KR20080010215A - Optical inputting apparatus and mobile terminal having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical input device and a mobile terminal having the same are provided to allow continuous inputting so that a user can conveniently and accurately input information. A cover(17) includes a transmissive portion(11) allowing light to transmit therethrough. Light source units(15) irradiate light toward the transmissive portion(11). An image sensor(19) captures an image of the cover(17) including the transmissive portion(11) at a lower side of the cover(17) to generate an image frame. A controller recognizes a movement of the subject positioned at the transmissive portion(11) by consecutively comparing a reference frame of the cover(17) and the captured image frame, thus to allow inputting of information corresponding to the movement of the subject. The transmissive portion(11) is a plurality of slits in the shape of a circular arc formed on the cover(17).

Description

Optical input device and portable terminal having the same {OPTICAL INPUTTING APPARATUS AND MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME}

1 is a schematic diagram of a portable terminal having a conventional input device using a keypad.

2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the keypad is pressed in FIG.

3 is a photographed image of a subject photographed by an image sensor of an input device using image processing;

4 is a schematic diagram of a portable terminal equipped with an optical input device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an optical input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6A is a diagram illustrating a reference frame without a subject in a light transmitting portion.

6B is a diagram illustrating an image pickup frame in which a subject is positioned on a light transmitting part.

7A is a view illustrating a process of moving a subject clockwise along a light transmitting unit;

7B is a view illustrating a process of moving a subject to cross each light transmitting part.

<Description of Drawing>

10 Optical input device 11 Flood section

13 Lens 15 Light Source

17 cover 19 image sensor

21 Permeable material 23 Subject

30 Mobile terminal 31 Main unit

33 Display

The present invention relates to an optical input device and a portable terminal having the same.

In recent years, electronic devices using buttons as a means for inputting information have become mainstream. That is, a sensor or dome button corresponding to each button is provided below the button, and when the button is pressed, the sensor or dome button recognizes this and a method of inputting information is widely adopted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile phone as an example of an electronic device having such a conventional input device, and FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a state in which information is input by pressing a keypad in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cellular phone 50 includes a display unit 51 on which input information is displayed and a main body portion 53 having a keypad 55 on the front surface thereof. The keypad 55 includes a plurality of buttons 57 in which numbers or letters are written, and one side of the button 57 is exposed to the outside. The length of the keypad 11 in the x-axis and y-axis directions is Δx and Δy, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 2, a dome button 59 is provided on a bottom surface of each button 57. The dome button 59 is pressed by a user so that the type of the button 57 is a host processor. By this information, corresponding information is input, and as a result, the information input to the display unit 51 is displayed. The dome button 59 has a metal dome having an elliptical cross section, and the button 57 pressed by the elastic force of the dome returns to its original shape.

In the conventional input device as described above, since the dome buttons 59 are arranged under the respective buttons 57, and each dome button 59 has a constant thickness, the dome button 59 is fixed in the Z-axis direction as shown in FIG. Thickness is required. If this thickness is Δz, the volume occupied by the conventional keypad 55 is ΔxΔyΔz. Therefore, since the input device of the related art has a volume of a certain size due to the thickness of the dome button and the button, there are many difficulties in miniaturization of the terminal. In addition, due to the way in which each button needs to be input, it has been difficult to input since the corresponding button needs to be pressed several times in order to set continuously changing values such as volume control and brightness control.

In order to solve the problems of the input device using the button and the dome button, an input device using image processing has been developed. An input device using image processing uses a method of finding a center position of a finger in each image and tracking a movement of a corresponding position after photographing successive frames including a lens, an LED, and an image sensor. Since the input device of this type processes the input through the image, no physical switch is required, while in the image processing, as shown in FIG. 3, other images other than the subject finger may be captured and noise may occur. There is a problem that the malfunction is likely to occur.

The user inputs information while moving a finger in the air in a state where the finger is spaced apart from the input device at a predetermined interval, whereby the finger moves more accurately on the plane, that is, the more the user keeps a constant height from the input device. However, since it is very difficult for a finger to maintain a constant distance from the input device in a space state, there are many difficulties in accurate input.

The present invention provides an optical input device capable of reducing a volume and a portable terminal having the same.

The present invention is to provide an optical input device and a portable terminal having the same that can reduce the malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an optical input device capable of convenient input and accurate input since continuous input is possible, and a portable terminal having the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical input device configured to generate an image capturing frame by photographing a cover including a light transmitting part through which light is transmitted, a light source part irradiating light toward the light transmitting part, and a cover including a light transmitting part under the cover. And an image sensor, and a controller configured to continuously compare the reference frame and the imaging frame of the cover to recognize the movement of the subject located in the light-transmitting unit so as to input information corresponding to the movement of the subject.

Embodiments of the optical input device according to the present invention may have one or more of the following features. For example, it is preferable that a light transmitting part is a slit formed in a cover, and has a circular arc shape, and a plurality is formed in the cover. The slits may be arranged adjacent to each other to form an ellipse shape, and it is preferable that a light absorbing material is formed on the rear surface of the cover. The cover is provided with contact detecting means for recognizing whether or not the subject touches the light transmitting part, and the control unit determines whether the subject is in contact with the light transmitting part by the touch sensing means, and the image sensor when the subject is positioned in the light transmitting part. And a light source unit.

A portable terminal according to an aspect of the present invention includes an optical input device having the above configuration, and the portable terminal includes a main body unit on which the optical input device is mounted, and a display unit on which information input by the optical input device is displayed. The cover is a portable terminal forming one surface of the main body.

In addition, when the display unit moves and the light transmitting unit is exposed to the outside, the controller may operate the image sensor and the light source unit.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical input device and a portable terminal having the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding components may have the same reference numerals. And duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

4 is a schematic diagram of a portable terminal 30 equipped with an optical input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the portable terminal 30 includes a display unit 33 on which various kinds of information are displayed and a main body unit 31 on which an optical input device is mounted. The cover 17 forming one surface of the main body 31 is formed with a light transmitting portion 11 including a plurality of slits 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, and 11h. The lower portion of the 11 is provided with the optical input device 10 shown in FIG.

 When the user places and moves a subject such as a finger on the light transmitting unit 11 while holding the portable terminal 30, the image sensor of the optical input device 10 photographs it to generate an image capturing frame. Information is input by recognizing which direction the subject moves in the light projector 11 in comparison with the previously stored reference frame.

The light transmitting part 11 is composed of a plurality of slits 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, and 11h, and each of the slits is disposed adjacent to each other to form an arc shape as a whole. All slits have individual functions. For example, if the subject moves along slit 11a, the scroll up or scroll down function may be executed depending on whether the direction is clockwise or counterclockwise. The volume up or volume down functions may be performed according to the moving direction in 11b. When the subject moves along the slit 11c, the forward or reverse function may be executed when playing an MP3 or a video according to the direction.

In the optical input device 10 shown in FIG. 5, when the display unit 33 moves in the portable terminal 30 and the light transmitting unit 11 of the optical input device 10 is exposed to the outside, the controller recognizes the light and outputs the light. Operating the input device 10, a more specific configuration will be described below.

5 is a schematic diagram of an optical input device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the optical input device 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a cover 17 having a light transmitting part 11 through which light can pass, and a lens 13 positioned below the cover 17. , An image sensor 19 positioned below the lens 13, and a light source unit 15 provided under the cover 17. In addition, although not shown, the optical input device 10 includes a control unit for generating an input signal using the information received by the image sensor 19 and controlling the operation of the optical input device 10. In addition, the cover 17 having the light transmitting part 11 forms an upper surface of the main body 31 of the portable terminal 30 as shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 5, although the width of the slit is large for convenience of description, the noise due to the external light source may be reduced by actually manufacturing the slit having a narrow width.

The light transmitting part 11 is formed of a plurality of slits formed on a cover 17 forming a main body of a portable terminal, and the like, and each of the slits is disposed adjacent to each other to form an ellipse having a predetermined size. The user inputs information by placing a subject 23 such as a finger on the slit and moving it clockwise or counterclockwise. A transparent material 21 such as glass, transparent plastic, or the like may be inserted into the slit of the light-transmitting part 11 to prevent foreign matters from intervening.

Since the plurality of slits 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, and 11h formed in the light transmitting part 11 are small in width, noise is less likely to occur in the captured image. Therefore, the optical input device according to the present embodiment can prevent the optical input device from malfunctioning due to noise. Since the subject 23, such as the user's finger, moves in contact with the upper surface of the cover 17 and inputs information, the subject 23 can maintain a constant height with the image sensor 19, thereby making it more accurate. Input can be performed.

Although not shown, the cover 17 may be provided with contact detecting means for detecting whether the subject touches the light emitting unit 11. The touch sensing means may be a touch sensor or a pressure sensor, and the like may be used as long as it can detect whether or not the subject 23, such as a finger, has touched the surface of the cover 17. When it is recognized that the subject 23 is in contact with the cover 17 by the touch sensing means, the controller controls the light source unit 15 to irradiate light onto the rear surface of the cover 17, and the image sensor 19 displays the image at this time. Acquire. When the subject is not in contact with the cover 17, the controller does not operate the light source unit 15 and the image sensor 19, thereby reducing power consumption.

The light source unit 15 irradiates light having a constant brightness toward the light-transmitting unit 11, and may be any type of light source having an intensity that light reflected by a subject may be recognized by an image sensor. The light source unit 15 includes, for example, a laser diode, a light emitting diode (LED), a tungsten light source, and an optical fiber light source. If an optical fiber light source is used, a pair of optical fibers or split fibers may be used to direct the reflective laser beam to the photodetector.

The operation of the light source unit 15 is controlled by the control unit. In the portable terminal, the folder is rotated or slides so that the light transmitting unit 11 is exposed to the outside, or the subject is placed on the cover 17 by a touch sensor such as a pressure sensor. If it is determined that the touch is reached, the control unit operates the light source unit 15 so that an input can be made. In FIG. 5, a pair of light source units 15 are shown on the left and right sides of the lens 13, but the number and arrangement of the light source units 15 may be variously changed according to the size and shape of the light transmitting unit 11. .

The lens 13 serves to allow the light incident through the light projector 11 to be focused on the image sensor 19. As the lens 13, a conventional convex lens, a spherical or cylindrical mirror, a GRIN lens, or a mold aspherical lens may be used, and it is preferable to use a wide-angle lens such as a fisheye lens capable of capturing a wide range of images. . In addition, although one lens 13 is provided in FIG. 5, a lens group consisting of various lenses may be used.

The image sensor 19 is composed of a CCD or CMOS device in which a plurality of pixels are arranged on a surface thereof. The image sensor 19 is positioned below the lens 13 and continuously photographs the back surface of the light transmitting part 11 where the subject 23 is located to generate an imaging frame. The image pickup frame generated as described above is compared with a reference frame, which is already stored, by the controller to determine which direction the subject moves along in which slit.

When the image sensor 19 is operated to generate an imaging frame as shown in FIG. 6B according to the movement of the subject, the controller compares it with a reference frame to determine how much the subject is located in which slit and in which direction. That is, the image signal processing unit (ISP) provided in the control unit compares the imaging frame and the reference frame in units of blocks to determine which slit the subject is located in, and obtains a motion vector to move the subject. Get directions. The controller provides an input signal corresponding to the movement of the subject to the portable terminal to perform various functions of the portable terminal.

If the light transmitting unit 11 is not exposed to the outside by the display unit in the portable terminal, the controller does not operate the image sensor 19 and the light source unit 15 of the optical input device 10, and the display unit rotates or When the light transmitting part 11 is exposed to the outside by sliding, the image sensor 19 and the light source part 15 are operated to allow continuous shooting.

In addition, if information is not input through the light emitting unit 11 even after the display unit is rotated or slides and exposed to the light emitting unit 11, the control unit stops the image sensor and the light source unit to reduce power consumption. If it is recognized by the contact sensing means formed at (17) that the subject is in contact with the light transmitting portion 11, the image sensor 19 and the light source unit 15, which are stopped in operation, are operated.

FIG. 6A illustrates a reference frame generated by the image sensor 19, and FIG. 6B illustrates an imaging frame generated by the image sensor 19 in a state where the subject is positioned in the light transmitting unit 11.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the image sensor 19 is recognized by the touch sensing means that the light transmitting part 11 is exposed to the outside or the subject contacts the light emitting part 11 by rotating or sliding the display part in the portable terminal. In this case, the back surface of the cover 17 is photographed continuously. At this time, the light source unit 13 irradiates light toward the light transmitting unit 11. Since a light absorbing material or the like is coated or laminated on the back surface of the cover 17, portions other than the light transmitting portion 11 appear black, and the light transmitting portion 11 has a constant brightness by external indirect light or the like. However, the light transmitting part 11 does not generate a very bright area unless direct sunlight is introduced from the outside. As described above, the image in which the subject is not positioned in the light transmitting unit 11 is a reference frame, which is compared with the image pickup frame of FIG. 6B to recognize which slit the subject is located in the light transmitting unit 11 and the moving direction of the subject. To be.

As the light absorbing material, a general black paint or the like can be used, and a special light absorbing material whose main component is graphite, ammonia, surfactant, pure water, and alkali silicate salt can also be used. In addition, black carbon and soot may be used as the light absorbing material.

6B illustrates an image pickup frame in which the image sensor 19 photographs the rear surface of the cover 17 when the subject 23 is positioned in the light transmitting part 11.

When the subject 23 such as a finger is positioned on the light transmitting part 11, the image sensor 19 continuously photographs the image at this time to generate an imaging frame. In the image pickup frame, the object 23 is relatively brightened by the light source unit 13 inside. By recognizing such a change in brightness through image processing, the position of the object 23 and the object ( The control unit recognizes the moving direction of 23).

As described above, the optical input device and the portable terminal having the same according to the present embodiment include an image sensor, a lens, and the like, and input information by image processing. Its volume can be relatively reduced compared to the device.

7A to 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating a state in which a user's finger, which is an object on a slit, moves in a clockwise direction and a subject moves while crossing different slits.

FIG. 7A illustrates a state in which a user's finger moves in a clockwise direction on a slit. Through the input method, the portable terminal may adjust a volume during a call, a volume when playing a video or an MP3 file. That is, the volume may increase when moving clockwise along the slit 11a, and the volume may decrease when moving counterclockwise. The same or different functions may be performed by continuously moving adjacent slits such as slits 11a, 11b, 11h, and 11g. For example, when the user moves the finger clockwise or counterclockwise continuously along the slits 11a, 11b, 11h, 11g, the volume can be continuously increased or decreased. When the user continuously moves the finger along the slits 11c, 11d, 11f, and 11e, a scroll up or scroll down function may be performed.

As described above, the optical input device according to the present embodiment is convenient for inputting information because it is possible to continuously input information only by continuously moving a finger or the like along the slit without pressing a button several times.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the movement of a subject crossing the slits 11b and 11d at the upper right, and the same function may be continuously performed or different functions may be performed by the movement of the subject. For example, the scroll down function may be performed when the subject moves the slit 11d in the counterclockwise direction, and the scroll up function may be performed when the subject moves clockwise along the slit 11b. When the subject moves the slit 11d in the counterclockwise direction, the rewinding function of the video file or the MP3 file is performed, and when the subject moves clockwise along the slit 11b, the volume up function may be executed. Meanwhile, when the subject moves clockwise along the slit 11d, the fast forwarding function of the video or MP3 file is executed, and when the subject moves clockwise along the slit 11b, the volume up or the brightness of the screen may increase.

Of course, such a function is exemplary, and various information may be input depending on which direction the subject moves along which slit. For example, if the subject moves clockwise along the slits 11c, 11d, 11f, and 11g, you can increase the brightness of the screen taken when taking a picture or shoot a movie, and darken the screen when the subject moves counterclockwise. can do.

In the above, as a portable terminal having an optical input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a folder type terminal in which a main body portion and a slide portion are coupled by a hinge is illustrated, but a slide type terminal or a bar type Of course, the terminal may also be provided with an optical input device. The optical input device according to the above-described embodiments may be provided not only in the mobile phone but also in a portable computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various changes and modifications of the present invention should also be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention as long as the technical idea of the present invention is realized.

The present invention can provide an optical input device that can reduce the volume and a portable terminal having the same.

The present invention can provide an optical input device and a portable terminal having the same that can reduce the malfunction.

The present invention can provide an optical input device capable of convenient input and accurate input because of continuous input, and a portable terminal having the same.

Claims (8)

A cover having a light transmitting portion through which light can pass; A light source unit radiating light toward the light transmitting unit; An image sensor for photographing the cover including the light transmitting portion under the cover to generate an imaging frame; And a controller configured to continuously compare the reference frame of the cover and the imaging frame to recognize the movement of the subject located in the light-transmitting unit, thereby inputting information corresponding to the movement of the subject. The method of claim 1, And the light transmitting part is a slit formed in the cover. The method of claim 2, The slit has an arc shape and a plurality of slits are formed in the cover. The method of claim 3, wherein The slits are disposed adjacent to each other to form an ellipse shape. The method of claim 1, And a light absorbing material formed on the rear surface of the cover. The method of claim 1, The cover is provided with contact detecting means for recognizing whether or not the subject is in contact with the light-transmitting part, And the control unit determines whether the subject is in contact with the light projecting unit by the touch sensing unit, and operates the image sensor and the light source unit when the subject is positioned in the light projecting unit. A portable terminal comprising the optical input device of any one of claims 1 to 6, The portable terminal includes a main body unit on which the optical input device is mounted; It includes a display unit for displaying the information input by the optical input device, The cover is a portable terminal forming one surface of the main body. The method of claim 7, wherein And the control unit operates the image sensor and the light source unit when the display unit moves and the light transmitting unit is exposed to the outside.

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