Keyboard device and proximity sensing method

Abstract

A keyboard device and a proximity sensing method are disclosed. The keyboard device includes a plurality of keyboard input lines, a plurality of keyboard output lines, a processing module, and a proximity sensing module. The processing module is coupled to the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines. The proximity sensing module is coupled to at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines. During a plurality of first sub-periods of a scan period, the processing module disables the proximity sensing module and performs key sensing. During a second sub-period of the scan period, the processing module enables the proximity sensing module. During the second sub-period of the scan period, the processing module enables the proximity sensing module. The proximity sensing module performs proximity sensing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus, and more particularly to a keyboard apparatus and a proximity sensing method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional keyboard devices equipped with proximity sensing modules require an additional wire separate from the key circuitry to serve as the sensing antenna. This results in traditional keyboard devices with proximity sensing modules being larger and more expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a keyboard device and a proximity sensing method, which can achieve good proximity sensing function.

[0004] The keyboard device of the present invention includes a plurality of keyboard input lines, a plurality of keyboard output lines, a processing module, and a proximity sensing module. The processing module is coupled to the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines. The proximity sensing module is coupled to at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines. During a plurality of first sub-periods of a scan, the processing module disables the proximity sensing module and performs key sensing. During a second sub-period of a scan, the processing module enables the proximity sensing module, and the proximity sensing module performs proximity sensing.

[0005] The proximity sensing method of the present invention is applicable to a keyboard device. The keyboard device includes a plurality of keyboard input lines, a plurality of keyboard output lines, a processing module, and a proximity sensing module. The proximity sensing module is coupled to at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines. The proximity sensing method includes the following steps: during a plurality of first sub-periods during a scan, disabling the proximity sensing module by the processing module and performing key sensing; and during a second sub-period during the scan, enabling the proximity sensing module by the processing module and performing proximity sensing by the proximity sensing module.

[0006] Based on the above, the keyboard device and proximity sensing method of the present invention can incorporate the sensing period of the proximity sensing module during the keyboard scanning period to achieve the proximity sensing function.

[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 circuit diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of a switching unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3This is a flowchart of a proximity sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the scanning timing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5A This is a signal schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 5B This is a signal schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a proximity sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] [Symbol Explanation]

[0016] 100: Keyboard device

[0017] 101: Sensing signal line

[0018] 102: Enable signal line

[0019] 110: Processing Module

[0020] 120: Proximity sensing module

[0021] 130: Keyboard Module

[0022] 140: Backlight Module

[0023] 200: Tri-state logic gates

[0024] 210, 220: Buffer

[0025] 501, 502: Curves

[0026] Cth1, Cth2: Actuation thresholds

[0027] Sin: Input signal

[0028] Sout: Output signal

[0029] En_In: Input enable signal

[0030] En_Out: Output enable signal

[0031] K(1,1)~K(N,M): Keyboard switches

[0032] KBI_1~KBI_M: Keyboard input cable

[0033] KBO_1~KBO_N: Keyboard output lines

[0034] S310, S320, S610~S660: Steps

[0035] SP: During scanning

[0036] P1_1~P1_N: First sub-period

[0037] P2: Second Sub-Period

[0038] t0~t9, ta, tb: time Detailed Implementation

[0039] To facilitate a better understanding of the invention, the following specific embodiments are provided as examples on which this disclosure can indeed be implemented. Furthermore, wherever possible, elements / components / steps referred to by the same reference numerals in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference) Figure 1 The keyboard device 100 includes a processing module 110, a proximity sensing module 120, a keyboard module 130, a backlight module 140, multiple keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M, and multiple keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, where M and N are positive integers. The processing module 110 is coupled to the proximity sensing module 120, the keyboard module 130, and the backlight module 140. In one embodiment, the keyboard device 100 may not include the backlight module 140. In this embodiment, the processing module 110 may be a processor, a controller, or other electronic component with data processing and signal processing functions. In this embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 may be, for example, a capacitive proximity sensing module or an inductive proximity sensing module.

[0041] In this embodiment, the keyboard module 130 includes a plurality of keyboard switches K(1,1) to K(N,M). The processing module 110 is coupled to the keyboard switches K(1,1) to K(N,M) via keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. In this embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 is coupled to the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, but the invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 may be coupled to at least one of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. In one embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 is coupled in parallel to at least one of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N.

[0042] In this embodiment, the keyboard device 100 may be a membrane keyboard. The keyboard switches K(1,1) to K(N,M) may be multiple membrane switches. In one embodiment, each keyboard switch K(1,1) to K(N,M) is formed by the intersection of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. The keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N may be multiple membrane traces. In this embodiment, the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N are distributed in the key area of ​​the keyboard device 100. The key area refers to the area of ​​the actual keyboard where keys are configured, and the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N may, for example, be formed in the gap area between different keyboard switches in the keyboard key area. However, the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N of the present invention may also be arranged outside the key area according to the wiring requirements of the keyboard device 100, and are not limited to this embodiment.

[0043] In this embodiment, the processing module 110 can also be coupled to the proximity sensing module 120 via the sensing signal line 101 and the enable signal line 102. The processing module 110 can enable or disable the proximity sensing module 120 via the enable signal line 102. When the processing module 110 enables the proximity sensing module 120 via the enable signal line 102, the processing module 110 can obtain the proximity sensing signal generated by the proximity sensing module 120 via the sensing signal line 101.

[0044] In one embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 may be a proximity sensor. The proximity sensing module 120 can generate a corresponding sensing capacitance value based on the sensing result and use the sensing capacitance value as the proximity sensing signal. The processing module 110 can receive the proximity sensing signal to determine whether an object is approaching based on the sensing capacitance value. In other words, in one embodiment, the proximity determination operation can be performed by the processing module 110.

[0045] In another embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 may include a proximity sensor and a processing circuit. The proximity sensor of the proximity sensing module 120 can generate a corresponding sensing capacitance value based on the sensing result, and the processing circuit of the proximity sensing module 120 can determine whether an object is approaching based on the sensing capacitance value. Then, the processing circuit of the proximity sensing module 120 can use the determination result as the proximity sensing signal and output it to the processing module 110 to notify the processing module 110 of its determination result. In other words, in another embodiment, the proximity determination operation can be performed by the proximity sensing module 120.

[0046] In this embodiment, when at least one of the keyboard switches K(1,1) to K(N,M) is pressed, that is, when a key of the keyboard device 100 is pressed, at least one keyboard input line and at least one keyboard output line will be connected. Additionally, it should be noted that... Figure 1 The keyboard module 130 shown only expresses the correspondence between the keyboard switches K(1,1)~K(N,M) and the keyboard input lines KBI_1~KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1~KBO_N in the form of an array, rather than the actual arrangement of the keyboard keys.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of a switching unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference) Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In this embodiment, the processing module 110 can be coupled to the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N respectively through multiple switch units coupled to multiple pin endpoints. In this embodiment, each of the multiple switch units can, for example, be... Figure 2 The circuit architecture of the tri-state logic gate 200 shown is used for implementation. However, the switching unit of the present invention is used to switch the signal input, signal output or off state between the processing module 110, the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. The switching unit can also be a tri-state buffer, a tri-state inverter, an analog switch or a digital switch, etc., and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0048] In this embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, the tri-state logic gate 200 includes buffers 210 and 220. The input terminal of buffer 210 is coupled to the output terminal of buffer 220. The input terminal of buffer 210 and the output terminal of buffer 220 can be coupled to the corresponding keyboard input line or keyboard output line via the same pin to provide an output signal Sout to the keyboard input line or keyboard output line, or to receive an input signal Sin from the keyboard input line or keyboard output line. The output terminal of buffer 210 can be coupled to processing module 110 to provide an input signal Sin to processing module 110, and the input terminal of buffer 220 can be coupled to processing module 100 to receive an output signal Sout from processing module 110.

[0049] In this embodiment, the enable terminal of buffer 210 can also receive an input enable signal En_In provided by processing module 110. The enable terminal of buffer 220 can also receive an output enable signal En_Out provided by processing module 110. In this embodiment, the tri-state logic gate 200 can operate in an input state, an output state, and a high impedance state according to the input enable signal En_In and the output enable signal En_Out. For example, when processing module 100 disables buffer 210 and buffer 220 respectively according to the input enable signal En_In and the output enable signal En_Out, the tri-state logic gate 200 is in a high impedance state. The high impedance state can be regarded as setting the tri-state logic gate 200 to an open circuit (i.e., the switch unit is off), so as to isolate the signal path between processing module 110 and keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M or keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a proximity sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the scanning timing according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The keyboard device 100 can perform the following steps S310 and S320. In step S310, during the plurality of first sub-periods P1_1 to P1_N of the scanning period SP, the processing module 110 disables the proximity sensing module 120 and performs key sensing. In step S320, during the second sub-period P2 of the scanning period SP, the processing module 110 enables the proximity sensing module 120 and performs proximity sensing through the proximity sensing module 120. The processing module 110 can receive the proximity sensing signal generated by the proximity sensing module 120 during the second sub-period P2 of the scanning period SP. In this embodiment, the processing module 110 can periodically execute the scanning period SP to poll the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N and enable the proximity sensing module 120, and the execution order of steps S310 and S320 is not limited.

[0051] In this embodiment, during the first sub-periods P1_1 to P1_N, the processing module 110 sets the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N to normal mode. The normal mode uses the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as the key circuits of the keyboard, sensing the operation of keyboard switches K(1,1) to K(N,M) through the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, i.e., sensing the key operations of the keyboard device 100. The processing module 110 can achieve this through the methods described above. Figure 2 The input enable signal En_In and the output enable signal En_Out described in the embodiment are used to set multiple switch units coupled to keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N to a normal mode capable of receiving or sending scan signals. For example, the input enable signal En_In can enable the buffer 210, enabling the processing module 110 to receive scan signals. Alternatively, the output enable signal En_Out can enable the buffer 220, enabling the processing module 110 to send scan signals. In this embodiment, the processing module 110 sequentially outputs multiple scan signals to the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, and sequentially senses signal changes on the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M to confirm whether any keyboard switches K(1,1) to K(N,M) are triggered, thereby executing the corresponding key operation. In other embodiments, the processing module 10 may also sequentially output multiple scanning signals to the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M, and sequentially sense the signal changes of the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, without being limited to this embodiment.

[0052] During the first sub-period P1_1 to P1_N, the processing module 110 can sequentially adjust the voltage levels of each keyboard input line KBI_1 to KBI_M or keyboard output line KBO_1 to KBO_N to send a scan signal. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the scanning period SP is from time t0 to time t9. Processing module 110 can switch the voltage level of keyboard output line KBO_1 from a high voltage level to a low voltage level during the first sub-period P1_1 from time t1 to time t2. Processing module 110 can switch the voltage level of keyboard output line KBO_2 from a high voltage level to a low voltage level during the first sub-period P1_2 from time t3 to time t4. Similarly, processing module 110 can switch the voltage level of keyboard output line KBO_M from a high voltage level to a low voltage level during the first sub-period P1_N from time t5 to time t6.

[0053] For example, such as Figure 1As shown, suppose the keyboard switch K(2,2) is pressed, thus turning on the keyboard input line KBI_2 and the keyboard output line KBO_2. In this way, the scan signal of the keyboard output line KBO_2 will be transmitted to the keyboard input line KBI_2 through the pressed keyboard switch K(2,2). This allows the processing module 110 to effectively determine that the keyboard switch K(2,2) is pressed by sensing the voltage level change of the keyboard input line KBI_2, and, for example, output the corresponding input command to the computer host coupled to the keyboard device 100.

[0054] Next, during the second sub-period P2 of the scanning period SP, the processing module 110 sets the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N to antenna mode. The antenna mode uses at least one of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as the antenna line of the proximity sensing module, performing proximity sensing through the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and / or the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. During the second sub-period P2, the processing module 110 can set multiple pin endpoints coupled to the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N to a floating state to effectively reduce the impact of the processing module 110 on the signal lines. The floating state means that the processing module 110 can... as described above... Figure 2 The input enable signal En_In and the output enable signal En_Out described in the embodiment are used to set multiple switching units coupled to keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N to the off state.

[0055] In this embodiment, the proximity sensing module 120 can use the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and / or the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as proximity sensing antennas to determine whether an object (such as a user's palm or fingers) is close to the keyboard device 100 by the signal changes on the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and / or the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N.

[0056] For example, pairing reference Figure 5A , Figure 5AThis is a signal schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Taking the proximity sensing module 120 as a capacitive proximity sensing module in self-capacitance mode, and using the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as the antenna lines of the proximity sensing module 120 as an example, the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N may have a non-fixed capacitance value in the initial state, and its capacitance value will change with the charge carried by surrounding objects (the capacitance value is inversely proportional to the distance between the object and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, that is, the closer the object is to the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, the more the capacitance value will gradually increase). Figure 5A As shown, curve 501 represents the change in capacitance value of one of the keyboard output lines KBO_1. When an object (such as a user's palm or fingers) is not significantly close to the keyboard output line KBO_1, the capacitance value C of the keyboard output line KBO_1 is lower than the actuation threshold Cth1 (capacitance threshold), and the proximity sensing module 120 determines that no object is approaching. When an object approaches the keyboard output line KBO_1 at time ta, the proximity sensing module 120 can sense an increase in the capacitance value of the keyboard output line KBO_1. Therefore, when the capacitance values ​​of keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N exceed the actuation threshold Cth1 (capacitance threshold), the proximity sensing module 120 can determine that an object is approaching and output a corresponding proximity sensing signal to the processing module 110.

[0057] For example, pairing reference Figure 5B , Figure 5B This is a signal schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. Taking the proximity sensing module 120 as a capacitive proximity sensing module with mutual capacitance mode, and using the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as the antenna lines of the proximity sensing module 120 as an example, the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N may have a non-fixed capacitance value in the initial state, and its capacitance value will change with the charge carried by surrounding objects (the capacitance value is proportional to the distance between the object and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, that is, the closer the object is to the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, the lower the capacitance value will gradually be). Figure 5B As shown, curve 502 represents the change in capacitance value of one of the keyboard output lines KBO_1. When an object (such as a user's palm or fingers) is not significantly close to the keyboard output line KBO_1, the capacitance value C of the keyboard output line KBO_1 is higher than the actuation threshold Cth1 (capacitance threshold), and the proximity sensing module 120 determines that no object is approaching. When an object approaches the keyboard output line KBO_1 at time tb, the proximity sensing module 120 can sense a decrease in the capacitance value of the keyboard output line KBO_1. Therefore, when the capacitance value of the keyboard output line KBO_1 is lower than the actuation threshold Cth2, the proximity sensing module 120 can determine that an object is approaching and output a corresponding proximity sensing signal to the processing module 110.

[0058] However, the present invention is not limited to using all keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as antennas. In one embodiment, during the second sub-period P2 of the scanning period SP, the proximity sensing module 120 may use at least one of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N as at least one proximity sensing antenna to determine whether an object (e.g., a user's palm or fingers) is close to the keyboard device 100 by sensing signal changes in at least one of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N.

[0059] In another embodiment, the second sub-period P2 may also be designed between two of the first sub-periods P1_1 to P1_N (for example, the second sub-period P2 may be designed between the first sub-periods P1_3 and the first sub-period P1_4). Alternatively, the second sub-period P2 may also be designed before or after the first sub-periods P1_1 to P1_N, and is not limited to this. Figure 4 The final timing sequence is shown.

[0060] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a proximity sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference...) Figure 1 as well as Figure 6 The keyboard device 100 can perform the following steps S610 to S660. In step S610, the processing module 110 disables the proximity sensing module 120. In step S620, the processing module 110 sets the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N to normal mode. In step S630, the processing module 110 sequentially outputs multiple scan signals to the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. The processing module 110 can perform the following steps: Figure 4 In the multiple first sub-periods P1_1 to P1_N shown, the multiple keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N are scanned one by one. In step S640, the processing module 110 enables the proximity sensing module 120. In step S650, the processing module 110 sets the multiple keyboard input lines and multiple keyboard output lines to antenna mode. In step S660, the processing module 110 reads the proximity sensing signal output by the proximity sensing module 120. The processing module 110 can, as shown in... Figure 4 During the second sub-period P2 shown, the proximity sensing module 120 is enabled. Furthermore, when the second sub-period P2 ends, the processing module 110 can re-execute step S610 to poll the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N and read the sensing signals output by the proximity sensing module 120.

[0061] It should be noted that this invention is not limiting. Figure 6 Specifically, the execution order of steps S610 to S660 is not limited to performing proximity sensing only after fully scanning the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. Alternatively, proximity sensing can be performed first after scanning a portion of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N, and then scanning the remaining portion of the keyboard input lines KBI_1 to KBI_M and the keyboard output lines KBO_1 to KBO_N. This allows the keyboard device 100 to flexibly switch and adjust the timing of proximity sensing and key sensing.

[0062] In this embodiment, when the processing module 110 receives a proximity sensing signal, the processing module 110 can determine that an object (such as the user's palm or fingers) is approaching the keyboard device 100, and the processing module 110 can drive the backlight module 140 to present a specific light-emitting effect.

[0063] In summary, the keyboard device and proximity sensing method of the present invention can use the existing keyboard input and output lines in the keyboard device as the sensing antenna of the proximity sensing module, without the need to add additional wires independent of the keyboard's key circuitry as sensing antennas. Furthermore, the keyboard device and proximity sensing method of the present invention can use the existing key circuitry for key sensing or proximity sensing in a time-division multiplexing manner, further ensuring stable operation of both the keyboard's key function and proximity sensing function. Therefore, the keyboard device and proximity sensing method of the present invention can effectively save additional antenna configuration space and achieve a compact keyboard size.

[0064] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone 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 claims.

Claims

1. A keyboard device, characterized in that, include: Multiple keyboard input lines; Multiple keyboard output cables; A processing module is coupled to the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines; as well as A proximity sensing module is coupled to at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines; During a scan, in a plurality of first sub-periods, the processing module disables the proximity sensing module and performs key sensing; During a second sub-period of the scanning period, the processing module enables the proximity sensing module, and the proximity sensing module performs proximity sensing.

2. The keyboard device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, During the second sub-period, the proximity sensing module uses at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines as at least one proximity sensing antenna, and generates a proximity sensing signal based on the signal changes of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines.

3. The keyboard device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A backlight module, coupled to the processing module, During the second sub-period, when the processing module receives the proximity sensing signal, the processing module drives the backlight module.

4. The keyboard device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, During the plurality of first sub-periods, the processing module sequentially outputs a plurality of scan signals to the plurality of keyboard output lines and sequentially senses the plurality of keyboard input lines.

5. The keyboard device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The processing module is coupled to the multiple keyboard input lines and the multiple keyboard output lines through multiple pin endpoints, and during the second sub-period, the processing module sets the multiple pin endpoints to a floating state.

6. The keyboard device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The processing module is coupled to the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines at each pin endpoint via a switch unit. During the second sub-period, the processing module sets the plurality of switching units to an off state.

7. The keyboard device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, During the scanning period, the second sub-period is between two of the plurality of first sub-periods, before the plurality of first sub-periods, or after the plurality of first sub-periods.

8. A proximity sensing method for a keyboard device, characterized in that, The keyboard device includes a plurality of keyboard input lines, a plurality of keyboard output lines, a processing module, and a proximity sensing module. The proximity sensing module is coupled to at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines. The proximity sensing method includes: During a plurality of first sub-periods of a scan, the proximity sensing module is disabled by the processing module, and key sensing is performed; and During a second sub-period of the scanning period, the proximity sensing module is enabled by the processing module, and proximity sensing is performed by the proximity sensing module.

9. The proximity sensing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: During the second sub-period, the proximity sensing module uses at least one of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines as at least one proximity sensing antenna, and generates a proximity sensing signal based on the signal changes of the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines.

10. The proximity sensing method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: During the second sub-period, when the processing module receives the proximity sensing signal, it drives a backlight module.

11. The proximity sensing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The steps for performing key sensing include: During the plurality of first sub-periods, the processing module sequentially outputs a plurality of scan signals to the plurality of keyboard output lines and sequentially senses the plurality of keyboard input lines.

12. The proximity sensing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: During the second sub-period, the processing module sets multiple pin endpoints to a floating state. The processing module is coupled to the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines through the plurality of pin endpoints.

13. The proximity sensing method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing module couples the plurality of keyboard input lines and the plurality of keyboard output lines at each pin endpoint via a switching unit, and the step of setting the plurality of pin endpoints to the floating state includes: During the second sub-period, the processing module sets the plurality of switching units to an off state.

14. The proximity sensing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, During the scanning period, the second sub-period is between two of the plurality of first sub-periods, before the plurality of first sub-periods, or after the plurality of first sub-periods.

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