TW201437844A - Input device and method of input mode switching thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An input device is provided. The input device includes a main body, a sensing module, a touch pad and a controlling unit. The main body has a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface that connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The sensing module includes a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit, wherein the first sensing unit is disposing on the bottom surface, and the second sensing unit is disposing on the side surface. According to the using state of the input device, the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit could generate a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal. The touch pad is disposed on the top surface. The controlling unit is electrically connected with the sensing module and the touch pad, and the controlling unit with switches the touch pad to a first mode while receiving the first sensing signal, and switches to a second mode while receiving the second sensing signal.

Description

Input device and method for switching input mode

The present invention relates to a device for electronic digital data processing, and more particularly to an input device, a method for switching an input method, and an electronic device.

In general, when operating a notebook computer, the touchpad on the notebook computer is also a common input device in addition to input operations through a keyboard or a mouse. A general touchpad can be moved on the touchpad through the user's finger to control the mouse cursor on the display page.

However, the functions of the mouse and the touchpad are different and the usage scenarios are different, and there is also a considerable difference in hand posture and operation mode when the two are operated. In detail, when the user manipulates the mouse, the wrist and elbow are mainly moved. The touchpad is mainly based on moving fingers and wrists. Although the touchpad is not as precise as the mouse, the touchpad can set different gesture inputs, such as inputting a zoom gesture, so that the corresponding electronic device can be displayed. The image on the page is zoomed in and out.

In addition, the mouse and the touchpad are generally two separate components, and the touchpad is mostly integrated on the electronic device, and the mouse is independent of the electronic device. Therefore, in actual application, the user will switch the mouse or the touchpad as an input tool according to the requirements.

In view of this, the present invention intends to provide an input device that does not change the user's existing habits and integrates different input modes, so as to provide a more convenient input tool for the user.

The present invention can provide an input device, including a body, a state detection module, a touch panel, and a control unit.

The body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface connecting the bottom surface and the top surface. The state detection module includes a first state detection unit and a second state detection unit. First state detection unit Placed on the underside of the body. The second state detecting unit is disposed on the side. The first state detecting unit and the second state detecting unit are configured to detect the use state of the input device and respectively generate the first detecting signal and the second detecting signal. The touch panel is placed on the top surface. The control unit is electrically connected to the state detection module and the touch panel. The control unit switches the touch panel to the first control mode or the second control mode according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

The present invention further provides a method for switching an input method for an input device. The input device includes a body, a state detection module, and a touch panel.

The body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface connecting the bottom surface and the top surface. The state detecting module includes a first state detecting unit and a second detecting unit. The first state detecting unit is disposed on the bottom surface of the body, the second detecting unit is disposed on a side of the body, and the touch panel is disposed on the top surface.

The method includes the following steps: the first state detecting unit and the second state detecting unit detect a state of use of the input device to generate the first detecting signal and the second detecting signal. The control unit switches the touch panel to the first control mode or the second control mode according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

1‧‧‧Input device

10‧‧‧ Ontology

101‧‧‧ top surface

102‧‧‧ bottom

103‧‧‧ side

201‧‧‧First state detection unit

202a, 202b‧‧‧ second state detection unit

203‧‧‧ fourth state detection unit

30‧‧‧Touch panel

30A‧‧‧First Command Area

30B‧‧‧Second Command Area

30C‧‧‧ Third Command Area

S01~S04‧‧‧ method steps

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an input device of the present invention.

2A is a side elevational view of the input device of FIG. 1.

2B is a bottom view of the input device of FIG. 1.

3 is a top plan view of the input device of FIG. 1.

4 is another top plan view of the input device of FIG. 1.

Figure 5 is a state diagram of the input device of Figure 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the steps of the method for switching the input mode of the present invention.

The input device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the related drawings. The same components will be described with the same reference symbols. And for ease of understanding, components that are not directly related to the present case will be omitted and not drawn.

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a side view and a bottom view of the input device of FIG. 1 . Figure 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic plan views of the input device of FIG. 1. Figure 5 is a state diagram of the input device of Figure 1.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B together. This embodiment is an input device 1 including a body 10, a state detecting module, a touch panel 30, and a control unit (not shown). The control unit can be electrically connected to the state detecting module and the touch panel 30.

The touch panel 30 of the present embodiment may be a wired touch panel, but the touch panel 30 of the present embodiment may be a capacitive touch panel, but not limited to a capacitive touch panel. In addition, the signal transmission and control methods of the state detecting unit and the touch panel 30 of the present embodiment are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and thus will not be described herein.

Referring first to FIG. 1 , the body 10 of the present embodiment has a top surface 101 , a bottom surface 102 , and a side surface 103 connecting the bottom surface 102 and the top surface 101 . And the top surface 101 is opposite to the bottom surface 102. The touch panel 30 is disposed on the top surface 101, and the touch panel 30 can cover a part or all of the top surface 101, which is not limited by the covering manner and the setting manner of the embodiment.

The state detecting module of the present embodiment may include a first state detecting unit 201 and a second state detecting unit. The first state detecting unit 201 is disposed on the bottom surface 102 of the body 10, and the second state detecting unit is configured. On the side 103 of the body 10. In this embodiment, the two second state detecting units 202a and 202b are taken as an example. The two second state detecting units 202a, 202b are disposed on both sides of the input device 10.

The first state detecting unit 201 or the second state detecting unit of the embodiment may be a capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, or a camera unit or The above combinations are not limited by these.

The first state detecting unit 201 and the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b are configured to detect the use state of the input device 1 and respectively generate the first detecting signal and the second detecting signal. Then, the control unit may switch the touch panel 30 to the first control mode or the second control mode according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

In this embodiment, the first control mode is the mouse mode. In addition, the second control mode is a touch panel mode, a remote control mode, or a combination thereof.

Taking the first state detecting unit 201 as a capacitive sensor as an example, when the first state detecting unit 201 generates the first detecting signal as a capacitance value signal and the capacitance value is 0 (the table of FIG. 5) The cell is represented by X, and the second detection signal generated by the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b is also a capacitance signal, and the capacitance value is 0 (the table of FIG. 5 is represented by X). At this time, it can be judged that the use state of the input device 1 may be set on the platform or the desktop, and the input device 1 is not in a state of grasping on both sides. At this time, it can be determined that the input device 1 should be used as a touch panel. (Switch to the second control mode).

Or the first detection unit 201 generates a first detection signal as a capacitance value signal, and the capacitance value is 0, and the second detection signal generated by the second state detection unit 202a, 202b is also a capacitance signal, and The capacitance value is positive (the table in Figure 5 is indicated by O). At this time, it can be judged that the use state of the input device 1 may be set on the platform or the desktop, and the input device 1 is in a grip state. At this time, it can be judged that the input device 1 should be used as a mouse. Therefore, the switchable input device is in the first control mode (mouse mode).

Furthermore, when the first state detecting unit 201 generates the first detection signal, the capacitance value signal is not 0 (neither placed on the hand or the desktop, the surface is represented by X), and the second state detecting unit The second detection signal generated by 202a and 202b is also a capacitance signal, and the capacitance value is 0. At this time, it can be judged that the input device 1 should be used as a remote control device. Therefore, the input device 1 can be switched to the second control mode (touch mode or remote mode). For other judgment methods and their corresponding switching modes, please refer to the table in FIG.

If the first state detecting unit 201 and the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b are temperature sensors, the temperature sensed by the first state detecting unit 201 and the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b is used as an example. When the temperature is lower than a preset temperature (which may be the body temperature), it is judged that the input device 1 is in a non-grip state, and may be set on a platform or a desktop. In this case, the first detection signal and the second detection signal are a temperature signal, and it can be determined that the input device 1 should be used as a touch panel (switching to the second control mode).

Furthermore, the first state detecting unit 201 and the second state detecting units 202a and 202b are taken as an example of an image capturing unit, and the camera unit here may be a camera. The first state detecting unit 201 and the second state detecting units 202a, 202b will take images at different timings and determine whether the state of the input device 1 is changed by comparing images of adjacent timings. If the state of the input device 1 is not changed, it is determined that the first state detecting unit 201 is disposed on a plane or a desktop, and the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b does not cover any user's finger shielding. Judging that the input device 1 has been taken off the plane or the desktop and is not grasped by the user, it can be judged that the input device 1 should be used as a touch panel (switching to the second control mode). In such an embodiment, the first detection signal is an instruction signal that is input after the image of the adjacent time series is compared by the image processing.

In addition, the sensing area of the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b can be adjusted according to requirements, and the setting position and the sensing area (dashed area) of the drawing are only schematic and are not limited thereto.

It should be noted that the first state detecting unit 201 and the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b need not be limited to the same type of sensors, and the types of sensors used may be adjusted according to requirements.

It should be noted that the term "mouse mode" as used in this specification refers to a cursor displayed on a control screen of a corresponding electronic device by allowing the user to move the input device 1. The "trackpad mode" referred to in this specification is for the user to gesture through the finger to control the corresponding electronic device.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3, when the touch panel 30 is in the first control mode, the touch panel 30 includes a first instruction area 30A and a second instruction area 30B, and the first instruction area 30A is in phase with the second instruction area 30B. Neighbor settings. Here, the first instruction area 30A and the second instruction area 30B can be used as a right button and a left button for simulating a mouse.

When the input device 1 of the embodiment is in the first control mode, a simple gesture input to the touch panel 30 can be supported. For example, the user can slide on the touch panel 30 through one finger or two fingers to scroll the scroll of the corresponding window. Alternatively, it can be set to detect that three fingers (three detection points are detected at the same time) slide on the touch panel 30 at the same time, and can respectively call the task manager according to the direction of the slide, return to the main screen, Switch pages and more.

In addition, when the input device 1 is in the second control mode (for example, the touch panel mode), the touch panel may further include a third command area 30C, and the third command area 30C is disposed on the touch panel 30. Periphery. The third command area 30C is disposed on the lower circumference of the touch panel 30. However, the third command area 30C of one embodiment may be the upper circumference or the entire circumference.

Moreover, when the user inputs a gesture in the third command area 30C, the display page of the electronic device corresponding to the input device 1 will slide correspondingly. The gesture here can be along the circumference Continuously sliding (clockwise or counterclockwise), the display page will scroll down or up depending on the speed of the slide.

It is added that when the input device 1 is in the second control mode (especially the touchpad mode), in addition to the simple gesture input in the mouse mode, it can be expanded to other advanced applications. For example, it can be defined that when the user's two fingers rotate left and right on the touch panel 30 (two detection points are detected at the same time, and the two detection points move in the same direction at the same time and in the same direction), the display can be rotated. The image or the image on the page, or the gesture of separating or closing the touch panel 30 by two fingers, enlarges or reduces the image or the image on the display page.

In addition, the touch panel 30 of the embodiment may further include a user interface, where the user interface may be a virtual keyboard, a function key or other shortcut keys, and the user may customize the configuration position of the virtual keys. . The user interface here can be used in conjunction with the second control mode, especially as a remote mode, but not as a limitation.

In addition to the above applications, the state detecting module of the input device 1 of the present embodiment further includes a third state detecting unit (not shown) disposed on the body 10. And the third state detecting unit can be an accelerometer, a gyroscope or a geomagnetic instrument, but not limited by the two.

And the third state detecting unit here can be used in the remote mode of the second control mode. The third state detecting unit may generate a third detecting signal (indirect signal) to provide to the control unit for subsequent remote control.

In addition to the above embodiments, the embodiment further includes a fourth state detecting unit 203 disposed on the bottom surface 102 of the body 10. The fourth state detecting unit 203 is for assisting in determining whether to cut into the remote control mode. Similarly, the fourth state detecting unit 203 can be a capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, or more, a camera unit or a combination thereof, and does not use these types. For the limit.

For example, if the state detecting unit is a capacitive sensor, when the first state detecting unit 201 generates the first detecting signal as a capacitance value signal, and the capacitance value is a positive value (possibly placed on The second detection signal generated by the second state detecting unit 202a, 202b is also a capacitive signal, and the capacitance value is 0. The fourth detection signal detected by the fourth state detecting unit 203 is a positive value (the user at least grasps the setting of the fourth state detecting unit 203). At this time, it can be judged that the input device 1 should be used as a remote control device. Therefore, the input device 1 can be switched It is the second control mode (remote mode).

In short, the position set by the fourth state detecting unit 203 is a segment that will be grasped when the user wants to use the remote control mode, so the fourth detection that can be returned by the fourth state detecting unit 203 can be detected. The signal determines the user's gesture to switch to the remote mode.

It should be noted that the term "remote control mode" as used in this specification refers to the movement of the input device 1 in a three-dimensional space, corresponding to the operation of the electronic device.

This embodiment can be further combined with an electronic device which can be at least the aforementioned input device 1. The electronic device here can be, for example, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a video game instrument, a display screen or a smart phone.

Next, please refer to FIG. 6, which is a flow chart of the steps of the method for switching the input mode. The method steps of this embodiment can be combined with the aforementioned input device 1, but are not limited by the aforementioned input device 1.

The step of at least includes: starting the input device 1 (step S01), and then, when the first state detecting unit 201 detects a state of use of the input device 1 to generate a first detection signal (step S02), and the second state The detecting unit 202a, 202b detects the use state of the input device and generates a second detection signal (step S03). Then, the control unit switches the touch panel 30 to the first control mode or the second control mode according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal (step S04).

In short, in this embodiment, the detection signal of the state detecting unit at different positions can be used to determine the user's use gesture with respect to the input device, and switch according to different situations.

In addition, the method steps of this embodiment may further include: inputting a gesture in the third command area 30C, and correspondingly sliding the display page of the electronic device corresponding to the input device 1. Here, the operation mode and gesture setting of the third command area 30C are similar to those of the foregoing embodiment, and thus will not be described again.

In short, the input device of the present invention is coupled to the touch panel and the touch panel, and is supplemented by a state detection module to determine the basis of different usage conditions and different usage scenarios, without changing the user's use of traditional slip. In the case of the experience of the mouse and the touch panel, different input methods are integrated to provide a more convenient input tool for the user.

The above is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. Any departure from the case The spirit and scope of the invention, and equivalent modifications or alterations thereto, shall be included in the scope of the appended patent application.

1‧‧‧Input device

10‧‧‧ Ontology

101‧‧‧ top surface

102‧‧‧ bottom

103‧‧‧ side

202a, 202b‧‧‧ second state detection unit

30‧‧‧Touch panel

Claims (21)

An input device includes: a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface connecting the bottom surface and the top surface; a state detecting module comprising a first state detecting unit and a second a state detecting unit, the first state detecting unit is disposed on the bottom surface of the body, the second state detecting unit is disposed on the side, and the first state detecting unit and the second state detecting unit are configured to detect Measuring a state of use of the input device and respectively generating a first detection signal and a second detection signal; a touch panel disposed on the top surface; and a control unit electrically connected to the state detection module The control unit switches the touch panel to a first control mode or a second control mode according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal. The input device of claim 1, wherein the first control mode is a mouse mode. The input device of claim 1, wherein the second control mode is a touchpad mode, a remote control mode, or a combination thereof. The input device of claim 2, wherein the touch panel comprises a first instruction area and a second instruction area, and the first instruction area and the input device are in the first control mode The second instruction area is adjacently arranged. The input device of claim 1, wherein the state detecting module further comprises a third state detecting unit disposed on the body. The input device of claim 5, wherein the third state detecting unit is an accelerometer, a gyroscope or a geomagnetic instrument. The input device of claim 1, wherein the first state detecting unit is a capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, and a camera unit. Or a combination thereof. The input device of claim 1, wherein the second state detecting unit is a capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, and a camera unit. Or a combination thereof. The input device of claim 3, wherein the touch panel further includes a third command area, and the third command area is disposed on the touch panel. Periphery. The input device of claim 9, wherein when the user inputs a gesture in the third command area, a display page corresponding to an electronic device of the input device will slide correspondingly. The input device of claim 1, wherein the touch panel further comprises a user interface. A method for switching an input method for an input device, the input device includes a body, a state detection module, and a touch panel, the body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and the bottom surface and the top surface The first state detecting unit is disposed on the bottom surface of the body, and the second detecting unit is disposed on the first detecting unit and the second detecting unit. The first surface detecting unit and the second state detecting unit detect the use state of the input device to generate a first The control unit switches the touch panel to a first control mode or a second control mode according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal. The method of claim 12, wherein the first control mode is a mouse mode. The method of claim 12, wherein the second control mode is a touchpad mode, a remote control mode, or a combination thereof. The method of claim 13, wherein the touch panel comprises a first instruction area and a second instruction area, and the first instruction area and the The second instruction area is adjacently arranged. The method of claim 12, wherein the state detecting module further comprises a third state detecting unit disposed on the body. The method of claim 16, wherein the third state detecting unit is an accelerometer, a gyroscope or a geomagnetic instrument. The method of claim 12, wherein the first state detecting unit is a capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, a camera unit or Its combination. The method of claim 12, wherein the second state detecting unit is a capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, a camera unit or Its combination. The method of claim 14, wherein the touch panel further includes a third command area, and the third command area is disposed on a periphery of the touch panel. The step further includes: inputting a gesture in the third command area; and sliding corresponding to a display page of an electronic device corresponding to the input device. The method of claim 12, wherein the touch panel further comprises a user interface.