TW200307300A - Contactless sensing input device - Google Patents

Abstract

A user input apparatus and method for providing control for an electronic device uses contactless sensing. The user input device includes a substantially circular disk having at least one ferromagnetic plate located adjacent to a periphery of the disk and coupled to the disk. The input device also includes a magnet and a magnetic sensor adjacent to the magnet and with magnetic sensor's sensitivity axis oriented parallel to the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic sensor are situated near the periphery of the disk on a circuit board such that, as the disk is rotated, the ferromagnetic plates coupled to the disk pass within a predetermined distance from the magnet but do not contact the magnet or the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor outputs a signal when the at least one ferromagnetic plate passes within the predetermined distance from the magnet. The input device is also configured to enable a user to detect a rotational resistance of the disk when the ferromagnetic plate passes within the predetermined distance from the magnet, thereby providing a tactile feedback to the user of the input device.

Description

200307300, prior art, content, embodiments, and drawings ⑴ 玖, description of the invention (the description of the invention should be stated: the technical field of the invention, the background of the invention, the background of this article is about the user interface for electronic devices 疋Guan Wan, there is a rotating disc input for contact sensing and feedback. A front technology input, package t P is also ready < controller and input device to control such as full I /, early% sub-devices Various operations. Input devices have different configurations depending on the capabilities of the electronic device. ^ For mobile phones + also equipped with "traditional wheel-in device is a joystick-type controller. As the name implies, the device can be used. Move in any direction to navigate through a menu ΓΠ? Can be formed by the protruding arm member. For example, the manipulator can move up to cause conduction with the conductive inside the joystick base. This contact will generate a signal to activate a function Also, it is about to < function. The downward movement of the joystick-type protruding arm can make a similar function, and also the function of scrolling down the menu. The input device used to set T is a disc type device. This ^ α disc can be turned Go back and forward to execute the control function, that is, scroll through the menu in Zhongwang Cheng. On the disc, there are multiple peaks on the disc: touch at least _ the electrical contacts of the external electrical connector to connect an electrical Control the signal of the electronic device. In other words, the second generation: the electrical connector slides over and each electrical contact contacts the electrical connector 彳 °. Therefore, the signal generated by this is used to control The following work. / 、 There is a circular disc that slides over the electrical contact on the electrical connector, the problem is a simple explanation) and it is specially set. Process navigation and use, and other ideas, or to execute the rod-type convex member connection option, the vertical rod holds the input and installs the electronic configuration path, and an electrical connection will be produced when the connection is made. Mechanical grinding 200307300 _ (2) I Description of the invention continued Page loss. Sliding electrical contacts will have mechanical contact with the electrical connectors and suffer mechanical wear, which will reduce the efficiency of the electrical contacts and eventually cause some or all failures. In addition, dust and moisture can affect the electrical and mechanical components of the input device and cause unwanted degradation of the control / navigation operation of the input device. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an input device having a structure that reduces or eliminates electrical and mechanical wear and tear on components within the input device, and improves the performance of the input device with tangible feedback.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a user input device and method for use in an electronic device. The user input device includes a substantially circular dish having at least one ferromagnetic plate located near the periphery of the dish and coupled to the dish. The human input device also includes a magnet and a magnetic sensor near the magnet, and the sensitivity axis of the magnetic sensor is parallel to the magnet. Preferably, the magnet and the magnetic sensor are located near a periphery of the disk on a circuit board and the ferromagnetic plate coupled to the disk when the disk rotates passes within a predetermined distance from the magnet but does not contact the magnet. Magnet or the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor outputs a signal when the at least one ferromagnetic plate passes within a predetermined distance from the magnet. The input device is also configured to allow the user to detect the rotational resistance of the disc when the ferromagnetic plate passes within a predetermined distance from the magnet, and to provide a sensible feedback to the user of the input device. In another example, the input device includes a plurality of magnets and a magnetic sensor configured to detect a rotation direction of the disc. Embodiments The same element symbols in the drawings described herein are shown in all the drawings (3) (3) 200307300

Identical or similar elements. Although the innovations in this application and this application are described with reference to specific examples, many useful uses of the gallery technique: the examples described in this article only provide the innovations shown in accordance with this Z example. Reference is now made to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Sections Η-'Top of Typical Example Input Device 5', side and sectional views. The input device 5 can be field and eucalyptus cup;-mobile phones or need navigation or control support < any other electronic "document each device such as 5 including a non-ferromagnetic material OR of rounded ones ... 0. The disc 10 includes a ferromagnetic plate 12 attached along its periphery. The ferromagnetic plate 12 may be placed on one side of the circular disc 10 or outside the circular disc 10 at 囡 $ plex 1 0 Ψ, HL Ϊ ^. The ferromagnetic plate 12 can be made of, for example, steel (any ferromagnetic material.) The disc 10 is mounted on a brush circuit board 18 or fixed to the mine with a support member 22 in a manner that allows the disc 10 to rotate. On any component in the sub-device. — 丄 ,, * ,, ^ and again. The support member 22 is rotatably coupled to the φ, center axis of the disc 10, which is the center of gravity of the disc. The rotation of the circular disc 10. The input device 5 is punched; the person is placed on the printed circuit board 18 and is located on the periphery of the circular disc 10 :, the ferrite 14 and a magnetic sensor 16 (for example, a 'hall , Sensor). Magnetic i 1] 卯 16 has a specific sensitivity axis. The magnetic sensor 16 outputs a signal when it reaches its magnetic market position 4. The & point means when the magnetic field described below exceeds a minimum position This signal is output by the on-time magnetic sensor 16. The position of the magnet 14 is to attract each ferromagnetic plate 12 when the board 12 is within a predetermined distance from the magnet 14. The magnetic sensor 16 is located on the printed circuit board is close to the magnet 14 And its sensitivity axis is parallel to the north to the south pole of the magnet 14 so that when the plate 2 passes from the magnetic sensor 1 6 — The magnetic sensor 16 generates a signal provided to a microcontroller (not shown) of the electronic device when the distance is within a predetermined distance. The microcontroller responds to this signal, ie, 200307300 (4) "Invention description continued pages can be implemented in The scroll operation on the display of the electronic device. Especially when the plate 12 passes above the magnet 丨 4 / magnetic sensor 丨 6 combination, the magnetic field between the plate and the magnet 14 / magnetic sensor 16 combination becomes concentrated and large The air gap between the magnet 14 and the plate 12 is equivalent to magnetic resistance. The magnetic sensor 16 responds to the concentration of the magnetic field and generates a detectable signal. Disc 10 (The position is such that there is a gap to disc 1 〇 and the related ferromagnetic plate 12 are separated from the magnet 14 and the magnetic sensor 16. This gap allows the disc 10 to rotate without touching the magnet 14 and the magnetic sensor 16. In addition, when the ferromagnetic plate The magnetic field is concentrated across the gap when passing through the magnet 14 and the magnetic sensor 16 and there is no need to make any contact between the plate 12 and the magnet 14 or the magnetic sensor 16. It should be understood that the gap can have any distance to make the magnet There can be suction between 14 and 12 to provide sufficient magnetic field concentration to activate magnetic sensing When the ferromagnetic plate 12, the magnet 14, and the magnetic sensor 16 form a concentrated magnetic field, the magnetic sensor 16 outputs a signal through the printed circuit board 18 and is connected to the printed circuit board 18 (another component such as A microprocessor (not shown). The microcontroller can control the functional person to browse and display the results on the screen (ie, the LCD screen (not shown)). However, it should be understood that the signals generated by the magnetic sensor 16 are available For any desired control application. During the rotation of the disc 10 and when a ferromagnetic plate 12 inside the disc 10 passes above the magnet 14 and the magnetic sensor 16, a gravitational force between the magnet 14 and the plate 12 is applied When the disc 10 reaches the disc 10, the disc 1 has a turning resistance, which is a slight pause. This rotation resistance provides the input device user with a sensible feedback equivalent to some operation / function performed due to the signal generated by the magnetic sensor 16. This is because the inductive feedback of the gravitational force between the magnet 14 and the ferromagnetic plate 12 can make the input device 5 200307300 invention description sheet (5) feel the resistance of rotation to the user, and provide the user with an operation of the input device 5 feel. For example, this operation can not scroll the menu for the whole process, but the user feels that it shows one of the scrolling steps (ie, pause) in one scrolling step. If the user quickly scrolls through multiple items in the menu, he / she will feel multiple rotation resistance feedbacks, and each feedback is equivalent to one step.

Referring now to Figs. 4A and 4B, there are shown another example of the input device 5 of the present invention and timing diagrams of signals generated by the input device 5 in the example. The input device 5 of this example is basically the same as that described in Figs. 1-3. However, in this example, the input device 5 has at least two magnets 14a and 14b and at least two magnetic sensors 16a and 16b. The magnetic sensor 16a or 16b is located near the associated magnet 14a or 14b and its sensitivity axis is also parallel to the associated magnet 14a or 14b. The magnets 14 & 14b can be placed symmetrically around the periphery of the disc 10 (ie, on the opposite end of the disc) so that the gravitational force from the magnet 14 on the ferromagnetic plate 12 will not rotate on the disc 10 or the disc 10

Forces that cause imbalance. The magnetic sensors 16a and 16b are located near the magnets p and 14b, respectively, and are placed symmetrically to each other. In other words, the magnetic sensor is on one side of the axis of the disk. The positions of the magnetic sensors 16a and 16b are in the round stone. When the 10th plate is rotated, the first plate 12a is before the first plate on the opposite end of the circular disc 10 enters a predetermined distance from one of the second magnetic sensors 16b. First enter a predetermined distance from the first which is sensed as 16a.

When the disc 10 is rotated, the first ferromagnetic plate 12a is attracted by a certain distance from the first magnet "a." Therefore, the first magnetic sensor i6a generates a first letter (S1) (that is, as described above) The result is a concentrated magnetic field and a high logic value appears on the output of the first magnetic sensor 16a. At the same time, it is attracted by the vicinity of the 14th iron zirconium 14b. However, the symmetrical second ferromagnetic plate 12b lies in that the position of the second magnetic sensor 16b is symmetrical to the first magnetic sensor 16a without forming a concentrated magnetic field (that is, the magnetic field does not exceed the minimum level required to generate a signal). When the disc 12 is further rotated, the second ferromagnetic plate nb creates a concentrated magnetic field between the second magnet i4b and the second ferromagnetic plate 12b through the second magnet, and the second magnetic sensor 16b generates a second magnetic field. Signal (S2) (that is, a high logic value appears on the output of the second magnetic sensor 16b). This configuration enables the second magnetic sensor 16b to generate a first signal on the first magnetic sensor i6a ( S〗), the second signal (S2) is generated sooner, so it can be generated according to the first and second magnetic sensors 16 & and 16b The order of the first (S1) and second (S2) signals determines the direction of rotation of the disc 10. For example * 'If the first magnetic sensor ... generates the first signal (si), the second magnetic sensor 16b Only when the second signal (s2) is generated, it can be determined that the rotation of the disk 10 is in the-direction (for example, clockwise) On the other hand, if the second signal (S2) is generated before the first signal (S1) , It can be determined that the rotation of the disc 10 is in the second direction (for example, counterclockwise, it should be understood that the feedback provided by the user of the input device 5 is sensible, and the operation is the same as the above. Near the magnet 14, increase the resistance by two. In a preferred embodiment, the time between the second signal (s2) generated by the "# magnetic sensor ..." and the second signal (s2) generated by the second magnetic sensor 16b (△ t) is as small as 丨 so that the user feels that the two magnets and two plates ^ and 12b are only attracted by two times. This will cause the user a to be early-sensible feedback and show Executing the desired function generates a message &lt; causes the input device to determine the direction of rotation of the disc 10. It should be understood that it can also be determined by other methods The direction of rotation of the disc 1G. For example, 200307300 ⑺ Description of the invention Continuation page The position of at least two magnets 14a and 14b and at least two magnetic sensors 16a and 16b can be placed to make the second magnetic sensor when the disc 10 rotates The sensor 16b starts to generate signals before the first magnetic sensor 16a stops generating signals (that is, because the ferromagnetic plate is wide enough to generate a concentrated magnetic field involving the magnetic sensors 16a and 16b). According to the magnetic sensor 16a Which of the 16b or 16b starts to generate a signal to determine the direction of rotation? This configuration helps prevent the aforementioned configuration from detecting a concentration in only one of the magnetic sensors 16a or 16b. Changing the direction of rotation after a magnetic field can determine the possible error in the direction of rotation. In another option, a single or multiple pairs of magnets / magnetic sensors can be used for ferromagnetic plates 12 of different thicknesses. When% A, u, ^ · Tian β Si plate and magnet 14 or magnetic sensing When the device 16 forms a concentrated magnetic field, the magnetic field strength is different. Depending on the magnetic% strength, the 彳 ° &lt; strength produced by the magnetic sensor 16 may be different. In this case, the direction of rotation of dish 10 can be dreamed ‘Luoshan a compares the signal strength of Xianke with the current signal strength to determine. It should be understood that placing f &gt; I # on the periphery of the disc 10 may increase the winding motion and increase the bismuth degree. Therefore, when the circular disc 10 is worn by the private mail elder brother plate 12, one of the circular discs 10 is rotating and the number of steps performed can be as many as the ferromagnetic plate 12, and it is lacking in one revolution. For example, if the disc 10 has more than one magnetic element 1-uncle one can generate a signal. Increasing the number of ferromagnetic plates 12 can reduce the number of rotations. What Wang Cheng needs to scroll through a menu. Figure 5 is a display diagram. 2 and 3 are typical. At first, it is assumed that the input device 5 is doing the operation flow chart of the μ input device 5. signal). Next, input device 5: stop active state (that is, not performing a function, such as the whole process <disc 10 is rotated at step 30 to display a menu to move. During disc 10 rotation, • 12- 200307300 ⑻ invention Explanation If the continuation page is determined to be included in the disc 10 at step 32-the ferromagnetic plate 2 is within a predetermined distance from a magnet ，, the two% force between the plate ⑽ 礤 and iron η is detected at step%. If the amount of rotation of the therapy 1G is not enough to make the ferromagnetic plate 12 within a predetermined distance from the magnetic field, gravity will not be detected; if so, the process returns to step 30 to wait for the additional rotation of the disc 10.

When the gravitational force of the plate 12 to the magnet 14 does form a concentrated magnetic field with the magnet 14 and a magnetic sensor η, the concentrated magnetic field can cause the magnetic sensor 16 to start generating a current / signal at step 36. This current / signal can be used to perform a control operation ', that is, scroll up / down a menu. As long as the ferromagnetic plate 12 is kept within a predetermined distance from the magnet 14, the current / signal continues to be generated. It is then determined at step 38 whether the ferromagnetic plate 12 has been moved out of the predetermined distance from the magnet 14. If it is not removed, the magnetic sensor 16 continues to generate the current / signal. But in step

38 Once it is determined that the ferromagnetic plate 12 has been moved out of the predetermined noise (that is, after the disk 10 has been rotated outside the head), the current / signal generation is stopped at step 40 and the process returns to step 30. This process can be repeated any number of times with one or more magnets and / or one or more ferromagnetic plates to navigate through a menu, so each step can start a scrolling menu step. Although typical examples of the method and device of the present invention have been shown in the drawings and explained in detail above, it should be understood that the present invention is not based on the examples given, but can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined by the scope of the following patent applications. There are many rearrangements, changes and replacements. Brief description of the drawings In order to better understand the present invention, the following drawings are presented together with the detailed description above for reference, in the drawings: -13 · 200307300 Description of the invention continued (9) Figure 1 Top view of an example input device; FIG. 2 is a side view of the input device along line 2-2 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the input device along line 3-3 in FIG. 1; FIG. 4B is a timing chart of signals generated by the input device in FIG. 4A; and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the input device in FIG. 1. Explanation of the symbols in the drawing 5 Input device 10 Disk 12 Ferromagnetic plate 14, 14a, 14b Magnet 16, 16a, 16b Magnetic sensor 18 Printed circuit board 22 Supporting member SI first signal S2 second signal

-14-

Claims (1)

200307300 Patent application scope! · A user input device for an electronic device, including: a rotatable, substantially circular disk; at least one ferromagnetic plate located near the periphery of the disk and turned to the disk; -嵫 iron;-the magnetic sensor is adjacent to the magnet and is oriented magnetically flat with the magnet &lt;其中; and wherein the magnet and the magnetic sensor are located near the periphery of the disc so that 'when the disc rotates, The magnetic sensor outputs a signal when the at least one ferromagnetic plate passes within a predetermined distance from the magnet. 2 • The user input device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein a magnetic force between the at least one ferromagnetic plate and the magnet will cause the user to rotate 4, the side dish and at least one ferromagnetic plate passing away from the When the magnet is within a predetermined distance, it can be detected by the user as a turning resistance. 3 ★ The user input device of item 1 of the patent application scope further includes a plurality of ferromagnetic plates located along the periphery of the disc and attached to the disc. 4 The user input device of the first patent scope of JL application includes: multiple magnets; multiple magnetic sensors, each of which is adjacent to each other, and its sensitive production wheel and the direction of the spring are parallel Therefore, a corresponding magnet; and each of the magnets and each corresponding magnetic sensor are located near the periphery of the dish. The user input device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnet and the magnetic sensor is coupled to a circuit board. The user input device of item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the magnetic sensing 200307300 patent application continuation device responds to a concentrated magnetic field formed by at least the magnet, the magnetic sensor and at least one ferromagnetic plate to output the signal. 7. The user input device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the configuration of the disc is to provide contactless operation of the magnet and the magnetic sensor. 8. The user device of claim 7 in which the magnetic sensor does not contact the at least one ferromagnetic plate and outputs the signal. 9. The user input device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, further comprising: a second magnet; and a second magnetic sensor adjacent to the second magnet, wherein the second magnet and the second magnetic sensor The sensors are located near the periphery of the disc near the magnet and the magnetic sensor so that when the disc is rotated, the direction of rotation of the disc is determined according to which magnetic sensor outputs the signal first. 10. The user input device according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone.义 方法 ’The method includes the steps of: a plate of a circular plate; a magnet is generated within a predetermined distance In response to the signal, a control operation in an electronic device is performed. 12. The method according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the generating step includes generating the signal in response to the detection of a concentrated magnetic field between the magnet and the ferromagnetic plate. i _ No need to provide contact between one of the ferromagnetic plates such as song and pain. 13. If the party in the U range of the patent application also applies ^, ^ and further includes &lt; the steps are: '2-1 an operation for an input device to rotate one with some ferromagnetism on it when one of the ferromagnetic plates is on Distance electrical signal; and 200307300 _ Patent Application Continued page When one of the ferromagnetic plates is within the predetermined distance from the magnet, it provides a rotation resistance opposite to the rotation of the disc. 14. The method according to item 11 of the patent application scope, further comprising the steps of: using a plurality of magnets to determine the rotation direction of the disc. 15. If the method of claim 11 of the scope of patent application, before the generating step, the further step includes: forming a concentrated magnetic field between one of the ferromagnetic plates, the magnet, and a magnetic sensor. 16. The method of claim 15 in which the forming step further comprises forming the concentrated magnetic field without providing physical contact between the ferromagnetic plates and the magnet and the magnetic sensor.