Keyboard Key Scanning Layout for Faster Crucial Key Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical keyboards do not adequately enhance the response speed of specific keys, which are crucial for e-sports and other applications, as they require faster scanning methods to improve keystroke registration and durability.
Innovation Solution
A key scanning method that groups keys into main and subsidiary groups, where the main scan line is triggered multiple times, interspersedly with subsidiary scan lines, ensuring each subsidiary scan line is triggered at least once to complete a scan cycle, thereby increasing the frequency of scanning crucial keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all keys are scanned uniformly with the same frequency, then the scanning process is simple and uniform, but the response speed of specific crucial keys cannot be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key set into crucial keys (first key group) and non-crucial keys (second key group), applying different scanning frequencies to each segment. The scan circuit scans crucial keys at a higher frequency than non-crucial keys, thereby enhancing the response speed of specific keys without requiring complete redesign of the scanning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different scanning characteristics to different key regions. Specifically, crucial keys located in the first key group receive intensified scanning attention with higher frequency, while non-crucial keys in the second key group are scanned at standard frequency. This localized differentiation optimizes response speed where needed without uniformly increasing system complexity.
2Loss of time
If the scanning frequency of all keys is increased, then the response time of all keys is reduced, but the overall scan period increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by increasing the scanning frequency only for crucial keys rather than all keys. The scan circuit performs multiple scanning operations on the first key group (crucial keys) within one scan cycle, while the second key group (non-crucial keys) is scanned at normal frequency. This selective approach reduces the scan period for crucial keys without proportionally increasing energy consumption across the entire system.
3Speed
If mechanical structures or materials are improved to reduce response time, then the hardware complexity and cost increase, but software scanning method optimization is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical optimization approaches with an electronic scanning method optimization. Instead of modifying mechanical structures or materials to reduce response time, the invention uses a software-controlled scan circuit that dynamically adjusts scanning frequency for different key groups. This substitution achieves response time reduction through intelligent signal processing rather than mechanical changes, avoiding increased hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A key scanning method and an input device thereof are provided. The key scanning method for an input device with at least a first key group and a subsidiary key group comprises: triggering a first main scan line electrically connected to the first key group and reading electrical signals received via a plurality of signal sensing lines electrically connected to the first key group to determine whether any said key among the first key group is triggered; and triggering a non-triggered one of a plurality of subsidiary scan lines electrically connected to the subsidiary key group and reading electrical signals received via another plurality of signal sensing lines electrically connected to the subsidiary key group to determine whether any said key among the subsidiary key group is triggered, wherein the first main scan line and the subsidiary scan lines are triggered one after another for multiple times.