KR100690298B1 - Wearable micro information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wearable micro information input device, and more particularly, to a micro information input device that can be used in a portable information device and a wearable computing input device.

The wearable micro information input device of the present invention includes a light emitting unit for illuminating a finger substitute such as a finger or a garment, and a light transmitting unit positioned between the light emitting unit and the image acquisition unit and transferring light emitted from the light emitting unit to the image acquisition unit. An image acquisition unit in which light is incident from the light emitting unit and reflects light, and an image acquisition unit in which a finger substitute such as a finger or a garment is positioned, and an image forming unit collecting the light reflected from the image acquisition unit to form an image; A housing unit configured to provide an optical dark room environment in which the light emitting unit, the light transmitting unit, the image acquisition unit, and the imaging unit are integrally formed and embedded therein; A microscopic optical device including a light receiving unit for converting an image formed by the image forming unit into an electrical signal and outputting the electric signal; and a motion detecting unit detecting a motion of the image based on the output of the light receiving unit; Technical features of the present invention include an antenna of a microstrip line, which is responsible for the transmission and reception of the microscopic optical device and is formed of a predetermined elastic material, and a communication module for wirelessly communicating data obtained from the microscopic optical device.

Accordingly, the wearable ultra-small information input device of the present invention can be applied to a portable information device and a wearable computing and home networking environment, thereby making it possible to use the ultra-miniature, ultra-thin, low power, moisture-proof, dust-proof, and shockproof input device. Since it can be implemented, it can be used as a high-performance control device.

Optical devices, input devices

Description

Wearable micro information input device {Wearable micro information input device}             

1 is a basic structural diagram showing a pointing device used in a conventional information input device.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing an information input device according to the prior art.

3 is a view showing a product mounted with a conventional information input device.

4 is an embodiment showing an information input device according to the present invention.

5A and 5B are sectional views showing the microscopic optical device according to the present invention.

6A and 6B show an embodiment to which the microscopic optical device according to the present invention is applied.

7 is a diagram illustrating a method of handwriting using a micro switch according to the present invention.

    <Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

  100: ultra-compact optical device 110: antenna

  120: communication module 130: light emitting unit

  140: image acquisition unit 150: imaging unit

  160: light receiver 170: motion detector

  180: light transmission unit

The present invention relates to a wearable micro information input device, and more particularly, to a micro information input device that can be used in a portable information device and a wearable computing input device.

Recently, information devices such as laptops and personal digital assistants have been widely used. Such information devices are generally designed to maximize user convenience by having a flat panel display and a graphical user interface (GUI). A user uses a pointing device as an input device of an information device to use a graphical user interface of a portable information terminal device.

The pointing device used as an input device of an information device includes a track ball, a mouse, a touch screen panel, a touch pad, and the like.

1 is a basic structural diagram showing a pointing device used in a conventional information input device. Referring to FIG. 1, light generated from a light-emitting diode (LED) 10 illuminates a surface of an object, and light reflected from the object is imaged on the image sensor 30 by the imaging lens 20. The image sensor 30 converts the image formed into an electrical signal and passes it to the control and calculation unit. The control and calculation unit analyzes an image that is changed in time by the movement of an object and converts the direction and the amount of movement of the object into two-dimensional data.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing an information input device according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the prior art includes a monitor 50 displaying an information screen 40 and a wearable sensing unit 90.

The information input device is shown through the information screen 40 displayed in software on the monitor 50 so that the user can select a desired key while viewing the information screen 40. The information screen 40 may be represented in the form of a virtual mouse 60, a virtual remote controller 70, or a virtual keyboard 80.

If the information screen 40 is represented in the form of the virtual keyboard 80, the virtual keyboard 80 may have various patterns to suit the user's purpose, and the virtual keyboard 80 may have any number. It consists of three key groups, each key group consisting of a plurality of keys. In this case, the key group may have only keys representing characters such as alphabets, numbers, or various symbols, and have both keys representing characters, and keys representing functions such as an execution key and a space key. It may be. The information input device may be worn on a part of the user's body, and has a sensing unit 90 that senses planar or spatial movements of the parts of the user's body.

3 is a view showing a product mounted with a conventional information input device. As shown in FIG. 3, there is an information input apparatus using a touch screen panel. In the touch screen panel, two flat resistive layers are placed in close proximity and pressed with a tool such as a pointed ballpoint pen.

As described above, in the case of the ball mouse and the optical mouse, the conventional information input device has a lot of difficulty in applying to a small information device due to the limitation of its operation structure, and a touch pad or a touch screen panel is used. Is used separately.

In addition, an information device using a touch pad or a touch screen panel has to allocate a relatively large area to the upper surface of the information device, and there is a problem in that a microcircuit cannot be constructed in a wearable computing environment.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages and problems of the prior art, and to provide a portable information device and a wearable computing environment, to provide a very small information input device having a dampproof, dustproof and impact resistance. There is an object of the present invention.

The object of the present invention is a light emitting unit for illuminating a finger substitute, such as a finger or a garment, a light transmitting unit located between the light emitting unit and the image acquisition unit for transmitting the light emitted from the light emitting unit, the light from the light emitting unit An image acquisition unit in which light is received and reflects light, and a finger substitute or a finger substitute is positioned, and an image forming unit collecting the light reflected from the image acquisition unit to form an image; A housing unit configured to provide an optical dark room environment in which the light emitting unit, the light transmitting unit, the image acquisition unit, and the imaging unit are integrally formed and embedded therein; A microscopic optical device including a light receiving unit for converting an image formed by the image forming unit into an electrical signal and outputting the electric signal; and a motion detecting unit detecting a motion of the image based on the output of the light receiving unit; Achievable by a wearable micro information input device comprising an antenna of a microstrip line formed of a predetermined elastic material and transmitting and receiving the micro optical device, and a communication module for wirelessly communicating data obtained from the micro optical device. do.

Details of the above object and technical configuration of the present invention and the effects thereof according to the present invention will be more clearly understood by the following detailed description with reference to the drawings showing preferred embodiments of the present invention.

4 is an embodiment in which the information input device according to the present invention is applied to a ring. As shown in FIG. 4, the information input device is composed of a micro optical device 100, an antenna 110, and a communication module 120.

The antenna 110 is fixed to the support of the shape, implemented with a predetermined elastic material to be fixed to the user's finger, integrated with the support of the shape using a built-in antenna such as a micro strip line (Micro Strip Line) It is formed to be responsible for the transmission and reception of the microscopic optical device 100.

The communication module 120 wirelessly transmits data obtained from an ultra-compact optical device through RF (Radio Frequency), Bluetooth, WLAN, infrared communication (IrDA), and ultrasound (Ultrasound). . Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a wearable computing input device, which enables communication in various forms such as a ring shape, a wristband type, and a button type.

The information input device according to the present invention is implemented by using the main power source as a very small ultra-thin secondary battery. The description of the micro optical device 100 will be made with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

5A and 5B are sectional views showing the microscopic optical device according to the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 5A, the micro-optical device includes a light emitting unit 130, an image acquiring unit 140, an image forming unit 150, a light receiving unit 160, a motion detector 170, and a light transmitting unit 180. do.

The light emitter 130 emits light and constitutes a visible light LED or an infrared LED as a means for illuminating a finger substitute, such as a finger 300 or a garment, positioned in the image acquisition unit 140. The image acquisition unit 140 receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 130 where the user places a finger substitute such as a finger or clothing, and reflects the light to the image forming unit 150.

The imaging unit 150 collects the light reflected by the image acquisition unit 140, forms an image, and transmits the image to the light receiving unit 160 efficiently. The imaging unit 150 may be formed of an aspherical lens or the like, and may further include means such as a mask to block unnecessary light around the aspherical lens.

Since the imaging unit 150 is designed to be thin, the optical solid angle affects the image contrast, so that the light emitting unit 130 design increases the illuminance around the effective image range as the solid angle becomes lower than the center portion. desirable. It is desirable to optimize the resulting deviation of illumination to within 50%.

In addition, the imaging unit 150 should be exactly matched to the effective area of 1mm ~ 4mm, the diameter of the user to replace the finger or the finger, such as clothing, in particular to exactly match the image sensor of the light receiving unit 160, The upper part 150 and the light transmitting unit 180 are preferably integrated into one component.

The light receiver 160 is configured as an image sensor array as a means for converting and outputting an image formed by the imaging unit 150 into an electrical signal. The image sensor array is composed of 15 * 15 to 150 * 150 pixels, and the image sensor uses a CMOS or CCD sensor. The image sensor protects the user's vision by controlling the light emitting unit to turn off when there is no detection of a finger substitute such as a finger or clothing.

In order to mount the light emitting unit 130 and the light receiving unit 160 on the PCB substrate in a compact form, a flip chip using a wafer level chip scale package method is used.

The motion detector 170 is a means for detecting motion of a finger substitute such as a finger or a garment by generating motion data based on the output of the light receiver 160.

The light transmitting unit 180 may be inserted between the light emitting unit 130 and the image acquisition unit 140 to better transmit the light emitted from the light emitting unit 130 to the image acquisition unit 140.

Detailed description will be given in FIG. 5B.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the parallel light prism lens 200 of the light transmitting unit collects light from the light source 190 of the light emitting unit to obtain an image having effective contrast from a finger substitute such as a finger 300 or a garment. In the case of parallel light, the parallel light is incident on the reflecting plate 220 of the light transmitting unit and totally reflects the light to the image acquisition unit 210.

The parallel light in the parallel light prism lens 200 should be able to adjust the angle of incidence within a predetermined range. The angle of incidence may be adjusted to 20 degrees to 45 degrees to increase the light efficiency and obtain an image having an effective contrast. The parallel light prism lens 200 is designed using a prism and one or more lenses to improve light efficiency. The prism may be implemented as a prism lens having an additional lens function for miniaturization, thereby improving performance of the illumination optical system as well as miniaturization.

The reflected light collects the light reflected from the imaging lens 240 of the image forming unit, removes the light from the mask 230, and transmits the light to the light receiving unit. The imaging lens 240 and the mask 230 are formed as one component and are integrally manufactured with the housing part 250.

The touch sensor 260 positioned around the image acquisition unit 210 has a finger substitute such as a finger 300 or a garment in the image acquisition unit 210 only when a finger substitute such as the finger 300 or a garment is in contact with the image acquisition unit 210. Judging by the operating state touched. The image sensor 270 of the light receiving unit located at the bottom of the image forming unit is fixed to the PCB 280 and the image sensor protective cover 290 is positioned at the lower end to protect the image sensor 270. The image sensor 270 controls the light emitter to be turned on only during the light quantity acquisition period of the light emitter.

The optical device as described above can be secured by manufacturing in an in-mold manner to inject the coating by reinforcing coating or film to prevent scratches or peeling of the outside of the top.

In the microscopic optical device according to the present invention, a structure (hereinafter, referred to as an “optical guide”) on the PCB 280 coupled to the image sensor 270 is integrally connected to the housing 250. The top of the structure protects the bottom. The light guide and the housing 250 is made of the same material that is a transparent plastic. The housing part 250 is configured as an integral part of the light emitting part, the light transmitting part, the image acquisition part, and the image forming part, and provides an optical dark room environment in which the housing part 250 is incorporated.

In addition, the micro-optical device detects this by using a touch sensor when a user removes a finger substitute such as a finger or a garment so that the movement of a finger substitute such as a finger or a garment can be used as a handwriting input device. Can be used to simplify the recognition procedure.

In addition, the present invention implements a selection function by embedding a micro switch in the micro optical device, and can be used as a handwriting (separation) function.

Therefore, the micro-optical device according to the present invention can be easily used by the user through the surface of the finger substitute, such as fingers or clothing, and integrally waterproof, moisture-proof, impact-resistant structure, as well as scratch prevention to protect the interior from the external environment (Anti) -Scratch) Coating.

The microscopic optical device is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be applied to a computing environment that can be manufactured and worn by using a portable information device and various types of input devices such as a ring type, a wristband type, and a button type.

6A and 6B show an embodiment to which the microscopic optical device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating handwriting when used as a ring-shaped input device, and shows that text input is possible. The character input contacts a finger 300 or a finger substitute such as a garment with the optical device 100 to input a desired character. For example, a letter 'a' is placed on the ring-shaped input device 100 and a finger substitute such as a finger or a garment is placed on the 'a'. The movement path of a finger substitute, such as a finger or a garment, when the character is input, accumulates the output of the touch sensor. The touch sensor may distinguish a stroke of the handwriting input.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a method of inputting information when using the head mount 410. After wearing the head mount device 410, the ring-shaped input device 420 appears on the head mount device 410. A cursor is displayed on the virtual keyboard 430 and a corresponding key is selected to input information.

7 is a diagram illustrating a method of handwriting using a micro switch according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, when you want to enter the letter "ㅠ", first, '-' is made. Then, after inputting 'ㅣ' and 'ㅣ' sequentially, when the micro switch is pressed, "ㅠ" is input.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments as described above, it is not limited to the above embodiments and those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Various changes and modifications will be possible.

Accordingly, the wearable ultra-small information input device of the present invention can be applied to a portable information device and a wearable computing and home networking environment, thereby making it possible to use the ultra-miniature, ultra-thin, low power, moisture-proof, dust-proof, and shockproof input device. Since it can be implemented, it can be used as a high-performance control device.

Claims (18)

An information input device comprising optical detection means for detecting motion of an image and communication means for transmission of motion detection data detected by the optical detection means, The optical detection means, It is formed integrally with a light emitting unit for emitting light, a light transmitting unit for transmitting the light emitted from the light emitting unit to the image acquisition unit and an image forming unit for collecting the light reflected from the image acquisition unit to form an image, A housing part for providing an optical darkroom environment inside the optical detection means; A light receiving unit for converting and outputting an image formed by the image forming unit into an electrical signal; And A motion detector for detecting a motion of an image based on an output of the light receiver Including; The communication means, An elastic microstrip line antenna for wireless transmission of the motion detection data; And Communication module for the wireless transmission Wearable micro information input device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The optical detection means is a wearable micro information input device which is coated or coated with a film to prevent scratches or peeling from the outside. The method of claim 1, The communication module is a wearable micro information input device using any one of RF, Bluetooth, WLAN, infrared and ultrasound communication. The method of claim 1, The light transmitting unit, Parallel light prism lenses for making light into parallel light; And Reflecting plate that receives the parallel light and totally reflects the light to the image acquisition unit Wearable micro information input device comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein And said parallel light prism lens comprises a prism and at least one lens. The method of claim 5, And the prism is a curved prism lens having an optical lens function. The method of claim 1, The image acquisition unit is a wearable micro information input device having a touch sensor for determining whether or not to use the optical detection means by the contact of a finger substitute, such as a finger or clothing. The method of claim 7, wherein The touch sensor is a wearable micro information input device for distinguishing between strokes of the handwriting input by using the output accumulation of the sensor. The method of claim 1, The optical detection means, Switch means for selecting and transmitting the motion detection data Micro information input device further comprising a. The method of claim 9, The switch means is a wearable micro information input device for distinguishing between strokes of the handwriting input by using a selection function. The method of claim 1, The imaging section, An imaging lens for collecting light reflected from the image acquisition unit; And A mask for blocking the light around the imaging lens from the imaging lens Wearable micro information input device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The light receiving unit, An image sensor coupled to the PCB substrate; And Image sensor protective cover for protecting the image sensor Wearable micro information input device comprising a. The method of claim 1, And the light emitting part and the light receiving part are mounted on a flip chip using a wafer size chip scale package method. The method of claim 12, The image sensor is a wearable micro information input device that controls the light emitting unit is turned on only during the light amount acquisition period of the light emitting unit. The method of claim 12, The image sensor is a wearable micro information input device that controls to turn off the light emitting unit when there is no detection of a finger substitute, such as a finger or clothing. delete The method of claim 1, Wearable micro information input device of which the material of the light emitting part, the light transmitting part, the image acquisition part, the imaging part and the housing part is plastic. The method of claim 1, The information input device is a wearable micro information input device using a secondary battery as a main power source.

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