KR20030013135A - Dizitizer using Photoelectric Transformation Element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digitizer using a photoelectric transformation element is provided to perform a function of an input device using a pen or a finger by constituting a panel using a photo-transistor being turned on in accordance with an illuminance of a light or using a CCD(Charge Coupled Device) for converting an electric charge accumulation state in accordance with a brightness of a light into an electric signal. CONSTITUTION: A digitizer unit(100) forms a photoelectric transformation element panel(112) using a photoelectric transformation element. A slim transparent panel(114) covers the upper part of the photoelectric transformation element panel(112), and a key input unit is printed at the lower surface of the transparent panel(114). The photoelectric transformation element panel(112) comprises a plurality of signal processing unit groups. The signal processing unit groups comprises a phototransistor of a plurality of photoelectric transformation elements. A photoelectric transformation element panel(112) includes a plurality of photoelectric transformation elements which performs a switching in accordance with an illuminance. An A/D converter converts an analogue signal output from the photoelectric transformation element panel(112) into a digital signal. A microprocessor performs a signal process of the digital signal and outputs a video control signal. A video controller outputs a video driving signal corresponded to a voltage necessary for an X-axis operation and a Y-axis operation by the image control signal. A display panel performs a video revelation by a switching of a corresponding area by the video driving signal.

Description

Digitizer using photoelectric conversion element

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digitizer, and more particularly, to perform a function as an input device using a pen or a finger by configuring a panel as an input device using a photoelectric conversion element that generates an electrical signal according to a change in illuminance or brightness of light. The present invention relates to a digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element.

Typically, personal computers, portable transmission devices, and other personal information processing devices perform text and graphics processing using various input devices, such as keyboards, mice, digitizers, and the like.

Among them, the digitizer is a device that digitally detects the position of a pointing device such as an electronic pen or a finger located on a specially manufactured panel and outputs it by XY coordinates. Compared to a scanner, a character or a figure may be more conveniently and precisely input.

In order to implement such a digitizer system, a panel for giving coordinate data, a pointing device such as a stylus pen or a finger for designating a point of the coordinate system represented by the panel, and a device for controlling them Requires a digitizer controller.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a conventional digitizer. Referring to FIG. 11, the digitizer 10 includes a substrate 11 made of transparent glass, and a transparent conductive film 12 such as ITO is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 11 in a lattice pattern. An electrode (not shown) is formed along the edge of the transparent conductive film 12. A protective film layer 13 such as silicon oxide (SiO 2) is coated on the transparent conductive film 12, and a protective film 14 is attached to a lower surface of the substrate 11.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, the electrode of the digitizer 10 is connected to the digitizer controller through a flexible wiring, the lower portion of the protective film 14, a flat panel display element is located to the electrical signal and the digitizer controller To communicate with each other.

In the conventional digitizer having such a structure, when a pointing device such as a stylus pen or a finger is placed on the passivation layer 13, an electrostatic coupling is performed, and the digitizer controller coordinates the change of voltage according to the position generated. To convert it and pass it to the system.

The digitizer having such a structure is applied to a semiconductor manufacturing process, etc., to be completed as a product through a batch processing process, which has a disadvantage in that the yield is not only reduced during the production process but also the entire digitizer must be replaced in case of breakage.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to configure a panel using a phototransistor or the like turned on according to the illuminance of the light (the amount of light received by the surface), or the charge accumulation state according to the brightness of the light (the photometric amount of the surface light source). The present invention provides a digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element that performs a function as an input device by using a pen or a finger by constructing a panel using a CCD or the like for converting a signal into an electrical signal.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element that can facilitate replacement and repair when configuring the digitizer with a low-cost device such as a phototransistor.

1 is a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal to which a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

2 is a view showing a part of a photoelectric conversion element panel constituting a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram illustrating basic control circuit blocks for driving a display unit and a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view showing a control circuit of a photoelectric conversion element panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a diagram showing a basic circuit configuration of a signal processing unit group according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a perspective view of a keyboard to which a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

7 is a state diagram of use of the keyboard,

8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a digitizer using a CCD according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

9 is an enlarged view of a CCD and a partial region;

10 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit and a digitizer and a display unit using a CCD according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a conventional digitizer.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: mobile communication terminal 110: digitizer

112: photoelectric conversion element panel 114: transparent panel

120, 350: display unit 122: image driver

124: display panel 130, 330: A / D converter

140, 340: microprocessor 200: top panel

250: condenser lens 300: CCD

310: X-axis scanning unit 320: Y-axis scanning unit

Digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element for achieving the above object of the present invention, characterized in that formed by forming a photoelectric conversion element panel arrayed photoelectric conversion element for generating an electrical signal according to the change in the illuminance or brightness of light do. At this time, it is preferable to further form a transparent window on the upper portion of the photoelectric conversion element for the protection of the photoelectric conversion element panel, and the letter and figure indicating the corresponding function is printed and at the same time the It would be more desirable to print outside the area.

Here, the photoelectric conversion element panel, the counter for performing a coefficient for the input oscillation signal; An X-axis scanning unit and a Y-axis scanning unit scanning the corresponding addresses of the array X and Y axes of the photoelectric conversion elements according to the coefficients; An A / D converter for converting an analog signal output from the X-axis scanning unit and the Y-axis scanning unit into a digital signal; A microprocessor for processing a digital signal output from the A / D converter and outputting an image control signal; And an image driver for outputting an image driving signal corresponding to a voltage value required for X-axis driving and Y-axis driving by the image control signal, and a display panel in which image display is performed by switching the corresponding region by the image driving signal. In addition, image display is performed on the digitizing.

The photoelectric change element may be any one selected from a photodiode, a phototransistor, and a CCD. When the CCD is used as a photoelectric conversion element, an upper panel on which a user input is made is formed, and between the CCD and the upper panel. The upper panel is formed by forming a condensing lens capable of condensing on the CCD.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

First, in the following embodiments, a case of applying a cell phone to which a photoelectric conversion element is applied (hereinafter, referred to as a "mobile communication terminal") and a case of applying to a keyboard will be described.

1 is a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal to which a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication terminal 100, which is an application example of the present invention, is largely composed of a digitizer 110 and a display 120, and since the display 120 has a general structure, a detailed description thereof is provided. The digitizer unit 100, which is a characteristic feature of the invention, forms the photoelectric conversion element panel 112 by using a photoelectric transformation element.

On the other hand, the thin transparent panel 114 covers the upper portion of the photoelectric conversion element panel 112, the key input portion is printed on the bottom surface of the transparent panel 114 so as not to interfere with the transmission of light. Alternatively, it is possible to print in the form of dots avoiding the area where the photoelectric change element is located, it would be preferable to be printed to the extent that the user can recognize the key input content.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a part of a photoelectric conversion device panel constituting a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, the photoelectric conversion element panel 112 constituting the digitizer part is composed of a plurality of signal processing unit groups (L). The signal processing unit group L is composed of a phototransistor PT, which is a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. In the first embodiment, it can be seen that the signal processing unit group L is composed of eight phototransistors PT.

3 is a block diagram illustrating basic control circuit blocks for driving a display unit and a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a photoelectric conversion element panel 112 including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in which switching is performed according to an illuminance value, and an analog signal output from the photoelectric conversion element panel 112 are converted into digital signals. An A / D converter 130, a microprocessor 140 for processing the digital signal to output an image control signal, and an image corresponding to voltage values required for X-axis driving and Y-axis driving by the image control signal. An image driver 122 outputs a driving signal, and a display panel 124 in which an image is displayed by switching a corresponding region by the image driving signal. The image driver 122 and the display panel 124 are elements constituting the display unit 120 of FIG. 1.

4 is a view showing a control circuit of a photoelectric conversion element panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a control circuit block diagram for controlling portion A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the photoelectric conversion element panel A includes eight signal processing unit groups L1, L2,. L7, L8, decoders M1, M2, ... M7, M8 connected to the signal processing unit groups L1, L2, ... L7, L8, and the eight signal processing unit groups L1, L2, ... decoders M1, M2, M3, M4 formed in each of the four signal processing unit groups L1, L2, L3, L4 (L5, L6, L7, L8) of L7, L8 (M5, M6, M7); And a coder C1 for forming and outputting a code in M8 and a register C3 connected to each of the eight signal processing unit groups L1, L2, ... L7, L8 and output to the A / D converter 130. )

5 is a diagram showing the basic circuit configuration of the signal processing unit group according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a diagram illustrating the signal processing unit groups of FIGS. 2 and 4, and basically, the signal processing unit group comprises a unit photoelectric conversion element having a phototransistor PT and a transistor Q as a basic configuration. In the present embodiment, it can be seen that one signal processing unit group L is formed of eight unit photoelectric conversion elements.

In the unit optical element, the emitter terminal of the phototransistor is connected to an input DC power supply, and the collector terminal is connected to the base terminal of the transistor. An input DC power supply is connected to the transistor emitter terminal and the collector terminal is grounded. On the other hand, the emitter terminals of the phototransistor and the transistor are connected to one terminal of the decoder.

The eight unit photoelectric conversion elements are connected to respective terminals of a decoder, and are connected to a 3-bit coder that generates and provides a code for scanning a signal input to the decoder. In this embodiment, a 3 bit coder is used, but when 16 unit optical elements are used, a 4 bit coder is required. On the other hand, the decoder is connected by a register.

The operation of the digitizer of the present invention applied to the mobile communication terminal configured as described above will be briefly described. First, it is already programmed to use a mobile communication terminal by dividing it into a digitizing mode such as a sign and a mode for performing a general key input according to the mode selection, and assume that a mode conversion is made according to a user's selection.

When the user selects a mode for performing key input, it is determined at which position the illuminance of light decreases, and a key input signal corresponding to the position is generated and processed by the microprocessor.

On the other hand, when the user selects the digitizing mode, the entire photoelectric conversion panel performs the function of the digitizer. That is, it is possible to perform character input such as sign and perform the operation of the corresponding point. For example, a corresponding point may be input according to an internet connection, thereby allowing access to a hyperlinked document.

6 is a perspective view of a keyboard to which a digitizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 6, the keyboard according to the present application includes a main body on which a photoelectric conversion element is formed, and a transparent panel on which function keys and alphanumeric characters are printed. The structure and operation of the photoelectric conversion element are the same as described above, and thus description thereof will not be repeated. In this case, the keyboard performs character display and key input on a display separately provided in a wired or wireless manner.

7 is a state diagram of use of the keyboard. As shown in FIG. 7, it is portable and can perform a keyboard function and a character display function conveniently in a wireless manner.

As such, the digitizer applied to the mobile phone and the digitizer applied to the keyboard perform a unique key input function, digitizing function, and touch pad function through mode switching by setting an arbitrary key as a mode switching key when the system is driven.

When the unique key input function mode is selected, when there is a signal change in the photoelectric conversion element in the region printed on the transparent panel, the key input at the corresponding position is corresponded. Each photoelectric conversion element corresponds to the signal processing processor in a 1: 1 manner to perform a corresponding key input function. Of course, if key input is made in two areas or input is made outside the key area, an error processing is performed.

On the other hand, when the digitizing function mode is selected, the digitizer's unique functions and character input are performed.

When the touch pad function mode is selected, the corresponding program is executed and the cursor appears on the screen. Then, when the user drags on the transparent panel using a finger or the like, the mouse moves accordingly. This is represented by moving the display unit by grasping the position value in the microprocessor by reading the switching position change value of the photoelectric conversion element. On the other hand, when the user selects the hyperlinked file by accessing the Internet, the user drags the cursor to locate the hyperlinked file. Then, when the user taps the transparent panel twice in a row, the user processes the signal twice. Run the algorithm. In other words, it determines that the continuous input is executed and accesses the hyperlinked file.

Here, in order to initialize the system or the like, the power of the system is turned on / off by covering a certain area with light for a predetermined time. Of course, the control algorithm is executed so that the system is turned on / off only when the light is obscured for a predetermined time in the corresponding area so as not to be determined as the power on / off when the light is entirely covered.

8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a digitizer using a CCD according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper panel is formed of a transparent material that is printed in a shape such as a key shape or nothing is printed, and may be softly written using a human finger and a separate pen. 200, a condenser lens 250 for condensing with a CCD to be described later corresponding to the upper panel 200, and a CCD 300 provided with a photoelectric conversion element corresponding to the upper panel 200.

Here, a charge coupled device (CCD) is a device that performs a function corresponding to an eye in a human body, and is a charge storage device that converts the light into an electrical signal when the light shines on the CCD. The CCD temporarily holds the charges generated by the electrical signal in a state of charge (memory), releases it by another signal, and in turn prepares for charging of the next signal. In such CCD, dozens and millions of photoelectric conversion elements (pixels) are directly and densely sized to the size of a fingernail, and each of these particles receives and distributes the focused image through the condenser lens. In other words, the array panel comprises an array CCD having a rectangular shape corresponding to the upper panel. A large number of fine photoelectric conversion elements (pixels) placed inside the CCD share and store the images. Therefore, if the horizontal x vertical pixels of the effective pixels used directly as imaging elements among the photoelectric conversion particles of the CCD are 1280 x 1024 pixels, the resolution of the digital image file stored corresponding to the image is also the same pixel size 1280 x 1024. That's a pixel, roughly 3.66 MB.

In this way, the CCD is an array CCD, and therefore, an area CCD must capture all of the region at a moment, and thus, tens or millions of photoelectric conversion elements, that is, pixels are concentrated at high density. In particular, the imaging principle of the CCD is to use the principle of the camera as it is, the CCD is placed in place of the existing film place, which can also be said to use the human optic nerve well. That is, many optic nerve cells are arranged in a reticulum in the retina of a human eye. The cross section of the optic nerve arranged in the mesh structure corresponds to the light-receiving particles of the CCD. In addition, since each particle corresponds to the pixel of the image to be digitalized most of the time 1: 1, the more particles are directly directed to the CCD, the higher the resolution of the pixel can be recorded.

9 is an enlarged view of a CCD and a partial region. As shown in FIG. 9, the CCD 300 is a combination of one pixels PIX and has many forms such as the array type CCD 300 or the linear CCD as shown.

10 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit and a digitizer and a display unit using a CCD according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the array-type CCD can be configured to separately control the driving of one pixel, as in the above example of FIG. 1, and scanning each axis as in the second embodiment. X-axis scanning unit 310 and Y-axis scanning unit 320 and the X-axis scanning unit 310 to scan the signal change of the X-axis and Y-axis of the CCD to detect the corresponding position where the change in luminance according to And an A / D converter 330 for converting an analog signal output from the Y-axis scanning unit 320 to a digital signal, and outputs an image control signal by processing the digital signal output from the A / D converter 330. A microprocessor 340, an image driver for outputting an image driving signal corresponding to a voltage value required for X-axis driving and Y-axis driving by the image control signal, and switching of a corresponding region by the image driving signal. Video demonstration It is made up of a display unit 350 made of a display panel.

The X-axis scanning unit 310 and the Y-axis scanning unit 320 checks one switching state of one of the Y-wires and one selected of the X-wires in response to the wire selection address signal. At this time, the scanning process requires a binary counter (not shown) that performs a count on the input oscillation signal.

The digitizer using a CCD according to another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above detects a corresponding position at which a change in luminance according to scanning of the X-axis scanning unit and the Y-axis scanning unit is detected. The signal that detects the change according to the scanning of each axis passes through the amplifier where the amplification is performed. Subsequently, an image is processed by being input to a microprocessor via an A / D converter, and as shown in FIG. 1, the image-controlled image control signal is received from the image driver and displayed on the display panel by the image driver signal. will be.

As described above, the digitizer using the photoelectric conversion element according to the present invention can not only replace the key input unit of the mobile communication terminal, but also can input not only key input but also free letters according to mode conversion, so that a sign required for authentication is required. (sign), etc., so that the process required for conventional authentication can be further thoroughly reinforced. This can be applied to both authentication through PCS, PDA, and the like, using a computer.

In addition, since the present invention can be applied to a touch pad such as a notebook, it is possible to perform a function of a digitizer capable of performing the above-described sign function as well as a simple position movement and execution function.

In particular, when fabricating a photoelectric conversion device panel using the phototransistor proposed in the first embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing cost is reduced, thereby reducing the price of the product.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it will be apparent that many modifications are possible by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims (6)

A digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element, characterized in that formed by forming a photoelectric conversion element panel arrayed photoelectric conversion element for generating an electrical signal according to the change in illuminance or brightness of light. The digitizer according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent window formed on the photoelectric conversion element. The digitizer of claim 2, wherein a character and a figure indicating a corresponding function are printed on the transparent window and printed outside the area of the photoelectric conversion element. According to claim 1, The photoelectric conversion element panel, A counter for performing a count on an input oscillation signal; An X-axis scanning unit and a Y-axis scanning unit scanning the corresponding addresses of the array X and Y axes of the photoelectric conversion elements according to the coefficients; An A / D converter for converting an analog signal output from the X-axis scanning unit and the Y-axis scanning unit into a digital signal; A microprocessor for processing a digital signal output from the A / D converter and outputting an image control signal; An image driver for outputting an image driving signal corresponding to a voltage value required for X-axis driving and Y-axis driving by the image control signal; and a display panel in which an image is displayed by switching the corresponding region by the image driving signal. Digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element, characterized in that further comprises. The digitizer of claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is any one selected from a photodiode, a phototransistor, and a CCD. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein when the CCD is used as a photoelectric conversion element, an upper panel through which a user input is formed is formed, and a condenser lens is formed between the CCD and the upper panel so that the upper panel can be focused on the CCD. Digitizer using a photoelectric conversion element characterized in that.