Key switch device and key switch control method

Abstract

To provide a key switch apparatus and a key switch control method which can detect an operation of a key at an early timing and allow a series of strokes at high speed.SOLUTION: A key switch apparatus according to the present invention has a key Ky for outputting a signal responding to a depression amount of the key, a depression amount detecting unit 51 for detecting a depression amount of the key Ky, an A / D conversion unit 14 for converting the depression amount of the key Ky to digital data, and a RAM 122 for storing a plurality of operation points for use in switching a mode of the key Ky between an on mode and an off mode according to the digital data. The apparatus further has a key switch control unit 11 which outputs a switch-on signal when the depression amount is higher as compared with any of the operation points while the depression amount of the key Ky is increased and which outputs a switch-off signal when the depression amount is lower as compared with any of the operation points while the depression amount of the key Ky is decreased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a key switch device and a method for controlling a key switch. [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] Patent Document 1 discloses a keyboard device that has multiple keys and allows multiple thresholds to be set for each key. For example, by allowing users to select from three thresholds: a "small threshold" for a shallow depression, a "medium threshold" for a medium depression, and a "large threshold" for a deep depression, and by setting the threshold for each key to one of these, it becomes possible to set the operability of each key mounted on the key switch device to suit the user's preferences. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-067134 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, if a key is set to a small threshold, the initial input operation is detected (ON detection) quickly, but the distance it takes for the key to reach the full stroke point after exceeding the threshold becomes long. As a result, it takes a long time to detect the return (OFF detection), making it difficult to repeatedly press the same key at high speed.

[0006] On the other hand, if a key is set to a large threshold, it becomes easier to repeatedly press the same key, but the initial input operation (on detection) is delayed, which makes it unsuitable for e-sports, where input speed is a competitive skill.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a key switch device and a key switch control method that can detect key operations at an early timing and can perform rapid keystrokes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The key switch device of the present invention comprises a key that outputs a signal according to the amount of depression of the key, a depression amount detection unit that detects the amount of depression of the key, an A / D conversion unit that converts the amount of depression of the key into digital data, an operating point memory unit that stores a plurality of operating points for switching the key on and off according to the digital data, and an output signal control unit that outputs an ON signal when the amount of depression of the key increases and exceeds any of the operating points, and outputs an OFF signal when the amount of depression of the key decreases and falls below any of the operating points.

[0009] The key switch control method of the present invention is a method for switching a key on / off depending on the amount of key depression, and includes the steps of: detecting the amount of key depression; converting the amount of key depression into digital data; and, based on the digital data and a plurality of operating points for switching the key on / off, outputting an ON signal when the amount of key depression increases and exceeds any of the operating points, and outputting an OFF signal when the amount of key depression decreases and falls below any of the operating points. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to detect key operations at an early timing and to perform rapid keystrokes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a key switch 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 4A] FIG. 4A is a first sub-diagram of a flowchart showing the operation of the key switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a second sub-diagram of the flowchart showing the operation of the key switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the depression amount and the change between ON and OFF in the key switch device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [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 a keyswitch device 100 according to this embodiment and its peripheral devices. Specifically, this is a computer keyboard equipped with many keys.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a key switch device 100 according to this embodiment includes a controller 10 and a key matrix 50.

[0014] 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.

[0015] Each key Ky has an electrode facing the bottom of the key top, and when the key top is pressed, the capacitance changes. In other words, each key Ky outputs a signal according to the amount of pressing. The configuration of the key Ky will be explained below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 current flowing from the electrode Q1 to the electrode Q2 changes accordingly. Therefore, the voltage detected by the depression amount detection unit 51 (see FIG. 1) changes.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The controller 10 includes a key switch 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 RAM, ROM, and a hard disk.

[0023] The key switch control unit 11 executes control for scanning each key Ky by the scan control unit 13, control for writing and reading data into / from the memory unit 12, communication control with the host PC 200 by the communication unit 15, and the like. Further, the key switch control unit 11 determines ON and OFF of each key Ky based on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit 14 and the threshold value (details will be described later) stored in the memory unit 12.

[0024] Furthermore, control for sequentially scanning each key Ky to detect its depression amount and storing the digital signal in the memory unit 12, and control for sequentially reading the depression amount of each key Ky stored in the memory unit 12 and determining ON and OFF of each key Ky based on the operation points described later are controlled independently of each other and are not affected by other controls.

[0025] [[ID= nine]]In addition, the key switch control unit 11 sets an operation point for switching ON and OFF with respect to the depression amount of each key Ky based on the setting signal input by the host PC 200. In this embodiment, an example of setting three operation points AP1, AP2, and AP3 will be described. For example, when the depression amount of the key Ky is indicated by a digital value of 0 to 255, numerical values of the three operation points AP1, AP2, and AP3 are set for each key Ky.

[0026] Furthermore, for each of the operation points AP1 to AP3, an ON threshold value and an OFF threshold value are set. The ON threshold value of the operation point AP1 is the first ON threshold value AP1ON, the ON threshold value of the operation point AP2 is the second ON threshold value AP2ON, and the ON threshold value of the operation point AP3 is the third ON threshold value AP3ON. Also, the OFF threshold value of the operation point AP1 is the first OFF threshold value AP1OFF, the OFF threshold value of the operation point AP2 is the second OFF threshold value AP2OFF, and the OFF threshold value of the operation point AP3 is the third OFF threshold value AP3OFF.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the magnitudes of the ON threshold values AP1ON, AP2ON, and AP3ON have the relationship of "AP1ON < AP2ON < AP3ON". The magnitudes of the OFF threshold values AP10FF, AP2OFF, and AP3OFF have the relationship of "AP1OFF < AP2OFF < AP3OFF".

[0028] The ON threshold of each of the operating points AP1 to AP3 is set to a value slightly higher than the OFF threshold. Specifically, there is a relationship of "AP1ON>AP10FF," "AP2ON>AP20FF," and "AP3ON>AP30FF." In other words, three operating points AP1, AP2, and AP3 are set for one key Ky, and the ON threshold of each operating point is set to a value slightly higher than the OFF threshold to ensure hysteresis.

[0029] The key switch control unit 11 also has the function of outputting an ON signal when the amount of depression of the key Ky increases and exceeds one of the ON thresholds, and outputting an OFF signal when the amount of depression of the key Ky decreases and falls below one of the OFF thresholds.

[0030] The memory unit 12 includes a read only memory (ROM) 121 and a random access memory (RAM) 122. The ROM 121 stores a control program for the entire device and the like.

[0031] The RAM 122 stores thresholds indicating the operating points of each key Ky. Specifically, it stores the above-mentioned ON thresholds AP1ON to AP3ON and OFF thresholds AP1OFF to AP3OFF. The RAM 122 also stores depression amount data (digital data converted by the A / D conversion unit 14) of each key Ky when each key Ky is scanned. That is, the RAM 122 functions as an operating point storage unit that stores multiple operating points for switching each key Ky on and off according to the digital data. The RAM 122 also includes a depression amount storage unit that stores the depression amount of each key Ky for each key Ky.

[0032] The communication unit 15 communicates wirelessly or wired with the main PC 200. Specifically, the communication unit 15 transmits on / off information for each key Ky to the main PC 200. Furthermore, the communication unit 15 receives various setting value data set by the main PC 200. The setting values ​​set by the main PC include data on the on threshold and off threshold for each key Ky, and information for setting each key Ky to enabled or disabled.

[0033] [Explanation of the control that stores the amount of each key pressed in the memory] 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 key switch control unit 11. As the scan control unit 13 scans each key Ky, a voltage corresponding to the capacitance generated in each key Ky is detected by the press amount detection unit 51.

[0034] 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 key switch control unit 11. The key switch control unit 11 stores the digital data in a location (press amount storage unit) in the RAM 122 designated for each key Ky.

[0035] [Explanation of the control that determines whether each key is on or off] Next, the operation of determining whether a key Ky is on or off in the key switch device 100 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and the timing chart shown in FIG. 5. The processing shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is executed by the controller 10 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, there are (M×N) keys Ky as shown in FIG. 1, and the on or off state of each key Ky is determined sequentially. Since the control for determining whether each key Ky is on or off is the same for all keys, the following description will focus on only one key Ky1 that is the subject of the determination.

[0036] First, in step S11 of FIG. 4A, the key switch control unit 11 initializes various variables used in the process. Also, each key Ky is set to "off". Further, the threshold value set for the corresponding key Ky1 is read from the RAM 122. Specifically, for each key Ky arranged in a matrix, three on-threshold values AP1ON (the first on-threshold value), AP2ON (the second on-threshold value), AP3ON (the third on-threshold value), and three off-threshold values AP10FF (the first off-threshold value), AP2OFF (the second off-threshold value), AP3OFF (the third off-threshold value) are read.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the magnitudes of the on-threshold values AP1ON, AP2ON, and AP3ON have the relationship of "AP1ON < AP2ON < AP3ON". The magnitudes of the off-threshold values AP10FF, AP2OFF, and AP3OFF have the relationship of "AP1OFF < AP2OFF < AP3OFF". Also, they have the relationships of "AP1ON > AP10FF", "AP2ON > AP20FF", and "AP3ON > AP30FF". That is, three operating points AP1, AP2, and AP3 are set for one key Ky1. To ensure hysteresis for each operating point, the depression amount for turning on is set to a slightly higher value than the depression amount for turning off.

[0038] In step S12, the scan control unit 13 reads the depression amount of the key Ky1 from a specified location (depression amount storage unit) in the RAM 122. This depression amount is referred to as "depression amount AP".

[0039] In step S13, the key switch control unit 11 determines whether the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 is greater than or equal to the first on-threshold value AP1ON stored in the RAM 122. If "AP ≧ AP1ON" (S13; YES), the process proceeds to step S14; otherwise, the process returns to step S12.

[0040] In step S14, the output of key Ky1 is switched from OFF to ON. That is, when the output of key Ky1 is in the OFF state and the pressing amount AP of key Ky1 exceeds one of the three ON thresholds (in this case, the first ON threshold AP1ON), the output of key Ky1 is switched from ON to OFF.

[0041] In step S15, the key switch control unit 11 reads the depression amount AP of the key Ky1. If the user continues to press the key Ky1, the depression amount AP continues to increase, and if the user stops pressing the key Ky1, the depression amount AP starts to decrease.

[0042] In step S16, the key switch control unit 11 determines whether the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or greater than the second ON threshold AP2ON.

[0043] If the user continues to press the key Ky1 and "AP≧AP2ON" holds true (S16; YES), the key Ky1 continues to be pressed in step S19, and the key switch control unit 11 reads the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0044] On the other hand, if the user stops pressing the key Ky1 and the pressing amount AP decreases, and "AP≧AP2ON" does not hold (S16; NO), the key switch control unit 11 determines in step S17 whether the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or less than the first OFF threshold AP1OFF. If "AP≦AP1OFF" holds (S17; YES), the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process returns to step S15.

[0045] In step S18, the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from ON to OFF. That is, when the output of the key Ky1 is ON and the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 falls below one of the three OFF thresholds (in this case, the first OFF threshold AP1OFF), the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from ON to OFF. Then, the process returns to step S12.

[0046] In step S20, the key switch control unit 11 determines whether the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or greater than the third ON threshold AP3ON.

[0047] If the user continues to press the key Ky1 and "AP≧AP3ON" holds true (S20; YES), the key Ky1 continues to be pressed in step S23 of Fig. 4B, and the key switch control unit 11 reads the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1. Then, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0048] On the other hand, if the user stops pressing the key Ky1 and the pressing amount AP decreases, and "AP≧AP3ON" does not hold (S20; NO), the key switch control unit 11 determines in step S21 whether the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or less than the second OFF threshold AP2OFF. If "AP≦AP2OFF" holds (S21; YES), the process proceeds to step S22; otherwise, the process returns to step S19.

[0049] In step S22, the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from ON to OFF. That is, when the output of the key Ky1 is ON and the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 falls below one of the three OFF thresholds (in this case, the second OFF threshold AP2OFF), the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from ON to OFF. Then, the process returns to step S15.

[0050] In step S24, the key switch control unit 11 determines whether the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 is below the third OFF threshold AP3OFF. If "AP≦AP3OFF" (S24; YES), the process proceeds to step S25; otherwise, the process returns to step S23.

[0051] In step S25, the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from on to off. That is, when the output of the key Ky1 is on and the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 falls below one of the three off thresholds (in this case, the third off threshold AP3OFF), the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from on to off. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0052] In step S26, the key switch control unit 11 reads the depression amount AP of the key Ky1.

[0053] In step S27, the key switch control unit 11 determines whether the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or less than the second OFF threshold AP2OFF.

[0054] If the user does not press the key Ky1 and AP≦AP2OFF holds (S27; YES), the key Ky1 remains OFF in step S30, and the key switch control unit 11 detects the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1. Then, the process proceeds to step S31.

[0055] On the other hand, if the user starts pressing the key Ky1 and the pressing amount AP increases, and AP≦AP2OFF is not satisfied (S27; NO), the key switch control unit 11 determines in step S28 whether the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or greater than the third on threshold AP3ON. If AP≧AP3ON is satisfied (S28; YES), the process proceeds to step S29; otherwise, the process returns to step S26.

[0056] In step S29, the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from OFF to ON. That is, when the output of the key Ky1 is in the OFF state and the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 exceeds one of the three ON thresholds (in this case, the third ON threshold AP3ON), the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from OFF to ON. Thereafter, the process returns to step S23.

[0057] In step S30, the key switch control unit 11 reads the depression amount AP of the key Ky1.

[0058] In step S31, the key switch control unit 11 determines whether the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or less than the first OFF threshold AP1OFF.

[0059] If the user does not press the key Ky1 and "AP≦AP1OFF" holds (S31; YES), the process returns to step S12 in FIG. 4A.

[0060] On the other hand, if the user starts pressing the key Ky1 and the pressing amount AP increases, and AP is not equal to or less than AP1OFF (S31; NO), the key switch control unit 11 determines in step S32 whether the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 is equal to or greater than the second on threshold AP2ON. If AP≧AP2ON (S32; YES), the process proceeds to step S33; otherwise, the process returns to step S30.

[0061] In step S33, the key switch control unit 11 switches the output of the key Ky1 from OFF to ON. That is, when the output of the key Ky1 is OFF and the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 exceeds one of the three ON thresholds (in this case, the second ON threshold AP2ON), the output of the key Ky1 is switched from OFF to ON. Thereafter, the process returns to step S19 in FIG. 4A. In this way, the key Ky1 can be switched ON and OFF according to an increase or decrease in the depression amount AP of the key Ky1.

[0062] [Specific explanation of how to turn it on and off] Next, the specific on / off switching of the key Ky1 will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG.

[0063] Initially, as shown at time t0 in Fig. 4, the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 is assumed to be approximately "0" (see symbol P0). When the user starts pressing the key Ky1 and the pressing amount AP exceeds the first ON threshold AP1ON at time t1 (see symbol P1), the output of the key Ky1 switches from OFF to ON. That is, if it is determined in step S13 shown in Fig. 4A that "AP≧AP1ON," the output of the key Ky1 is turned ON in step S14.

[0064] If the key Ky1 continues to be pressed and the pressing amount AP exceeds the second ON threshold AP2ON (see symbol P2), the output of the key Ky1 continues to be ON. That is, if it is determined in step S16 shown in FIG. 4A that "AP≧AP2ON," the output of the key Ky1 is maintained ON.

[0065] Thereafter, if the key Ky1 continues to be pressed and the pressing amount AP exceeds the third ON threshold AP3ON (see symbol P3), the output of the key Ky1 continues to be ON. That is, if it is determined in step S20 shown in FIG. 4A that "AP≧AP3ON," the output of the key Ky1 is maintained ON.

[0066] When the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 starts to decrease and falls below the third OFF threshold AP3OFF at time t4 (see symbol P4), the output of the key Ky1 is switched from ON to OFF. That is, if it is determined in step S24 shown in FIG. 4B that "AP≦AP3OFF", the output of the key Ky1 is turned OFF in step S25.

[0067] When the pressing amount AP of the key Ky1 starts to increase and exceeds the third ON threshold AP3ON at time t5 (see symbol P5), the output of the key Ky1 is switched from OFF to ON. That is, if it is determined that "AP≧AP3ON" in step S28 shown in FIG. 4B, the output of the key Ky1 is turned ON in step S29.

[0068] Thereafter, the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 starts to decrease, and when the depression amount AP falls below the third OFF threshold AP3OFF at time t6 (see symbol P6), the output of the key Ky1 switches from ON to OFF.

[0069] When the depression amount AP of Ky1 further decreases and falls below the second OFF threshold AP2OFF (see symbol P7), the output of key Ky1 remains OFF.

[0070] The depression amount AP of the key Ky1 starts to increase, and when the depression amount AP exceeds the second ON threshold AP2ON at time t8 (see symbol P8), the output of the key Ky1 switches from OFF to ON.

[0071] The depression amount AP of the key Ky1 starts to decrease, and when the depression amount AP falls below the second OFF threshold AP2OFF at time t9 (see symbol P9), the output of the key Ky1 switches from ON to OFF.

[0072] When the depression amount AP of the key Ky1 further decreases and falls below the first OFF threshold AP1OFF (see symbol P10), the output of the key Ky1 remains OFF. After that, the same processing as above is executed.

[0073] In this way, the keyswitch device 100 according to this embodiment sets multiple ON thresholds and multiple OFF thresholds for the depression amount of the key Ky. When the depression amount AP of the key Ky exceeds one of the ON thresholds while the output of the key Ky is in the OFF state, the output of the key Ky is switched from OFF to ON. Also, when the depression amount AP of the key Ky falls below one of the OFF thresholds while the output of the key Ky is in the ON state, the output of the key Ky is switched from ON to OFF.

[0074] Therefore, when a user presses a key Ky, the key Ky can be switched from OFF to ON when the pressing amount AP is small. Also, if the user stops pressing the key Ky after the key Ky has turned ON, the pressing amount AP decreases, and when the pressing amount AP falls below one of a plurality of OFF thresholds, the output of the key Ky is switched OFF.

[0075] Therefore, the output of the key Ky can be immediately switched from on to off. Also, when the user starts pressing the key Ky, the pressing amount AP increases, and when the pressing amount AP exceeds any of a plurality of on-threshold values, the output of the key Ky switches to on. For this reason, when repeatedly pressing the same key Ky, it becomes possible to switch the on and off states of the key Ky at an extremely high cycle. That is, it becomes possible to increase the number of on / off switching operations that can be performed per unit time.

[0076] Also, the magnitudes of the respective on-threshold values AP1ON, AP2ON, AP3ON and the respective off-threshold values AP10FF, AP2OFF, AP3OFF have the relationships of "AP1OFF < AP1ON", "AP2OFF < AP2ON", and "AP3OFF < AP3ON". That is, hysteresis is ensured between the threshold value at which the key Ky turns on and the threshold value at which it turns off. For this reason, it becomes possible to avoid the key Ky being unnecessarily turned on and off repeatedly.

[0077] [Description of Modification Example] In the above-described embodiment, an example of switching the on and off states of the key Ky using three on-threshold values AP1ON to AP3ON and three off-threshold values AP1OFF to AP3OFF that are set in the RAM122 in advance has been described.

[0078] In the modification example, for example, four or more operating points are set by a program of the main body PC and temporarily stored in the RAM122 via the communication unit 15. Further, it is also possible to specify three of the four or more operating points and set those three to the three operating points AP1 to AP3 described above.

[0079] Specifically, on-threshold values and off-threshold values corresponding to four or more operating points may be stored in the RAM122 in advance, and the three on-threshold values set in the main body PC200 may be set as the first to third on-threshold values AP1ON to AP3ON described above, and the three off-threshold values may be set to the first to third off-threshold values AP1OFF to AP3OFF described above.

[0080] That is, the key switch control unit 11 (output signal control unit) may acquire a selection signal for a plurality of desired operating points among the plurality of operating points stored in the RAM 122 (operating point storage unit), and set the plurality of operating points set by the acquired selection signal as the operating points for switching the on / off state of the key Ky. By doing so, the user can select three desired operating points (three on-threshold values and three off-threshold values) from a plurality of operating points (a plurality of on-threshold values and a plurality of off-threshold values), and it becomes possible to set an operating point with good operability for the user.

[0081] Furthermore, five or more operating points may be set, and operating points less than or equal to the number of set operating points may be appropriately selected. That is, n operating points AP1, AP2, ···, APn may be set. In this case, n on-threshold values AP1ON, AP2ON, ···, APnON and n off-threshold values AP1OFF, AP2OFF, ···, APnOFF are set, and they have the relationship of AP1ON < AP10FF < AP2ON < AP2OFF < ··· < APnON < APnOFF.

[0082] That is, a large number of operating points may be set in advance within the range of the pressing stroke of the key Ky, and the main body PC 200 may select the operating points to be used and the operating points not to be used, and perform the output control of the on / off state of the key Ky only for the operating points to be used.

[0083] Therefore, the operating points can be set according to the habits and preferences of each user (for example, e-sports players), and the user can perform a game that satisfies himself / herself.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, a keyboard connected to a computer has been described as an example, but the key switch device to be applied is not limited to a keyboard, and it can also be applied to an input switch for an arcade game, a joystick, and further a controller for a home game machine, etc.

[0085] 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]

[0086] 10 Controllers 11 Key switch control section (output signal control section) 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 Press amount detection unit 100 Key switch device 121 ROM 122 RAM (operating point memory, pressing amount memory) 200 Main PC

Claims

1. A key that outputs a signal 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; an operating point storage unit that stores a plurality of operating points for switching the key on and off in accordance with the digital data; an output signal control unit that outputs an ON signal when the amount of pressing of the key increases and exceeds one of the operating points, and outputs an OFF signal when the amount of pressing of the key decreases and falls below one of the operating points; A key switch device comprising:

2. the output signal control unit acquires a selection signal for selecting a plurality of desired operating points from among a plurality of operating points stored in the operating point storage unit; The plurality of operating points set by the acquired selection signal are set as operating points for switching the key on and off. The key switch device according to claim 1.

3. each of the operating points comprises an ON threshold and an OFF threshold that is greater than the ON threshold; The output signal control unit An ON signal is output when the amount of pressing of the key increases and exceeds one of the ON thresholds, and an OFF signal is output when the amount of pressing of the key decreases and falls below one of the OFF thresholds.

3. The key switch device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operating points are n in number, AP1, AP2, ..., APn, and the relationship between the on thresholds AP1ON, AP2ON, ..., APnON of the operating points and the off thresholds AP1OFF, AP2OFF, ..., APnOFF of the operating points is AP1ON<AP1OFF<AP2ON<AP2OFF< ..., APnON<APnOFF.

4. The key switch device according to claim 3.

5. A method for controlling a key switch that switches on and off a key depending on the amount of depression of the key, comprising: detecting the amount of depression of the key; converting the amount of key depression into digital data; a step of outputting an ON signal when the amount of pressing of the key increases and exceeds any one of the operating points based on the digital data and a plurality of operating points for switching the key on and off, and outputting an OFF signal when the amount of pressing of the key decreases and falls below any one of the operating points; A key switch control method comprising:

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