KR102287654B1 - Pointing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A pointing device is provided by an embodiment of the present invention.
A pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a power supply unit accommodated in the housing, a sensor unit installed in the housing and generating a position signal by sensing the movement of the housing, and is exposed to the outside of the housing to allow a user's touch The first switch unit recognizes the state and can input a click signal at the same time, receives the position signal to generate position coordinates in the form of plane coordinates, and when a touch signal is input to the first switch unit, the position coordinates are connected to the display device It may include a control unit that transmits to the host device in real time, and a communication unit that communicates with the host device.

Description

Pointing apparatus

The present invention relates to a pointing device, and more particularly, to a pointing device having a switch capable of simultaneously inputting a touch signal and a click signal, so as to be easily manipulated.

In general, the pointing device refers to a device designed to indicate a specific point in space or a plane, and may be implemented in a way that direct light is irradiated toward a point to be pointed, like a laser pointer. Such a pointing device can draw the public's attention to more effectively deliver information on a screen projected on a screen, or enable the public to easily recognize information displayed on a screen of a video terminal such as a television or a monitor.

On the other hand, in the pointing device of the method of irradiating straight light, the pointing point is recognized by the public as the straight light irradiated to the screen is reflected from the screen. Therefore, the point indicated by the pointing device is clearly visible on the projector-only screen, but, like an LCD screen, if a diffuse reflection film is attached to the surface or an anti-reflective coating is applied, the direct light is not reflected from the screen and the pointing device indicates There was a problem that the point was not clearly visible. Accordingly, a variety of pointing devices have been developed that can be used simultaneously on both the projector dedicated screen and the LCD screen. However, the conventional pointing device includes a switch for outputting a straight light and a function for generating an image pointer. A switch for performing , and a switch for performing a function of underlining text, moving an icon or file, or dragging a screen are each independently provided, so that the configuration of the pointing device is complicated and operation is cumbersome.

Accordingly, there is a need for a pointing device that can be used simultaneously on a projector-only screen and an LCD screen and is easy to operate.

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1835264 (February 27, 2018)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pointing device having a switch capable of simultaneously inputting a touch signal and a click signal so as to be easily manipulated.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem includes a housing, a power supply unit accommodated in the housing, and a sensor unit installed in the housing and generating a position signal by sensing the movement of the housing and a first switch unit exposed to the outside of the housing to recognize a user's touch state and simultaneously input a click signal; and receiving the position signal to generate position coordinates in the form of planar coordinates, and the first switch When a touch signal is input to the unit, a control unit for transmitting the position coordinates to a host device connected to the display device in real time, and a communication unit for communicating with the host device.

The pointing device includes a laser output unit receiving power from the power supply unit and outputting a laser light source to the outside of the housing, and a laser pointing mode in which the laser light source is output by operating the laser output unit; Further comprising a second switch unit for mutually converting an image pointing mode for receiving a signal and transmitting the position coordinates to the host device, when the second switch unit is set to the image pointing mode, the laser output unit of the laser light source The output may be limited and the control unit may transmit the location coordinates to the host device.

When the touch signal is input from the first switch unit, the host device generates an image pointer in the display area of the display device, and when the click signal is input from the first switch unit, text along the image pointer (text) may be underlined, an icon or file touched by the image pointer may be moved, or the screen may be dragged.

The pointing device may further include a receiver mounted on the host device and configured to wirelessly implement a local area network (LAN) to communicate with the communication unit, wherein the housing is disposed on the other side opposite to one side from which the laser light source is output. An indentation groove for accommodating at least a portion of the receiver may be formed.

The first switch unit may include a touch pad unit exposed to the outside of the housing and recognizing a touch in a pressure or capacitive type, and a press recognition unit located below the touch pad unit to recognize a press of the touch pad unit. there is.

The press recognition unit may be a push button switch that moves downward when pressure is applied to the touch pad unit to move a current, and is restored when the pressure is released to block the current.

A method of controlling a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above another technical problem includes the step (A) of a sensor installed in a housing sensing movement of the housing to generate a position signal, and a control unit including the position signal (B) step of generating position coordinates in the form of plane coordinates by receiving (C) transmitting, by the control unit, the location coordinates in real time to a host device connected to a display device, (D) generating, by the host device, an image pointer in a display area of the display device; 1 When the click signal is input from the switch unit, the host device underlines text along the image pointer, moves an icon or file touched by the image pointer, or drags the screen. ) including the step (E).

The control method of the pointing device includes, before the step (C), a laser pointing mode in which the laser output unit outputs a laser light source to the outside of the housing, and the control unit receives the touch signal and transmits the position coordinates to the host Further comprising the step (C-1) of selecting an image pointing mode to be transmitted to the device, when the image pointing mode is set, the output of the laser light source is limited, and the control unit transmits the position coordinates to the host device can

When the laser pointing mode is set, the laser light source may be output when the touch signal is input from the first switch unit.

According to the present invention, a laser pointing mode in which a laser light source is output and an image pointing mode in which an image pointer is generated can be selected, so that the projector can be used simultaneously on a dedicated screen and an LCD screen.

In addition, a function of outputting a straight light, a function of creating an image pointer, and a function of underlining text, moving an icon or file, or dragging a screen can be performed with a single switch, so that the configuration of the pointing device is improved. It has the advantage of being simple and easy to operate.

In addition, since the shape, size, transparency, color, etc. of the image pointer displayed on the display area can be freely adjusted, it is possible to effectively focus public attention and effectively convey information on the screen.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a receiver is separated from the pointing device of FIG. 1 .
3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a pointing device.
4 is an operation diagram for explaining the operation of the first switch unit.
5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating a state of use of the pointing device.
7 to 9 are diagrams for explaining an operation and a control method of a pointing device.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, a pointing device and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 .

The pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device used to indicate a specific point on a space or a plane, and may be used, for example, in a seminar or a report meeting using a projector. The pointing device communicates with the host device by wire or wirelessly to control the host device, and may be configured separately from the host device. Here, the host device is connected to the display device to control the operation of the display device, and may be, for example, a computer or a notebook computer. In addition, the display device refers to a screen that displays an image transmitted from a host device, and may be a screen-type projector dedicated screen or an LCD screen or a video terminal such as an LCD television or a computer monitor.

The pointing device can select a laser pointing mode in which a laser light source is output and an image pointing mode in which an image pointer is generated, so that it can be used simultaneously on a projector-only screen and an LCD screen. In addition, a function of outputting a straight light, a function of creating an image pointer, and a function of underlining text, moving an icon or file, or dragging a screen can be performed with a single switch, so that the configuration of the pointing device is improved. It has the advantage of being simple and easy to operate. In addition, since the shape, size, transparency, color, etc. of the image pointer displayed on the display area can be freely adjusted, it can effectively focus public attention and effectively convey information on the screen.

Hereinafter, a pointing device and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 .

1 is a perspective view illustrating a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a receiver is separated from the pointing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the pointing device It is a block diagram. 4 is an operation diagram for explaining the operation of the first switch unit, FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating a state of use of the pointing device, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the operation and control method of the pointing device is a drawing for

The pointing device 1 according to the present invention includes a housing 10 , a power supply unit 20 , a sensor unit 30 , a first switch unit 40 , a control unit 50 , and a communication unit 60 . include

The housing 10 is the main body of the pointing device 1 , and is formed as a bar or a rod-shaped member having one side extended to be gripped by a user. Since the housing 10 is formed of a bar or rod-shaped member, a user can easily operate the pointing device 1 while holding it with one hand. As illustrated, the housing 10 has a curved side surface that is in contact with the user when gripped, so that a feeling of grip and aesthetics can be improved at the same time. However, it is not limited to the shape of the housing 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the housing 10 may be deformed into various shapes that can be easily gripped and manipulated by a user. The housing 10 may have a space formed therein to accommodate the power supply unit 20 .

The power supply unit 20 supplies power to the sensor unit 30 , the first switch unit 40 , the control unit 50 , the communication unit 60 , the laser output unit 70 , and the second switch unit 80 to be described later. By supplying it, it may be a normal battery.

The sensor unit 30 detects the movement of the housing 10 to generate a position signal, and may be installed inside the housing 10 . The sensor unit 30 receives power from the power supply unit 20 to generate a position signal corresponding to the movement of the housing 10 , and may generate a position signal including an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. The sensor unit 30 transmits the generated position signal to the control unit 50 .

The first switch unit 40 is an input means in the form of a button exposed to the outside of the housing 10 , and may be located in the center of the upper surface of the housing 10 so that the user can easily operate it while holding the housing 10 . there is. However, the first switch unit 40 is not limited to being positioned at the center of the upper surface of the housing 10 , and the position of the first switch unit 40 in the housing 10 may be variously modified. The first switch unit 40 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and includes a touch pad unit 41 for recognizing a touch in a pressure or capacitive manner, and a touch pad unit 41 positioned under the touch pad unit 41 . ), including the press recognition unit 42 for recognizing the press, it is possible to recognize the user's touch state and input a click signal at the same time. The press recognition unit 42 may be formed as a push button switch that moves downward when pressure is applied to the touch pad unit 41 to move a current, and is restored when the pressure is released and blocks the current. . Accordingly, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4 , when the user only touches the touch pad unit 41 without pressing the touch pad unit 41 , a touch signal is input, and as shown in FIG. 4 ( b ), the touch pad When the press recognition unit 42 moves downward by pressing the unit 41, a click signal may be input.

The control unit 50 receives the position signal from the sensor unit 30 and generates position coordinates in the form of planar coordinates. At this time, when the user's touch signal is input from the first switch unit 40, the control unit 50 transmits the position coordinates in real time to the host device H connected to the display device D, and the first switch unit ( 40), the control unit 50 does not transmit the location coordinates to the host device H if the touch signal is not input. The control unit 50 may transmit the location coordinates to the host device H through the communication unit 60 communicating with the host device H wirelessly or by wire. When a touch signal is input from the first switch unit 40 and the control unit 50 transmits the location coordinates to the host device H in real time, the host device H transmits the display device D as shown in FIG. 5 . ) to create an image pointer (I) in the display area (A). In other words, the position signal generated by the sensor unit 30 is transmitted to the control unit 50 , and the control unit 50 converts the received position signal into relative position coordinates in the form of planar coordinates, and through the communication unit 60 , the host device (H), and the host device (H) outputs the transmitted relative position coordinates to the display area (A) of the display device (D) as the image pointer (I). As described above, since the relative position coordinates are transmitted from the controller 50 to the host device H in real time, the position of the image pointer I output on the display area A may be changed. By changing the position of the image pointer I, it is possible to easily indicate a specific position on the display area A. The image pointer I may be output as a figure of a specific shape such as a circle, a ring shape, a square, a triangle, an arrow, etc., may be output as a picture of a face shape such as a character or a logo, or may be output as a continuously moving video. As the image pointer (I) is output as a picture or video of a specific shape or surface form, a display device having a diffuse reflection film attached to the surface or an anti-reflective coating such as an LCD screen (D1) or an LCD television or computer monitor Also in (D), the point indicated by the pointing device 1 can be clearly seen.

In addition, when a click signal is inputted from the first switch unit 40 , the host device H underlines text along the image pointer I, or an icon touched by the image pointer I or You can move files or drag the screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , while the image pointer I is superimposed on the text displayed on the display area A, the touchpad unit 41 is pressed while the pointing device 1 is extended in the text direction. ), the host device H may underline the text along the image pointer I moving in response to the movement of the pointing device 1 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 8 , when the pointing device 1 is moved while pressing the touchpad unit 41 while the image pointer I is superimposed on the icon or file displayed on the display area A, the host device (H) may move the icon or file in the direction in which the image pointer I moves in response to the movement of the pointing device 1 . Also, as shown in FIG. 9 , when the pointing device 1 is moved while pressing the touchpad 41 while the image pointer I is displayed on the display area A, the host device H is the pointing device. In response to the movement of (1), the screen may be dragged in the direction in which the image pointer I moved. As such, the pointing device 1 of the present invention can generate the image pointer I with one first switch unit 40, underline text, move icons or files, or drag the screen. The configuration of 1) becomes simpler and the operation can be made easily. In particular, when the touch pad unit 41 of the first switch unit 40 is touched, a touch signal is input, and when the touch pad unit 41 is pressed, a click signal is input, so that the user does not make the mistake of erroneously pressing the switch. Therefore, lectures or presentations can proceed smoothly.

The laser output unit 70 receives power from the power supply unit 20 and outputs the laser light source R to the outside of the housing 10 , and as shown in FIG. 6 , a film-type projector dedicated screen D2 ) can be used to indicate The laser output unit 70 is composed of a laser diode and the like to emit short-wavelength laser light, and can emit laser light of various colors, such as red light, green light, and purple light. In the laser output unit 70 , the output of the laser light source R may be controlled by manipulation of the second switch unit 80 formed on one side of the housing 10 .

The second switch unit 80 is an input means in the form of a pressurized button or toggle switch exposed to the outside of the housing 10 , and is located on one side of the first switch unit 40 , for example, on the upper side. can do. However, the second switch unit 80 is not limited to being positioned above the first switch unit 40 , and the position and shape of the second switch unit 80 in the housing 10 may be variously modified. can The second switch unit 80 has a laser pointing mode in which the laser output unit 70 operates to output a laser light source R, and the control unit 50 receives a touch signal and transmits the position coordinates to the host device H image pointing mode can be converted to each other. For example, when the second switch unit 80 is set to the laser pointing mode, the power supply unit 20 supplies power only to the laser output unit 70 , and the control unit 50 provides the position coordinates to the host device H. stops the transmission, and the laser output unit 70 may output the laser light source (R). Conversely, when the second switch unit 80 is set to the image pointing mode, the power supply unit 20 supplies power only to the control unit 50, and the laser output unit 70 limits the output of the laser light source R and , the controller 50 may transmit the location coordinates to the host device H.

When the host device H is a desktop computer without a built-in wireless LAN, a receiver 90 communicating with the communication unit 60 by wirelessly implementing a local area network may be mounted. The receiver 90 is detachably coupled to the housing 10 and mounted on the host device H when necessary, and the housing 10 has a recessed groove ( 10a) may be formed to accommodate at least a portion of the receiver 90 . However, as shown in FIG. 2 , the indentation groove 10a is not limited to being formed on the lower surface of the housing 10 , and the position of the indentation groove 10a may be variously modified. For example, the indentation groove 10a may be formed on the side surface of the housing 10 .

In addition, the third switch unit 100 and the fourth switch unit 110 may be exposed outside the housing 10 . The third switch unit 100 is an input means in the form of a pressurized button, and may be used to convert the current screen of the display area A into a previous screen. The fourth switch unit 110 is an input means in the form of a pressurized button, and may be used to convert the current screen of the display area A into the next screen. However, as shown, the second switch unit 80 and the third switch unit 100 are arranged side by side on the upper side of the first switch unit 40, and the fourth switch unit 110 is the first switch unit (40) It is not limited to being disposed on the lower side, and positions and shapes of the third switch unit 100 and the fourth switch unit 110 in the housing 10 may be variously modified.

Meanwhile, at least one of shape, size, transparency, and color of the image pointer I may be adjusted according to a control signal of the controller 50 or an input signal of the host device H. More specifically, when the host device H receives the location coordinates from the controller 50 and outputs the image pointer I to the display area A of the display device D, the image on the display area A A selection screen for adjusting at least one of the shape, size, transparency, and color of the pointer I may be activated. When a control signal from the controller 50 is input or an input signal from the host device H is input while the selection screen is activated, at least one of the shape, size, transparency, and color of the image pointer I is adjusted and reflected. can At this time, the control signal of the controller 50 may be generated by the first switch unit 40 , the third switch unit 100 , or the fourth switch unit 110 , or may be generated in response to the movement of the housing 10 . In addition, the input signal of the host device H may be generated by manipulation of an input device connected to the host device H, for example, a mouse.

A method for controlling a pointing device according to the present invention includes (A) generating a position signal by the sensor unit 30, (B) generating a position coordinate by receiving the position signal by the controller 50, and a second 1 When a touch signal is input from the switch unit 40, the control unit 50 transmits the position coordinates to the host device (H) in real time (C), and the host device (H) displays the display area of the display device (D) Step (D) of generating the image pointer (I) in (A), and when a click signal is input from the first switch unit 40, the host device (H) underlines the text along the image pointer (I) or , moving the icon or file touched by the image pointer (I), or (E) dragging the screen. In addition, in the method of controlling a pointing device according to the present invention, when a touch signal is input from the first switch unit 40, the control unit 50 transmits the position coordinates to the host device H in real time before the step (C). , a laser pointing mode in which the laser output unit 70 outputs a laser light source R to the outside of the housing 10, and an image in which the control unit 50 receives a touch signal and transmits position coordinates to the host device (H) Further comprising the step (C-1) of selecting a pointing mode, when the image pointing mode is set, the output of the laser light source (R) is limited and the control unit 50 transmits the position coordinates to the host device (H), When the laser pointing mode is set, the laser light source R is output when a touch signal is input from the first switch unit 40 .

The sensor unit 30 installed in the housing 10 detects the movement of the housing 10 and generates a position signal (step (A)). The sensor unit 30 includes an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, and may generate a position signal corresponding to the movement of the housing 10 by receiving power from the power supply unit 20 . The position signal generated by the sensor unit 30 is transmitted to the control unit 50 .

The control unit 50 receives the position signal from the sensor unit 30 and generates position coordinates in the form of plane coordinates (step (B)). At this time, a laser pointing mode in which the laser output unit 70 outputs the laser light source R to the outside of the housing 10 by manipulating the second switch unit 80 exposed to the outside of the housing 10; The controller 50 receives the touch signal and selects an image pointing mode in which the position coordinates are transmitted to the host device H (step (C-1)). For example, if the display device (D) is a film-type projector dedicated screen (D2), select the laser pointing mode, and if the display device (D) is an LCD screen (D1) or an LCD television or computer monitor, the image Pointing mode can be selected.

When the image pointing mode is set in the second switch unit 80 , the output of the laser light source R is limited, and exposed to the outside of the housing 10 to recognize the user's touch state and simultaneously input the click signal. When a touch signal is input from the switch unit 40, the control unit 50 transmits the position coordinates to the host device H connected to the display device D in real time (step (C)). The touch signal may be input when the touch pad unit 41 of the first switch unit 40 is not pressed and only touched.

The host device H receives the location coordinates and generates the image pointer I in the display area A of the display device D (step (D)). The image pointer I may be output as a figure of a specific shape, such as a circle, a ring shape, a square, a triangle, an arrow, etc., may be output as a picture of a face shape such as a character or a logo, or may be output as a continuously moving video. In this case, if necessary, at least one of the shape, size, transparency, and color of the image pointer I may be adjusted by manipulating the controller 50 or the host device H. As the image pointer (I) is output as a photo or video of a specific shape or surface form, the pointing device (1) indicates a point on the display device (D) on which a diffuse reflection film is attached or a diffuse reflection prevention coating is applied to the surface This can be clearly seen. In addition, since the location coordinates are transmitted from the controller 50 to the host device H in real time, the location of the image pointer I output to the display area A is changed to facilitate a specific location on the display area A can be instructed

On the other hand, when a click signal is input from the first switch unit 40, the host device H underlines the text along the image pointer I, or moves the icon or file touched by the image pointer I. or drag the screen (step (E)). The click signal may be input while energized when the touch pad unit 41 of the first switch unit 40 is pressed and the press recognition unit 42 moves downward. For example, if the first switch unit 40 is pressed while the image pointer I is superimposed on the text displayed on the display area A and the pointing device 1 is moved in the text extension direction, the host device ( H) may underline the text along the image pointer I moving in response to the movement of the pointing device 1 . In addition, when the pointing device 1 is moved while pressing the first switch unit 40 in a state where the image pointer I is superimposed on the icon or file displayed on the display area A, the host device H displays the pointing device ( In response to the movement of 1), the icon or file may be moved in the direction in which the image pointer I moved. In addition, when the pointing device 1 is moved while pressing the first switch unit 40 while the image pointer I is displayed on the display area A, the host device H responds to the movement of the pointing device 1 . Thus, the screen can be dragged in the direction in which the image pointer I moved. In this way, the functions of creating the image pointer I with one first switch unit 40, underlining text, moving icons or files, or dragging the screen are all performed, so that a plurality of switches have to be operated in the prior art. It is easier to operate compared to the pointing device of the .

On the other hand, when the laser pointing mode is set in the second switch unit 80 , when a touch signal is input from the first switch unit 40 , the laser light source R is output, and the position coordinate transmission of the control unit 50 is stopped can be

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

1: pointing device
10: housing 10a: recessed groove
20: power supply unit 30: sensor unit
40: first switch unit 41: touch pad unit
42: press recognition unit 50: control unit
60: communication unit 70: laser output unit
80: second switch unit 90: receiver
100: third switch unit 110: fourth switch unit
A: Display area D: Display device
H: Host device I: Image pointer
R: laser light source

Claims (5)

housing;
a power supply unit accommodated in the housing;
a sensor unit installed in the housing and generating a position signal by sensing the movement of the housing;
A touch pad part exposed to the outside of the housing and recognizing a touch in a pressure-type or capacitive type, and a press recognition part located below the touch pad part to recognize a press of the touch pad part, thereby recognizing a user's touch state and a first switch unit capable of simultaneously inputting a click signal;
a control unit that receives the position signal to generate position coordinates in the form of plane coordinates, and when a touch signal is input to the first switch unit, transmits the position coordinates to a host device connected to the display device in real time; and
Including a communication unit for communicating with the host device,
A pointing device to which the click signal is input after the touch signal is input. According to claim 1,
The press recognition unit,
A pointing device which is a push button switch that moves downwards when pressure is applied to the touch pad and moves current, and is restored when pressure is released to block the current. According to claim 1,
a laser output unit receiving power from the power supply unit and outputting a laser light source to the outside of the housing; and
A second switch unit for mutually converting a laser pointing mode in which the laser output unit operates to output the laser light source and an image pointing mode in which the control unit receives the touch signal and transmits the position coordinates to the host device; ,
When the second switch unit is set to the image pointing mode, the laser output unit limits the output of the laser light source, and the control unit transmits the position coordinates to the host device. According to claim 2, wherein the host device,
When the touch signal is input from the first switch unit, an image pointer is generated in a display area of the display device,
When the click signal is input from the first switch unit, underlining text along the image pointer, moving an icon or file touched by the image pointer, or dragging the screen pointing device. 4. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a receiver mounted on the host device and wirelessly implementing a local area network (LAN) to communicate with the communication unit,
The housing is a pointing device in which a recessed groove for accommodating at least a portion of the receiver is formed on the other side opposite to one side from which the laser light source is output.

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