KR101504148B1 - Non-contact operating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a noncontact handling apparatus having a low power consumption, a fast algorithm for recognizing motion, a low manufacturing cost, and a simple operation recognition process, comprising: a light emitting unit capable of irradiating an object with irradiation light; A plurality of noncontact sensor modules spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of noncontact sensor modules being spaced apart from each other and receiving light reflected from the object and converting an optical signal of the object into an electric signal; And a micro control unit which receives the electric signal and calculates a space coordinate for the object.

Description

[0001] Non-contact operating apparatus [0002]

More particularly, the present invention relates to a contactless operation device capable of providing a new and various interface to a user through a simple position and / or motion recognition process.

According to the rapid change of IT technology, there are various control methods through motion recognition for convenient use in various situations. In the above control methods, motion recognition is implemented using an image sensor (camera). In order to recognize the operation with the image sensor, since power must be always connected, much power is wasted unnecessarily. Also, since the image sensor requires a series of processes for extracting a plurality of images and performing image processing in the operation recognition process, the burden on the processor is large, and the device implementation and processing algorithm are complicated. Therefore, in order to implement the motion recognition with the image sensor, the manufacturing cost is also increased.

Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0025540 (March 3, 2013)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a noncontact operating device which has low consumption power, fast algorithm for recognizing motion, low manufacturing cost, and simple process of recognizing an operation for solving various problems including the above problems . However, these problems are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

A contactless operation device according to one aspect of the present invention can be provided. The contactless operation device includes a light emitting portion capable of irradiating an object with irradiation light and a light receiving portion capable of receiving the reflected light reflected from the object and converting the optical signal to the object into an electric signal At least two non-contact sensor modules spaced from each other; And a microcontroller for receiving the electrical signal converted by the at least two noncontact sensor modules and calculating spatial coordinates of the object from the electrical signals of at least one noncontact sensor module among the at least two non- Unit.

Wherein the light receiving unit includes a plurality of optical sensors arrayed laterally and vertically, and the light receiving unit receives an optical signal for the object having the intensity of the reflected light and information about the receiving angle, Signal.

In the contactless operation device, the light receiving unit may include: a first photosensor unit including a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a horizontal array; And a second photosensor part composed of a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical array, wherein the optical signal for the object is optically detected by the optical sensor for the transverse component of the movement of the object detected by the first photosensor part signal; An optical signal for a vertical component of the movement of the object detected by the second photosensor section; And an optical signal for a height component of a motion of the object detected by the first photosensor and the second photosensor.

In the contactless operation device, the at least two non-contact sensor modules include a first contactless sensor module and a second contactless sensor module, wherein the micro control unit includes: a distance between the first and second contactless sensor modules; And a light receiving angle of the reflected light received by the light receiving portion provided in each of the first and second non-contact sensor modules, to calculate a height component of the spatial coordinates of the object.

In the noncontact manipulation apparatus, the micro control unit can use the space coordinates to determine a gesture operation corresponding to the movement of the object, and generate a control signal corresponding to the gesture operation.

And the contactless operation device may further include a communication unit for transmitting the control signal to the electronic device. The electronic device may be a computer, a notebook, a tablet PC, a tablet mobile communication device, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a smart pad, a game device, a virtual experience device, a portable multimedia player, an electronic book, a USB hub, Monitor and / or a headset. The control signal may include a signal capable of controlling hardware constituting the electronic apparatus or software installed in the electronic apparatus.

In the contactless operation device, the light emitting unit may include an infrared light emitting diode (IRED), and the light receiving unit may include a photodiode.

A contactless operation device according to another aspect of the present invention can be provided. Wherein the noncontact operation device comprises: a light emitting portion capable of irradiating an object with irradiation light; A plurality of light-receiving units capable of receiving the reflected light reflected from the object and converting the optical signal for the object into an electric signal and being spaced apart from each other; And a micro control unit that receives the electrical signal converted by the plurality of light receiving units and calculates spatial coordinates of the object.

In the non-contact operation device, the plurality of light-receiving portions include a first light-receiving portion and a second light-receiving portion, and the micro-control unit includes: a distance between the first and second light-receiving portions; And a light receiving angle of the reflected light received by the first and second light receiving portions, to calculate a height component of spatial coordinates of the object.

The electronic device according to another aspect of the present invention may be configured to include at least one of the above-described contactless operation devices.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide a noncontact operating device that consumes less power, has an algorithm for recognizing motion, has a low manufacturing cost, and is simple in operation recognition processing. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these effects.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration including a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a noncontact sensor module in a noncontact handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams respectively illustrating the concept of detecting an optical signal with respect to the horizontal component of the motion of the object in the first optical sensor unit in the contactless operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig.
Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams each illustrating a concept of detecting an optical signal for a longitudinal component of a motion of a second optical sensor attachment object in the contactless operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig.
7 is a diagram illustrating a concept of calculating spatial coordinates of an object by an optical signal detected by a first photosensor and a second photosensor in a noncontact operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a concept of calculating a height component in space coordinates for an object by using a distance between the non-contact sensor modules and a receiving angle of reflected light in the non-contact operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a smart phone to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a USB hub to which a contactless operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mouse to which a contactless operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keyboard to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitor to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a headset to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic apparatus to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. Also, for convenience and clarity of description, elements shown in the figures may be exaggerated or at least partially exaggerated without being mutually proportional in size.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include singular forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, the term " comprise "when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, elements and / , Operation, absence, presence of elements and / or groups. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings schematically showing ideal embodiments of the present invention. In the figures, for example, variations in the shape shown may be expected, depending on manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to any particular shape of the regions shown herein, but should include variations in shape resulting, for example, from manufacturing.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration including a noncontact operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a noncontact sensor module in a noncontact operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, a contactless operation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting portion 10 and a light receiving portion 20, and is provided with an object (for example, (At least two) contactless sensor modules 30 that are capable of converting the optical signals to the electrical signals for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, or ninth S in Fig. For example, the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second non-contact sensor module 30-2 include a light emitting portion 10 and a light receiving portion 20, respectively, and the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 And the second non-contact sensor module 30-2 are spaced apart from each other so as to have a predetermined distance in the noncontact operation device 1. [ Alternatively, the light receiving portion 20 of the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 may be torn by the first light receiving portion, and the light receiving portion 20 of the second non-contact sensor module 30-2 may be referred to as the second light receiving portion .

The light emitting portion 10 can irradiate the object S with irradiation light. For example, the light emitting portion 10 may be a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED) capable of irradiating light, and the light emitting portion 10 may be a light emitting element such as an infrared light emitting diode (IRED). The light emitting portion 10 may be configured such that irradiation light is emitted only when necessary by the user's choice. This is to prevent unnecessary consumption of electric power because the continuous irradiation light is emitted even in the idle period that the user does not use.

The light receiving unit 20 can receive the reflected light reflected by the object S using the light emitting unit 10 as a light source. The light receiving portion 20 may include, for example, arrayed laterally and vertically, and a plurality of optical sensors. Such an optical sensor may be a light receiving element capable of converting an optical signal for the object S into an electric signal, and may include, for example, a photodiode. The light receiving unit 20 includes a first photosensor unit 20a including a plurality of photodiodes 25 arranged in a horizontal array and a second photosensor unit 20b including a plurality of photodiodes 25 arranged in a vertical array. (25b).

The light receiving unit 20 can convert an optical signal for the object S into an electric signal. The optical signal refers to all signals related to light in a broad sense and refers to optical signals that can be converted into various electrical signals capable of measuring voltage, current, and power in a narrow sense. Further, according to the technical idea of the present invention, the optical signal of the user's motion is not a signal realized by extracting a plurality of images and performing image processing on the motion of the user, Or a signal having information on the intensity of reflected light and / or the angle of reflected light. The optical signal for the object S may include information about the intensity of the reflected light received, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 or 6, and information about the intensity of the reflected light, ₁ , ∠θ ₂ ).

Further, the contactless manipulation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a micro control unit (MCU) 40 that receives the electric signals and calculates space coordinates for the object S. Further, the micro control unit 40 may use the space coordinates to determine a gesture operation corresponding to the movement of the object S, and to generate a control signal corresponding to the gesture operation.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned object S may include at least a body part of the user using the contactless operation device 1 and / or the electronic device 120. [ In addition, the object S may include tools, devices, instruments, and / or devices that the user has. The object S can be fixed in position in space for a predetermined time, and further, the position on the space can be varied. Therefore, when the position of the object S is fixed in space for a predetermined period of time, the noncontact handling apparatus 1 may include a position sensor for detecting the position of the object S, The contactless operation device 1 may include a motion sensor or a gesture sensor for recognizing the movement of the object S and discriminating the corresponding gesture operation.

Here, the movement of the object S means movement of the user's fingers, palm movement, hand movements, hand movements, arm movements, head movements, face movements, shoulder movements, Body motion, leg motion, toe motion, and foot motion. Further, the movement of the object S may include movement of the above-mentioned user's body, as well as movement of a tool, device, apparatus, and / or device that can be varied by the user. For example, when a user wears a ring on which a light to be irradiated by the light emitting unit 10 can be reflected, movement of the object S may mean movement of the ring.

The contactless operation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a communication unit 50 for transmitting the control signal generated by the micro control unit 40 to the electronic device 120 . Furthermore, the communication unit 50 may transmit / receive information data to / from the electronic device 120. [ The control signal transmitted to the electronic device 120 by the communication unit 50 is a signal for controlling the software installed in at least one hardware or the electronic device 120 constituting the electronic device 120, . ≪ / RTI >

The electronic device 120 may be a computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, a tablet mobile communication device, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a smart pad, a game device, a virtual experience device, a portable multimedia player, HUB), a mouse, a keyboard, a monitor, and a headset.

The communication unit 50 may include at least one of a wireless communication unit 52 and a wired communication unit 54. [ The wireless communication unit 52 can use, for example, Bluetooth communication or Zigbee communication. The communication method applied to the wireless communication unit 52 is not limited to the Bluetooth method or the Zigbee method. For example, the communication method applied to the wireless communication unit 52 may be a variety of methods such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), NFC (Near Field Communication) A communication method can also be applied.

For the Bluetooth communication or ZigBee communication, setting is required between the contactless operation device 1 and the electronic device 120. Accordingly, the electronic device 120 may include a module that supports Bluetooth communication or ZigBee communication. If the electronic device 120 does not have such a module, a dongle 220, which is a separate repeater, may be additionally provided in the electronic device 120. The dongle 220 may include, for example, a USB dongle that may be connected to a USB port of the electronic device 120, but is not limited to a form connected to the electronic device 120. [

The wired communication unit 52 may be configured to include a connection port unit to support a wired cable for connecting the noncontact operation unit 1 and the electronic device 120, for example. The wired cable may include, for example, a USB cable or an extension cable, and may connect the connection port portion of the noncontact operation device 1 and the connection port portion of the electronic device 120. [ The USB cable may include standard USB cable, mini USB cable, micro USB cable, etc. depending on the size of the terminal.

Hereinafter, the concept of detecting the optical signal and calculating the spatial coordinates corresponding to the position of the object S and / or the motion of the object S will be described.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams each illustrating a concept of detecting an optical signal with respect to a horizontal component of a motion of a first optical sensor attachment object in a contactless operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 In each of the contactless operation apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second optical sensor unit detects the optical signal for the vertical component of the movement of the object. 7 is a diagram illustrating a concept of calculating spatial coordinates of an object by an optical signal detected by a first photosensor and a second photosensor in a contactless operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Is a diagram illustrating a concept of calculating a height component of spatial coordinates of an object using a separation distance of the non-contact sensor modules and a reflection angle of reflected light in the contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 to 6, the light receiving unit 20 receives reflected light reflected by the position of the object S and / or the movement of the object S using the light emitting unit 10 as a light source, And a plurality of optical sensors 25 arranged in an array. The photodetector 20 includes a first photodetector portion 20a and a photodiode 25 in which photodiodes 25 are arrayed along the horizontal axis (x axis) and photodiodes 25 arranged in the vertical axis (y axis) 2 optical sensor unit 20b. In the modified embodiment of the present invention, the first photosensor portion 20a and the second photosensor portion 20b may be disposed adjacent to each other rather than being separately arranged and spaced apart from each other. Further, .

3 and 4, in the first photosensor section 20a, a plurality of photodiodes 25 arrayed in the horizontal axis are used to perform lateral movement (movement in the direction parallel to the x axis) of the object S Can be detected. Or, in the first photosensor section 20a, by the plurality of photodiodes 25 arrayed in the horizontal axis, the horizontal component (the component in the direction parallel to the x axis) of the arbitrary direction movement of the object S The optical signal can be detected.

For example, when the object S moves from left to right as shown in FIG. 3, the intensity of the optical signal of the reflected light received by the first photosensor portion 20a is the same as the intensity of the optical signal of the other photosensor portion 20a And changes with time with reference to the diodes 25a, 25b and 25c as shown in Fig. That is, as the object S moves closer to the photodiode 25a, the intensity A of the reflected light received by the photodiode 25a gradually increases. As the object S moves, The intensity A of the optical signal of the reflected light received by the photodiode 25a decreases gradually. The distribution of the intensity (B) of the optical signal over time appears in the photodiode 25b on the same principle, and the distribution of the intensity C of the optical signal over time appears in the photodiode 25c. Of course, since the object S moves, the separation distance between the object S and each of the photodiodes 25a, 25b, and 25c sequentially changes with time, and the intensity of the optical signals A, B, The distribution varies sequentially with time.

5 and 6, in the second photosensor section 20b, a plurality of photodiodes 25 arrayed in a vertical axis are arranged to move longitudinally (in a direction parallel to the y-axis) Can be detected. Or, in the second photosensor section 20b, by the plurality of photodiodes 25 arrayed in the vertical axis, the vertical component (the component in the direction parallel to the y axis) of the arbitrary direction movement of the object S The optical signal can be detected.

For example, when the object S moves from the upper side to the lower side in parallel with the y-axis direction as shown in Fig. 5, the optical signal intensity of the reflected light received by the second photosensor unit 20b is lower than that of the second photosensor unit 20b As shown in FIG. 6, with respect to any of the photodiodes 25d, 25e, 25f, and 25g in FIG. That is, as the object S moves closer to the photodiode 25d, the optical signal intensity D of the reflected light received by the photodiode 25d gradually increases. As the object S moves, the photodiode 25d The optical signal intensity D of the reflected light received by the photodiode 25d gradually decreases as the distance further increases. The distribution of the optical signal intensity E over time appears in the photodiode 25e on the same principle and the distribution of the optical signal intensity F over time appears in the photodiode 25f, The distribution of the optical signal intensity (G) according to the distribution of the optical signal intensity. Of course, since the object S moves, the separation distances of the object S and the photodiodes 25d, 25e, 25f, and 25g sequentially change with time, and the optical signal intensity D, E, F, G) varies sequentially with time.

4 and 7, for example, at time T ₁ , the optical signal intensity of the reflected light received by the photodiodes 25a, 25b, and 25c in the first photosensor section 20a is the optical signal intensity C), the optical signal (B), and the optical signal (A). That is, the position of the object S at time T ₁ may correspond to any point on the plane closest to the photodiode 25c and the most distant from the photodiode 25a. Thus, the position of the object S at time T ₁ is determined by the first photosensor section 20a to be perpendicular to the xy plane, perpendicular to the x-axis, and to the y-axis and z-axis, as shown in Fig. May correspond to any one point on the side-by-side plane (P _x ).

6 and 7, at the time T ₁ , the optical signal intensity of the reflected light received by the photodiodes 25d, 25e, 25f, and 25g in the second photosensor section 20b is the optical (F), the optical signal (E), the optical signal (G), and the optical signal (D). That is, the position of the object S at the time T ₁ is the position closest to the photodiode 25f, next to the photodiode 25e, and the most distant from the photodiode 25d Or the like. Accordingly, the position of the object S at time T ₁ is determined by the second photosensor section 20b to be perpendicular to the xy plane, perpendicular to the y-axis, May correspond to any one point on the side-by-side plane (P _y ).

4, 6 and 7, for example, at time T ₁ , the position of the object S is determined by the first photosensor section 20a in the xy plane Corresponds to any one point on the plane (P _x ) which is perpendicular to the x-axis and parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, perpendicular to the xy plane by the second photosensor portion 20b, and y is perpendicular to the axis, it can correspond to the x-axis, and any one point on the parallel planes (P _y) to the z-axis, the time position in the T _1, the object (S), the plane (P _x) and the plane ( P _y) that may correspond to any one point on the intersection line (Lz) which cross.

The first photosensor unit 20a and the second photosensor unit 20b included in one noncontact sensor module 30-1 can detect the position of the object S on the intersection line Lz Or the like. However, it is not easy to accurately grasp the height component (z component) among the spatial coordinates of the object S by only one non-contact sensor module 30-1. Of course, as the object S moves away from the non-contact sensor module 30-1 in the z-axis direction, the absolute value of the intensity of the optical signal shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is relatively small, As the absolute value of the intensity of the optical signal shown in Figs. 4 and 6 becomes relatively large as the module 30-1 is closer to the z-axis direction, it is easy to grasp the absolute value of the height component (z component) I do not.

As described above, in the case of using one independent contactless sensor module composed of the light emitting portion 10 and the light receiving portion 20, it is difficult to accurately calculate the accurate position coordinates of the object S. In addition, when the size of the object S is large, reception of the reflected light is blocked at the coordinates of some sections according to the left and right and up and down movements, so that it is difficult to grasp the accurate spatial coordinates and errors may occur in recognizing the movement of the object.

In order to solve such a problem, the contactless operation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of (at least two) contactless sensor modules 30 as shown in FIG. In this case, the distance D between the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second non-contact sensor module 30-2 and the distance D between the second contactless sensor module 30-1 and the second non- (∠θ ₁ , ∠θ ₂ , unit: degrees (°)) of the reflected light (R ₁ , R ₂ ) received by the light receiving unit 20, H) can be calculated by the triangular method as shown in Equation (1).

[Equation 1]

D = H · tan (90 ° - θ 1) + H · tan (90 ° - θ 2)

Further, since the plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30 are disposed, accurate position coordinates can be calculated irrespective of the size of the object S. 8 shows an example in which two noncontact sensor modules 30 are provided. However, a plurality of noncontact sensor modules 30 are arranged in an array in the horizontal and / or vertical direction, S) can be calculated.

The light receiving angle of the reflected light is detected by a plurality of photodiodes 25 arrayed in the horizontal axis in the first photosensor section 20a and a plurality of photodiodes 25 arranged in the vertical axis array in the second photosensor section 20b The intensity distribution of the optical signal of the reflected light received by the light receiving element can be comprehensively analyzed. On the other hand, slit portions (not shown) capable of selectively blocking and passing reflected light are disposed on the first photosensor portion 20a and the second photosensor portion 20b to facilitate the calculation of the acceptance angle . The direction of the slit portion on the first photosensor portion 20a and the direction of the slit portion on the second photosensor portion 20b may be directions intersecting with each other.

Finally, the spatial coordinates of the object S can be calculated by combining the height component H of the space coordinate calculated with reference to Fig. 8 and the intersection line Lz calculated with reference to Fig. The micro control unit 40 is equipped with an algorithm for realizing the spatial coordinates of the object S by receiving the optical information of the reflected light detected by the non-contact sensor modules 30 and the distance information between the non-contact sensor modules 30 Accurate coordinate data can be output.

Further, the micro control unit 40 can determine the gesture motion for the motion of the object S using the spatial coordinates indicating the position of the calculated object S, and generate the control signal corresponding to the gesture motion have. To this end, the apparatus may further include a database unit that selectively stores a gesture operation and a corresponding control signal. In addition, the micro control unit 40 may further include a comparison determination unit for determining a gesture operation with respect to the object S motion.

For example, when the gesture operation forms a clockwise circle, the corresponding control signal is transmitted to at least one hardware or electronic device 120 constituting the electronic device 120, Which is set to a control signal that increases the sound volume of the software installed in the computer. Such a database part can be configured so that the user can arbitrarily set it. The micro control unit 40 is configured to move the movement of the object S in the horizontal, vertical, and vertical components of the actual movement of the object S even if the shape formed by the actual movement of the object S in the space does not exactly coincide with the start point and the end point. Considering time information and vector information such as distance, velocity, acceleration, curvature, motion start and end points, and the like, the actual motion of the object S includes a comparison determination unit that can be determined as a gesture motion forming a clockwise circle . The comparison determining unit calculates an error between the actual motion of the object S and the gesture motion and calculates an algorithm for classifying the actual motion of the object S into a gesture motion stored in the database unit within a predetermined error range . ≪ / RTI >

Each of the noncontact sensor modules 30 includes a light emitting portion 10 and a light receiving portion 20 formed of a single module. In a modified embodiment of the present invention, The light emitting unit may be provided separately from the noncontact sensor modules 30 and the light emitting unit may be provided separately from the noncontact sensor modules 30. The light emitting unit may include a light receiving unit 20 including the first photosensor unit 20a and the second photosensor unit 20b. In this case as well, a method of calculating the spatial coordinates of the object S and a configuration of determining the gesture operation with respect to the motion of the object S using the space coordinates and generating a control signal corresponding to the gesture operation are the same Lt; / RTI >

The noncontact manipulation apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention improves the problems of the conventional image sensor (camera) method and provides a new and various interface to the user through a low-power and low-cost motion recognition algorithm have. Conventionally, the non-contact gesture motion recognition method is implemented by a camera module method. The camera module method is a method of capturing the movement of a user with a CMOS camera and recognizing an image captured by a sensor integrated circuit (IC). It takes a relatively long time to recognize and detect the movement of the image captured by the Simos camera to the sensor integrated circuit, and there is a disadvantage that the recognition sensitivity is much lower. In addition, there is a drawback in that it is very difficult to simultaneously process various operations because the recognition sensitivity is greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the camera module must be operated in order to recognize the operation, there is a disadvantage that the power consumption is large. In addition, since the camera module is used, the manufacturing cost is very high. On the other hand, in the embodiments of the present invention, since the operation recognition is performed by using the infrared light emitting diode (IRED), the photodiode, and the micro control unit, Can be solved.

Meanwhile, the technical idea of the present invention described above can be applied to various products because it provides a new and various interface to the user through the operation recognition algorithm which can reduce the power consumption and the cost by improving the problem of the image sensor (camera) method. Hereinafter, this will be described by way of example.

9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a smart phone to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

9, the smartphone 120 corresponds to the electronic device 120 of FIG. 1, and at least a part of the above-described contactless operation device 1 is attached to the surface of the smartphone 120 or inserted therein As shown in FIG. Particularly, the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second non-contact sensor module 30-2 constituting a part of the noncontact operation device 1 are disposed apart from each other so as to have a predetermined separation distance.

10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a USB hub to which a contactless operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 10, at least a part of the above-described noncontact handling device 1 may be provided in the form of being attached to the surface of the USB hub 120 having the multi-USB ports 122a or inserted therein. In particular, the plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30, which are composed of the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second contactless sensor module 30-2 which are spaced apart from each other, are disposed on the surface 122b of the USB hub 120, As shown in FIG. The USB hub 120 having the contactless operation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention senses an operation of a user without touching or touching using a body such as a finger, Control can be applied to various fields.

11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mouse to which a contactless operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to Fig. 11, the above-described contactless operation device 1 can be built in the mouse 120. Fig. In particular, the plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30, which are composed of the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second contactless sensor module 30-2 which are spaced apart from each other, have. For example, when the user's hand moves from left to right without being in contact with the mouse 120 having the noncontact handling device 1, the microcontroller 40 of the noncontact handling apparatus 1 discriminates The control signal transmitted to the computer connected to the mouse 120 may include a signal corresponding to the right direction key of the keyboard.

12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a keyboard to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to Fig. 12, at least a part of the above-described contactless operating device 1 may be provided in the form of being attached to the surface of the keyboard 120 or inserted therein. In particular, the plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30, which are composed of the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second contact sensor module 30-2 which are spaced apart from each other, can be disposed on the surface of the keyboard 120 have. For example, the noncontact sensor modules 30 in the keyboard 120 having the contactless operation device 1 may be arranged in the frame 124b surrounding the keyboard 124a of the keyboard. The keyboard 120 having the contactless operation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention senses the operation of a user without touching or touching using a body such as a finger and easily controls a computer device such as a PC and related software It can be applied to various fields.

13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitor to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 13, at least a part of the above-described non-contact operation device 1 may be provided in a form of being attached to the surface of the monitor 120 or inserted therein. Particularly, the plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30, which are composed of the first non-contact sensor module 30-1 and the second contactless sensor module 30-2, which are spaced apart from each other, can be disposed on the surface of the monitor 120 have. For example, the non-contact sensor modules 30 in the monitor 120 having the contactless operation device 1 are selected from the monitor pedestal 125a, the monitor column 125b, the monitor frame 125c and the monitor screen 125d And may be arranged in at least one of them. The monitor 120 having the contactless operation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention detects the operation of the user without touching or touching using a body such as a finger to easily control a computer device such as a PC and related software It can be applied to various fields.

14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a headset to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

14, the headset 120 includes two speaker units 126a, a microphone unit 126b, a headband unit 126c connecting the two speaker units 126a, and a speaker unit 126a. And a housing portion 126d formed on the outer side. A plurality of noncontact sensor modules 30 or a microcontroller unit 40 including a first noncontact sensor module 30-1 and a second noncontact sensor module 30-2 which are spaced apart from each other are connected to a speaker unit 126a ), The microphone unit 126b, the headband unit 126c, and the housing unit 126d.

At least a part of the contactless operation device 1 described above with reference to Figs. 9 to 14 may be provided in the form of being attached to the surface of the electronic device 120 or inserted therein. For example, the electronic device 120 includes a plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30 spaced apart from each other and having the light emitting portion 10 and the light receiving portion 20 described above, respectively. And a micro control unit 40 that receives the electrical signals converted by the plurality of non-contact sensor modules 30 and calculates spatial coordinates for the object S. [ However, in a modified embodiment of the present invention, the contactless operation device 1 may be provided separately from the electronic device 1.

15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic apparatus to which a contactless operation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to Fig. 15, the above-described contactless operation device 1 can be provided as a device separate from the electronic device 1. [ The control signal generated in the micro control unit 40 of the noncontact handling apparatus 1 is transmitted to the electronic apparatus 1 via the wired cables 127a and 127b or the wireless communication unit 52 to the electronic device 1 via the wireless network. In this case, the electronic device 1 includes at least one of a computer, a notebook, a tablet PC, a tablet mobile communication device, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a smart pad, a game device, a virtual experience device, a portable multimedia player, .

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

1: Non-contact operation device 10:
20: light receiving unit 30: non-contact sensor module
30-1: first non-contact sensor module 30-2: second non-contact sensor module
40: Micro control unit 56:
120: Electronic device

Claims (12)

And a light receiving unit capable of receiving the reflected light reflected from the object and converting an optical signal for the object into an electric signal, the light emitting unit being capable of irradiating the object with irradiation light, At least two non-contact sensor modules; And
A micro control unit for receiving the electric signal converted by the at least two non-contact sensor modules and calculating spatial coordinates of the object from the electrical signals of at least one non-contact sensor module among the at least two non- ;
/ RTI >
The light-
A first photosensor comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a horizontal array; And a second photosensor part composed of a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical array, and converting an optical signal for the object having the intensity of the reflected light and information about the light receiving angle into the electric signal Can,
Wherein the optical signal for the object is an optical signal for a horizontal component of the motion of the object detected by the first photosensor portion; An optical signal for a vertical component of the movement of the object detected by the second photosensor section; And an optical signal for a height component of a motion of the object detected by the first photosensor portion and the second photosensor portion are integrated and implemented. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least two non-contact sensor modules include a first contactless sensor module and a second contactless sensor module,
Wherein the micro control unit includes: a separation distance between the first and second non-contact sensor modules; And a light receiving angle of the reflected light received by the light receiving portion provided in the first and second non-contact sensor modules, respectively, to calculate a height component of space coordinates with respect to the object. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the micro control unit determines a gesture operation corresponding to the movement of the object using the space coordinates and generates a control signal corresponding to the gesture operation. 6. The method of claim 5,
And a communication unit for transmitting the control signal to the electronic apparatus. The method according to claim 6,
The electronic device may be a computer, a notebook, a tablet PC, a tablet mobile communication device, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a smart pad, a game device, a virtual experience device, a portable multimedia player, an electronic book, a USB hub, A monitor, and a headset. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the control signal includes a signal capable of controlling hardware constituting the electronic apparatus or software installed in the electronic apparatus. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the light emitting unit includes an infrared light emitting diode (IRED), and the light receiving unit includes a photodiode. A light emitting portion capable of emitting an irradiation light to an object;
A plurality of light-receiving units that can receive the reflected light reflected from the object and convert the optical signal for the object into an electric signal, the plurality of light-receiving units being spaced apart from each other; And
A micro control unit receiving the electric signal converted by the plurality of light receiving units and calculating spatial coordinates of the object;
/ RTI >
Wherein each of the plurality of light-
A first photosensor comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a horizontal array; And a second photosensor part composed of a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical array, and converting an optical signal for the object having the intensity of the reflected light and information about the light receiving angle into the electric signal Can,
Wherein the optical signal for the object is an optical signal for a horizontal component of the motion of the object detected by the first photosensor portion; An optical signal for a vertical component of the movement of the object detected by the second photosensor section; And an optical signal for a height component of a motion of the object detected by the first photosensor portion and the second photosensor portion are integrated and implemented. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the plurality of light receiving portions include a first light receiving portion and a second light receiving portion,
The micro control unit may further include: a distance between the first and second light receiving portions; And calculates the height component of the space coordinates with respect to the object using the light receiving angle of the reflected light received by the first and second light receiving portions. An electronic device comprising the contactless operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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