KR100349757B1 - Input Device for Computer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer input device that inputs the movement of a cursor and the amount of a vector three-dimensionally with only a slight pressure of a fingertip.

The present invention is a body; An X-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the X-axis; A Y-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the Y-axis; A Z-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacements in both directions of the Z-axis; A plurality of button switches for inputting position coordinates of the selected X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis or selecting and executing an icon or an object on the screen, or selecting a menu; It includes a microcomputer to process the input signal input from the pressure sensor and the button switch to the computer. The present invention can move the cursor or the object or indicate the position coordinates on the screen without moving the body. In addition, since the pressure sensors can sense the minute pressure of the finger, it has an effect of expressing minute details such as a human hand. In addition, by providing a Z-axis pressure sensor to input the displacement of the Z-axis, it has the effect of displaying the cursor or the position coordinates on the screen in three dimensions.

Description

Input device for computer

The present invention relates to a computer input device, and more particularly, to a computer input device for three-dimensional input of the movement and the vector amount of the cursor with only a slight pressure of the fingertip.

Input devices such as computers include keyboards, scanners, joysticks, mice, touch pads, light pens, track balls, and the like. In particular, joysticks, mice, touchpads, light pens, trackballs, etc. are used to move the cursor or object or to indicate the position coordinates on the screen, and are essential inputs in graphic and graphical user interface (GUI) environments. Device. Recently, due to the development of graphic programs, the range of use of the input device is gradually increasing.

However, such an input device has a disadvantage in that most of the two-dimensional displacement, that is, only the plane displacement consisting of the X-axis and the Y-axis is input. Of course, a three-dimensional positional displacement consisting of X coordinates, Y coordinates, and Z coordinates can be input through the keyboard, but this has to be done through the keyboard. The input of the three-dimensional displacement through the keyboard is not suitable for quickly expressing or modifying a three-dimensional model having a length, a width, and a height.

On the other hand, in view of these problems, a digitizer capable of reading data on the Z-axis and a pressure sensing pen with a pressure detection transducer have been developed to input a three-dimensional displacement. However, the digitizer and the pressure-sensing pen have the advantage of being able to input a three-dimensional displacement. However, the digitizer and the pressure-sensing pen are still insufficient to express fine details such as a human hand, such as drawing a picture or representing a character. there was.

In addition, the conventional input device has a disadvantage in that the body must be moved when moving a cursor or an object or indicating a position coordinate on a screen. That is, a ball and a ball sensor or an optical sensor for inputting position coordinates are installed in the input device, and in order to obtain a displacement value through the ball, the ball sensor or the optical sensor, the input device has to be moved directly by hand. On the other hand, as the user uses the input device for a long time, the user often feels pain in a finger or wrist. Long-term pain can also cause diseases such as wrist and finger arthritis.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and its object is to move a cursor or an object or to indicate three-dimensional position coordinates on the screen with only the movement of a finger without moving the input device. The present invention provides an input device for a computer.

1 is an external view showing the configuration of an input device for a computer according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer input device according to the present invention.

♣ Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ♣

10: body 12: sensing groove

21: Z-axis pressure sensor 23: X-axis leftward pressure sensor

25: X-axis right pressure sensor 27: Y-axis upward pressure sensor

29: Y-axis downward pressure sensor 30: Microcomputer

40: Z-axis fixed, release button 42: Z-axis direction selection button

44: Enter button 46: Menu button

Such a feature of the present invention is a computer input device comprising: a body; An X-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacements in left and right directions of the X-axis; A Y-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacements in an up and down direction of the Y-axis; A Z-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the Z-axis; A plurality of button switches for inputting position coordinates of the selected X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis or selecting and executing an icon or an object on the screen, or selecting a menu; The input signal transmitted from the button switch is processed and transmitted to a computer, and a vector operation is performed on the input signals provided from the pressure sensors to calculate a predetermined displacement value, and the calculated displacement value is transmitted to the computer. In an input device for a computer including a microcomputer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer input device comprising: a body having a sensing groove having a curvature suitable for accommodating a fingertip portion; An X-axis pressure sensor disposed in the sensing groove of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the X-axis; A Y-axis pressure sensor disposed in the sensing groove of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the Y-axis; A plurality of button switches for inputting position coordinates of the selected X-axis and Y-axis, selecting an icon or an object on the screen to execute it, or selecting a menu; The input signal transmitted from the button switch is processed and transmitted to a computer, and a vector operation is performed on the input signals provided from the pressure sensors to calculate a predetermined displacement value, and the calculated displacement value is transmitted to the computer. In an input device for a computer including a microcomputer.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings according to a preferred embodiment of the input device for a computer of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the input device for a computer of the present invention described below is an apparatus for replacing an input device capable of moving a cursor or an object, such as a mouse or an electronic pen, provided in a conventional computer, and for transmitting and receiving a signal with a computer. As the interface means, a serial port or a parallel port or a USB port provided in a conventional computer is used as in the conventional input device. Such interface means are generally provided in a computer for connecting a peripheral device, and therefore, detailed descriptions of such interface means will be omitted in the embodiments described below. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of an input device for a computer according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer input device according to the present invention. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the input device of the present invention has a body 10. Body 10 is configured in any shape, such as a conventional mouse to be suitable for holding by hand, the hemispherical sensing groove 12 is formed on the upper surface. The hemispherical sensing groove 12 is configured to receive a tip of a finger, in particular an index finger, and is formed with the same curvature as the shape of the finger tip.

In the hemispherical sensing groove 12, a plurality of pressing plates 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, which can be pressed by a finger, are arranged in a substantially "+" shape, and each pressing plate 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 are provided with X-axis / Y-axis / Z-axis pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 which can input displacements of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. In detail, the first pressing plate 20 is disposed at the center of the hemispherical sensing groove 12, and the Z-axis pressure sensor 21 is installed at the first pressing plate 20. The Z-axis pressure sensor 21 inputs the Z-axis displacement among three-dimensional position data consisting of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, and the magnitude of the finger pressure applied to the first pressing plate 20. Accurately detects and sends its input signal to the microcomputer 30 which will be described later.

2, the second pressing plate 22 and the third pressing plate 24 are disposed at the left and right sides of the first pressing plate 20, and the second pressing plate 22 and the third pressing plate 24 are disposed at X. FIG. The -axis leftward pressure sensor 23 and the X-axis rightward pressure sensor 25 are respectively installed. The X-axis leftward pressure sensor 23 and the X-axis rightward pressure sensor 25 are for inputting displacements in the left and right directions of the X-axis among three-dimensional position data. The second pressing plate 22 and the third pressing plate The amount of finger pressure applied to the 24 is sensed, and the input signal is sent to the microcomputer 30.

In addition, a fourth pressing plate 26 and a fifth pressing plate 28 are disposed on the upper and lower portions of the first pressing plate 20, and the Y-axis upward pressure sensor is disposed on the fourth pressing plate 26 and the fifth pressing plate 28. 27 and a Y-axis downward pressure sensor 29 are respectively provided. The Y-axis upward pressure sensor 27 and the Y-axis downward pressure sensor 29 are for inputting up and down displacements of the Y-axis among three-dimensional position data, and the fourth pressing plate 26 and the fifth pressing plate. The amount of finger pressure applied to the 28 is sensed, and the input signal is sent to the microcomputer 30.

Accordingly, the three-dimensional pressure sensor 21 and the X-axis leftward, the X-axis rightward pressure sensors 23 and 25 and the Y-axis upward and Y-axis downward pressure sensors 27 and 29 You can enter a positional displacement. In particular, each of the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 transmits a corresponding variable signal to the microcomputer 30 according to the minute pressure of the fingertip. Here, each of the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 is preferably a piezoelectric element or an ultra-thin load cell, which is relatively excellent in pressure sensing. Additional A / D converters can also be configured. That is, when each of the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 is an analog type element, a signal for converting the signal provided from each of the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 into a digital signal is used. An A / D converter is additionally provided.

On the other hand, the Z-axis pressure sensor 21, unlike the X-axis / Y-axis pressure sensors (23, 25, 27, 29) are respectively installed two to input the displacement in both directions, one pressure sensor The furnace is also configured to input both directions of displacement. In other words, the Z-axis has a default value, and both the front and rear displacements are made around this default value. Here, the default value is a reference value, and this reference value is a starting value in both directions immediately before and after. At this time, since the displacement in both directions must be input to one Z-axis pressure sensor 21, even if the displacement value is input by the Z-axis pressure sensor 21, the input displacement value is not fixed at any one point. It is configured to return to the default value that is the starting value as soon as the displacement value disappears.

To explain this more easily, for example, if the default value of the Z-axis is "0", +1, +2, +3, ... The position coordinates are configured to be moved to 1, -2, -3, ..., and the movement of the position coordinates always starts from the default value "0". Here, since the position coordinates must be moved in both directions with one Z-axis pressure sensor 21, when the position coordinates are moved in the positive direction or the negative direction by pressing the Z-axis pressure sensor 21, the position is At the moment when the pressure applied to the Z-axis pressure sensor 21 without being fixed at any point disappears, it is configured to return to the default value of "0".

Meanwhile, when fixing or releasing the input displacement value, the button switch 40 to be described later is used. That is, when the position coordinate moved by the Z-axis pressure sensor 21 in the positive direction or the negative direction is to be fixed or to be released, the button switch 40 may be clicked. In addition, the button switch 42 is also used to select one direction around the default value. In other words, the selection of the direction in the positive direction or the negative direction may also be clicked on the button switch 42 described later. Therefore, by such a configuration, even one Z-axis pressure sensor 21 can input displacement in both directions of the Z-axis.

Meanwhile, the input device for a computer of the present invention has a microcomputer 30 as shown in FIG. 2, and the microcomputer 30 is installed inside the body 10. The microcomputer 30 includes a Z-axis pressure sensor 21, an X-axis leftward / X-axis rightward pressure sensor 23, 25, and a Y-axis upward / Y-axis downward pressure sensor 27, 29. The input signals are respectively converted into three-dimensional vector values having a magnitude and a direction, and are transmitted to the computer through the interface device. In particular, the microcomputer 30 converts the input signals of the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, which are input at different displacement values according to the minute pressure at the fingertip, into different vector values, and transmits them to the computer. According to the vector value subdivided into different vector values, it is possible to adjust the density of the picture or the thickness of text. Here, the interface device may be a wired transmission using a cable, or may be a wireless transmission using a wireless transmitter or a receiver. Here, when the computer input device according to the present invention uses wireless transmission, its own power supply means for transmitting a wireless signal. (Eg, a battery), and the wireless transmission means and the power supply means are widely applied to a conventional wireless keyboard or wireless mouse, and thus, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

And a plurality of button switches 40, 42, 44, 46 are installed on the outer surface of the body 10. These button switches 40, 42, 44, 46 have a Z-axis lock / release button 40 which locks or releases the position of the displaced Z-axis coordinates, and which one moves in both directions of the Z-axis. Z-axis direction selection button 42 for selecting the direction, input button 44 for inputting position coordinates of the selected Z-axis / X-axis / Y-axis or selecting an icon or an object on the screen and And a menu button 46 for selecting a menu. These button switches 40, 42, 44, 46 are connected to the microcomputer 30 so as to control the respective pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 as shown in FIG.

Here, the Z-axis fixed / release button 40 and the Z-axis direction selection button 42 should be installed on both sides of the hemispherical sensing groove 12. In particular, the Z-axis lock / release button 40 should be disposed on the right side of the sensing groove 12. This is because the Z-axis fixation / release button 40 needs to be pressed using the middle finger of the finger while the first pressing plate 20 of the sensing groove 12 is pressed using the index finger. In other words, the position coordinates of the Z-axis should be determined using the index finger, and then the position coordinates should be fixed using the middle finger. In addition, the input button 44 and the menu button 46 are preferably disposed at both side surfaces of the body 10, respectively.

The pressure and movement of the finger by such a configuration are controlled by the Z-axis pressure sensor 21, the X-axis leftward / X-axis rightward pressure sensors 23 and 25, and the Y-axis upward / Y-axis downward pressure. The displacement signals sensed by the sensors 27 and 29 and sensed by the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 are input to the microcomputer 30. At this time, the click signal (or double click signal) inputted by the user by pressing the button switches 40, 42, 44, and 46 is also input to the microcomputer 30. And the microcomputer 30 converts the input signal transmitted from each pressure sensor 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 to a vector value and delivers it to the computer, accordingly the computer received from the microcomputer 30 of the input device Depending on the data, the cursor or position coordinates can be displayed on the screen in three dimensions. In particular, the pressure sensors (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) and the pressure sensors (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) for detecting the minute displacement having a different size and a different direction according to the minute pressure of the fingertip The microcomputer 30 converts the vector into different vector values according to different input signals of the user. The user can also control the density or the thickness of the picture. As described above, the cursor or The process of displaying the movement and position coordinates of the object on the screen will be described in detail with reference to the following examples. The microcomputer 30 is an input signal provided from each of the pressure sensors 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29. Is converted into a predetermined vector value. First, the signals provided from the X-axis leftward pressure sensor 23 and the X-axis rightward pressure sensor 25 are divided, and the magnitudes of the two signals are compared. At this time, if the magnitude of the signal provided from the X-axis leftward pressure sensor 23 is larger than the magnitude of the signal provided from the X-axis rightward pressure sensor 25, that is, the X-axis leftward pressure sensor 23. In the case where the detected pressure is larger, the microcomputer 30 recognizes that the displacement of the input X axis is in the left direction. The microcomputer 30 continues to move the Y-axis upward pressure sensor 27 and the Y-axis downward. The signals provided from the pressure sensor 29 are distinguished from each other and the magnitudes of the two signals are compared. If the magnitude of the input signal provided from the Y-axis upward pressure sensor 27 is reduced from the Y-axis downward pressure sensor 29. It is recognized that the displacement of the input Y axis is upward when the magnitude of the input signal is larger than that provided. On the other hand, in some applications used in a computer, there is an application that enables three-dimensional position input. Equipped with an input device of the invention Z- axis is a pressure sensor 21 is provided for this purpose. That is, the Z-axis pressure sensor 21 is a means for inputting a position value with respect to the Z-axis in three-dimensional coordinates. The Z-axis pressure sensor 21 is the above-described X-axis pressure sensor 23. Unlike the Y-axis pressure sensors 27 and 29, only one pressure sensor is used to generate an input signal along the front and rear directions. That is, the microcomputer 30 presets and stores a reference value expressed as a predetermined reference pressure value with respect to the input signal provided from the Z-axis pressure sensor 21, that is, the magnitude of the pressure, and the user based on the reference value. The front and rear directions are recognized according to the magnitude of the pressure input by the. For example, if a positive input value is entered around the reference value "0", it is recognized as moving forward with respect to the Z-axis. On the contrary, if a negative input value is input, it is recognized as moving backward with respect to the Z-axis. As a result, the computer input device according to the present invention recognizes the left / right directions by comparing the magnitudes (pressure magnitudes) of the input signals provided from the respective X-axis pressure sensors 23 and 25. The magnitude of the input signal provided from the Y-axis pressure sensors 27 and 29 is compared to recognize the up / down direction. In addition, by determining whether the input signal provided from the Z-axis pressure sensor 21 is a positive value or a negative value to recognize the front / rear direction. And, by calculating the size of the input value for each of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis by vector calculation to calculate the exact angle of displacement (vector value) to provide to the computer through the interface means not shown, the user's input It indicates the movement of the cursor or the object according to the movement of the finger. In this case, the vector operation used uses a conventional method of calculating a vector value according to the magnitude of force in mathematics or physics, and the microcomputer 30 stores the calculation algorithm in the form of a program therein. In the case of using the computer input device according to the present invention, it is possible to input letters or pictures, and at the same time, to express the density of the pictures or the thickness of the text, which will be described in detail as follows. A predetermined pressure is applied to (21) to select the density of the desired picture or the thickness of the text, and then the concentration of the serpent or the text of the selected picture is fixed using the Z-axis lock / release button 40. Then, by moving a finger to apply a predetermined pressure to the X-axis pressure sensors 23 and 25 and the Y-axis pressure sensors 27 and 29, the cursor displayed on the screen of the computer is left / right or up / down direction. At this time, the microcomputer 30 recognizes the density of the selected picture or the thickness of the text through the Z-axis pressure sensor 21 and transmits it to the computer, and then the respective X-axis pressure sensors 23 and 25. And transmitting the displacement according to the input signal input through the Y-axis pressure sensors 27 and 29 to the computer, whereby a picture or text having a density or thickness corresponding to the user's input is displayed on the screen through the computer. To be displayed.

As described above, the input device for a computer according to the present invention includes pressure sensors capable of detecting a minute pressure of a finger, thereby moving a cursor or an object or indicating a position coordinate on a screen without moving the body. It has an effect. In addition, by providing a Z-axis pressure sensor to input the displacement of the Z-axis, it has the effect of displaying the cursor or the position coordinates on the screen in three dimensions.

Claims (6)

In the input device for a computer, A body; An X-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the X-axis; A Y-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the Y-axis; A Z-axis pressure sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the Z-axis; A plurality of button switches for inputting position coordinates of the selected X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis or selecting and executing an icon or an object on the screen, or selecting a menu; The input signal transmitted from the button switch is processed and transmitted to a computer, and a vector operation is performed on the input signals provided from the pressure sensors to calculate a predetermined displacement value, and the calculated displacement value is transmitted to the computer. Input device for a computer comprising a microcomputer. The method of claim 1, The X-axis pressure sensor is composed of an X-axis leftward pressure sensor and an X-axis rightward pressure sensor so as to input a displacement in the left and right directions of the X-axis, and the Y-axis pressure sensor is the up and down of the Y-axis. Y-axis upward pressure sensor and Y-axis downward pressure sensor to input the displacement of the direction, The microcomputer identifies left / right directions by comparing magnitudes of input signals provided from the X-axis left pressure sensor and the X-axis right pressure sensor, and the Y-axis upward pressure sensor and the Y-axis downward pressure. Compare the magnitude of the input signal provided from the sensor to identify the up / down direction, and provided from the respective X-axis left / right pressure sensor and each of the Y-axis up / down pressure sensor and the Z-axis pressure sensor An input device for a computer, characterized in that it calculates the magnitude of an input signal vector. The method of claim 1, The microcomputer has a default value corresponding to a pressure of a predetermined size preset for the magnitude of the pressure detected by the Z-axis pressure sensor, and the magnitude of an input signal provided from the Z-axis pressure sensor based on the default value. Input device for a computer, characterized in that for identifying the front / rear direction of the Z-axis based on. In the input device for a computer, A body having a sensing groove having a curvature suitable for receiving a finger tip; An X-axis pressure sensor disposed in the sensing groove of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the X-axis; A Y-axis pressure sensor disposed in the sensing groove of the body and configured to input displacement in both directions of the Y-axis; A plurality of button switches for inputting position coordinates of the selected X-axis and Y-axis, selecting an icon or an object on the screen to execute it, or selecting a menu; The input signal transmitted from the button switch is processed and transmitted to a computer, and a vector operation is performed on the input signals provided from the pressure sensors to calculate a predetermined displacement value, and the calculated displacement value is transmitted to the computer. Input device for a computer comprising a microcomputer. The method of claim 4, wherein The X-axis pressure sensor is composed of an X-axis leftward pressure sensor and an X-axis rightward pressure sensor so as to input a displacement in the left and right directions of the X-axis, and the Y-axis pressure sensor is the up and down of the Y-axis. Y-axis upward pressure sensor and Y-axis downward pressure sensor to input the displacement of the direction, The microcomputer identifies left / right directions by comparing magnitudes of input signals provided from the X-axis left pressure sensor and the X-axis right pressure sensor, and the Y-axis upward pressure sensor and the Y-axis downward pressure. Compare the magnitude of the input signal provided from the sensor to identify the up / down direction, and provided from the respective X-axis left / right pressure sensor and each of the Y-axis up / down pressure sensor and the Z-axis pressure sensor An input device for a computer, characterized in that it calculates the magnitude of an input signal vector. The method of claim 4, wherein The microcomputer has a default value corresponding to a pressure of a predetermined size preset for the magnitude of the pressure detected by the Z-axis pressure sensor, and the magnitude of an input signal provided from the Z-axis pressure sensor based on the default value. Input device for a computer, characterized in that for identifying the front / rear direction of the Z-axis based on.