KR20020040165A - A method of automatically connecting user to webpage through a code reading mouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for connecting to a web page on the Internet using a mouse is provided to connect to a wanted Internet web page automatically without executing an operation as an address input through a keyboard and a hyper link through clicking a mouse. CONSTITUTION: In an Internet automatic connection method for connecting to a predetermined web page on the Internet including a mouse operation sensing unit(409), a mouse driving circuit unit(410), a mouse operation switch unit(406), a lens unit(401) for inputting an Internet connection code having information related a URL of a predetermined web page on the Internet, a sensor unit(402) mounted corresponded to the lens unit(401) for obtaining image information with respect to an Internet connection code inputted by the lens unit(401), a central processing unit(403) for processing the image information obtained by the sensor unit(402) and converting the information into a format capable of transmitting to a user computer connected to a mouse, and an Internet connection code input operation switch unit(407) for enabling an input operation of the Internet connection code, the Internet connection code input operation switch unit(407) is operated. Image information of the Internet connection code is obtained by the lens unit(401) and the sensor unit(402) in accordance with an operation of the Internet connection code input operation switch unit(407). The obtained image information of the Internet connection code is decoded. A connection to the web page is achieved by the user computer using the decoded information.

Description

A method of automatically connecting user to webpage through a code reading mouse}

The present invention relates to an automatic internet access method for accessing a predetermined web page on the internet using a mouse device having an input function of an internet access code.

Recently, various services such as e-commerce, cyber banks, cyber stock trading, auctions, education, travel, and newspapers are provided through the Internet, and more and more contents are expected to be provided in the future. As such, the Internet is becoming common, but many people still do not use it naturally.

Internet access is currently available through personal computers (PCs), notebook computers, PDAs and other computers, mobile phones, video game consoles, web TVs, etc. Among them, Internet access methods using personal computers (PCs) are widely used. have. To use the Internet on your personal computer, you must subscribe to a PC communication service or have a dedicated line and be connected to the network.Your computer must have an Internet connection program and an Internet search program, such as a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. Should be. Even those who don't know the Internet can easily access a home page registered during initial setup by clicking a web browser such as Explorer or Netscape installed on the desktop of a personal computer. The problem is how to find a web page that contains content that a user who doesn't know the Internet wants. To search for information at a given location on a particular website on the Internet, you typically turn on your computer, run an Internet connection program, run a web browser, enter the desired website address, and enter the data for that particular web page or file. It is common to search. In some cases, a separate Internet access program may not be executed, and the Internet access program and the Internet search program may be integrated into one integrated program. However, this process is too complicated for those who are not familiar with the Internet, and even after launching a web browser, it takes a lot of time to get the information contained in the particular web page you want, which is boring even for those who use the Internet well. I often feel like

Conventionally, in order to search for a predetermined web page on the Internet, a user connected to the Internet runs a web browser and uses a hyperlink to navigate to a location containing a desired web page. There were ways to enter the URL of a web page directly into the input box, or use a search engine to access the desired web page.

Even if you don't know the Internet, you can access the homepage registered at the initial setting by clicking the web browser such as Explorer or Netscape installed on the desktop of your personal computer. The user can directly enter a desired URL in a text box through a web browser or click a mouse on the upper layer of the corresponding homepage to navigate to the desired URL in the homepage hierarchy. However, this method is inconvenient when the homepage hierarchy is complicated or the domain name is long.

Recently, in order to solve the inconvenience of visiting the complicated hierarchical structure of the homepage when the user accesses the Internet, a code related to the URL of a predetermined web page on the Internet (hereinafter referred to as an "Internet access code") is read and the web page is read. Internet auto-access tools have been introduced. The Internet auto-access tool is connected to a computer with internet access, and scans or snapshots an image of a unique internet access code associated with a given web page, and then uses the read value to access the web page. You will be connected. The Internet access code is a code in which information related to the URL of a predetermined web page is displayed on a print medium by printing or the like, and is in a form that a barcode or other internet access tool can recognize.

1 is a block diagram of a conventional Internet automatic access system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a computer capable of connecting to the Internet, and the computer and the Internet connection tool 12 are connected to each other. The user can directly access the predetermined Internet web page indicated by the Internet access code 14 by reading the Internet access code 14 displayed on the print medium 13 using the Internet access tool 12. . For details of the Internet automatic access system, refer to the descriptions of the applicant's Korean patent applications 10-2000-0016709 and 10-2000-0016710.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of accessing a specific web page using the Internet access tool according to the prior art. First, the user reads the Internet access code in a scan or snapshot manner using the Internet access tool (step 21). The snapshot method herein refers to a method used, for example, for photographing a digital camera. The internet access tool then reads the image of the access code, which must be interpreted as a meaningful code (step 22). This reading step 22 may be performed by the Internet connection tool itself or by using decryption software installed on the user's computer. If you decrypt the image of the Internet access code on your computer, the relevant application software must be pre-installed on your computer. The read and decoded result may be direct URL information of the web page or may be an index associated with the URL information of the web page. If the result is direct URL information of a web page, the user's computer, in particular the web browser of the user's computer, can use that URL information to directly access the desired web page (the process is not shown). This method is called a direct connection method. If the result is an index associated with the URL information of the web page, the result is sent to the code server (step 23). The code server refers to a server that stores an index associated with the above-mentioned URL information and corresponding URL information, and delivers the corresponding URL information when the user computer transmits the index. The method of using such a code server is called an indirect connection method. When the user's computer sends the decrypted Internet access code to the code server, the code server finds the corresponding URL and sends it to the user's computer (step 24), which the web browser on the user's web browser uses to access the desired web page. (Step 25).

In the conventional Internet automatic access system, the Internet access tool has been used independently as a computer peripheral device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a speaker, and the like because its function is merely information transmission to a computer. This is the result of adding another peripheral in the rapidly increasing number of peripherals that need to be controlled by a computer such as a home network or a multimedia terminal, which poses a new burden on the user in terms of surrounding environment and cost. Holding it.

In addition, the conventional Internet access tool has a problem that the height is considerably high due to the limitation that the image input module including the lens unit used therein should have a predetermined length due to the focal length of the lens. In addition, there was an inconvenience in its use.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an Internet access code in an automatic Internet access system for automatically accessing a desired Internet web page in a simple manner without performing an operation such as entering an address through a keyboard and a hyperlink through a mouse click. It is for providing an input device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an Internet access code input device by adding a function to a mouse device that is inevitably used as a computer input device without providing a separate computer peripheral device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lower height internet access code device by shortening the length of an optical input module used in the internet access code input device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to shorten the length of the optical input module used for the Internet access code input device, thereby miniaturizing the Internet access code input device so that it can be more easily mounted on the mouse.

Yet another object of the present invention is to add a display unit for displaying the operation status to a mouse device having an internet access code input function, thereby enabling more accurate internet access code input operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic internet access method for accessing a predetermined web page by using a mouse device having the above-described internet access code input function.

1 is a block diagram of a conventional Internet automatic access system.

2 is a flow chart showing the procedure for accessing a specific web page using the Internet access tool according to the prior art.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic internet access system using a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a mouse device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view from above of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention;

6 is a perspective view of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a bottom surface of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

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

10: computer

12: Internet Access Tool

13, 32: print media

14, 33: Internet access code

30, 400, 500, 600, 700: mouse device

31: User system

401, 802: lens unit

402, 804: sensor unit

403: central processing unit

404: interface unit

405, 505, 605: display unit

406, 506, and 606: mouse operation switch section

407, 507, 607: Internet access code input operation switch unit

408, 808: computer connection

409, 709, and 807: mouse motion detection unit

410: mouse driving circuit portion

701, 801: input window

803 reflector

805: Internet access code input module

806 light emitting element

In order to achieve the above object, the mouse device used in the method according to the present invention includes a mouse motion detection unit, a mouse driving circuit unit, and a mouse operation switch unit, a lens unit for inputting an Internet access code, the lens unit A sensor unit for obtaining image information on the Internet access code input by the lens unit, and a user computer connected to the mouse by processing the image information obtained by the sensor unit. Characterized in that it comprises a central processing unit for converting to a format that can be transmitted.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration of the mouse device according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic internet access system using a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes a mouse device having an internet access code input function, which is connected to a computer capable of connecting to the Internet, that is, a user system 31. The user can directly access a predetermined Internet web page indicated by the Internet access code 33 by reading the Internet access code 33 displayed on the print medium 32 using the mouse device 30. For details of the Internet automatic access system, refer to the descriptions of the applicant's Korean patent applications 10-2000-0016709 and 10-2000-0016710.

In the present invention, the user usually uses the mouse device 30 as a normal mouse, and when the Internet connection is required according to the input of the Internet connection code, the user uses the mouse device 30 to print the print medium 32. The Internet access code 33 may be read to receive a code image, extract code information, and digitize the extracted code information to transmit the code image to a user system.

4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a mouse device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the mouse device 400 according to the present invention includes a lens unit 401, a sensor unit 402, a central processing unit 403, an interface unit 404, a display unit 405, a mouse operation switch. The unit 406 may include an internet access code input operation switch unit 407, a computer connection unit 408, a mouse motion detection unit 409, and a mouse driving circuit unit 410.

The mouse device 400 according to the present invention is a mouse or motion detection unit 409 of the ball type or optical input type, which normally detects the operation of the mouse, performs signal processing related to the operation of the mouse and transmits it to a computer (not shown). The mouse driving circuit section 410 is used as a conventional mouse. The configuration of the mouse motion detector 409 and the mouse driver circuit 410 may use a configuration used for a conventional mouse.

If the user wants to access the predetermined web page on the Internet by reading the Internet access code, the Internet access code displayed on the print medium is controlled by the operation of the Internet access code input operation switch unit 407. The sensor unit 402 captures the lens unit 401. The captured internet access code information is converted into digital information by the central processing unit 403 and transmitted to the user computer through the interface unit 404 and the computer connection unit 408.

The lens unit 401 may be formed of a glass lens or a plastic lens, and the sensor unit 402 may be formed of a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, or the like. The outer shape of the lens unit 401 should be designed to be suitable for connection with the sensor unit 402 and for embedding in the structure of a conventional mouse. Details of the configuration of the lens unit 401 will be described later.

The central processing unit 403 may use a general-purpose microprocessor, and may control each component shown in FIG. 4 using a specially designed semiconductor chip. In addition, the central processing unit 403 may include a memory means for storing a predetermined program according to the present invention. In addition, the central processing unit 403 may be implemented to be integrated with the mouse driving circuit unit 410.

The mouse device 400 according to the present invention may be used by wired connection with the user computer through the computer connection unit 408, and may be connected to the user computer via wireless. In this case, a wired connection may use a USB port, a serial port, a parallel port, and IEEE1394. In the case of a wireless connection, RF, Bluetooth, and IrDA (Infrared) may be used.

The display unit 405 displays the image information of the Internet access code input through the lens unit 401 when the Internet access code is input, thereby improving the accuracy of Internet access code reading. The display unit 405 used in the mouse device 400 of the present invention may use an LCD panel, for example.

When the mouse device 400 according to the present invention is connected to a user computer capable of driving an automatic Internet access program, and the lens unit 401 is directed to the Internet access code to capture an image, the sensor unit 402 and the center are captured. The digitized code image information via the processing unit 403 is transmitted to the user computer through the interface unit 404 and the connection unit 408 and automatically performs a connection process to a predetermined Internet web page associated with the Internet access code. The digitized code image information in the central processing unit 403 of the mouse device 400 may be decoded (decoded) by an application program installed in the central processing unit 403 and then transmitted to a user computer, and the digitized code image information may be transmitted to the user computer. After being transferred to a computer, it may be decrypted (decoded) by an application installed in the user's computer.

5 is a view of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention from above, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

In the drawings, the mouse apparatuses 500 and 600 according to the present invention have internet access code input operation switch units 507 and 607 in addition to the conventional mouse operation switch units 506 and 606. In addition, the display devices 505 and 605 may be selectively provided on the mouse devices 500 and 600.

In the figure, although the Internet access code input operation switch unit 507 and 607 are located on the side of the mouse, this is exemplary and may be in any position of the mouse.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a bottom surface of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the mouse apparatus 700 according to the present invention includes an input window 701 for reading an internet access code, in addition to the conventional mouse motion detection unit 709. An image of the Internet access code input through the input window 701 is captured through a lens unit and a sensor unit (not shown) in the mouse device 700. Although the mouse motion detection unit 709 is shown as a ball type in the figure, it may be any other type.

8 is a diagram showing a cross section of a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 801 denotes an input window formed on a lower surface of a mouse for inputting an internet access code, and reference numeral 802 denotes a lens unit. As shown in the figure, in the mouse device according to the present invention, the lens unit is not positioned directly above the input window 801. Instead, a reflector 803 is installed obliquely at an angle of 45 degrees, for example, directly above the input window 801. In the mouse device according to the present invention, the lens unit 802 is installed at a position where the image of the Internet access code input through the input window 801 is reflected by the reflector 803 and is incident.

In the drawing, reference numeral 804 denotes a sensor unit for sensing an image of an internet access code formed by the lens unit 802. As described above, the sensor unit may include a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, or the like. As shown in the figure, in the mouse device according to the present invention, the sensor unit 804 is disposed to face the lens unit 802. The sensor unit 804 is responsible for converting the coded image into an electrical signal and transferring the coded image to a central processing unit (not shown).

In the mouse device according to the present invention, an input effective area, that is, an input window, is determined with a focal length and an angle of view (ie, an effective image angle) of the lens unit 802. In this case, the calculated maximum effective area appears in the form of a circle, and any form of input window inscribed in this circle may be an input effective area. Although FIG. 7 illustrates that the input window has a rectangular shape, other shapes may be possible.

The distance between the input window 801 and the lens unit 802 and the size of the input window 801 are calculated in consideration of the size of the Internet access code that is the object.

Reference numeral 805 denotes an internet access code input module in which an input window 801, a lens unit 802, a reflector 803, and a sensor unit 804 are mounted. The Internet access code input module 805 is a portion that supports the lens unit 802, the reflector 803, the sensor unit 804, and the like, and the form thereof can be appropriately designed to be conveniently embedded in a mouse.

The Internet access code may be in contact with or away from the input window 801 upon input. Typically, the Internet access code is inputted in contact with the input window 801. In this case, the problem of the brightness of the input image can be solved by installing several light emitting elements, for example, LEDs in the Internet access code input module 805. have. Reference numeral 806 denotes such a light emitting element. If the Internet access code is input while being spaced apart from the input window 801, it is necessary to perform image stabilization in the central processing unit for the input image.

In the mouse device according to the present invention, in order to obtain a stable input image of the Internet access code as a subject, it is preferable that the average brightness is uniform with respect to the image received every time. Therefore, in the mouse device according to the present invention, the internet access code input module 805 is adopted to eliminate the influence of light from the outside when the image of the actual internet access code is input, and is arranged in the internet access code input module 805. It is preferable to use the LED 806 to light the subject. At this time, the position of the LED 806, as shown in the figure, in order to suppress the diffuse reflection, that is, the lower part of the Internet access code input module 805, so that the light that primarily touches the subject is reflected and do not touch another place of the subject again It is desirable to be located at. The number of LEDs 806 may be any number. However, when the LEDs 806 are arranged at uniform intervals when viewed from a cross section of the Internet access code input module 805, a more uniform input image may be obtained.

In the drawing, reference numeral 807 denotes a mouse motion detection unit, and reference numeral 808 denotes a computer connection unit. Although the figure shows that the input window 801 is disposed in front of the mouse motion detector 807, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the arrangement may be arbitrarily changed.

In FIG. 8, other central processing units, interface units, mouse driving circuit units, and the like are not shown in order to illustrate the configuration. These components can of course also be integrated into a single substrate. In addition, the central processing unit may be located on the PCB where the sensor unit 804 is located. The arrangement of these components is of course possible to those skilled in the art can be modified by a selective design.

Hereinafter, a procedure for accessing a predetermined web page using a mouse device having an internet access code input function according to the present invention will be described.

When the user places the input window of the mouse device on the Internet access code displayed on a print medium or the like and clicks the Internet access code input operation switch unit, the LED in the mouse is turned on and inputs an image of the Internet access code through the input window, the reflector and the lens unit. After that, the sensor unit and the central processing unit digitize the input image and transmit it to the user computer. The user computer accesses a predetermined web page with Internet access information obtained by decoding the digital information. For the specific process of accessing a predetermined web page with the Internet access information obtained from the Internet access code, refer to the descriptions of the above-described Korean Patent Applications Nos. 10-2000-0016709 and 10-2000-0016710.

According to the embodiment, in order to improve the recognition accuracy of the Internet access code, it is also possible to adopt a configuration of reading the Internet access code through two switch operations. In this case, when a user's connection request is requested, that is, when the user clicks on the Internet access code input operation switch, the LED is turned on and control signals for driving the sensor are transmitted to the sensor. At the same time, the user's computer runs an application program to perform the automatic Internet access function and requests data from the mouse. From this point, the sensor unit sequentially transmits the input image data to the central processing unit in synchronization with the clock from the central processing unit. The central processing unit transmits the input code image data to the user computer without any manipulation, and the user computer displays the input image through a window of an application program. When the user sees the displayed coded image and judges that it is properly read, the secondary switch operation for inputting the Internet access code is performed. At this time, the image data is decoded using an application program of the user's computer, and the user's computer accesses a predetermined Internet web page using the Internet connection information thus obtained. It then sends a command to initialize the sensor and central processing unit to initialize the operation of the mouse device, turn off the LED, and return to the original standby operation.

Although the configuration of the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and may include all modifications encompassed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

According to the present invention, even if there is no detailed knowledge about a computer or a network, anyone can read the Internet access code displayed on a newspaper or an advertisement leaflet using a mouse device having a code input function with a simple click operation, and thus, to a desired Internet web page in a simple manner. It is possible to connect directly.

Further, according to the present invention, the Internet access code input device is implemented as a separate device by implementing the function by adding the function to a mouse device that must be used as a computer input device without providing the Internet access code input device as a separate computer peripheral device. Discomfort to be provided can be eliminated.

According to the present invention, the input window, the lens unit and the sensor unit are not arranged in a straight line in the optical input module used for the Internet access code input device, for example, arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to shorten the overall length thereof. It is possible to provide a low internet access code device.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the length of the optical input module used for the Internet access code input device so that the Internet access code input device can be miniaturized to be more easily mounted on the mouse.

In addition, according to the present invention, a mouse device having an internet access code input function can display an image input by a computer through a window of an application program, so that an accurate image can be easily obtained, and a display unit for displaying an operation status is added thereto. This enables a more accurate internet access code input operation.

Claims (10)

A lens unit for inputting an Internet access code including a mouse motion detection unit, a mouse driving circuit unit, and a mouse operation switch unit, and including information related to a URL of a predetermined web page on the Internet, and installed to face the lens unit; A sensor unit for obtaining image information on the Internet access code input by the lens unit, and converting the image information obtained by the sensor unit into a format that can be processed and transmitted to a user computer connected to the mouse An automatic connection method for accessing a predetermined web page on the Internet by using a mouse device further comprising a central processing unit for performing the operation and an internet access code input operation switching unit for enabling the input operation of the Internet access code. To Operating an internet access code input operation switch unit of the mouse device; Acquiring image information of the internet access code by the lens unit and the sensor unit according to the operation of the internet access code input operation switch unit; Decoding image information of the obtained Internet access code; and Accessing the web page by the user computer using the information decoded in the decoding step Internet automatic access method comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the decoding step is performed by the central processing unit. The method of claim 1, wherein said decoding step is performed by said user computer. A lens unit for inputting an Internet access code including a mouse motion detection unit, a mouse driving circuit unit, and a mouse operation switch unit, and including information related to a URL of a predetermined web page on the Internet, and installed to face the lens unit; A sensor unit for obtaining image information on the Internet access code input by the lens unit, and converting the image information obtained by the sensor unit into a format that can be processed and transmitted to a user computer connected to the mouse Using a mouse device further comprising a central processing unit for performing the operation, light emitting means for irradiating light to the input internet access code, and an internet access code input operation switch unit for enabling an input operation of the internet access code. An internet for accessing a predetermined web page on the internet In the same connection method, Operating an internet access code input operation switch unit of the mouse device; Turning on the light emitting device according to the operation of the switch unit, and transmitting a control signal for driving the sensor unit from the central processing unit to the sensor unit, Transmitting, by the sensor unit, image data of the Internet access code inputted through the lens unit to the user computer through the central controller according to the control signal; Displaying image data of the received Internet access code on a display of the user computer; If the image data of the Internet access code displayed on the display of the user computer is determined to be valid, operating the switch unit secondly, Decoding the image data in response to the secondary operation of the switch unit, and Accessing the web page by the user computer using the information decoded in the decoding step Internet automatic access method comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of whether the image data of the Internet access code displayed on the display of the user computer is valid is determined by the time of the user. The method of claim 4 or 5, further comprising the step of initializing the operation of the mouse device and turning off the light emitting element after accessing the web page. A lens unit for inputting an Internet access code including a mouse motion detection unit, a mouse driving circuit unit, and a mouse operation switch unit, and including information related to a URL of a predetermined web page on the Internet, and installed to face the lens unit; A sensor unit for obtaining image information on the Internet access code input by the lens unit, and converting the image information obtained by the sensor unit into a format that can be processed and transmitted to a user computer connected to the mouse A central processing unit, light emitting means for irradiating light to the input internet access code, an internet access code input operation switch unit for enabling an input operation of the internet access code, and an internet input through the lens unit The Internet connection code by displaying the image information of the access code To the status of the input using the mouse further comprising a display unit that can be tested, in an automatic Internet connection method for connecting to a predetermined Web page on the Internet, Operating an internet access code input operation switch unit of the mouse device; Turning on the light emitting device according to the operation of the switch unit, and transmitting a control signal for driving the sensor unit from the central processing unit to the sensor unit, Displaying image data of the internet access code input through the lens unit on the display unit according to the control signal; If the image data of the Internet access code displayed on the display unit is determined to be valid, operating the switch unit secondly, Decoding the image data in response to the secondary operation of the switch unit, and Accessing the web page by the user computer using the information decoded in the decoding step Internet automatic access method comprising a. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said decoding is performed on either the mouse device or the user computer. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining of whether the image data of the Internet access code displayed on the display unit is valid is determined by the user's time of view. . 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising the step of initializing the operation of the mouse device and turning off the light emitting element after accessing the web page.