the bottom support board each comprise a non-vibratable part and a vibratable part. The vibrator is provided at the bottom side of the vibratable part of the bottom support board of the trigger module and can be driven by the vibration driving circuit to vibrate the vibratable parts of the trigger module and the corresponding key buttons subject to the control of the microprocessor upon triggering of the circuit board by one key button, and thus, the user can release the finger from each pressed key button immediately upon vibration of the vibrator without moving the key button to the lower limit position, shortening the stroke of the key button.
Further, when one key switch is pressed to trigger the circuit board, only a local part of the body sensing computer keyboard will be vibrated during vibration of the vibrator, enabling the user to feel a true shock during the playing of a computer game. When performing word processing, connecting the body sensing computer keyboard to the internet, or operating the body sensing computer keyboard to key in data, the non-vibratable parts of the circuit board, elastomer layer and bottom support board of the trigger module are free from the effects of vibration of the vibratable parts.
Further, buffer cushions are connected between the non-vibratable parts of the circuit board, elastomer layer and bottom support board of the trigger module and the respective vibratable parts. The buffer cushions not only connect the vibratable parts of the circuit board, elastomer layer and bottom support board of the trigger module and the respective non-vibratable parts to avoid the necessity of modifying the mounting structures of the holder shell and the base member but also can absorb vibrating waves during operation of the vibrator to vibrate the vibratable parts of the circuit board, elastomer layer and bottom support board of the trigger module.
Referring to
The trigger module 1 comprises a circuit board 11 carrying a microprocessor 10 and a vibration driving circuit 101, an elastomer layer 12 disposed at the top side of the circuit board 11, and a bottom support board 13 attached to the bottom side of the circuit board 11 to give support. The elastomer layer 12 comprises a plurality of rubber cones 121 respectively elastically compressible to trigger the circuit board 11 in generating a respective signal.
The key buttons 2 are respectively mounted at the top side of the trigger module 1 corresponding to the respective rubber cones 121, each comprising a downwardly extending plunger 21.
The displacement unit 3 is set between the trigger module 1 and the key buttons 2, comprising a holder shell 31, a plurality of raised guide blocks 311 formed integral with the holder shell 31 and arranged at locations corresponding to the key buttons 2, and a vertical sliding way 3111 cut through opposing top and bottom sides of each of the raised guide blocks 311 to guide vertical movement of the plunger 21 of each respective key button 2.
The vibrator 4 is provided at the bottom side of the bottom support board 13 of the trigger module 1, and electrically connected to the vibration driving circuit 101.
The base member 5 is provided at the bottom side of the bottom support board 13 of the trigger module 1 and the vibrator 4 and assembled with the holder shell 31 of the displacement unit 3, defining with the holder shell 31 an accommodation chamber 50 that accommodates the trigger module 1 and the vibrator 4.
The top side of the circuit board 11, the elastomer layer 12, the bottom support board 13, the key buttons 2, the holder shell 31, the raised guide blocks 311 and the base member 5 are of the known art and not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and no further detailed description in this regard will be necessary.
Referring to
Thus, when the user presses (or clicks) one key button 2 to force the respective rubber cone 121 to trigger the circuit board 11 of the trigger module 1, the user can release the finger from the pressed key button 2 immediately upon vibration of the vibrator 4 without moving the key button 2 to the lower limit position in the respective raised guide block 311 where the respective raised guide block 311 can give a reaction force to the pressed (or clicked) key button 2, thereby shortening the stroke of the key button. Further, because the vibrator 4 can vibrate only when a trigger signal is accurately produced, the invention eliminates the problem of being necessary to re-press (or re-click) the key button due to an early release of the key button before generation of a trigger signal.
Further, the trigger module 1 has flexible flat cables or flexible flat cables with connectors arranged thereon to provide electrical connection between the non-vibratable part 14 and vibratable part 15 of the circuit board 11 for allowing transmission of signals to the computer. However, other measures to achieve electrical connection between the non-vibratable part 14 and vibratable part 15 of the circuit board 11 may be selectively employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In actual application, the body sensing computer keyboard has the following features and advantages:
In conclusion, the invention provides a body sensing computer keyboard, which comprises a trigger module 1, which comprises a circuit board 11 carrying a microprocessor 10 and a vibration driving circuit 101, an elastomer layer 12 disposed at the top side of the circuit board 11 and a bottom support board 13 attached to the bottom side of the circuit board 11 to give support, a plurality of key buttons 2 arranged at the top side of the trigger module 1, a displacement unit 3 set between the trigger module 1 and the key buttons 2, a vibrator 4 provided at the bottom side of the bottom support board 13 of the trigger module 1 and electrically connected to the vibration driving circuit 101, and a base member 5 provided at the bottom side of the bottom support board 13 of the trigger module 1 and the vibrator 4 and assembled with the holder shell 31 of the displacement unit 3. When one key button 2 is clicked to trigger the circuit board 13 in generating a respective signal, the vibration driving circuit 101 drives the vibrator 4 to vibrate the trigger module 1 subject to the control of the microprocessor 10. Thus, with the vibration of the vibrator 4, the user can feel accurate triggering when clicking one key button 2.
A prototype of body sensing computer keyboard has been constructed with the features of
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.