Input device and control method for input device

Abstract

To provide an input device which enables a repeated input at high speed, and a control method for an input device.SOLUTION: An input device includes: a key Ky for outputting a signal according to two depression quantities; a depression quantity detection unit 51 for detecting the depression quantities of the key Ky; an A / D conversion unit 14 for converting the depression quantities of the key KY into digital data; a memory unit 12 for storing the digital data; and a main control unit 11 for determining presence / absence of the depression of the key Ky on the basis of the depression quantities of the key Ky, and outputting the presence / absence thereof. The main control unit 11 includes a depression determination unit 111 for changing the absence of the depression to the presence of the depression and outputting the presence of the depression, when the detected value of the depression quantities is equal to or more an ON threshold larger than a minimum value of the depression quantities by a predetermined ON hysteresis, when the absence of the depression for the key Ky is output, and changing the presence of the depression to the absence of the depression, when the detected value of the depression quantities is less than an OFF threshold smaller than a maximum value of the depression quantities by a predetermined OFF hysteresis, when the presence of the depression for the key Ky is output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device and a control method for an input device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in e-sports, where multiple users compete against each other in games, key switch devices such as controllers or keyboards are used, each operated by a different user. In e-sports, operations involving repeatedly pressing the same key among the various keys mounted on the key switch device are frequently performed. Winning a game often depends on the speed at which the same key is pressed (the number of inputs per unit time). For this reason, there is a demand for the development of key switch devices that allow for faster input operations.

[0003] Furthermore, in e-sports, arcade games, etc., keys on a keyboard or game controller are used instead of joysticks for directional input. For example, four-way arrow keys are used to operate up, down, left, and right.

[0004] In such cases, if two opposing keys for operation in directions, such as up and down, are pressed simultaneously, the software invalidates both key operations. Users are required to operate the directional keys quickly, which makes it easy to press two keys simultaneously, making it impossible to input a direction. The user cannot input the next key (for example, the right arrow "→") unless they return the key they input first (for example, the left arrow "←"). This causes a time lag when switching directions.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses "first input priority" (first-pressed input priority), in which the first button pressed always overwrites the second button pressed, and "second input priority" (last-pressed input priority), in which the second button pressed always overwrites the first button pressed.

[0006] Second input priority allows you to input two opposing keys by pressing the next key without having to return the previously pressed key, allowing for quick input (for example, reversing the direction of travel). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-505384 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the keys are of the conventional contact type, so the operating points from on to off and from off to on are fixed, which poses the problem of not being able to perform quick input operations.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device and a control method for an input device that allows rapid repeated input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An input device according to the present invention comprises a key that outputs a signal corresponding to at least two amounts of key depression, a depression amount detection unit that detects the amounts of key depression, an A / D conversion unit that converts the amount of key depression into digital data, a memory unit that stores the digital data, and a main control unit that determines whether the key is not pressed or pressed based on the amount of key depression and outputs the determined signal, wherein the main control unit comprises a depression determination unit that, when outputting a signal indicating that the key is not pressed, changes the signal to that of pressed when the detected amount of depression is equal to or greater than an ON threshold that is larger than the minimum amount of depression by a predetermined ON hysteresis, and when outputting a signal indicating that the key is pressed, changes the signal to that of pressed when the detected amount of depression is smaller than an OFF threshold that is smaller than the maximum amount of depression by the predetermined OFF hysteresis.

[0011] The control method for an input device according to the present invention comprises the steps of: detecting the amount of key press by a press amount detection unit that outputs signals corresponding to at least two press amounts; converting the amount of key press into digital data by an A / D conversion unit; storing the digital data by a memory unit; changing the key press determination unit, when outputting a signal indicating that the key is not pressed, to a signal indicating that the key is pressed when the detected value of the key press amount is equal to or greater than an ON threshold value that is greater than the minimum value of the key press by a predetermined ON hysteresis; and changing the key press determination unit, when outputting a signal indicating that the key is pressed, to a signal indicating that the key is not pressed when the detected value of the key press amount is less than an OFF threshold value that is less than the maximum value of the key press by the predetermined OFF hysteresis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, rapid repeated input is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an input device and its peripheral devices according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the key. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how the capacitance between two electrodes Q1 and Q2 changes in response to the expansion and contraction of the coil spring. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the amount of pressing and the change between ON and OFF in the input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a first sub-diagram of a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a second sub-diagram of the flowchart showing the processing procedure of the input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the on / off operations of the two keys and the changes in output. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Description of the embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an input device 100 according to this embodiment and its peripheral devices. Specifically, it is a computer keyboard equipped with many keys.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, an input device 100 according to this embodiment includes a controller 10 and a key matrix 50.

[0016] The key matrix 50 includes a plurality of keys Ky connected to a plurality of drive lines M and a plurality of sensing lines N. The key matrix 50 includes a depression amount detection unit 51 that scans each key Ky and detects the depression amount of each key Ky.

[0017] Each key Ky has an opposing electrode at the bottom of the key top, and when the key top is pressed, the capacitance changes. That is, each key Ky outputs a signal according to the amount of pressing. The key Ky outputs signals according to at least two amounts of pressing. The two amounts of pressing are, for example, no pressing (off) and pressing (on). The configuration of the key Ky will be explained below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0018] 2, the key Ky includes a substrate 21 having a pair of electrodes Q1, Q2, and a housing 22. Between the substrate 21 and the housing 22 are provided a conical coil spring 23, flexible rubber 24, and a plunger 25. The electrodes Q1, Q2 and the coil spring 23 are electrically insulated by an insulating layer (not shown), and therefore form a capacitance.

[0019] Furthermore, a key top 26 is provided above the housing 22. When an operator presses this key top 26, the coil spring 23 is biased, and the capacitance between the electrodes Q1 and Q2 changes. That is, the key Ky is configured so that the capacitance between the electrodes Q1 and Q2 increases according to the amount of depression of the key top 26.

[0020] 2 does not have a particular structure, but may be configured so that the capacitance between the electrodes increases in accordance with the amount of depression of the key top 26. Also, it may be configured so that the output, specifically the analog voltage, increases monotonically in accordance with the amount of depression of the key.

[0021] Of the two electrodes Q1 and Q2 provided on the key Ky, the electrode Q1 is connected to the drive line M, and the other electrode Q2 is connected to the sensing line N. Specifically, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3, the electrodes Q1 and Q2 are arranged facing each other at a certain distance, with the electrode Q1 connected to the drive line M and the electrode Q2 connected to the sensing line N. The capacitance between the electrodes Q1 and Q2 changes depending on the expansion / contraction state of the coil spring 23 provided between the two electrodes Q1 and Q2 (i.e., the depression amount of the key top 26 shown in FIG. 2), and the amount of charge that can be held between the electrodes Q1 and Q2 changes accordingly. Therefore, the voltage detected by the depression amount detection unit 51 (see FIG. 1) changes.

[0022] In addition to capacitance key switches, analog input devices that can output the amount of pressing as an analog quantity, such as electromagnetic, optical, or electrical resistance types, may also be used. Analog input devices that output an analog quantity that is linear with the amount of pressing are preferred.

[0023] 1 detects the capacitance generated in each key Ky, sequentially selects one key Ky from the multiple keys Ky, and detects the amount of pressing of the selected key Ky. The pressing amount detection unit 51 outputs data of the detected pressing amount (analog value) to the A / D conversion unit 14.

[0024] The controller 10 includes a main control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a scan control unit 13, an A / D conversion unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The controller 10 can be configured as an integrated computer including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and storage means such as a storage and a hard disk.

[0025] The main control unit 11 executes control of scanning each key Ky by the scan control unit 13, control of writing and reading data into and from the memory unit 12, and control of communication with the main PC 200 by the communication unit 15. The main control unit 11 acquires initial operation values ​​transmitted from the main PC 200 and stores them in a RAM 122 (details of which will be described later). The main control unit 11 includes a press determination unit 111 and an output determination unit 112.

[0026] The press determination unit 111 determines whether each key Ky is pressed (hereinafter referred to as "on") or not (hereinafter referred to as "off") based on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit 14 and the maximum and minimum values ​​of the press amount of the key Ky stored in the memory unit 12 (details will be described later).

[0027] The press determination unit 111 detects the press amount of the key Ky when it changes from an increase to a decrease (this is called the "maximum value"), and stores the detected maximum value in the RAM 122. The press determination unit 111 detects the press amount of the key Ky when it changes from a decrease to an increase (this is called the "minimum value"), and stores the detected minimum value in the RAM 122. For example, when the press amount of the key Ky is represented by a digital number from 0 to 255, the maximum value and the minimum value when the key Ky is operated are stored as numbers from 0 to 255.

[0028] The press determination unit 111 sets the point where the press amount is smaller than the maximum value by a predetermined off hysteresis as the off threshold when switching the output of the key Ky from on to off. The press determination unit 111 sets the point where the press amount is larger than the minimum value by a predetermined on hysteresis as the on threshold when switching the output of the key Ky from off to on. The press determination unit 111 stores the above-mentioned off threshold and on threshold in the RAM 122. The relationship between the off hysteresis and the on hysteresis should be "(off hysteresis)≧(on hysteresis)", preferably "(off hysteresis)>(on hysteresis)". The off hysteresis is, for example, 0.8 mm, and the on hysteresis is, for example, about 0.6 mm.

[0029] That is, when the key Ky is on, the pressing amount of the key Ky decreases, and when it becomes less than the off threshold, the output of the key Ky changes from on to off.When the key Ky is off, the pressing amount of the key Ky increases, and when it becomes equal to or greater than the on threshold, the key Ky changes from off to on.

[0030] The press determination unit 111 also determines whether the key Ky is pressed (ON or OFF) based on the press amount input from the key Ky. When the press amount of the key Ky detected by the press amount detection unit 51 is smaller than a predetermined initial operation value (more specifically, an initial operation ON value or an initial operation OFF value described later), the press determination unit 111 turns off the output of the key Ky regardless of the above-mentioned OFF hysteresis and ON hysteresis.

[0031] Two initial operation values ​​are set: an initial operation on value and an initial operation off value, which have the relationship "(initial operation on value) ≥ (initial operation off value)". For example, an initial operation value (e.g., 0.8 mm) is set in advance to a desired position of the depression stroke (e.g., 0 to 4 mm) of the key Ky, and taking hysteresis into consideration, the initial operation on value is set to a depression amount of 0.9 mm, and the initial operation off value is set to a depression amount of 0.7 mm. By setting the initial operation values, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the key Ky when the user accidentally touches the key Ky, resulting in a slight depression amount on the key Ky.

[0032] The output determination unit 112 determines the press information to be output to the main body PC 200 from the press information of any two keys Ky. When the output determination unit 112 acquires on information of both two keys Ky (for example, the left operation key "←" and the right operation key "→") from the press determination unit 111, it outputs only the on information of the key Ky that was turned on last to the main body PC 200. Therefore, for example, if the user switches from an operation in the right direction to an operation in the left direction, and the operation input in the right direction and the operation input in the left direction overlap, the operation input in the left direction that was input last is given priority and output to the main body PC 200.

[0033] The memory unit 12 includes a ROM 121 (Read Only Memory) and a RAM 122 (Random Access Memory). The ROM 121 stores a control program for the entire device and the like.

[0034] The RAM 122 stores depression amount information for each key Ky. The RAM 122 stores the depression amount when the depression amount of the key Ky changes from increasing to decreasing as a maximum value, and further stores a depression amount that is smaller than the maximum value by the above-mentioned OFF hysteresis as an OFF threshold. The RAM 122 stores the depression amount when the depression amount of the key Ky changes from decreasing to increasing as a minimum value, and further stores a depression amount that is larger than the minimum value by the above-mentioned ON hysteresis as an ON threshold. The RAM 122 also stores the above-mentioned initial operation ON value and initial operation OFF value.

[0035] The scan control unit 13 selects a key address for each key Ky arranged in a matrix in turn and scans each key Ky based on a command output from the main control unit 11. As the scan control unit 13 scans each key Ky, a voltage corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance generated in each key Ky is detected by the press amount detection unit 51.

[0036] The A / D conversion unit 14 converts the press amount (analog data) of each key Ky output from the press amount detection unit 51 into digital data of, for example, 0 to 255. The A / D conversion unit 14 outputs the converted press amount (digital data) to the main control unit 11.

[0037] The communication unit 15 communicates wirelessly or via a wire with the main PC 200. Specifically, the communication unit 15 transmits information on whether each key Ky is on or off to the main PC 200. Furthermore, the communication unit 15 receives various setting value data set by the main PC 200.

[0038] Next, the depression amount of the key Ky and the ON / OFF switching operation in the input device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the depression amount of the key Ky. That is, the larger the vertical axis, the larger the depression amount of the key Ky. The stroke of the key Ky is, for example, 0 to 4 mm.

[0039] The determination of whether the key Ky is pressed (ON) or not pressed (OFF) is performed by initial operation control and press judgment control. The initial operation control is a control that does not switch the key Ky between ON and OFF regardless of changes in the press amount in a region where the press amount of the key Ky is smaller than the initial operation values ​​(initial operation ON value p1, initial operation OFF value p2). When the press amount of the key Ky increases and becomes equal to or greater than the initial operation ON value p1, the key Ky is switched from OFF to ON. When the press amount of the key Ky decreases and becomes less than the initial operation OFF value p2, the key Ky is switched from ON to OFF. On the other hand, the press judgment control is a control that switches the key Ky between ON and OFF according to the press amount of the key Ky.

[0040] Initially, the key Ky is not pressed and is off. The main control unit 11 performs initial operation control at startup. Therefore, even if the user accidentally touches the key Ky, the key will remain off as long as the amount of pressing is less than the initial operation on value p1 (e.g., 0.9 mm). In other words, it is possible to prevent the key Ky from switching from off to on due to an erroneous operation by the user.

[0041] 4, when pressing of any key Ky starts, the pressing amount gradually increases. When the pressing amount reaches the initial operation ON value p1 at time t1, the key Ky changes from OFF to ON.

[0042] That is, the pressing amount output from the pressing amount detection unit 51 shown in FIG. 1 is digitized by the A / D conversion unit 14, and this digital signal is supplied to the pressing determination unit 111. The pressing determination unit 111 compares the digital signal with an initial operation on value p1 stored in the RAM 122, and switches the key Ky from off to on when it determines that the digital signal exceeds the initial operation on value p1. The main control unit 11 switches the output control of the key Ky from initial operation control to pressing determination control. Here, the pressing amount at that time is stored in the RAM 122 as the maximum pressing amount for later input priority control to be performed. Specifically, the initial operation on value p1 is stored in the RAM 122.

[0043] When a key Ky is turned on, the press determination unit 111 acquires the maximum press amount. That is, the press determination unit 111 compares the press amount of the key Ky sequentially transmitted from the A / D conversion unit 14 with the maximum press amount stored in the RAM 122, and if the newly input press amount is greater than the maximum press amount, it stores the newly input press amount in the RAM 122 as a new maximum press amount. This makes it possible to detect a maximum value at which the press amount changes from increasing to decreasing. That is, if the newly input press amount is less than the maximum press amount, it can be detected that the maximum press amount at that time is the maximum value.

[0044] If the key Ky continues to be pressed and the pressing amount changes from increasing to decreasing at time t2, the main control unit 11 stores the maximum pressing amount at this time as the maximum value P1 in the RAM 122. The main control unit 11 sets the next OFF threshold value Th1 to a point that is smaller than the maximum value P1 by the OFF hysteresis (for example, 0.8 mm), and stores this in the RAM 122.

[0045] The press determination unit 111 compares the press amount of the key Ky sequentially transmitted from the A / D conversion unit 14 with the OFF threshold Th1 stored in the RAM 122. When the press amount drops to the OFF threshold Th1 at time t3, it is determined that the key Ky has been released, and the press determination unit 111 switches the key Ky from ON to OFF. That is, the user can switch the key Ky from ON to OFF simply by releasing the press amount of the key Ky from the maximum value P1 by about 0.8 mm (OFF hysteresis). The press determination unit 111 stores the press amount at this time in the RAM 122 as the minimum press value.

[0046] After the output of the key Ky is switched off at time t3, the press determination unit 111 acquires the minimum value of the press amount of the key Ky. That is, the press determination unit 111 compares the press amount of the key Ky sequentially transmitted from the A / D conversion unit 14 with the minimum press value stored in the RAM 122, and if the newly input press amount is smaller than the minimum press value, stores the newly input press amount in the RAM 122 as a new minimum press value.

[0047] If the depression amount of the key Ky continues to decrease, and at time t4 the user presses the key Ky and the depression amount changes from decreasing to increasing, the depression determination unit 111 stores the minimum depression value at this time as the minimum value P2 in the RAM 122. The depression determination unit 111 sets a point that is greater than the minimum value P2 by the off hysteresis (for example, 0.6 mm) as the next on threshold Th2, and stores this in the RAM 122.

[0048] After that, at time t5, when the pressing amount of the key Ky becomes equal to or greater than the ON threshold Th2, the output of the key Ky changes from OFF to ON. That is, the user can switch the key Ky from OFF to ON by simply pressing the key Ky about 0.6 mm (ON hysteresis) from the minimum value P2.

[0049] Then, as described above, when the pressing amount reaches the maximum value P3 at time t6, a pressing amount smaller than this by the off hysteresis (e.g., 0.8 mm) is set as the off threshold value Th3, and when the pressing amount becomes less than the off threshold value Th3 at time t7, the key Ky changes from on to off.

[0050] After that, when the pressing amount of the key Ky falls below the initial operation OFF value p2 and the key Ky is pressed again at time t8, the pressing amount changes from decreasing to increasing. Even when the pressing amount reaches a maximum value at time t9, the pressing amount is still less than the initial operation ON value p1, so the output of the key Ky remains OFF.

[0051] At time t10, the pressing amount changes from decreasing to increasing, and at time t11, when the pressing amount becomes equal to or greater than the initial operation on value p1, the output of the key Ky changes from off to on, reaches a maximum value at time t12, and at time t13, the output of the key Ky changes from on to off.

[0052] Next, the operation of outputting the on / off of the keys Ky of the input device 100 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The processing shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is executed by the main control unit 11 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, there are provided (M×N) keys Ky, and the on / off state of each key Ky is determined sequentially. Since the control for determining the on / off state of each key Ky is the same for all keys, the following description will be given for only one key Ky that is the subject of the determination.

[0053] First, in step S11 of FIG. 5A, the press determination unit 111 initializes various variables used in the process. Also, the key Ky is set to "off." Furthermore, the setting values ​​for the key Ky are read from the RAM 122. Specifically, the initial operation on value p1 and the initial operation off value p2 set for the key Ky are read.

[0054] In step S12, the press determination unit 111 acquires the press amount AP of the key Ky that is detected by the press amount detection unit 51 and digitized by the A / D conversion unit .

[0055] In step S13, the press determination unit 111 determines whether the press amount AP is greater than the initial operation ON value p1. If the press amount AP is greater than the initial operation ON value p1 (S13; YES), the process proceeds to step S14; if not (S13; NO), the process returns to step S12.

[0056] In step S14, the depression determination unit 111 turns on the output of the key Ky.

[0057] In step S15, the press determination unit 111 stores the press amount AP in the RAM 122 as the maximum press value.

[0058] In step S16, the press determination unit 111 acquires the press amount AP of the key Ky that has been detected by the press amount detection unit 51 and digitized by the A / D conversion unit .

[0059] In step S17, the press determination unit 111 determines whether the press amount AP has exceeded the maximum press amount stored in the RAM 122. If it has exceeded it (S17; YES), the process returns to step S15; if it has not exceeded it (S17; NO), the process proceeds to step S18. That is, if the press amount has increased, the maximum press amount stored in the RAM 122 is updated to the newly input press amount AP.

[0060] In step S18, the press determination unit 111 sets the maximum press value stored in RAM 122 at this time as the maximum value (P1 in FIG. 4). Furthermore, the press determination unit 111 sets the point that is smaller than the maximum value by the off hysteresis (for example, 0.8 mm) as the next off threshold (Th1 in FIG. 4). Furthermore, it determines whether the press amount AP of the key Ky has become less than the off threshold. If it has become less than the off threshold (YES in S18), the process proceeds to step S20 in FIG. 5B; if not (NO in S18), the process proceeds to step S19.

[0061] In step S19, the press determination unit 111 determines whether the press amount AP is less than the initial operation OFF value p2. If it is less than the initial operation OFF value p2 (S19; YES), the process proceeds to step S20; if not (S19; NO), the process returns to step S16.

[0062] In step S20 of Fig. 5B, the press determination unit 111 turns off the output of the key Ky. That is, when the amount of pressing of the key Ky becomes less than the OFF threshold, for example, when the amount of pressing of the key Ky becomes less than the OFF threshold Th1 as shown at time t3 in Fig. 4, the press determination unit 111 turns off the output of the key Ky. Furthermore, when the amount of pressing of the key Ky becomes less than the initial operation OFF value p2, the process shifts to the above-mentioned initial operation control, and the output of the key Ky is turned off.

[0063] In step S21, the press determination unit 111 sets the press amount AP at this time as the minimum press value and stores it in the RAM 122.

[0064] In step S22, the depression determination unit 111 acquires the depression amount AP of the key Ky.

[0065] In step S23, the press determination unit 111 determines whether the press amount AP is less than the minimum press amount stored in the RAM 122. If it is less than the minimum press amount (S23; YES), the process returns to step S21; if not (S23; NO), the process proceeds to step S24. That is, if the press amount has decreased, the minimum press amount stored in the RAM 122 is updated to the newly input press amount AP.

[0066] In step S24, the press determination unit 111 sets the minimum press value stored in RAM 122 at this point to the minimum value (P2 in FIG. 4), and then sets the point that is greater than the minimum value by the on hysteresis (for example, 0.6 mm) as the next on threshold (Th2 in FIG. 4). It then determines whether the press amount of the key Ky has exceeded the on threshold. If it has exceeded the on threshold (YES in S24), the process returns to step S14 in FIG. 5A; if not (NO in S24), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0067] In step S25, the press determination unit 111 determines whether the press amount AP exceeds the initial operation ON value p1. If it exceeds the initial operation ON value p1 (S25; YES), the process returns to step S14 in Fig. 5A, and if not (S25; NO), the process returns to step S22. In this way, the above-mentioned initial operation control and press determination control are switched to output the ON / OFF of the key Ky.

[0068] Next, we will explain how output is switched when two keys Ky (hereinafter referred to as A and B) with different operation directions are pressed simultaneously. Key A is, for example, a "←" key operated to the left, and key B is, for example, a "→" key operated to the right.

[0069] 6 is a timing chart showing the output by keys A and B and the output determination unit 112, where (a) shows the input operation of key A, (b) shows the input operation of key B, and (c) shows the output of the output determination unit 112. This process is executed by the output determination unit 112 shown in FIG.

[0070] 6, when key A is turned on, the output determination unit 112 outputs an ON signal for key A. When key B is turned on at time t22, inputs of both key A and key B are detected. In this case, the output determination unit 112 outputs an ON signal for key B, which was operated later.

[0071] Even when key A is turned off at time t23, output determination unit 112 continues to turn key B on. When key B is turned off at time t24, output determination unit 112 turns off both keys A and B. When key B is turned on at time t25, output determination unit 112 outputs a signal indicating that key B is on.

[0072] When key A is turned on at time t26, inputs of both key A and key B are detected. In this case, the output determination unit 112 outputs the on signal for key A, which was operated later. Even when key B is turned off at time t27, the output determination unit 112 continues to output the on signal for key A.

[0073] When key B is turned on at time t28, the output determination unit 112 outputs key B as the on state with priority. When key B is turned off at time t29, the output determination unit 112 outputs key A as the on state. In other words, if key B is turned on and off while key A remains on, the output of key B is inserted into the output of key A. When key A is turned off at time t30, the output determination unit 112 turns both keys A and B off.

[0074] As described above, when two keys A and B in different directions are pressed simultaneously, the output determination unit 112 gives priority to outputting the ON of the key pressed last. Therefore, for example, if the user presses the "←" key to perform an operation in the left direction, and then presses the "→" key to switch to an operation in the right direction, the ON of the right direction pressed last will be given priority to outputting.

[0075] In the above description, left and right directions have been used as examples of two keys Ky with different operation directions, but the "↑" key indicating the up direction and the "↓" key indicating the down direction may also be used. Also, while the "←" key has been described as the left direction and the "→" key as the right direction, the "A" key may be used as the left direction and the "D" key may be used as the right direction. The "W" key may be used as the up direction and the "S" key may be used as the down direction. These settings may be fixed in advance, or may be changed by an operation after the system has started up or by a predetermined operation during the operation.

[0076] In this way, the input device 100 according to this embodiment sets an initial operation-on value p1 and an initial operation-off value p2, and when the depression amount of the key Ky decreases and becomes less than the initial operation-off value p2, or when the depression amount of the key Ky increases but is less than the initial operation-on value p1, the key Ky is turned off by the initial operation control. Therefore, when the user accidentally touches the key Ky and a small depression amount occurs on the key Ky, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the key Ky.

[0077] In this embodiment, when the amount of pressing of the key Ky increases and becomes equal to or greater than the initial operation ON value p1, the control switches to press judgment control, and the key Ky turns ON. When the amount of pressing of the key Ky further increases and then starts to decrease, that point is set as a maximum value, and the OFF threshold is set based on this maximum value. When the amount of pressing of the key Ky falls below the OFF threshold, the output of the key Ky turns OFF. Therefore, when the key Ky is ON, the user can switch the key Ky OFF by returning the amount of pressing of the key Ky by the OFF threshold. In other words, the key Ky can be turned OFF instantly.

[0078] Conversely, when the amount of depression of the key Ky decreases and then starts to increase, that point is set as a minimum value, and the on threshold is set based on this minimum value. When the amount of depression of the key Ky reaches or exceeds the on threshold, the output of the key Ky is switched on. Therefore, when the key Ky is off, the user can switch the key Ky on by pressing the key Ky for the on threshold. In other words, the key Ky can be turned on instantly. This improves the operability when switching the key Ky on and off, and by repeatedly pressing the key Ky at high speed, the key Ky can be quickly turned on and off repeatedly.

[0079] In this embodiment, when two keys with opposite operation directions are pressed simultaneously, the operation of the last key input is given priority and output. Therefore, it is possible to prevent two key operations with opposite operation directions from being input simultaneously. Furthermore, the later key input can be input quickly without returning the earlier key input. This allows the user to perform an operation to switch directions reliably and quickly. Furthermore, by holding down one key Ky and repeatedly pressing another key with the opposite operation direction at high speed, the two keys with opposite operation directions can be switched and input alternately at high speed.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, a keyboard having N×M keys Ky has been used as an example of an input device, but the present invention is not limited to keyboards and can also be applied to the button portion of a game controller or arcade controller. The only difference between these is the number of keys Ky; otherwise, they are the same as computer keyboards.

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Controller 11 Main control unit 12 Memory section 13 Scan control section 14 A / D conversion section 15 Communications Department 21 PCB 22 Housing 23 Coil spring 24 Rubber 25 plunger 26 keycaps 50 key matrix 51 Pressing amount detection unit 100 Input Device 111 Press judgment unit 112 Output judgment unit 121 ROM 122 RAM

Claims

1. At least two keys that output signals according to the amount of depression; a depression amount detection unit that detects the depression amount of the key; an A / D converter that converts the amount of pressing of the key into digital data; a memory unit that stores the digital data; a main control unit that determines whether the key is pressed or not based on the amount of pressing of the key, and outputs the determination result; The main control unit When a non-pressed state of the key is output, if the detected value of the pressing amount becomes equal to or greater than an ON threshold value that is larger than the minimum pressing amount by a predetermined ON hysteresis, the output is changed to a pressed state. a press determination unit that, when outputting a pressed signal for the key, changes the signal to a not pressed signal and outputs the not pressed signal when the detected value of the pressed amount becomes less than an OFF threshold value that is smaller than the maximum value of the pressed amount by the predetermined OFF hysteresis; An input device comprising:

2. The press determination unit When the pressing amount detected by the pressing amount detection unit is less than a predetermined initial operation value, a no-press signal is output regardless of whether the pressing amount is equal to or greater than the ON threshold value; When the pressing amount detected by the pressing amount detection unit decreases from equal to or greater than the initial operation value to less than the initial operation value, a no-pressing signal is output regardless of whether the pressing amount has become less than the off threshold value.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. an initial operation-off value and an initial operation-on value greater than the initial operation-off value are set as the initial operation values, The press determination unit When the pressing amount detected by the pressing amount detection unit is less than the initial operation ON value, a non-pressing signal is output regardless of whether the pressing amount is equal to or greater than the ON threshold value; When the pressing amount detected by the pressing amount detection unit decreases from equal to or greater than the initial operation OFF value to less than the initial operation OFF value, a no-press signal is output regardless of whether the pressing amount has become less than the OFF threshold value.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The main control unit The device further includes an output determination unit that acquires outputs from the depression determination unit for two keys and outputs a pressed key only for the key that is determined to have been pressed at the later time of the two keys.

4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The off-hysteresis is equal to or greater than the off-hysteresis.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. a step of detecting the amount of pressing of a key by a pressing amount detecting unit that outputs signals according to at least two pressing amounts of the key; an A / D converter converting the amount of pressing of the key into digital data; a memory unit storing the digital data; a step in which the press determination unit, when outputting a non-pressed state for the key, changes to a pressed state and outputs the state when the detected press amount becomes equal to or greater than an ON threshold value that is larger than the minimum press amount by a predetermined ON hysteresis; a step in which the press determination unit, when outputting a "pressed" signal for the key, changes the signal to "not pressed" and outputs the signal when the detected value of the press amount becomes less than an OFF threshold that is smaller than the maximum value of the press amount by a predetermined OFF hysteresis; 10. A method for controlling an input device, comprising:

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