Keyboard device and keyboard input method

Abstract

This invention proposes a keyboard device and a keyboard input method. The keyboard device includes a key module and a controller. The controller is electrically connected to the key module. The controller is used to obtain multiple pressing distances of multiple keys of the key module. The controller determines whether multiple specific keys in the key module have been lightly touched based on the multiple pressing distances. When the controller determines that the multiple specific keys have been lightly touched, the controller outputs a control command. The multiple pressing distances of the lightly touched multiple specific keys are less than a first distance threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a keyboard device and a keyboard input method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional keyboard devices can only detect whether a single key is pressed, outputting a result indicating whether it is pressed or not. Furthermore, traditional keyboard devices can only provide relatively simple shortcut or key combination functions, and cannot detect more complex user gestures or implement diverse shortcut and key combination functions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a keyboard device and a keyboard input method, which can realize convenient touch input function.

[0004] The keyboard device of the present invention includes a key module and a controller. The controller is electrically connected to the key module. The controller is used to acquire multiple pressing distances of multiple keys of the key module. The controller determines whether multiple specific keys in the key module have been lightly touched based on the multiple pressing distances. When the controller determines that the multiple specific keys have been lightly touched, the controller outputs a control command. The multiple pressing distances of the lightly touched multiple specific keys are less than a first distance threshold.

[0005] The keyboard input method of the present invention is applicable to a keyboard device. The keyboard input method includes the following steps: obtaining multiple pressing distances of multiple keys of a key module of the keyboard device; determining whether multiple specific keys in the key module are lightly touched based on the multiple pressing distances; and outputting a control command when the multiple specific keys are lightly touched. The multiple pressing distances of the lightly touched multiple specific keys are less than a first distance threshold.

[0006] Based on the above, the keyboard device and keyboard input method can output corresponding specific control commands when multiple specific keys are touched.

[0007] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a keyboard input method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the detection of button press status according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of a button not being pressed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of a button being lightly touched according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4C This is a schematic diagram of a button being pressed normally according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0016] 100: Keyboard device

[0017] 110: Controller

[0018] 120: Button Module

[0019] 121_1, 121_2~121_P, 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, 121_d: Keys

[0020] 401: Keycaps

[0021] 402: Button base

[0022] D0, D1, D2: Distance

[0023] PD: Pressing distance

[0024] S210~S230, S310~S350: Steps

[0025] P1, P2, P3: Direction Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the contents of this invention more readily apparent, the following specific embodiments are provided as examples on which this disclosure can indeed be implemented. Furthermore, wherever possible, elements / components / steps using the same reference numerals in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 1The keyboard device 100 includes a controller 110 and a key module 120. The controller 110 is electrically connected to the key module 120. The key module 120 includes multiple keys 121_1 to 121_P, where P is a positive integer. The controller 110 is electrically connected to the keys 121_1 to 121_P. In this embodiment, the controller 110 can detect the pressing stroke of the keys 121_1 to 121_P in real time to obtain multiple real-time pressing distances of the keys 121_1 to 121_P, and can determine the real-time pressing result of the keys 121_1 to 121_P based on the multiple pressing distances. In this embodiment, the keyboard device 100 can also be coupled to a computer device in a wired or wireless manner to output the pressing result signal of the user pressing the keys 121_1 to 121_P to the computer device. In this embodiment, the controller 110 may include, for example, a data processing circuit and a memory. In one embodiment, the controller 110 may be, for example, a microcontroller (MCU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a programmable logic device (PLD).

[0028] In this embodiment, buttons 121_1 to 121_P can be multiple analog buttons, and each button can provide a corresponding pressing distance signal to the controller 110 based on the depth of the user's finger pressing it, so that the controller 110 can output different control commands to the computer device, for example, based on different pressing distances. In this embodiment, buttons 121_1 to 121_P can be multiple analog keys, and can have analog key shafts to sense different pressing depths. In one embodiment, the analog key shaft can be, for example, an optical shaft, a magnetic shaft, or an inductive shaft, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a keyboard input method according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference) Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The keyboard device 100 can execute the following steps S210 to S230. In step S210, the controller 110 obtains multiple pressing distances of multiple keys 121_1 to 121_P of the key module 120 of the keyboard device 100. In step S220, the controller 110 determines whether multiple specific keys of the key module 120 are touched based on the multiple pressing distances. In step S230, when the multiple specific keys are touched, the controller 110 outputs a control command.

[0030] In this embodiment, the controller 110 can determine whether the corresponding button is lightly touched or normally pressed based on the pressing distance. The controller 110 can preset a first distance threshold, and when the pressing distance of the button is less than the first distance threshold, the controller 110 can determine that the corresponding button is lightly touched. In one embodiment, the controller 110 can also preset a first distance threshold and a second distance threshold, and when the pressing distance of the button is less than the first distance threshold and greater than the second distance threshold, the controller 110 can determine that the corresponding button is lightly touched, wherein the second distance threshold is less than the first distance threshold.

[0031] In this embodiment, the plurality of specific keys can be preset combination keys, pre-recorded multiple keys, or multiple keys that meet predetermined conditions or logic. For example, they can be first paired with reference keys. Figure 5 Users can, for example, pre-set buttons "Q", "W", "E", and "R" as combination keys, or pre-set buttons "D", "F", "G", and "H" as combination keys. When the controller 110 determines that multiple specific buttons corresponding to the combination keys are pressed consecutively and sequentially within a preset time period (i.e., the user sequentially presses multiple buttons of "QWER" or "DFGH"), the controller 110 can output a corresponding specific control command. For another example, the controller 110 can record multiple specific buttons whose paths or trajectories are formed by the user's fingers touching and moving on the button module 120, such as the user touching buttons "Q", "A", "Z", "S", and "E". In other words, the controller 110 can record the paths or trajectories formed by the touched specific buttons (e.g., the V-shaped path or trajectory formed by buttons "Q", "A", "Z", "S", and "E"). In some embodiments, the aforementioned path or trajectory may be pre-recorded in a data processing circuit or memory. In this regard, when the controller 110 determines that multiple specific keys corresponding to the path or trajectory are pressed continuously and sequentially within a preset time period in a preset pressing order (e.g., a user presses multiple "QAZSE" or "WSXDR" keys on a common keyboard along the same V-shaped path or trajectory), the controller 110 can output a corresponding specific control command.

[0032] In this embodiment, the controller 110 may also store macro sets or lookup tables of different control instructions corresponding to different specific key groups. The control instructions may be, for example, mouse commands, shortcut key commands, gesture input commands, or input method commands. The input method commands may be applicable to, for example, Swype input method or swipe gesture to password input method. In one embodiment, the control instructions may also be, for example, simulated joystick commands or simulated mouse commands.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the detection of button press status according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference) Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figures 4A to 4C The following explanation uses button 121_1 as an example, and the implementation methods and button structures of buttons 121_2 to 121_P can be deduced and applied by analogy. Please refer to [the documentation / reference]. Figure 4A , Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of a key not being pressed according to an embodiment of the present invention. Taking a side view of key 121_1 as an example, key 121_1 may include a key cap 401 and a key base 402. Other key components (not shown) such as a switch, reset element (e.g., spring), or stabilizer may also be included between key cap 401 and key base 402, and the present invention does not limit this. The bottom of key cap 401 and the upper surface of key base 402 may be parallel to the planes formed by directions P1 and P2, respectively, and when key cap 401 is pressed, key cap 401 may move in direction P3, wherein directions P1, P2, and P3 are perpendicular to each other. In one embodiment, key 121_1 may also include a membrane switch, wherein the membrane switch may be combined with an analog key switch. When the membrane switch is triggered by the user pressing key cap 401, controller 110 can accurately determine that key 121_1 is being normally pressed.

[0034] In this embodiment, when not pressed, there is a distance D0 between the bottom of the keycap 401 and the upper surface of the key base 402. Distance D0 can be the full pressing distance of the key 121_1. Figure 4A As shown, when not pressed, the controller 110 can obtain the pressing distance PD of button 121_1 as 0.

[0035] In this embodiment, the controller 110 can preset distance D1 as a first distance threshold and preset distance D2 as a second distance threshold, wherein the second distance threshold is less than the first distance threshold (i.e., distance D2 is less than distance D1). In this embodiment, the first distance threshold is less than or equal to the full press distance (i.e., distance D1 is less than or equal to distance D0), and the second distance threshold is greater than or equal to 0 (i.e., distance D2 can be greater than or equal to 0).

[0036] In this embodiment, the controller 110 can execute the following steps S310 to S350 to determine whether the button 121_1 is lightly touched or normally pressed. In step S310, the controller 110 can obtain the pressing distance PD of the button 121_1. In step S320, the controller 110 determines whether the pressing distance PD is greater than a second distance threshold (i.e., whether the distance PD is greater than the distance D2). If the determination result of step S320 is negative, the controller 110 can re-execute step S310 to continuously detect the pressing state of the button 121_1. If the determination result of step S320 is positive, in step S330, the controller 110 can determine whether the pressing distance PD is less than a first distance threshold (i.e., whether the distance PD is less than the distance D1).

[0037] If the controller 110 determines that the pressing distance PD is less than the first distance threshold (i.e., the determination result of step S330 is yes), in step S340, the controller 110 can determine that the button 121_1 has been lightly touched. Figure 4B As shown, Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram illustrating a button being lightly touched according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a user lightly touches the keycap 401 of button 121_1, the distance between the bottom of the keycap 401 and the upper surface of the button base 402 can be shortened. In response, the controller 110 can determine that the pressing distance PD of button 121_1 is less than distance D1 and greater than distance D2. Therefore, the controller 110 can effectively determine that button 121_1 has been lightly touched.

[0038] If the controller 110 determines that the pressing distance PD is greater than or equal to the first distance threshold (i.e., the determination result of step S330 is no), in step S350, the controller 110 can determine that the button 121_1 is pressed normally. Figure 4C As shown, Figure 4C This is a schematic diagram of a button being normally pressed according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the user normally presses the keycap 401 of button 121_1, the distance between the bottom of the keycap 401 and the upper surface of the button base 402 can be further shortened. In this regard, the controller 110 can determine that the pressing distance PD of button 121_1 is greater than the distance D1. Therefore, the controller 110 can effectively determine that button 121_1 is being normally pressed. In other embodiments, when the controller 110 determines that the pressing distance PD of button 121_1 is equal to the distance D1, the controller 110 can determine that button 121_1 is being normally pressed. Furthermore, after the above determination process is completed, the controller 110 can re-execute step S310 to continuously detect the pressing state of button 121_1.

[0039] For example, the distance D0 can be, for instance, 4 millimeters (mm), meaning the travel distance of button 121_1 can range from 0 mm to 4 mm. The first distance threshold can be, for instance, designed to be 2 mm, and the second distance threshold can be, for instance, designed to be 0.05 mm. Therefore, when a user's finger presses button 121_1 normally, such that the pressing distance PD is greater than or equal to 2 mm, the controller 110 can determine that button 121_1 is normally pressed, and the controller 110 can trigger the original button function of button 121_1. Conversely, when a user's finger lightly touches button 121_1, such that the pressing distance PD is less than 2 mm but greater than 0.05 mm, the controller 110 can determine that button 121_1 is lightly touched. In other words, the determination of the first distance threshold can effectively distinguish between a normal press and a light touch of button 121_1. Furthermore, when a user's finger lightly touches button 121_1, such that the pressing distance PD is less than 0.05 mm, the controller 110 may remain inactive. In other words, the determination of the second distance threshold can effectively avoid misjudgment caused by accidental touches by the user.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference) Figure 1 as well as Figure 5 The keyboard device 100 may, for example, have the following features: Figure 5 The keyboard appearance shown is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the controller 110 may, for example, preset multiple specific keys and a pressing sequence of keys 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, 121_d, where a, b, c, and d are between 1 and P (inclusive). It is worth noting that, corresponding to the continuous pressing behavior of sliding touch, the positions of keys 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, and 121_d on the key module 120 are sequentially adjacent, but the invention is not limited to this. In one embodiment, the multiple specific keys may also be multiple keys configured separately, and may also be applicable to keyboard operation behaviors of simultaneous or non-simultaneous touch.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the controller 110 determines that keys 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, and 121_d are pressed continuously and sequentially within a preset time period in a preset pressing order, the controller 110 can output a corresponding control command. The control command may be, for example, a shortcut key command instructing the application running on the computer device to turn a page to the right, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, when a user is inputting text using the keyboard device 100, if the user taps and slides multiple keys on the key module 120 first to the left and then to the right, or first to the right and then to the left, the controller 110 outputs a specific control command to the computer device based on the path or trajectory formed by the tapping of the multiple keys. Furthermore, the text editing program executed by the computer device may, for example, move the cursor from the beginning of the line to the end of the line, or from the end of the line to the beginning of the line. For another example, when a user touches and slides up or down on the multiple buttons of the button module 120 while browsing a page, the page browsing program executed by the computer device can scroll the page up or down accordingly.

[0042] More specifically, during the sequential touch of buttons 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, and 121_d (i.e., the user's finger slides across buttons 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, and 121_d), the controller 110 can sequentially record multiple key codes for buttons 121_a, 121_b, 121_c, and 121_d. The controller 110 can determine whether the recorded key code values ​​match preset specific buttons and their pressing order, and generate corresponding control commands based on these key code values.

[0043] In summary, the keyboard device and keyboard input method of the present invention can realize both touch and normal pressing keyboard input functions, and can be configured to output corresponding control commands for touch input. Therefore, the keyboard device and keyboard input method of the present invention can realize shortcut key, gesture input, and even input method input functions by touching multiple keys.

[0044] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A keyboard device, characterized by The method comprises: acquiring a plurality of pressing distances of a plurality of keys of a key module of a keyboard device; judging whether a plurality of specific keys of the key module are tapped according to the plurality of pressing distances; and outputting a control instruction when the plurality of specific keys are tapped, wherein the plurality of pressing distances of the plurality of specific keys tapped are less than a first distance threshold. The plurality of pressing distances of the plurality of specific keys tapped are less than the first distance threshold and greater than a second distance threshold, and the second distance threshold is less than the first distance threshold. The first distance threshold is less than or equal to a full pressing distance, and the second distance threshold is greater than or equal to 0.

2. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein The step of outputting the control instruction when the plurality of specific keys are tapped comprises:

3. The keyboard device of claim 2, wherein outputting the control instruction when the plurality of specific keys are tapped in a preset pressing sequence continuously and sequentially within a preset time length.

4. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein The step of outputting the control instruction when the plurality of specific keys are tapped comprises:

5. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein sequentially recording a plurality of key code values of the plurality of specific keys when the plurality of specific keys are tapped to generate the corresponding control instruction according to the plurality of key code values.

6. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of keys are analog keys, and the plurality of specific keys are sequentially adjacent on the key module.

7. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein The control instruction is a shortcut instruction.

8. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein, The control instruction is a gesture input instruction.

9. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein, The control instruction is an input method instruction.

10. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein The control instruction is a shortcut instruction.

11. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein, The control instruction is a gesture input instruction.

12. A keyboard input method, characterized by, The control instruction is an input method instruction. ​ ​ ​ ​ 13. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, ​ 14. The keyboard input method of claim 13, wherein, ​ 15. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, ​ ​ 16. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, ​ ​ 17. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, ​ 18. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, ​ 19. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, ​ 20. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, The control commands are input method commands.

21. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, Also includes: When the pressing distance of one of the plurality of buttons is greater than or equal to the first distance threshold, it is determined that one of the plurality of buttons is being pressed normally.

22. The keyboard input method of claim 12, wherein, The specific keys that are touched correspond to the recorded path.

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