KR100931068B1 - Pointing device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pointing device and a driving method thereof, the method comprising: generating a movement signal corresponding to a movement on a two-dimensional plane of an operation member generated by a user's operation, and generating a click signal corresponding to a click of a single switch; And outputting a direction button signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal. As described above, the number of mounting of the switch unit can be reduced by combining the click signal of the switch unit and the plurality of movement signals of the sensor unit to generate a direction button click signal corresponding to a signal generated by pressing a plurality of direction keys.

Magnet, magnetic sensor, moving signal, directional button click signal, dome switch

Description

POINTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a pointing device and a driving method thereof, and more particularly to a driving method of a pointing device capable of selectively performing any one of a plurality of operations set according to a movement of an operating means and a click of a dome switch.

In recent years, electronic devices have become smaller and smaller, and a graphic user interface (GUI) method is used to make electronic devices easier to operate. Various input devices such as a mouse or a touch pad are used to control the movement of the pointer of the graphical user interface.

Recently, an input device for controlling the movement of the pointer on the screen by detecting the two-dimensional movement of the magnet using a sensor for detecting the direction and strength of the magnet is used. At this time, the input device used five dome switches to implement a click and a direction key function for four directions. That is, the click of the pointer is realized by arranging the first dome switch in the center of the input device. The second to fifth dome switches are arranged in four directions based on the first dome switch to implement the four-way key function. That is, when the first dome switch is pressed by the user, an operation corresponding to the click of the pointer is performed. When one of the second to fifth dome switches is pressed by the user, an operation corresponding to each dome switch is performed. For example, when the dome switch located on the left side of the first dome switch is pressed, the activated area on the screen may be moved to the left side.

As such, since five dome switches must be disposed in the input device, there is a limit in reducing the size of the input device. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pointing device capable of implementing a four-way key function using an output signal of a dome switch and an output signal of a sensor unit according to a movement of an operating member, and a method of driving an electronic device having the same.

Generating a movement signal corresponding to the movement on the two-dimensional plane of the operation member generated by the user's operation according to the present invention; generating a click signal corresponding to the click of a single switch; and the movement signal and the click A driving method of a pointing device including a step of outputting a direction button signal through a combination of signals.

When the click signal is generated while the movement signal is continuously generated, the direction button signal may be output through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal.

When only the movement signal is generated, it is effective to output the movement signal as a coordinate signal.

When only the click signal is generated, it is possible to output the click signal as a mouse click signal.

The movement signal may include a -X axis movement signal, a + X axis movement signal, a -Y axis movement signal, a + Y axis movement signal, a clockwise rotation signal, and a counterclockwise rotation signal according to the movement of the operating member. It is preferable to include.

When the -X axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together, a first direction button signal is output. When the + X axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together, a second direction button signal is output. The third direction button signal is output when the -Y axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together, and the fourth direction button signal when the + Y axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together. It is effective to output

When the clockwise rotation signal and the click signal are output together, a fifth direction button signal is output or the clockwise rotation signal is output as the fifth direction button signal, and the counterclockwise rotation signal and the click signal are together. When it is output, it is possible to output the sixth direction button signal or to output the counterclockwise rotation signal to the sixth direction button signal.

In addition, when the mode selection signal is received from the outside according to the present invention, the step of determining whether the direction key button mode and the direction key button mode, corresponding to the movement on the two-dimensional plane of the operation member generated by the user's operation According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving method of a pointing device includes outputting a direction button signal through a combination of a moving signal and a click signal corresponding to a click of a switch.

The shift signal includes a left shift signal generated when the actuating member moves from the center to the left direction, a right shift signal generated when the actuating member moves from the center to the right direction, and the actuating member moves upward from the center. It is preferable to include an upward movement signal generated when moving to and a downward movement signal generated when the operating member is moved from the center to the downward direction.

The outputting of the direction button signal may include determining whether the movement signal and the click signal are generated, and when the left movement signal and the click signal are generated as a result of the determination, output a first direction button signal, and the right Outputting a second direction button signal when the movement signal and the click signal are generated; outputting a third direction button signal when the upper movement signal and the click signal are generated; and generating the lower movement signal and the click signal. In this case, it is effective to output the fourth direction button signal and output the fifth direction button signal when only the click signal is generated.

The movement signal further includes a clockwise rotation signal and a counterclockwise rotation signal, outputting the clockwise rotation signal as a sixth direction button signal, and outputting the counterclockwise rotation signal as a seventh direction button signal. It is possible.

The mode selection signal preferably includes a mouse mode selection signal, a direction key button mode selection signal, a list mode selection signal, and a direction movement mode selection signal.

 After determining whether the arrow key is in the button mode, in the case of the mouse mode as a result of the determination, the plurality of movement signals may be output as a movement coordinate signal, and the click signal may be output as a mouse click signal.

After determining whether the button is in the direction key button mode, in the determination result list mode, outputting the plurality of movement signals as a list movement signal, and outputting the click signal as a list click signal.

After determining whether the direction key is in the button mode, the determination result may include outputting the plurality of movement signals as a direction movement signal and outputting the click signal as a direction click signal. .

In addition, the operating means moved by the user according to the invention, the sensor unit for generating a plurality of movement signals in accordance with the movement of the operating means, the switch unit for generating a single click signal by the user's pressing and the movement The present invention provides a pointing device including a control unit which outputs a click signal as a movement coordinate signal as a mouse click signal, or outputs a direction button click signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal.

When the movement signal and the click signal are applied together, the controller may effectively output a direction button click signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal.

The control unit preferably includes a mouse module for outputting the movement coordinate signal and the mouse click signal, and a direction key button module for outputting the direction button click signal.

It is preferable to further include an intermediate member for moving, rotating and restoring the operating member.

In addition, generating a movement signal corresponding to the movement on the two-dimensional plane of the operation member generated by the operation of the user according to the present invention, generating a click signal corresponding to the click of a single switch, the movement signal And generating a direction button signal through the combination of the click signal and an input operation corresponding to each of the movement signal, the click signal, and the direction button signal.

The direction button signal is effectively generated when the movement signal and the click signal are applied together.

As described above, the present invention generates a direction button click signal corresponding to a signal generated by pressing a plurality of direction keys by combining a click signal of the switch unit and a plurality of movement signals of the sensor unit, thereby reducing the number of mounting of the switch unit. .

In addition, the present invention can reduce the mounting number of the switch unit to reduce the size of the pointing device, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost.

In addition, the present invention can improve the operability since the user can operate the direction key click operation in the desired direction without looking at the direction key because the user performs the click while the operation member is moved.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention in more detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms, and only the embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, and to those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the invention. It is provided to inform you. Like numbers refer to like elements in the figures.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a conceptual block diagram of a pointing device according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a pointing device according to an embodiment. 4 through 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of driving a pointing device in a mouse mode, and FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a method of driving a pointing device in a direction key button mode, according to an exemplary embodiment. It is sectional drawing for doing. 9 is a plan view illustrating a method of driving a pointing device in a directional key button mode according to an exemplary embodiment.

1 to 2, the pointing device according to the present embodiment includes an operation member 400, a magnet part 300, and an operation member 400 for moving the magnet part 300 through movement by a user. The media member 200 for moving, rotating, and restoring, the sensor unit 600 for detecting a magnetic field change according to the movement of the magnet unit 300, and generating a plurality of movement signals, and generating a click signal by the user's pressing. The switch unit 700 is included. The pointing device according to the present embodiment outputs a plurality of movement signals as movement coordinate signals according to an external mode selection signal, outputs a click signal as a mouse click signal, or a combination of the plurality of movement signals and the click signal. And a controller 800 for outputting a plurality of direction button click signals. The pointing device further includes a substrate 100 on which a switch unit 700 is provided, and on which one side the controller 800 is mounted. In addition, the cover member 500 for fixing the end of the intermediate member 200 may be further included.

The intermediate member 200 of this embodiment is manufactured in a thin plate shape as shown in FIG. Of course, the plate shape may be circular, polygonal and oval.

The intermediate member 200 may include a support 230 having an empty center, a central portion 210 provided at the center of the support portion 230, and a plurality of pattern portions provided in a region between the support portion 230 and the central portion 210. 220).

In the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of pattern parts 220 may be provided in an area between the central part 210 and the support part 230 to be connected to the central part 210 and the support part 230. The pattern portion 220 is manufactured in a zigzag line shape. The support part 230 may be manufactured in a connected belt shape. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be divided into a plurality of regions. In addition, a plurality of support parts 230 may be provided at one end of the plurality of pattern parts 220.

The pattern unit 220 includes a moving force, an elastic force, and a restoring force to move the center portion 210 in a two-dimensional direction (X-axis, Y-axis) with respect to a plane by an external force, and initialize the center portion 210 to the initial stage. Can be restored to location In addition, the pattern unit 220 has a rotational force to rotate the central portion 210 by an external force.

The support part 230 is fixed to the substrate 100 and / or the cover part 500. Through this, one end of the pattern part 220 may be supported and fixed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the pattern part 220 moves inside the support part 230 to impart movement force, rotational force, and restoring force to the central portion 210.

The pattern portion 220, the central portion 210, and the support portion 230 of the above-described intermediate member 200 may be manufactured as a single body. It is effective to use metal or plastic as the body. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use thin metal sheet or high strength plastic. The intermediate member 220 including the pattern part 220, the central part 210, and the support part 230 may be manufactured through a mold process or may be manufactured through a punching process. In other words, a part of the thin thin plate can be removed by a punching press, thereby enabling mass production at a low cost. Of course, the intermediate member 200 may be manufactured by removing a part of the thin thin plate through an etching process using a photosensitive film mask. In addition, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pattern member 220, the central portion 210, and the support portion 230 may be manufactured in different bodies, and the intermediate member 200 may be manufactured by welding or combining them through a coupling member. have.

Of course, the intermediate member 200 is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible. That is, a spring may be used as the intermediate member 200, or silicone rubber may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate member 200 is fixed on the substrate 100 by the cover part 500. Here, the cover part 500 is manufactured in a square cylinder shape with the bottom surface removed, and a through hole 500a through which the operation member 400 protrudes is provided on the upper surface of the square cylinder. The side wall surface of the square cylinder fixes the support 230 of the intermediate member 200. In this case, an additional groove may be provided on the side wall surface to fix the support 230. That is, a part of the support part 230 may be inserted and fixed into the groove part. In addition, the cover part 500 is preferably fixed to the substrate 100 through an adhesive or fixing means. Here, a fixing protrusion (not shown) is provided in the cover part 500, and a through hole (not shown) is provided in the support part 230 of the intermediate member 200, and the cover part is provided inside the through hole of the support part 230. Since the fixing protrusion of 500 is fixed to the substrate 100, the intermediate member 200 may be fixed onto the substrate 100. Of course, it is also possible to manufacture in the opposite shape. When the cover of the external electronic device is used as the cover part 500, the cover part 500 may be omitted. The support 230 may be fixed to the substrate 100 through an adhesive.

The magnet part 300 is disposed on the central portion 210 of the intermediate member 200. That is, it is located in the upper region of the switch unit 700. Here, a circular magnet magnetized up and down by the magnet part 300 is used. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and magnets in which single-sided multi-pole (2-pole, 4-pole, 8-pole) magnetization or cross-sectional release multi-pole magnetization is performed may be used. Of course, the magnet may be used as the magnet of oval, circular band and polygonal shape. The magnet part 300 may be attached to the central portion 210 of the intermediate member 200 through an adhesive member.

The operation member 400 operates according to the movement of the user to move the magnet part 300. The operation member 400 includes a center pillar portion 410 having a concave groove in the lower region and a departure preventing portion 420 extending outward of the center pillar portion 410. Here, the magnet part 300 is disposed inside the concave groove. Of course, the concave groove may be omitted, and the magnet part 300 may be attached to the lower surface of the center pillar part 410. In addition, the magnet part 300 may be embedded in an inner region of the central pillar part 410. As described above, when the operation member 400 moves and rotates by a force applied from the outside, the magnet part 300 may move and rotate together in the direction of the force.

As shown in FIG. 1, the center pillar part 410 protrudes outward through the through hole 500a of the cover part 500. In addition, the upper side surface of the center pillar portion 410 is manufactured in a curved shape can improve the user's feeling of operation.

Here, a magnetic field blocking member may be provided above the magnet part 300 to prevent the magnetic field of the magnet part 300 from spreading outside the input device. In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the magnet part 300 may be omitted according to the sensor used in the input device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower center area of the substrate 100 is provided with a sensor unit 600 that detects a magnetic field change according to the movement of the magnet unit 300 and outputs a plurality of movement signals. The sensor unit 600 detects a magnetic field change according to the movement of the magnet unit 300 in the X-axis direction and outputs the corresponding X coordinate value as the X-axis movement signal, and the movement in the Y-axis direction. Magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetic field change and output the corresponding Y coordinate value as the Y-axis movement signal. Therefore, the movement signal of the sensor unit 600 is effectively a signal corresponding to the coordinates of the movement of the magnet unit 300 from the reference coordinate (0,0). Accordingly, when the magnet part 300 does not move, the movement signal may be zero.

As the magnetic sensor described above, it is preferable to use any one of a Hall element, a semiconductor magnetoresistive element, a potato magnetoresistive element, or a GMR (Giant Magneto Resistive) element. It is preferable to use an element in which such a magnetic sensor changes its electrical characteristics in response to a change in the magnetic field. In this embodiment, a magnetic element uses a Hall element whose output voltage changes in proportion to the magnetic flux density.

In this embodiment, it is preferable to use a printed circuit board as the substrate 100. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a main board of an electronic device to which a pointing device is applied to the substrate 100 may be used as the substrate 100.

The switch unit 700 is positioned on the substrate 100. At this time, it is effective to use the dome switch to give a click feeling to the switch unit 700. Of course, in addition to the dome switch, various types of switches may be used. It is preferable to use switches with a feeling of click. The switch unit 700 is pressed by the pressing force applied to the operation member 400 by the user's pressure to output a click signal. Therefore, an actuator such as a protrusion may be provided between the switch unit 700 and the operation member 400.

In addition, the substrate 100 includes an extension part extending to one side, and the controller 800 is effectively mounted on the extension part.

The controller 800 of the present embodiment outputs a plurality of movement signals of the sensor unit 600 as movement coordinate signals and a click signal of the switch unit 700 as a mouse click signal according to an external mode selection signal. And a direction key button module 820 outputting a plurality of direction button click signals through a combination of a plurality of movement signals of the sensor unit 600 and a click signal of the switch unit 700 according to an external mode selection signal. .

Hereinafter, an operation of the pointing device having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

The pointing device of the present embodiment outputs a movement signal as a coordinate movement signal for mouse movement when only a movement signal is generated, and outputs a click signal as a mouse click signal for mouse click when only a click signal is generated. In addition, when the click signal is generated while the movement signal is generated, the combination of the movement signal and the click signal may be output as a click direction signal in which the direction key button corresponding to the movement direction of the movement signal is clicked.

In the following description, an operation of the pointing device is changed using a separate mode selection signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the mode selection signal may appear in various ways depending on the operation being performed in the electronic device. For example, when using a mobile phone with a complex function as an electronic device, currently performing operations using a mouse (such as using the wireless Internet, using a PDA, or using a basic menu), selecting a mode on the main board (main control unit) of the mobile phone. As a signal, a signal corresponding to the mouse mode is output. In addition, when performing an operation using the current direction key buttons (music listening, taking pictures, viewing pictures, viewing the file list, etc.), the main board (main control unit) of the mobile phone receives a signal corresponding to the direction key button mode as a mode selection signal. Output

The electronic device outputs such a mode selection signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the pointing device receives a mode selection signal (S10). The pointing device determines and determines an operation mode according to the mode selection signal (S20). In this case, if the mouse mode is determined as the mode determination result, it is determined whether a movement signal is generated (S30). In this case, when the magnet unit 300 does not move and no movement signal is generated, it is determined whether a click signal is generated (S50). In addition, when a movement signal is generated from the sensor unit 600 due to the movement of the magnet unit 300, the movement signal is output to the electronic device as a movement coordinate signal (S40). That is, the operation member 400 is moved in a desired direction, such as a left or right direction, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by the pushing force of the user. At this time, the magnet portion 300 coupled to the operation member 400 and the central portion 220 of the intermediate member 200 are moved in the pushing direction of the user. Here, the movement distance of the central portion 220 of the intermediate member 200 is changed according to the separation distance between the operation member 400 and the cover 500 and the movement distance of the pattern portion 220 of the intermediate member 200. do.

Here, when a force pushing in the left direction is applied as shown in FIG. 4, the central portion 210 of the magnet part 300 and the intermediate member 200 moves in the left direction. The magnetic field applied to the sensor unit 600 is changed through the movement of the magnet unit 300. In addition, when a pushing force is applied in the right direction as shown in FIG. 5, the central portion 210 of the magnet part 300 and the intermediate member 200 moves in the right direction. That is, the magnet part 300 in the operation member 400 moves on the X axis and the Y axis.

The sensor unit 600 detects the change in the magnetic field according to the movement of the magnet unit 300 to generate a movement signal which is a sensor output different from the initial position. The controller 800 detects the output signal of the sensor unit 600 and provides it to the electronic device as a moving coordinate signal. In this case, the electronic device moves the mouse (ie, a cursor) on the screen in a direction corresponding to the provided movement coordinate signal. Afterwards, when the user's pushing force disappears, the pattern part 220 pushed to one side is returned to its original position.

After outputting the moving coordinate signal, it is determined whether a click signal is generated (S50). At this time, when it is determined that the click signal is generated or not, if the click signal is not generated, the operation ends. However, when the operation member 400 is moved and the switch unit 700 is pressed to generate a click signal, the click signal is output to the electronic device as a mouse click signal (S60). Subsequently, the mouse click signal is provided to the electronic device, and then mode determination is performed again. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the operating member 400 is pressed in the direction of the substrate 100, the operating member 400 descends, and accordingly, the central portion 210 of the intermediate member 200 descends together to lower the lower portion of the operating member 400. Press the dome switch of the switch unit 700 of the. This generates a click signal. That is, the operation member 400 moves in the Z axis direction.

The click signal is generated according to the short circuit of the switch unit 700, and the controller 800 detects the click signal, and provides the click signal to the electronic device as a mouse click signal. At this time, the electronic device performs a click operation of the current location mouse according to the provided mouse click signal. Subsequently, when the force applied from the outside disappears, the center portion 210 and the operation member 400 are also restored to their original positions.

In the case of the mouse mode described above, it is first determined whether a movement signal is generated (S30) and then it is determined whether a click signal is generated (S40). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is possible to first determine whether a click signal is generated (S40), and then determine whether a click signal is generated (S30).

On the other hand, if the mode determination result in the direction key button mode, it is determined whether the movement signal is generated (S70). When a movement signal is generated from the sensor unit 600 due to the movement of the magnet unit 300, the movement signal is stored (S100). At this time, the operation member 400 is moved in the left or right direction as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 by the pushing force of the user. Thereafter, it is determined whether a click signal is generated (S80). In addition, when the moving part is not generated because the magnet part 300 does not move, it is immediately determined whether a click signal is generated (S80). At this time, when it is determined that the click signal is generated or not, if the click signal is not generated, the operation ends. However, when the operating member 400 moves and presses the switch unit 700, a click signal is generated. That is, the operation member 400 is moved in the Z-axis direction to generate a click signal. At this time, the click signal is output as a direction button click signal or a plurality of direction button click signals are output by combining the stored movement signal and the click signal (S90). At this time, the movement signal and the click signal are continuously generated, it is preferable that the direction button click signal is output when the click signal is output while the output of the movement signal is maintained. In this case, the plurality of direction button click signals may perform various operations as the click is made in the moving direction and the moving direction of the operation member 400.

The operating member 400 of the present embodiment can move on two-dimensional planes (X-axis and Y-axis). That is, it moves to the left and right up and down direction. In addition, the operation member 400 may move in the Z-axis direction. Accordingly, a plurality of direction button click signals may be generated through the X, Y, and Z axis movements of the operation member 400. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the switch unit 700 is moved in the state in which the operation member 400 is moved to the left side (-X direction) (that is, the left movement signal output by the sensor unit 600). When pressed (Z direction) (ie, click signal output), the first direction button click signal is output. In this case, the first direction button click signal may be a left key button click signal. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the operating member 400 is moved to the right side (+ X direction), that is, when the switch unit 700 is pressed in the state in which the right moving signal is output by the sensor unit 600. (Z direction) (i.e., click signal output) and a second direction button click signal are output. At this time, the second direction button click signal becomes a right key button click signal.

Of course, when the switch member 700 is pressed in the state in which the operation member 400 moves upward (+ Y direction) (that is, the upward movement signal output by the sensor unit 600) (that is, the Z direction) (that is, the click signal) Output) a third direction button click signal. Then, when the switch unit 700 is pressed in the state in which the operation member 400 moves downward (-Y direction) (that is, the lower movement signal output by the sensor unit 600) (ie, the Z direction) (that is, click) Signal output), and outputs a fourth direction button click signal. At this time, the third and fourth directional button click signals are respectively an upper key button click signal and a lower key button click signal. And when the operation member 400 does not move on a plane and presses only the switch part 700 (Z direction) (namely, click signal output), it outputs a 5th direction button click signal. In this case, the first to fifth directional button click signals are provided to the electronic device to perform an operation corresponding thereto.

Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the direction button click signal may be further subdivided according to the direction value of the movement signal. For example, the operation member 400 may move in the direction between the + X axis and the + Y axis, or move in the direction between the -X axis and the -Y axis to generate various direction button click signals accordingly.

In addition, in the above description, it is first determined whether a movement signal is generated (S70), and then it is determined whether a click signal is generated (S80). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the presence or absence of a click signal may be determined first (S80), and then the presence or absence of a movement signal may be determined (S90). That is, the operation member 400 may be moved and clicked to generate a direction button click signal, or the operation member 400 may be clicked and moved to generate a direction button click signal. In this case, a separate operation may not be performed when the click signal is not generated.

In this case, the electronic device may perform various operations according to the plurality of direction button click signals. That is, considering a case where an operation of the current electronic device performs an operation related to playing a media file, it is as follows. That is, if the first direction button click signal is provided to the electronic device as described above, the electronic device plays the media file before the media file currently being played. When the second direction button click signal is provided to the electronic device, the electronic device plays the media file after the media file currently being played. When the third direction button click signal is provided to the electronic device, the electronic device increases the playback volume. When the fourth direction button click signal is provided to the electronic device, the electronic device lowers the playback volume. In addition, when the fifth direction button click signal is provided to the electronic device, the electronic device performs or stops playing the media file. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fast forward operation may be performed using the third direction button click signal, and the rewind operation may be performed using the fourth direction button click signal. As such, the electronic device may receive the first to fifth direction button click signals and perform an operation corresponding thereto. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an operation according to a plurality of direction button click signals may vary according to an operation currently performed by the electronic device. For example, in the case of taking a picture, the picture is taken according to the fifth direction button click signal, and the shooting mode (normal shooting, continuous shooting, split shooting, movie shooting) is adjusted according to the first and second direction button click signals. In addition, the zoom may be selectively adjusted according to the third and fourth direction button click signals.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the four-way direction key (that is, the dome switch corresponding to each direction) is generated only by the movement of the operation member 400 and the click of the switch unit 700 without adding a separate switch unit. Direction click signals corresponding to the direction switch click signal may be generated.

As a result, an additional dome switch for directional button operation may not be installed in the pointing device, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the pointing device and reducing the size of the entire pointing device by reducing the number of switch units 700. have.

In addition, in the above-described direction key button mode, the rotation of the operation member 400 (clockwise or counterclockwise rotation) may be sensed to generate a plurality of direction button click signals accordingly. That is, when the operation member 400 outputs a moving signal that rotates and rotates, the operating member 400 may output the rotation movement signal as an directional button click signal to the electronic device. In this case, for example, when the operation member 400 rotates in the clockwise direction, the volume of the electronic device may be increased or the zoom-in operation may be performed. On the contrary, when rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the electronic device may reduce the pitch or perform the zoom out operation. In this case, when the rotation movement signal and the click signal simultaneously operate, the volume control and the zoom control may be performed. In addition, when a movement signal is not generated as a result of determining whether the movement signal is generated, a separate operation may not be performed.

The electronic device of this embodiment can selectively adjust the mouse mode and the direction key mode according to the user's input. Also, the electronic device may further include various operation modes in addition to the operation mode. For example, it may be provided with a list mode and a 4 direction or 9 direction movement mode. Accordingly, the pointing device may also generate different outputs according to the modes.

That is, in the case of the list mode in which a plurality of lists are positioned on the screen of the electronic device through the mode determination as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the pointing device moves according to the movement of the operation member 400, that is, the magnet part 300. Can be output as a list movement signal for moving up, down, left, and right of the list to adjust the activated list on the screen. In this case, the pointing device provides a click signal to the electronic device so that the activated list is clicked and performed. For example, when a plurality of media files are arranged on the screen in the form of a list, when the user moves the operating member 400 of the pointing device up, down, left, or right, the activated list is moved within the screen of the electronic device according to the moving direction. do. Then, when the user presses the operating member 400 in the Z direction and clicks, the activated media file is executed.

In addition, in the four-way or nine-way mode for activating the plurality of icons in the up, down, left, and right directions, the pointing device outputs a movement signal according to the movement of the operation member 400, that is, the magnet part 300, as a direction movement signal. You can move the activation of the icon on the icon. In addition, an operation corresponding to the activated icon may be performed through the click signal. That is, when there are nine icons on the screen and the icon of the current center is activated, if the user moves the operation member 400 of the pointing device to the left side, a left movement signal is generated. The left shift signal is provided to the electronic device to activate an icon located to the left of the currently activated icon. Then, when the operation member 400 descends in the vertical direction to short the switch unit 700, a click signal is generated. The click signal is provided to the electronic device to perform an operation corresponding to the currently activated icon.

In the pointing device of the present embodiment, the plurality of modes of the electronic device described above are not separated from each other, and a direction key button mode, a list mode, or a direction mode may be further added based on the mouse mode.

That is, for example, when only a movement signal is output, the pointing device outputs it as a mouse coordinate movement signal. When the click occurs while the movement signal is maintained, the pointing device may output the direction button click signal according to the direction of the movement signal. In this case, the electronic device may perform various operations according to the provided mouse coordinate movement signal and the direction button click signal.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be implemented in various forms. That is, the above embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be understood by the claims of the present application. .

1 is a cross-sectional view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a conceptual block diagram of a pointing device according to an embodiment.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a pointing device according to an embodiment.

4 to 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of driving a pointing device in a mouse mode according to one embodiment.

7 and 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of driving a pointing device in a direction key button mode according to one embodiment.

9 is a plan view illustrating a method of driving a pointing device in a directional key button mode according to an exemplary embodiment.

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

100: substrate 200: intermediate member

210: center 220: pattern part

230: support portion 300: magnet portion

400: operating member 500: cover

600: sensor unit 700: switch unit

800: control unit

Claims (21)

Generating a movement signal corresponding to the movement on the two-dimensional plane of the operation member generated by the user's operation; Generating a click signal corresponding to a click of a single switch; and And generating and outputting a direction button signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal. The method according to claim 1, And when the click signal is generated while the movement signal is continuously generated, outputting the direction button signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal. The method according to claim 2, And when only the movement signal is generated, outputting the movement signal as a coordinate signal. The method according to claim 2, And when only the click signal is generated, outputting the click signal as a mouse click signal. The method according to claim 1, The movement signal may include a -X axis movement signal, a + X axis movement signal, a -Y axis movement signal, a + Y axis movement signal, a clockwise rotation signal, and a counterclockwise rotation signal according to the movement of the operating member. A driving method of a pointing device comprising. The method according to claim 5, When the -X axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together, a first direction button signal is output. When the + X axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together, a second direction button signal is output. Outputting a third direction button signal when the -Y axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together; And a fourth direction button signal when the + Y axis direction movement signal and the click signal are output together. The method according to claim 5, Outputting a fifth direction button signal or outputting the clockwise rotation signal as the fifth direction button signal when the clockwise rotation signal and the click signal are output together; And outputting a sixth direction button signal when the anticlockwise rotation signal and the click signal are output together, or outputting the anticlockwise rotation signal to the sixth direction button signal. Receiving a mode selection signal from an external device, Determining whether the arrow key is in a button mode; and In the case of the direction key button mode, generating and outputting a direction button signal through a combination of a movement signal corresponding to a movement on a two-dimensional plane of the operation member generated by a user's operation and a click signal corresponding to a click of a switch. A driving method of the pointing device. The method according to claim 8, The movement signal includes a left movement signal generated when the operating member moves from the center to the left direction, a right movement signal generated when the operating member moves from the center to the right direction, and the operating member moves upward from the center. And a lower movement signal generated when the operating member moves from the center to the lower direction. The method of claim 9, wherein the outputting of the direction button signal comprises: Determine whether the movement signal and the click signal are generated; As a result of judgment, Outputting a first direction button signal when the left movement signal and the click signal are generated; outputting a second direction button signal when the right movement signal and the click signal are generated; and outputting the upper movement signal and the click signal. Outputs a third direction button signal when is generated; outputs a fourth direction button signal when the lower movement signal and the click signal are generated; and outputs a fifth direction button signal when only the click signal is generated. Method of driving the pointing device.  The method according to claim 10, The moving signal further includes a clockwise rotation signal and a counterclockwise rotation signal, outputting the clockwise rotation signal as a sixth direction button signal, and outputting the counterclockwise rotation signal as a seventh direction button signal. Method of driving the device. The method according to claim 8, The mode selection signal includes a mouse mode selection signal, a direction key button mode selection signal, a list mode selection signal and a direction movement mode selection signal. The method according to claim 12, After determining whether the direction key button mode, In case of mouse mode, Outputting the plurality of movement signals as movement coordinate signals, and outputting the click signals as mouse click signals. The method according to claim 12, After determining whether the direction key button mode, In the judgment result list mode, And outputting the plurality of movement signals as a list movement signal, and outputting the click signal as a list click signal. The method according to claim 12, After determining whether the direction key button mode, If the judgment result is the direction movement mode, And outputting the plurality of movement signals as a direction movement signal and outputting the click signal as a direction click signal. Operating means moved by the user, A sensor unit generating a plurality of movement signals in accordance with the movement of the operation means; Switch unit for generating a single click signal by the user's press and And a control unit for outputting a click signal as a mouse click signal as the movement signal as a movement coordinate signal, or outputting a direction button click signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal. The method according to claim 16, And the control unit outputs a direction button click signal through a combination of the movement signal and the click signal when the movement signal and the click signal are applied together. The method according to claim 16, The control unit includes a mouse module for outputting the movement coordinate signal and the mouse click signal, and a direction key button module for outputting the direction button click signal. The method according to claim 16, And a media member for moving, rotating, and restoring the actuating member. Generating a movement signal corresponding to the movement on the two-dimensional plane of the operation member generated by the user's operation; Generating a click signal corresponding to a click of a single switch; Generating a direction button signal through the combination of the movement signal and the click signal; And an input operation corresponding to each of the movement signal, the click signal, and the direction button signal. The method of claim 20, The direction button signal is generated when the movement signal and the click signal are applied together.

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