The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a computer keyboard.
Generally, the common input device of a computer system includes for example a mouse, a keyboard or a trackball. Via the keyboard, the user may input characters and instructions into the computer system. As a consequence, most users and most manufacturers pay much attention to the development of keyboards.
Nowadays, with the maturity of computing technologies, the conventional keyboard 1 that has basic functions fails to meet the users' requirements. For this reason, the keyboard manufacturers make efforts in designing novel keyboards with diversified functions. For example, a pressure sensitive keyboard having a pressure sensing function and a luminous keyboard having a luminous function have been disclosed. In the pressure sensitive keyboard, a pressure sensing module is disposed under the plural keys for sensing the pressure exerted on the key that is depressed by the user. Generally, the pressure sensitive keyboard has a preset pressure value. In a case that the pressure exerted on the depressed key is lower than the preset pressure value, the pressure sensitive keyboard issues a first sensing signal. In response to the first sensing signal, the computer will execute a first instruction. Whereas, in a case that the pressure exerted on the depressed key is higher than the preset pressure value, the pressure sensitive keyboard issues a second sensing signal. In response to the second sensing signal, the computer will execute a second instruction.
Take a process of inputting a character to a Notepad document for example. The key to be depressed is the key A. In a case that a first pressure lower than the preset pressure value is exerted on the key A, a small letter “a” is shown on the Notepad document in response to the depressing action of the user. Whereas, in a case that a second pressure higher than the preset pressure value is exerted on the key A, a capital letter “A” is shown on the Notepad document in response to the depressing action of the user.
Generally, the luminous keyboard has an illumination module. When a key of the luminous keyboard is depressed by the user, the illumination module will emit light beams to illuminate the luminous keyboard. As a consequence, even if the luminous keyboard is used in a dim environment or a dark environment (e.g. in a vehicle), the user may still actually depress any key of the luminous keyboard.
In other words, these two special kinds of keyboards have expanded functions. However, in some circumstance, the basic functions of the keyboard are enough and feasible, and thus the expanded functions need to be disabled. For example, if the keyboard is used in a bright environment, the illuminating function of the luminous keyboard is no longer feasible, but the basic function of inputting the English letters need to be retained.
Therefore, there is a need of providing a keyboard with a mode-switching function for allowing the user to arbitrarily switch the operating mode of the keyboard.
The present invention provides a keyboard with a mode-switching function.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard with a mode-switching function. The keyboard is in communication with a computer host. The keyboard includes at least one key, a pressure sensing circuit, a mode-switching program, a mode-switching program and a controlling unit. The key is depressed in response to a pressure. The pressure sensing circuit is used for detecting the pressure, and generating a corresponding pressure-strength sensing voltage in response to the pressure. The mode-switching program is executable to have the keyboard operate in a pressure sensitive mode. The controlling unit is connected with the key and the pressure sensing circuit for detecting a strength of the pressure when the keyboard is operated in the pressure sensitive mode. If the controlling unit judges that the pressure-strength sensing voltage is lower than the preset threshold voltage value, the computer executes a lightly-depressed instruction. Whereas, if the controlling unit judges that the pressure-strength sensing voltage is higher than or equal to the preset threshold voltage value, the computer executes a heavily-depressed instruction.
In an embodiment, the computer host is in communication with a display screen. In response to the lightly-depressed instruction, a small letter of an English letter corresponding to the depressed key is shown on the display screen. Whereas, in response to the heavily-depressed instruction, a capital letter of the English letter corresponding to the depressed key is shown on the display screen.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes a first mode-switching key. By depressing the first mode-switching key, the mode-switching program is executed to have the keyboard operate in the pressure sensitive mode.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes a first mode-indicating lamp for illuminating to indicate that the keyboard is in the pressure sensitive mode.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes an illumination module connected with the controlling unit. In addition, the mode-switching program is further executable to have the keyboard operate in a luminous mode.
In an embodiment, the keyboard is operated in the luminous mode. If the controlling unit judges that the pressure-strength sensing voltage is lower than the preset threshold voltage value, the illumination module emits a first light beam. Whereas, if the controlling unit judges that the pressure-strength sensing voltage is higher than or equal to the preset threshold voltage value, the illumination module emits a second light beam.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes a second mode-switching key. By depressing the second mode-switching key, the mode-switching program is executed to have the keyboard operate in the luminous mode.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes a first mode-indicating lamp for illuminating to indicate that the keyboard is in the luminous mode.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard with a mode-switching function. The keyboard is in communication with a computer host. The keyboard includes at least one key, a pressure sensing circuit, an illumination module, a mode-switching program and a controlling unit. The key is depressed in response to a pressure. The pressure sensing circuit is used for detecting the pressure, and generating a corresponding pressure-strength sensing voltage in response to the pressure. The illumination module is used for emitting either a first light beam or a second light beam. The mode-switching program is executable to enable both the pressure sensing circuit and the illumination module, so that the keyboard is operated in a pressure sensitive and luminous mode. The controlling unit is connected with the key, the pressure sensing circuit and the illumination module. When the keyboard is operated in the pressure sensitive and luminous mode, the illumination module is controlled by the controlling unit to emit either the first light beam or the second light beam according to a strength of the pressure. If the controlling unit judges that the pressure-strength sensing voltage is lower than the preset threshold voltage value, the computer executes a lightly-depressed instruction and the illumination module emits the first light beam. Whereas, if the controlling unit judges that the pressure-strength sensing voltage is higher than or equal to the preset threshold voltage value, the computer executes a heavily-depressed instruction and the illumination module emits the second light beam.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes a mode-switching key. By depressing the mode-switching key, the mode-switching program is executed to have the keyboard operate in the pressure sensitive and luminous mode.
In an embodiment, the keyboard further includes a mode-indicating lamp for illuminating to indicate that the keyboard is in the pressure sensitive and luminous mode.
The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
For obviating the drawbacks encountered from the prior art, the present invention provides a keyboard with a mode-switching function.
The plural keys 201 are exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 20 to be depressed by the user in response to a first pressure F1. The membrane switch circuit module 204 is disposed under the plural keys 201. In addition, the membrane switch circuit module 204 comprises a pressure detecting circuit 2041 for detecting the first pressure F1, and generating a first pressure-strength sensing voltage V1 in response to the first pressure F1. The pressure detecting circuit 2041 comprises plural pressure detecting elements 2041A corresponding to respective keys 201. The mode-switching program 205 is burned into a circuit board (not shown) within the keyboard 20. When the mode-switching program 205 is executed, the operating mode of the keyboard 20 is switched from a basic mode to a pressure sensitive mode. The controlling unit 206 is connected with the plural keys 201 and the pressure detecting circuit 2041. The controlling unit 206 has a preset threshold voltage value. According to the preset threshold voltage value, the controlling unit 206 may judge the strength of the first pressure F1 when the keyboard 20 is in the pressure sensitive mode. The mode-switching key 202 is exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 20. By depressing the mode-switching key 202, the mode-switching program 205 is executed to have the keyboard 20 switch from the basic mode to the pressure sensitive mode. Alternatively, by depressing the mode-switching key 202, the mode-switching program 205 is executed to have the keyboard 20 switch from the pressure sensitive mode to the basic mode. The mode-indicating lamp 203 is exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 20 for emitting light beams and indicating the pressure sensitive mode of the keyboard 20.
The operations of the keyboard 20 will be illustrated in more details as follows. In a case that the keyboard 20 is operated in the basic mode, the pressure detecting circuit 2041 is disabled and the mode-indicating lamp 203 is turned off. In the basic mode, even if the first key 201 of the plural keys 201 is depressed by the user in response to the first pressure F1, the first pressure detecting element 2041A of the pressure detecting circuit 2041 corresponding to the first key 201 does not generate the first pressure-strength sensing voltage V1 in response to the first pressure F1. Meanwhile, the strength of the first pressure F1 is not judged by the controlling unit 206, but only the key code corresponding to depressed first key 201 is detected by the controlling unit 206. The process of generating the key code is well known in the art, and is not redundantly described herein. Then, the key code corresponding to depressed first key 201 is outputted from the controlling unit 206. Consequently, the computer host 2 executes an instruction corresponding to the key code.
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In this embodiment, the lightly-depressed instruction and the heavily-depressed instruction are executed to show a small letter and a capital letter, respectively. For example, in a case that the first pressure F1 is exerted on the first key (e.g. key A) of the keyboard 20, the computer host 2 executes a function of showing a small letter “a” on the display screen 21. Whereas, in a case that the second pressure F2 is exerted on the first key (e.g. key A) of the keyboard 20, the computer host 2 executes a function of showing a capital letter “A” on the display screen 21.
From the first embodiment, it is found that the operating mode of the keyboard 20 of the present invention may be switched between the basic mode and the pressure sensitive mode by depressing the mode-switching key 202. In addition, according to the turning on/off statuses of the mode-indicating lamp 203, the user may realize the current operating mode of the keyboard 20. Since the user may change the operating mode of the keyboard 20 according to the practical requirement, the flexibility of using the keyboard 20 is enhanced.
The present invention further provides a second embodiment of a keyboard with a mode-switching function.
In comparison with the keyboard 20 of the first embodiment, the keyboard 30 of this embodiment further comprises the illumination module 307, the second mode-switching key 308 and the second mode-indicating lamp 309. The illumination module 307 is connected with the mode-switching program 305 and the controlling unit 306. The illumination module 307 comprises plural light emitting diodes 3071 and a light guide plate 3072. For clarification, only one light emitting diode 3071 is shown in the drawing. The plural light emitting diodes 3071 are used for emitting either a first light beam B1 or a second light beam B2. In this embodiment, the first light beam B1 has a first light color (e.g. a blue light color), and the second light beam B2 has a second light color (e.g. a green light color). The light guide plate 3072 is disposed under the pressure detecting circuit 3041 for changing the propagating directions of the first light beam B1 and the second light beam B2. The second mode-switching key 308 is exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 30, and arranged beside the first mode-switching key 302. By depressing the second mode-switching key 308, the mode-switching program 305 is executed to have the keyboard 30 switch from the basic mode to a luminous mode. Alternatively, by depressing the second mode-switching key 308, the mode-switching program 305 is executed to have the keyboard 30 switch from the luminous mode to the basic mode. The second mode-indicating lamp 309 is exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 30, and arranged beside the first mode-indicating lamp 303. The second mode-indicating lamp 309 will illuminate to indicate that the keyboard 30 is in the luminous mode.
The operations of the keyboard 30 in different operating modes will be illustrated as follows. In a case that the keyboard 30 is operated in the basic mode (see
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Whereas, in a case that the first key 301 is depressed by the user in response to the second pressure F2 (see
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The present invention further provides a third embodiment of a keyboard with a mode-switching function.
The plural keys 401 are exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 40 to be depressed by the user in response to a first pressure F1 or a second pressure F2. The membrane switch circuit module 404 is disposed under the plural keys 401. In addition, the membrane switch circuit module 404 comprises a pressure detecting circuit 4041 for detecting the first pressure F1 (or the second pressure F2), and generating a first pressure-strength sensing voltage V1 (or a second pressure-strength sensing voltage V2). The pressure detecting circuit 4041 comprises plural pressure detecting elements 4041A corresponding to respective keys 401. The mode-switching program 405 is burned into a circuit board (not shown) within the keyboard 40. When the mode-switching program 405 is executed, the operating mode of the keyboard 40 is switched from a basic mode to a pressure sensitive mode. The controlling unit 406 is connected with the plural keys 401 and the pressure detecting circuit 4041. The controlling unit 406 has a preset threshold voltage value. According to the preset threshold voltage value, the controlling unit 406 may judge the strength of the first pressure F1 or the second pressure F2 when the keyboard 40 is in the pressure sensitive mode. The mode-switching key 402 is exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 40. By depressing the mode-switching key 402, the mode-switching program 405 is executed to enable the pressure detecting circuit 4041 and the illumination module 407, and thus the keyboard 40 is switched from the basic mode to the pressure sensitive mode. Alternatively, by depressing the mode-switching key 402, the mode-switching program 405 is executed to disable the pressure detecting circuit 4041 and the illumination module 407, and thus the keyboard 40 is switched from the pressure sensitive mode to the basic mode. That is, when the mode-switching key 402 is depressed by the user, the mode-switching program 405 is executed mode-switching program 405 is executed to switch the operating mode of the keyboard 40 between the basic mode and the pressure sensitive mode.
The illumination module 407 is connected with the mode-switching program 405 and the controlling unit 406. The illumination module 407 comprises plural light emitting diodes 4071 and a light guide plate 4072. For clarification, only one light emitting diode 4071 is shown in the drawing. The plural light emitting diodes 4071 are used for emitting either a first light beam B1 or a second light beam B2. In this embodiment, the first light beam B1 has a first light color (e.g. a blue light color), and the second light beam B2 has a second light color (e.g. a green light color). The light guide plate 4072 is disposed under the pressure detecting circuit 4041 for changing the propagating directions of the first light beam B1 and the second light beam B2. The mode-indicating lamp 403 is exposed outside the surface of the keyboard 40. The mode-indicating lamp 403 illuminates to indicate that the keyboard 40 is in the pressure sensitive and luminous mode.
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In the above embodiments, the process of switching the operating mode of the keyboard of the present invention is performed by depressing an additional mode-switching key. It is noted that, however, it is not necessarily to equip the additional mode-switching key on the keyboard. That is, a specified key or composite key of the current plural keys may be served as the mode-switching key. By depressing the specified key or composite key, the operating mode of the keyboard is switched according to the settings of the mode-switching program. In some embodiment, according to the settings of the mode-switching program, the mode-switching program is executed to change the operating mode of the keyboard when the key “Ctrl” and the key “F1” are simultaneously depressed. For example, by simultaneously depressing the key “Ctrl” and the key “F1”, the operating mode of the keyboard is switched from the basic mode to the pressure sensitive mode. By simultaneously depressing the key “Ctrl” and the key “F1” again, the operating mode of the keyboard is switched from the pressure sensitive mode to the pressure sensitive and luminous mode. The rest may be deduced by analogy. In some embodiments, according to the settings of the mode-switching program, the keyboard is operated in the basic mode by successively depress the key “Ctrl” and the key “F1”; the keyboard is operated in the pressure sensitive mode by successively depress the key “Ctrl” and the key “F2”, and the keyboard is operated in the pressure sensitive and luminous mode by successively depress the key “Ctrl” and the key “F3”. The rest may be deduced by analogy.
From the above description, the keyboard of the present invention has a mode-switching function. By depressing one or more mode-switching keys, the operating mode of the keyboard may be switched between different modes. Moreover, according to the turning on/off statuses of one or more mode-indicating lamps, the user may realize the current operating mode of the keyboard. Since the user may change the operating mode of the keyboard according to the practical requirement, the flexibility of using the keyboard is enhanced.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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099124268 | Jul 2010 | TW | national |