Keyboard apparatus

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a keyboard apparatus available for a surveillance system.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of one preferred embodiment of a keyboard apparatus according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a scan board, a memory, a central processing unit, a liquid crystal display, and an interface forming part of the keyboard apparatus according to the present invention;

#One of the preferred embodiments of the keyboard apparatus according to the present invention will be described hereinlater.

#Referring now to the drawings, in particular, to FIGS. 1 to 6, there is shown one of the preferred embodiments of the keyboard apparatus according to the present invention. The keyboard apparatus 100 comprises a key retainer 250, and a plurality of keys each operatively arranged on the key retainer 250 to perform a key-pushed action and a key-released action. Each of the keys is operative to input a signal indicative of the key-pushed action and includes a key holder 201 to 203 and a key top mounted on the key holder 201 to 203. Each of the key holders 201 to 203 of the keys has an own key code. Each of the key tops of the keys has an own letter indicated thereon. Each of the key tops of the keys is changeable on the basis of the key code changed. Each of the letters of the key tops of the keys includes alphabets and numbers. The keys includes a plurality of ordinary keys such as for example numerical keys 320 and alphabetical keys 322, and a plurality of function keys 321 such as for example, a F1 key 151, a PRE key 152 and a CAMERA key 153, the latter three of which will be described in more detail hereinafter. All the keys have respective key tops each indicated by a specific number or letter as shown in FIG. 1.

#As best shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard apparatus 100 further comprises a scan board 300, a memory 310, a central processing unit 330, hereinafter simply referred to as “CPU”, a liquid crystal display 350, hereinafter simply referred to as “LCD”, an interface 360, and a bus 370 electrically connected to the scan board 300, the memory 310, the CPU 330, the LCD 350, and an interface 360. The scan board 300, the memory 310, the CPU 330, the LCD 350, and the interface 360 are accommodated in the key retainer 250, while the LCD 350 has a screen having a screen surface flush with the upper surface of the key retainer 250 and is partly housed in the key retainer 250.