Game keyboard device

• US 20040106451A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chicony Electronics Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Chicony Electronics Company Limited
• Inventors: Yao, Shun-Yi, Huang, Kuang-Yu
• Granted Patent: US 6,786,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

The disclosed game keyboard device comprising: a key matrix, a direction control mechanism, and a microprocessor. A switch key is used to change the direction control mechanism between the functions of a joystick and a mouse. The game keyboard device can selectively implement the function of the joystick or mouse through a single direction control mechanism. Therefore, the hardware manufacturing cost of the game keyboard device can be considerably reduced.

Claims

1. A game keyboard device, which comprises:

a key matrix, which includes standard keys, mouse keys, game keys, and a switch key;

a direction control mechanism, which generates a direction signal corresponding to a direction control input by a user;

a microprocessor, which scans the key status of the key matrix, receives the direction signal, and encodes and outputs a direction signal in a mouse/joystick pattern according to the key status of the switch key; and

a shell, which has the arrangement for the positions of the standard keys, the game keys, the mouse keys, and the switch key, and fixes the keys at their designated positions.

2. The game keyboard device of claim 1 further comprising a serial interface for transmitting the direction signal output from said microprocessor to a PC host.

3. The game keyboard device of claim 1 further includes an LED driver, which is electrically connected to the microprocessor for the microprocessor to indicate the key status of the switch key on an LED.

4. The game keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor enables the operation function of the mouse/game keys according to the key status of the switch key.

5. The game keyboard device of claim 4, wherein the microprocessor encodes and outputs a direction signal with the mouse pattern according to the key status of the switch key and simultaneously enables the function of the mouse keys.

6. The game keyboard device of claim 4, wherein the microprocessor encodes and outputs a direction signal with the joystick pattern according to the key status of the switch key and simultaneously enables the function of the game keys.

7. The game keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the direction control mechanism is a point joystick, a micro joystick and a track ball.

8. The game keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the direction signal output from the direction control mechanism is selected from an analog electronic signal and a digital electronic signal.

9. The game keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the shell has a body provided with standard keys, including a plurality of character keys, a plurality of number keys, and a plurality of function keys;

wherein the switch key and the LED are installed near the standard keys.

10. The game keyboard device of claim 9, wherein the shell has a right portion connected to the right side of the body and installed with the direction control mechanism and the mouse keys.

11. The game keyboard device of claim 9, wherein the shell has a left portion connected to the left side of the body and installed with the game keys.

12. The game keyboard device of claim 1 further comprising a circuit board installed with the microprocessor, the direction control mechanism, and the key matrix that are electrically connected with one another, the circuit board being installed inside the shell.

13. A game keyboard device, which comprises:

a key matrix, which includes at least standard keys and a switch key;

a direction control mechanism, which generates a direction signal corresponding to a direction control input by a user;

a microprocessor, which scans the key status of the key matrix, receives the direction signal, encodes and outputs a direction signal in a mouse/joystick pattern according to the key status of the switch key; and

a circuit board, which is installed with the microprocessor, the direction control mechanism, and the key matrix that are electrically connected with one another.

14. The game keyboard device of claim 13 further comprising a serial interface for transmitting the direction signal output from the microprocessor to a PC host.

15. The game keyboard device of claim 13 further includes an LED driver, which is electrically connected to the microprocessor for the microprocessor to indicate the key status of the switch key on an LED.

16. The game keyboard device of claim 13, wherein the key matrix further includes a plurality of mouse keys and a plurality of game keys.

17. The game keyboard device of claim 16, wherein the microprocessor enables the operation function of the mouse/game keys according to the key status of the switch key.

18. The game keyboard device of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor encodes and outputs a direction signal with the mouse pattern according to the key status of the switch key and simultaneously enables the function of the mouse keys.

19. The game keyboard device of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor encodes and outputs a direction signal with the joystick pattern according to the key status of the switch key and simultaneously enables the function of the game keys.

20. The game keyboard device of claim 13, wherein the direction control mechanism is a point joystick, a micro joystick and a track ball.

21. The game keyboard device of claim 13, wherein the direction signal output from the direction control mechanism is selected from an analog electronic signal and a digital electronic signal.

22. A configuration of a game keyboard device, which comprises:

a body, which has standard keys and a switch provided by the standard keys;

a right portion, which is connected to the right side of the body and provided with a direction control mechanism and a plurality of mouse keys thereon, the switch key switching the operation function of the direction control mechanism and the right portion near the direction control mechanism having a first protruding surface; and

a left portion, which is connected to the left side of the body and provided with a plurality of game keys, the left portion having a second protruding surface;

Wherein the right portion is smaller than the left portion and the curvature of the first protruding surface is greater than that of the second protruding surface.

23. The configuration of a game keyboard device of claim 22, wherein the standard keys include a plurality of character keys, a plurality of number keys, and a plurality of function keys, and an LED is provided by the standard keys to indicate the status of the switch key controlling the function of the direction control mechanism.

24. The configuration of a game keyboard device of claim 22, wherein the direction control mechanism includes the mouse and joystick functions.

25. A game keyboard device in signal communications with a PC host, which comprises:

a key matrix, which includes standard keys, game keys, and mouse keys;

a direction control mechanism, which generates a direction signal according to

a direction control input by a user;

a microprocessor, which scans the key status of the key matrix, receives the direction signal, and outputs the direction signal and the key status to the PC host;

a circuit board, which is installed with the microprocessor, the direction control mechanism, and the key matrix that are in electrical communications with one another; and

a shell, which has the arrangement for the positions of the standard keys, the game keys, the mouse keys, and the switch key, and fixes the circuit board.

26. The game keyboard device of claim 25, wherein the PC host runs a driver to determine whether the direction signal output from the microprocessor is of a mouse pattern or a joystick pattern according to a utility running on the PC host and accordingly enables the key status of the mouse/joystick keys.

27. The game keyboard device of claim 25, wherein the circuit board has a serial interface for communicating with the PC host.

28. The game keyboard device of claim 25, wherein the circuit board has a wireless interface for communicating with the PC host.