TWI408579B - Input apparatus and input method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an input apparatus which includes at least one input unit. Each input unit consists of a thermoelectric material and a temperature sensing surface. Thereby, each input unit generates an input signal according to a variation of temperature difference of the thermoelectric material caused by a temperature difference of the temperature sensing surface.

Description

Input device and input method

The present invention relates to an input device, and in particular, to an input device for generating an input signal using a temperature difference change occurring in a thermoelectric material.

In recent years, with the continuous evolution of information technology, the development of notebook computers has also been quite rapid. Because notebook computers are light, short, and easy to carry, notebook computers have gradually become one of the most commonly used computer devices in modern life.

In general, when the user operates the notebook computer, in addition to the input operation using a keyboard or a mouse, the touch panel mounted on the notebook computer is also a relatively common input device. The main function of the traditional touchpad is to provide the user with control over the movement of the mouse cursor displayed on the notebook screen. The user can touch the touchpad through a finger and move on the touchpad to control the movement of the mouse cursor on the screen.

The technology of the touchpad is generally classified into a resistive type, a capacitive type, a photoelectric type, and an ultrasonic type. The resistive touch panel is formed by electrically laminating two layers of indium tin oxide (ITO). When the object touches the upper ITO layer and is recessed to contact the lower ITO layer, the panel itself will form a voltage change. And the sensor is sensed by the controller to calculate the contact point position to perform an input operation.

Capacitive touch panel uses a sequence of transparent electrodes and objects The electrostatic combination produces a change in capacitance that in turn induces a current to detect the coordinates of the contact point.

The principle of the optical touch panel is to arrange an infrared emitter and a receiver in the periphery of the panel, so that the infrared rays form a matrix arrangement of the X-axis and the Y-axis inside the panel. When the opaque object touches the panel, the infrared rays of the contact point will be blocked, and the position of the contact point can be determined by the intercepted infrared coordinate.

The surface of the ultrasonic touchpad consists entirely of glass, and a supersonic transmitter at the corner of the panel forms a uniform acoustic field in the central region. When the soft object touches the panel, it absorbs the ultrasonic wave and causes its intensity to attenuate. The controller compares the attenuation of the received signal to calculate the position of the contact point.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an input device that utilizes a temperature differential that occurs in a thermoelectric material to produce an input signal.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the input device comprises at least one input unit. Wherein each input unit is composed of a thermoelectric material and has a temperature sensing surface. Each input unit generates an input signal according to a variation of temperature difference caused by the temperature change of one of the temperature sensing surfaces.

In practical applications, the temperature sensing surface can be used as a touch surface, and a temperature change occurs after the touch surface is touched to cause a temperature difference change of the thermoelectric material, and each input unit generates an input signal according to the temperature difference change. . Alternatively, the temperature sensing surface can receive a radiant heat to change the temperature to cause a temperature difference change of the thermoelectric material, and each input unit is based on the temperature difference. The change produces an input signal.

In one embodiment, the input device determines an input mode based on a frequency of change in temperature difference of the thermoelectric material in each input unit. In one embodiment, the input device can include a plurality of input units, wherein the input device determines an input mode based on the number of thermoelectric materials that simultaneously vary in temperature difference. In addition, when the temperature sensing surface is used as the touch surface, when the touch surface moves on the touch surface of the plurality of input units, the input device is one of the thermoelectric materials according to the plurality of input units. The temperature difference changes in the direction of extension, causing one of the touches in the corresponding movement to move the input signal.

In addition, in practical applications, the input device is pluggably coupled to an electronic device. In an embodiment, the input device can be designed as a card, and the electronic device has a slot for engaging the card, so that the input device is pluggably inserted into the slot to be coupled with the electronic device, so that the input The signal can be transmitted to the electronic device for processing.

In addition to generating an input signal, the thermoelectric material in each input unit can further be utilized to receive a heat source, wherein the heat source can be from an electronic device. Functionally, the heat source can be used to maintain the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material within a reference range to maintain input sensitivity of the input device. Alternatively, the heat source can cause the thermoelectric material to perform a power generating action to provide power to the electronic device.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an input method suitable for use in an input device. The input device includes at least one input unit, wherein each input unit is constructed of a thermoelectric material and has a temperature sensing surface. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following steps.

First, the method determines whether the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material in each input unit is maintained within a reference range. If yes, the method generates an input signal according to a temperature change of the electrical material caused by a temperature change of one of the temperature sensing surfaces.

In practical applications, the temperature sensing surface can be used as a touch surface, and the temperature change occurs after the touch surface is touched to cause the thermoelectric material to change the temperature difference, and the input signal is further generated. Alternatively, the temperature sensing surface may generate the temperature change by receiving a radiant heat to cause the thermoelectric material to undergo the temperature difference change, and further generate the input signal.

However, if the method determines that the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material in each input unit is not maintained within a reference range, then a temperature control procedure is performed such that the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material in each input unit is maintained within the reference range.

Moreover, in a specific embodiment, if the input signal is not continuously generated, the method performs a heat dissipation operation using the thermoelectric material in each input unit. In another embodiment, if the input signal is not continuously generated, the method utilizes a thermoelectric material in each input unit for a power generating action.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of the invention.

Please refer to Figure 1. 1 is a schematic diagram of an input device 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 can include a plurality of input units 10, and the input units 10 can be arranged in an array form, which can be applied as a touchpad, a tablet, and the like in practice. Device. It should be noted, however, that the input device 1 of the present invention may also include only one input unit 10, which may be used as an input button in practice.

Please refer to Figure 2. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing each of the input units 10 of the input device 1 of FIG. Each input unit 10 is constructed of a thermoelectric material 102 and has a temperature sensing surface 100. The thermoelectric material 102 may include a plurality of sets of N-type semiconductor bulk materials 1020 and P-type semiconductor bulk materials 1022 formed in series with each other.

It should be noted that the principle of the thermoelectric material is as follows: when the closed circuit composed of two different conductors has different temperature at the two terminals, there is a certain electromotive force between the two ends, so that a current is generated. It is the Seeb effect, which uses the supplied heat source to cause a temperature difference between the thermoelectric materials to induce a current. In addition, if the temperature difference is larger, the generated current is stronger.

The input device 1 of the present invention operates using the thermoelectric conversion mechanism of the thermoelectric material 102. Please refer to Figure 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state before the input device 1 of the present invention is touched and touched.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the actual application, the temperature sensing surface 100 of the input device 1 can be used as a touch surface, and the user can touch the finger or other touch medium (such as a stylus). Touch on the surface to perform the input function. The upper part of FIG. 3 shows the state before the input device 1 is touched, assuming that both ends of the thermoelectric material 102 have a temperature difference ΔT ₀ at this time, and the input unit 10 can output a voltage according to the temperature difference ΔT _{0 .} Signal V ₀ . It should be specially noted that the temperature difference ΔT ₀ can be set to the temperature difference reference range of the untouched state, and the voltage signal V ₀ can be set as the reference signal of the untouched state.

As shown in the lower part of FIG. 3, when the finger touches the touch surface of the input device 1, since the heat transfer between the finger and the touch surface occurs, the temperature change occurs after the touch surface is touched. The temperature difference between the two ends of the thermoelectric material 102 is changed from ΔT ₀ to ΔT ₁ . In this case, the input unit 10 according to the temperature difference △ T ₁ further voltage signal output V _1. Thereby, the voltage signal V ₁ can be set as an input signal generated by contacting the touch surface.

It should be noted that the temperature change of the temperature sensing surface 100 of the input device 1 is achieved through heat conduction, but in practical applications, the temperature sensing surface 100 may also receive a radiant heat to generate the temperature change. For example, illuminating the temperature sensing surface 100 with a light source of a red light device or a laser device may cause a temperature change of the temperature sensing surface 100 to cause a temperature difference change of the thermoelectric material 102.

Please refer to Figure 4A to Figure 4C. 4A to 4C show the input mode of the input device 1 of the present invention and its corresponding signal timing diagram.

In one embodiment, the input device 1 can determine an input mode based on the number of thermoelectric materials 102 that simultaneously vary in temperature difference. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the finger touches the touch surface of one of the input units 10A, the signal V _A generated by the input unit 10A can undergo a pulse change to represent the sensed touch. Similarly, when a finger touches a plurality of, for example, FIG. 4A shows the touch surfaces of the two input units (10A, 10B), and the signals generated by the two input units (10A, 10B) are respectively generated (V _A , V _B ) can occur simultaneously with a pulse change. Generally, when the user presses the force, the contact area between the finger and the touch surface is large, so the number of input units 10 touched is increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, applying a force to cause a plurality of signals to simultaneously undergo a pulse change can cause the input device 1 to perform, for example, a one click input of a computer mouse.

In a specific embodiment, when the touch surface of the plurality of input units 10 shown in FIG. 1 is moved, the input device 1 can be generated according to the thermoelectric material 102 in the plurality of input units 10 as a whole. A temperature difference changes the direction of extension, generating a movement input signal corresponding to one of the touches in motion. As shown in Figure 4B, the signals (V _A ~V _N ) generated by these input units (10A~10N) will change over time as the fingers continue to touch the input units (10A~10N) from left to right. The pulse change occurs continuously, and the signal timing generated by these input units (10A~10N) can generate a mobile input signal after being interpreted. For example, this mobile input signal controls the cursor on the computer screen to move from left to right.

In a specific embodiment, the input device 1 can determine an input mode according to a temperature difference change frequency of the thermoelectric material 102 in each input unit 10. As shown in FIG. 4C, in a unit time T, if the pulse change of the signal V generated by the input unit 10 is increased from one time to two times, the input device 1 can be executed, for example, a computer mouse. Double click input. In addition, the frequency of the temperature difference change can be designed according to the actual application, and will not be described here.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the input device 1 of the present invention is pluggably coupled to an electronic device. Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are schematic diagrams showing the input device 1 of the present invention designed as a card for coupling with an electronic device. Among them, the electronic device is based on the notebook computer 2 as an example. Ming, but not limited to this. In addition, please refer to Figure VII together. Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of an input device 1 and an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the input device 1 can be designed as a card, and the keyboard base 32 of the notebook computer 2 can have a slot 20 for engaging the card, so that the input device 1 can be inserted into the slot 20 in a pluggable manner. The medium is coupled to the notebook computer 2, so that the input signal generated by the input device 1 can be transmitted to the data processing module 22 (for example, a CPU) in the notebook computer 2 for processing.

It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the input device 1 of the present invention can further assist the notebook computer 2 to dissipate heat in addition to the input signal. In this embodiment, the notebook computer 2 can have another slot 28 for mating with the card. As shown in FIG. 6, the slot 28 can be disposed on the panel cover 30 of the notebook computer 2 to directly receive the heat H generated from the backlight module 26 occupying a relatively large area.

In addition, in practical applications, other heat sources in the notebook computer 2, such as the heat H generated by the CPU during operation, may be conducted to the slot 28 through a heat pipe or a hot runner for the thermoelectric material in the input unit 10. 102 exudes. In a further embodiment, the heat H can be used to maintain the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material 102 within a predetermined temperature difference reference range, maintaining the input sensitivity of the input device 1 to avoid misjudgment when the touch point is interpreted.

In another preferred embodiment, after the thermoelectric material 102 receives the heat H, the thermoelectric material 102 can perform a power generation operation by using its own temperature difference power generation effect to provide power E to the power module in the notebook computer 2. 24, increase the battery life of the notebook 2.

Therefore, when the input device 1 is to be used for the input operation, the input device 1 can be inserted into the slot 20 for use; when the input device 1 is used, the input device 1 can be inserted into the slot 28 for use in performing the above. Heat dissipation, temperature difference regulation or power generation.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an input method suitable for use in an input device. Figure 8 is a flow chart showing an input method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to the previous drawings and related descriptions to fully understand this input method. The input device 1 comprises at least one input unit 10, wherein each input unit 10 is formed by a thermoelectric material 102 and has a temperature sensing surface 100. In this embodiment, the method comprises the following steps.

First, step S10 is performed to determine whether the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material 102 in each input unit 10 is maintained within a reference range. If yes, step S12 is performed to allow touch input; however, if it is determined in step S10 that the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material 102 in each input unit 10 is not maintained within the reference range, the method performs a temperature control in step S14. The procedure causes the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material 102 in each input unit 10 to remain within the reference range.

When the temperature sensing surface 100 of the input unit 10 is touched, the method performs step S16 to generate an input signal according to a temperature difference change of the thermoelectric material caused by the temperature change of the temperature sensing surface 100.

Thereafter, the method performs step S18 to determine whether the touch input continues. If yes, step S20 is performed to continuously generate an input signal; if not, step S22 is performed to perform heat dissipation by using the thermoelectric material 102 in the input device 1. Or generate electricity.

In summary, the input device of the present invention utilizes a change in temperature difference generated by the thermoelectric material to achieve confirmation of the contact point. Further, in addition to generating an input signal, the input device of the present invention can also utilize a thermoelectric material to assist the electronic device to which it is coupled to dissipate heat or provide power to the electronic device. Furthermore, the thermoelectric material can also be used to correct the input sensitivity of the input device using a heat source in the electronic device. The input device of the present invention has multiple added value in view of the input function provided by the prior art input device.

The features and spirit of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover various modifications and equivalents within the scope of the invention as claimed.

1‧‧‧Input device

10, 10A, 10B, 10N‧‧‧ input unit

100‧‧‧temperature sensing surface

102‧‧‧Thermal materials

1020‧‧‧N type semiconductor block

1022‧‧‧P type semiconductor block

2‧‧‧Note Computer

20, 28‧‧‧ slots

22‧‧‧Data Processing Module

24‧‧‧Power Module

26‧‧‧Backlight module

30‧‧‧Flip cover

32‧‧‧Keypad

H‧‧‧heat

E‧‧‧Power

△T ₀ , △T ₁ ‧‧‧temperature difference

V ₀ , V ₁ , V, V _A , V _B , V _N ‧‧‧ voltage signals

T‧‧‧ unit time

S10~S22‧‧‧ Process steps

1 is a schematic diagram of an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each input unit in the input device of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the input device before it is touched and touched.

4A to 4C are diagrams showing an input mode of the input device of the present invention and corresponding signal timing charts.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an input device designed to be coupled to an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a schematic diagram of an input device designed as a card to receive a heat source from an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of an input device and an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing an input method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

10‧‧‧ input unit

100‧‧‧temperature sensing surface

102‧‧‧Thermal materials

△T ₀ , △T ₁ ‧‧‧temperature difference

V ₀ , V ₁ ‧‧‧ voltage signal

Claims (18)

An input device comprising: at least one input unit, wherein each input unit is composed of a thermoelectric material and has a temperature sensing surface, the thermoelectric material comprising a complex array of N-type semiconductor blocks and a P-type semiconductor block formed in series with each other, Each input unit generates an input signal according to a change in temperature of the thermoelectric material caused by a temperature change of the temperature sensing surface, wherein the input device is pluggably coupled to an electronic device, so that The input signal can be transmitted to the electronic device for processing. The input device is designed as a card, and the electronic device has a slot for the card. If the electronic device is a notebook computer, the slot is designed to be a panel cover of the notebook computer, the thermoelectric material of the at least one input unit can receive the notebook computer when the input device is pluggably inserted into the slot and coupled to the notebook computer A backlight module and a processing unit generate heat to assist the notebook computer to dissipate heat. The input device of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing surface acts as a touch surface, and the temperature change occurs after the touch surface is touched to cause the thermoelectric material to change the temperature difference. The input device of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing surface receives a radiant heat to cause the temperature change to cause the thermoelectric material to undergo the temperature difference change. The input device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of input units, wherein the input device determines an input mode according to the number of thermoelectric materials in which the temperature difference changes simultaneously. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input device determines an input mode according to a frequency difference of temperature change of the thermoelectric material in each input unit. The input device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of input units, wherein the input device generates a mobile input signal according to a temperature difference extending direction of the thermoelectric material in the plurality of input units. The input device of claim 2, wherein each input unit generates the input signal according to the temperature difference change. The input device of claim 3, wherein each input unit generates the input signal according to the temperature difference change. The input device of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric material in each input unit further receives a heat source for utilization. The input device of claim 9, wherein the heat source is used to maintain the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material within a reference range. The input device of claim 9, wherein the heat source causes the thermoelectric material to perform a power generating action. The input device of claim 9, wherein the thermoelectric material uses the heat source to correct an input sensitivity of the input device. An input method for an input device comprising at least one input unit, wherein each input unit is composed of a thermoelectric material and has a temperature sensing surface, the thermoelectric material comprising a complex array of N-type semiconductor blocks and a P-type semiconductor The bulk blocks are formed in series with each other, and the method comprises the following steps: (a) generating an input signal according to a temperature change of one of the temperature sensing surfaces to cause a change in temperature of the thermoelectric material, wherein the input device is insertable Connected to an electronic device, the input signal can be transmitted to the electronic device for processing, the input device is designed as a card, and the electronic device has a slot for engaging the card, if the electronic device is a a notebook computer, the slot is designed on one of the cover panels of the notebook computer, and when the input device is pluggably inserted into the slot and coupled to the notebook computer, the at least one input unit is The thermoelectric material can receive heat generated by one of the backlight module of the notebook computer and a processing unit to assist the notebook computer to dissipate heat. The method of claim 13 , before the step (a), further comprising the steps of: (b1) determining whether the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material in each input unit is maintained within a reference range; (b2) If the judgment result of the step (b1) is YES, the step (a) is performed; if the judgment result of the step (b1) is no, the step (b3) is performed; and (b3) a temperature control program is executed to cause each input. The temperature difference of the thermoelectric material in the unit is maintained within the reference range. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: (c) if the input signal is not continuously generated, performing a heat dissipation operation using the thermoelectric material in each input unit. The method described in claim 13 further includes the following steps Step (d) If the input signal is not continuously generated, a power generating operation is performed using the thermoelectric material in each input unit. The method of claim 13, wherein in the step (a), the temperature sensing surface is used as a touch surface, and the temperature change occurs after touching the touch surface to cause the thermoelectric material. This temperature difference changes and further produces the input signal. The method of claim 13, wherein in the step (a), the temperature sensing surface generates the temperature change by receiving a radiant heat to cause the thermoelectric material to undergo the temperature difference change, and further generating the input. signal.