Keyboard apparatus

• US 6,760,011 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamauchi, Takuya, Suzuki, Kazuya, Saito, Toshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/866,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 463/37, 463/38, 345/168, 345/161, 348/143, 348/153, 348/159, 708/135, 708/142, 235/382, 235/454
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a keyboard apparatus which comprises a joystick, a switch mounted on the joystick, a scan board operative to input a switch signal of the switch-on action of the switch, a memory for memorizing a key code relevant to the switch, a plurality of numerical keys each having a key code inputted therein and outputting a key code signal indicative of the key-pushed actions of the numerical keys, a CPU having the switch signal and the key code signal inputted therein, and state setting means for selectively setting two operation states respectively having the switch signal and the key code signal outputted from the CPU.

Claims

1. A keyboard apparatus for controlling and operating at least one exterior appliance, comprising:

a key retainer,

a plurality of keys each operatively arranged on said key retainer to perform a key-pushed action and a key-released action, each of said keys being operative to input a signal indicative of said key-pushed action;

a joystick journally provided in association with said keys to input a signal indicative of said movement thereof;

a switch operatively supported on said joystick and movable with respect to said joystick to selectively perform a switch-on action and a switch-off action;

switch signal inputting means for inputting a switch signal indicative of said switch-on action when said switch is operated and moved to perform said switch-on action with respect to said joystick;

key code signal inputting means for inputting a key code signal indicative of said key-pushed action when each of said keys is operated and moved to perform said key-pushed action;

information recording means for recording specific relevant information between said switch signal inputted from said switch signal inputting means and said key code signal inputted from said key code signal inputting means, said specific relevant information being formed by at least one specific key selected from among said keys and brought into said key-pushed action;

signal processing means for receiving and processing said switch signal from said switch signal inputting means and said key code signal from said key code signal inputting means, said signal processing means being operative to selectively assume two different operation states consisting of a first operation state under which said specific relevant information is recorded by said information recording means in accordance with said switch signal inputted by said switch signal inputting means and said key code signal inputted by said key code signal inputting means, and a second operation state under which said key code signal in response to said switch signal from said switch signal inputting means is outputted to said exterior appliance in accordance to said specific relevant information recorded by said information recording means; and

state setting means for selectively setting said first and second operation states.

2. A keyboard apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a display unit for displaying said specific relevant information between said switch signal and said key code signal formed when said specific key is brought into said key-pushed action.

3. A keyboard apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, in which said key code signal inputting means includes a plurality of numerical keys which are selectively combined to form a plurality of desired key codes.

4. A keyboard apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, in which said key code signal inputting means includes a plurality of keys which are selectively combined to form a plurality of desired key codes.

5. A keyboard apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which said state setting means includes a first operation state holding key for allowing said signal processing means to assume said first operation state, and a second operation state holding key for allowing said signal processing means to assume said second operation state.

6. A keyboard apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which said information recording means is operated by said exterior appliance to record therein said specific relevant information between said switch signal and said key code signal.

7. A keyboard apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2, in which said joystick and said switch have respective axis held in coaxial relationship with each other, and said joystick having an upper surface and said switch being resiliently urged to project upwardly of said upper surface of said joystick under said switch-off action.