RU2314560C1 - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: manual data input devices, possible use for building unified control panels of various data processing systems.

SUBSTANCE: keyboard represents a panel, on which a set of structurally independent units, required for certain use, is positioned. Each unit contains a matrix of buttons of certain functional purpose and corresponding controller. All matrix controllers are connected to each other by common serial synchronous interface, and all except one are slave interfaces, and generate information about condition of buttons. One controller of a set combines functions of slave and master, generates scan-codes of its matrix, and also on basis of information about scan-codes of all matrices of a set generates codes for transmission into personal computer. In another variant of realization, keyboard contains an additional controller, which performs functions of a master relatively to slave controllers of a set of matrices and ensures transformation of matrix codes according to protocol of exchange with personal computer.

EFFECT: simplified kitting of keyboard.

2 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The claimed technical solution relates to manual data input devices and can be used to build unified control panels of various data processing systems.

Keyboards are known that contain a set of buttons, the matrix of which includes zones of alphanumeric, functional and zones of control buttons, as well as a matrix controller that generates scan codes and provides information about the state of buttons and the type of buttons to a computer processor in accordance with the accepted interface (see , for example, RF patent No. 2214619 MKI G06F 3/00, keyboard E 11.7000.12TO for EC computers 184).

Known keyboards, as a rule, in the desktop version are universal and contain a large number of buttons, some of which may not be used in a particular application. Such keyboards are quite expensive and do not provide optimal conditions for prolonged operator work.

The task of reducing the cost and simplification of universal keyboards is accomplished in various ways, for example, using multi-function buttons with replaceable symbols on buttons (see RF patent No. 2214619, MKI G 06 F 3/00), replacing button groups with a compact manipulator (see RF patent No. 2088964, MKI G06F 3/02), by executing a desktop keyboard with a removable set of buttons installed in a permanent base, equipped with a set of contacts, switches, etc. (RF patent No. 2235534, MKI G06F 3/02, H03M 11/00), the design of the desktop keyboard in the form of a set of detachable parts (EP No. 0773493, 0898221, MKI G06F 3/02).

The closest in technical essence adopted for the prototype is a keyboard containing a controller, a button field and a panel for their fastening (see the description of the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2214619, MKI G06F 3/00).

The disadvantages of the keyboard are the complexity and high cost of modifying it for use in various input devices of unified remotes.

A typical unified console usually consists of a unified personal computer, a unified display device and a universal keyboard, however, the use of a universal keyboard is undesirable since data entry devices of different consoles should differ in appearance and reflect the specifics of a particular console.

The aim of the proposed technical solution is to create a technological keyboard of low cost, providing the ability to easily complete keyboards for unified remotes for various purposes.

The specified problem can be solved in two versions.

In the first embodiment, in a keyboard containing a controller, a button field and a panel for attaching them, the button field contains N matrices interconnected with the corresponding controllers, while N-1 controllers are connected by a common serial synchronous interface with each other and with the N-th controller, the output of which is the keyboard output, and each matrix of buttons and its corresponding controller are made in an autonomous construct, bonded to the keyboard panel.

In the second embodiment, in a keyboard containing a controller, a button field and a panel for attaching them, the button field contains a set of matrices associated with the respective controllers connected by a common serial synchronous interface with each other and with an additional controller, the output of which is the keyboard output, each matrix buttons and the corresponding controller are made in an autonomous construct, bonded to the keyboard panel.

This embodiment allows you to complete the keyboards of various data input consoles from the required set of autonomous matrices without any additional time and money. For unified consoles, this configuration is carried out on the basis of a single design that is interfaced with other devices of the console (computer, display device). The proposed keyboard can also be made in the desktop design.

Figure 1 shows the principle of layout of the keyboard, figure 2, 3 is a functional diagram of two keyboard options.

The keyboard consists of a panel 1, on which a set of N structurally independent nodes is fixed, each of which contains a matrix of buttons 2, an integrated controller 3 and means for attaching the node to the panel 1, for example, base 4 (Fig. 1), to which the matrix 2 is attached and controller 3. The fastening means can be made in another way, for example, in the form of racks fastening the assembly in a special slot in the panel. The polling inputs and signal outputs of each matrix of buttons 2 are connected to the corresponding controller 3 (FIGS. 2, 3).

Each matrix of buttons 2 has its own functional purpose, and a specific set of matrices is determined by the requirements for the corresponding input devices.

In the first embodiment of the keyboard (see FIG. 2) (N-1) of the controllers 3 are slave and are connected by inputs - outputs through a common serial synchronous interface 5 to the N-th controller 3, which in relation to the (N-1) controllers is master and at the same time performs the functions of a slave controller for its matrix 2.

In the second embodiment (Fig. 3), the leader is an additional controller 6 connected via a common serial synchronous interface 5 to all N controllers that are slaves. In this embodiment, the master controller is not part of the site’s construct and can be installed both on panel 1 and anywhere else on the console using the keyboard.

The keyboard is implemented on the basis of Atmel AT89S8252 type microcircuits using a synchronous four-wire serial SPL interface, the hardware support of which is included in the specified microcircuit. The SPL interface has the following signal lines:

MISO - input of serial data of the "master" - output of the "slave"

MOS1 - output of serial data of the "master" - input of the "slave"

SCK - synchronization circuit: "master" output - "slave" input.

All slave controllers 3 included in the keyboard are connected to the signal lines in parallel. The data exchange rate (synchronization frequency) is set by the master controller (N-th controller 3, figure 2, or controller 6, figure 3) and is about 100 Kbps.

When assembling the keyboard in the pre-formed seats of the panel 1, the nodes of the matrix of buttons 2 are fixed to the controllers 3 and connected to each other by a wired interface.

The keyboard works as follows. When the operator supplies power to all the controllers, the master N-th controller 3 or 6 starts sequential polling of all the slave controllers 3 and is constantly waiting for the operator to act (pressing any button).

Depending on the state of the buttons of one or another matrix, a data packet characterizing the current state of the buttons of the controllers 3 is sent to the leading N-th controller 3 (or controller 6 in the second embodiment) through the communication line.

From the information received, the leading N-th controller 3 or 6 generates codes transmitted to the remote computer in accordance with the exchange protocol specified by the operator when programming the controllers.

Claims (2)

1. A keyboard containing buttons, a panel for attaching them, characterized in that the buttons form N matrixes of buttons interconnected with the corresponding N controllers, generating data on the current state of the buttons of the matrix, while N-1 controllers are connected by a common serial synchronous interface between each other and with the N-th controller, which, in relation to the N-1 controllers, is the leader and is intended for their sequential polling, receiving a data packet characterizing the current state of the buttons, generating codes transmitted to A computer, and each matrix of buttons and its corresponding controller is made in an autonomous construct, fastened to the keyboard panel. 2. A keyboard containing buttons, a panel for attaching them, characterized in that the buttons form N matrixes of buttons interconnected with the corresponding N controllers, generating data on the current state of the matrix buttons, combined by a common serial synchronous interface with each other and with an additional controller, which in relation to N controllers, it is the leading one and is intended for their sequential polling, receiving a data packet characterizing the current state of buttons, generating codes transmitted to computers, m each matrix and the corresponding buttons are made in the autonomous controller konstruktive sealed by a keyboard panel.

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