KR20030006323A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device for inputting information is provided to offer a wireless information input device having a simple structure as well as performing an input function of a keyboard and a mouse on a small computer. CONSTITUTION: An upper plate(220) moves to a horizontal direction to a lower plate(222). A moving axle(228) is smoothly moved together with a sliding ball(226). A strain gauge(234) as a sensor outputs an electric signal according to movement of the moving axle(228). By removing a hand from the upper plate(220), the upper plate(220) is returned to an original point by the strain gauge(228) attaching to the moving axle(228). If force is applied to a center of the upper plate(220), the moving axle(228) moves to downward and a tact switch(236) as a switch outputs an on/off operation signal. A processor transmits the input information to an input processing device of a computer through a wireless communication tool via a communication module after analyzing electric signals generated by the sensor and the switch.

Description

Information input device

The present invention relates to an information input device, and more particularly, to a pointing device of a computer and an information input device for inputting computer data with an X-Y displacement between two small parallel plates.

A keyboard and a mouse are the most widely used computer input devices. Data input by the keyboard detects the on / off of the corresponding switch by pressing a plurality of keys 110, which are a kind of tact switch, and pressing the keys 110 as shown in FIG. A control unit 112 for decoding the same, and a computer system 114 for inputting the command decoded by the control unit 112 in the corresponding character.

Such a keyboard input system can be used in a desktop or notebook computer, but is very difficult to use in a very small computer (Personal Data Assistants).

In addition, the mouse is used in various ways to perform a specific function by specifying a location as a pointing device in a computer with a window environment and clicking by clicking the click button.

However, the mouse itself has a limitation in entering characters, so it is generally used with a keyboard.

In addition, in order to implement a virtual keyboard, a method of hitting a virtual keyboard by using a sensor for detecting a finger movement on a finger has been attempted, but many sensors are required, and it is complicated to separate a data transmission system and connect the sensors. There is a problem with the system.

In the case of a PDA, a method of writing letters on a screen using a stylus, which is a pen input device, is used. However, this method has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to input information quickly and the recognition rate is lowered.

Therefore, the present invention was created to improve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact information input device having a simple structure while performing a keyboard and mouse input function in a small computer.

1 is a block diagram of an information input system using a keyboard;

2 is a perspective view of an information input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cut along the line 3-3 'of FIG.

4 is a block diagram illustrating the operation principle of a wireless input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing an input mode using an information input apparatus according to the present invention;

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of inputting a character like a keyboard using two wireless input devices according to the present invention;

7 is a flowchart showing an information input method according to the present invention;

8 is a schematic perspective sectional view of a wireless input device as a second embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a schematic perspective sectional view of a wireless input device as a third embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a view for explaining an example in which the wireless input device according to the present invention is applied to a PDA which is a small computer.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

220: upper plate 222: lower plate

226: sliding ball 228, 280: moving shaft

234: strain gauge 236: tact switch

290: touch switch

In order to achieve the above object, the information input device of the present invention includes: an upper plate and a lower plate facing each other and isolated at a predetermined interval; A moving shaft interposed between the upper and lower plates to transfer the movement of the upper plate; A sensor for detecting a moving line of the moving shaft; A processor for processing a signal from the sensor; And signal transmission means for transmitting a signal from the processor.

And a switch configured to switch while being pressed downward when a predetermined pressure or more is applied from the upper plate toward the lower plate. The processor may further include a processor for processing a signal of the switch together with the sensor. do.

Preferably, the switch is a tact switch, and the tact switch is in contact with a lower portion of the moving shaft.

The processor is preferably embedded in the lower plate.

It is preferable that hemispherical concave grooves are formed in the lower portion of the upper plate, and sliding members are embedded in the grooves.

The upper end of the movable shaft is fixed to the upper plate, the lower end is preferably located in the groove formed in the lower plate.

The sensor is preferably a strain gauge extending from the inside of the lower plate and connected to the side of the moving shaft, or the sensor is an X-Y strain gauge and integral with the moving shaft.

The sensor may be a contact switch provided on the side of the groove of the lower plate surrounding the moving shaft.

It is preferable to further include an interface formed on one side of the lower plate.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the information input device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an information input apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and the upper plate is transparently illustrated for explanation, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cut surface along a line 3-3 'of FIG. It is a cross section.

Referring to the drawings, the upper plate 220 and the lower plate 222 are separated at a predetermined interval, and the hemispherical concave grooves 224 are formed in the lower portion of the upper plate 220. The grooves 224 are provided with sliding balls 226. The moving shaft 228 is interposed in the central portion of the plates 220 and 222. The upper end of the moving shaft 228 is fixed to the lower portion of the upper plate 220, the lower end is located in the groove 230 formed in the center portion of the lower plate 222. The lower portion of the moving shaft 228 is provided with strain gauges 234 extending from the inner surface 232 of the lower plate 222 and connected to the side of the moving shaft 228. It is preferable that this strain gauge 234 consists of four pieces. The tact switch 236 which is in contact with the lower end of the moving shaft 228 is provided below the moving shaft 228.

When the central portion of the upper plate 220 is pressed downward, a flexible plate in which the central portion of the upper plate 220 is bent downward is preferable.

The lower plate 222 includes a processor (see reference numeral 420 of FIG. 4) connected to the signal lines of the strain gauges 234 and the tact switch 236 and transmits information to a small computer that is operated together by a command of the processor. Wireless transmitting means (not shown) is provided. The radio transmission means uses radio communication means such as radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and infrared communication (IrDA).

4 is a block diagram illustrating an operation principle of a wireless input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the upper plate 220 is moved horizontally with respect to the lower plate 222, the movement shaft 228 is flexibly moved together with the sliding ball 226. At this time, the strain gauge 234 as the sensor 400 outputs an electrical signal according to the movement of the moving shaft 228. When the upper plate 220 is released from the upper plate 220, the upper plate 220 returns to the origin by the restoring force of the strain gauge 234 attached to the moving shaft 228.

In addition, when a force is applied to the center portion of the upper plate 220, the moving shaft 228 is moved downward to press the tact switch 236, which is the switch 410, and outputs an on / off operation signal. The processor 420 analyzes the electrical signals generated by the sensor 400 and the switch 410 and transmits the input information to the input processing apparatus of the computer through the communication module 426 by a wireless transmission means.

Herein, the processor 420 will be described in more detail. The central processing unit 424 receives a signal through an analog-digital converter 422 that converts the analog signal of the sensor 400 into a digital signal, and the switch 410. The electrical signal generated from) is also input. The input signal is interpreted by the central processing unit 424 and output as input information, and the output information is transmitted from the communication module unit 426 to the information input processing apparatus 450 of the computer through a wireless transmission means (not shown). do. The memory 428 stores a program for driving the central processing unit 424. The timer 430 applies the periodicity of the information data processed by the central processing unit 424.

5 illustrates an example of changing to an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a mouse function, and a special character mode on a keyboard using the information input device according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, when the upper shaft 220 is pressed once and the moving shaft 228 presses the lower tact switch 236, a click signal is generated from the tact switch 236 to change to the next mode in the clockwise direction. If you press twice in succession, you will double click to change to the counterclockwise mode. Although four modes are taken as examples in FIG. 5, the number of modes can be changed as necessary.

6 shows an example of inputting a character like a keyboard using two wireless input devices according to the present invention. For example, the motion of the moving axis (see reference numeral 228 of FIG. 3) is recognized in eight directions in consideration of noise and signal acquisition. Since 64 can be implemented by combining direction signals of two wireless input devices, an input function as a keyboard can be performed in the mode selected in FIG. 5.

In other words, when it is intended to be used as a pointing device, a mouse mode is selected using a tact switch (reference numeral 236 of FIG. 3), and a moving axis (reference numeral 228 of FIG. 3) is selected using a predetermined wireless input device. When the direction of movement is selected, the progress length is calculated by the timer (reference numeral 430 of FIG. 4). In order to input capital letters, the user selects the capital letter mode by clicking the tact switch 236 and selects and inputs directions using two input devices. At this time, ID information of the input device is also input.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an information input method according to the present invention. Hereinafter, FIG. 7 will be described in detail with reference to a block diagram illustrating an operation principle of the wireless input device illustrated in FIG. 4.

First, the sensor 400 and the processor 420 are initialized (702).

Subsequently, it is determined whether the user exit signal is present (704). At this time, if the user termination signal is detected, the process of information is terminated (706).

It is determined whether the input signal is a click signal, and if it is a click signal, it is again determined whether the signal is a double click signal (710). The input mode is determined by the click signal. In the case of one click signal, the mode is changed in the clockwise direction (712), and in the case of the double click signal, the mode is set in the counterclockwise direction (714). If the click signal is continuously input, the above process is repeated to set the input mode.

When the input signal is a sensor, a signal converted into a digital signal is processed (716), and a corresponding character or direction is selected (718) and transmitted (720).

The process is repeated until the user end signal is detected.

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wireless input device as a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Referring to the drawings, the moving shaft 280 is an XY strain gauge, the upper end of the moving shaft 280 is fixed to the upper plate 220, the lower portion is supported by the groove 230 of the lower plate 222. .

In the wireless input device having the above structure, as the upper plate 220 moves, the moving shaft 280, which is an XY strain gauge, is displaced about the lower end of the moving shaft 280, and an electrical signal is output by the upper displacement. The action of the element is as described above.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wireless input device as a third embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Referring to the drawings, eight contact plates 290 attached to the inner surface 232 of the lower plate 222 are formed in eight directions of the moving shaft 228. The moving shaft 290 is fixed at the upper end to the upper plate 220, and the lower part is supported by the spring 292 in the groove 230 of the lower plate 222.

The wireless input device having the structure contacts the contact switch 290 provided in the moving direction of the moving shaft 228 in accordance with the movement of the upper plate 220, and outputs an electrical signal therefrom, and the moving shaft is driven by the spring 292. 228 is restored to its original position. In this case, since the electrical signal output from the contact switch 290 is a digital signal, it is possible to omit the analog-to-digital converter (reference numeral 422 of FIG. 4) from the components of the first embodiment, and the operation of the other components is described above. As shown.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an example in which the wireless input device 310 according to the present invention is applied to a PDA 300 which is a small computer. Referring to the drawings, two wireless input devices 310 are disposed on both sides of the PDA 300 and data is communicated to the PDA 300 by an interface 312 provided on the side or the bottom of the wireless input device 310. You can enter. In addition, by separating the wireless input device 310 from the PDA 300 to perform functions such as a keyboard by wireless communication, it is possible to miniaturize the computer.

As described above, the wireless input system according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to efficiently perform the functions of the keyboard at a small size and at a low cost.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments with reference to the drawings, this is merely exemplary, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

An upper plate and a lower plate facing each other and separated from each other at predetermined intervals; A moving shaft interposed between the upper and lower plates to transfer the movement of the upper plate; A sensor for detecting a moving line of the moving shaft; A processor for processing a signal from the sensor; And information transmitting means for transmitting a signal from the processor. The method of claim 1, And a switch for switching while pressing downward when a predetermined pressure or more is applied from the upper plate toward the lower plate. And the processor is a processor for processing a signal of the switch together with the sensor. The method of claim 2, And the switch is a tact switch. The method of claim 3, wherein And the tact switch is in contact with a lower portion of the moving shaft. The method of claim 1, And the processor is embedded in the lower plate. The method of claim 1, Hemispherical concave grooves formed in a lower portion of the upper plate; And sliding members inherent in the grooves. The method of claim 1, And the upper end thereof is fixed to the upper plate, and the lower end thereof is positioned in a groove formed in the lower plate. The method of claim 7, wherein And said sensor is a strain gauge extending from the inner side of said lower plate and connected to the side of said moving shaft. The method of claim 7, wherein The sensor is an information input device, characterized in that the X-Y strain gauge is integral with the moving shaft. The method of claim 7, wherein The sensor is an information input device, characterized in that the contact switch is provided on the side of the groove of the lower plate surrounding the moving shaft. The method of claim 1, And an interface formed on one side of the lower plate.