TWI493381B - Human-machine interface decvice - Google Patents

Description

Human-machine interface device

The present disclosure relates to a human-machine interface device, and more particularly to a flexible human-machine interface device.

With the development of touch panel technology, most of today's portable electronic devices are oriented toward the touch screen as a user interface, but such input methods still have their shortcomings. For example, the touch panel and the display panel must share the displayed area, so that the user cannot see the area touched by the finger when performing the touch action, and the input error is likely to occur. In addition, in order to input text, images, symbols, etc., a keyboard or a corresponding symbol table must be displayed in the display area for the user to operate. Therefore, the human interface of the touch panel as the portable electronic device has to sacrifice the display screen.

In other words, although the configuration of the touch panel provides an intuitive and simple input method, it is not conducive to the complete presentation of the display screen, and often has the problem of input errors. Therefore, how to solve the above problems and even further develop a more unique operation interface will be an important issue in the development of portable electronic products.

The present disclosure provides a human-machine interface device to provide a variety of input operation modes for electronic devices.

The present disclosure provides a human-machine interface device to increase the entertainment of the electronic device.

The present disclosure provides a human-machine interface device suitable for electrical connection to an electronic device. The human interface device includes a carrier, a bending sensor and a control module. The carrier has at least one flexible portion. The bending sensor is disposed on the flexible portion of the carrier. The control module is disposed on the carrier, connected to the bending inductor, and electrically connected to the electronic device. A first operation signal from the bending sensor is transmitted to the electronic device by the control module, so that the electronic device operates according to the first operation signal.

The disclosure further provides a human-machine interface device suitable for electrical connection to an electronic device. The human interface device includes a carrier, a feedback component and a control module. The feedback element is disposed on the carrier. The control module is disposed on the carrier, connected to the feedback component, and electrically connected to the electronic device.

Based on the above, the human-machine interface device of the present disclosure has flexibility to allow the user to input commands to the electronic device by means of bending, twisting, etc., to improve the diversity of the input method.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1 , the human interface device 100 is adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic device 10 . The human interface device 100 includes a carrier 110, a bending sensor 120, a control module 130, a pressure sensor 140, and a transmission coupling module 150. Both the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 are disposed on the carrier 110. The control module 130 is disposed on the carrier 110 and connected to the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140. In addition, the control module 130 is electrically connected to the electronic device 10 through the transmission connection module 150. The transmission connection module 150 may include a component such as a transmission bus line that can transmit an electronic signal.

In this embodiment, the electronic device 10 may be a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, an electronic paper, or a portable game machine. The human interface device 100 of the present embodiment allows interaction between the user and the electronic device 10, so that the electronic device 10 executes corresponding commands according to the actions of the user.

In the present embodiment, the carrier 110 is made of a flexible material such as a polymer material, and includes a carrying portion 112 and a sensing portion 114, wherein the carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114 are connected to each other. The carrying portion 112 is used to carry the electronic device 10 , and the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 are disposed on the sensing portion 114 . Specifically, in order to carry and fix the electronic device 10, the supporting portion 112 of the carrier 110 may be provided with a fixing structure 116 to fix the electronic device 10. In this manner, the electronic device 10 is detachably mounted on the carrying portion 112.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the electronic device 10 can be detachably fixed to the carrying portion 112 of the carrier 110 by other means such as magnetic attraction, adhesive material bonding, and the like. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the electronic device 10 can be selectively and permanently fixed to the carrier portion 112 of the carrier 110. Further, in other embodiments, a composite carrier may be substituted for the carrier 110. For example, the composite carrier can be made of different materials, wherein a part of the composite carrier is composed of a flexible material, and other parts are composed of a rigid material. At this time, the bending sensor 120 may be disposed on the flexible portion of the composite carrier composed of a flexible material, and the remaining members may be selectively disposed in the flexible portion or other portions of the composite carrier. . .

The carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114 can be opened and closed, for example, with respect to each other, and the state illustrated in FIG. 1 is a case where the carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114 are relatively open. At this time, the sensing unit 114 does not block the electronic device 10 and allows the display screen of the electronic device 10 to be viewed. When the carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114 are relatively closed, the electronic device 10 is sandwiched between the carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114, for example. That is, when the carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114 are relatively closed, the carrying portion 112 and the sensing portion 114 are respectively located on opposite sides of the electronic device 10. As a result, the electronic device 10 is substantially shielded by the sensing portion 114 to protect the electronic device 10. Therefore, the human interface device 100 of the present embodiment can protect the electronic device 10 not only by providing an interface for communication between humans and computers. The human interface device 100 of the present embodiment may be an external protective cover of the electronic device 10.

The bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 are arranged to sense the motion of the user to cause the electronic device 10 to execute a corresponding command according to the actions. The bending sensor 120 may be disposed at a corner of the sensing portion 114. The user can bend or twist the corner of the sensing portion 114 to perform an input operation to the electronic device 10. Of course, the bending sensor 120 can also be disposed at other positions of the sensing portion 114, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. The pressure sensor 140 can likewise be selectively disposed at any location of the sensing portion 140. In addition, the carrier 110 may optionally be provided with only one of the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 according to actual design requirements. In other words, the embodiment does not specifically limit the human interface device 100 to include the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 at the same time.

Since the carrier 110 is provided with a flexible characteristic, the user can bend the sensing portion 114 of the carrier 110 when the user desires to make a specific command. At this time, the bending sensor 120 can generate a corresponding operation signal, and the electronic device 10 can perform a corresponding action according to the operation signal. In addition, the user can press the sensing portion 114 of the carrier 110 to sense the pressure of the pressure sensor 140 to generate a corresponding operation signal, and the electronic device 10 can receive the operation signal through the control module 130 to perform corresponding operation. action.

In other words, in addition to the pressing action that can be employed when operating a conventional touch panel, the design of the present embodiment allows the user to input an instruction to operate the electronic device 10 in a bent manner. Therefore, the human interface device 100 provides a variety of input methods so that the manner of use of the electronic device 10 can meet more different needs.

The control module 130 is mainly used to control the bending sensors 120 and the pressure sensors 140 and to connect the bending sensors 120 and the pressure sensors 140 to the electronic device 10. That is to say, the operation signals generated by the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 to sense the user's motion can be transmitted to the electronic device 10 through the control module 130. In this embodiment, the connection between the control module 130 and the electronic device 10 can be implemented through the physical transmission connection module 150, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the connection between the control module 130 and the electronic device 10 can be implemented by wireless transmission.

In addition, the control module 130 can control whether the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 are sensed according to the control signal output by the electronic device 10. The control module 130 can also activate the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 by using the power of the electronic device 10. That is, the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 can directly use the power from the electronic device 10 without additional power supply. However, in other embodiments, the control module 130 can have a power supply unit built therein to provide a starting bend. The power required by the sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 is folded.

When the user operates the electronic device 10 with the human interface device 100, it does not directly contact the electronic device 10, and does not affect the screen presented on the display surface of the electronic device 10. Therefore, the human interface device 100 of the present embodiment can improve the problem that the conventional touch panel must be directly operated on the electronic device to affect the display screen. At the same time, the user's operation is not applied to the electronic device 10, and the electronic device 10 can be prevented from being damaged by the user's operation. In addition, the design of the human interface device 100 allows the user to input in a folded manner without using the electronic device 10 having bendable characteristics. Therefore, the human-machine interface device 100 makes the use of the electronic device 10 more varied and improves the fun of use.

2 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the human interface device 200 is similar to the human interface device 100 of the first embodiment described above, and the same components in both embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Specifically, the difference between the human interface device 200 and the human interface device 100 of the foregoing embodiment is mainly that the control module 230 of the embodiment includes the power supply unit 232 and the wireless transmission unit 234, and the human interface device 200 does not. A physical transport connection module is required. That is to say, the wireless transmission unit 234 can provide the function of wireless communication so that the control module 230 is electrically connected to the electronic device 10. In addition, the power supply unit 232 can independently provide the power required to activate the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 without using the power of the electronic device 10.

3 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3 , the human interface device 300 includes a carrier 110 , a feedback component 320 , a control module 330 , and a transmission connection module 150 . In addition, the human interface device 300 of the present embodiment is also connected to the electronic device 10, for example. The carrier 110 and the transmission connection module 150 are similar to the carrier 110 and the transmission connection module 150 of the first embodiment, and the design and function of these components can be referred to the description of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the feedback component 320 is disposed on the sensing portion 114 of the carrier 110. The control module 330 can communicate with the electronic device 10 through the transmission connection module 150 and the control module 330 is connected to the feedback component 320. Therefore, the action of the feedback component 320 can interact with the electronic device 10. That is to say, the feedback component 320 can operate according to the command signal from the electronic device 10.

For example, the feedback component 320 can be a haptic feedback component, a visual feedback component, a sound player, or a combination thereof, wherein the haptic feedback component includes a vibrator, an actuator, or an electrical stimulation feedback unit, and the visual feedback The component can be a flashing light, an extended display device, or other component that can output light or an image. In other words, the design of the feedback element 320 is to generate a stimulus to give the user a sense of five senses. When the user uses the electronic device 10, more stimuli can be obtained in addition to the sound and light effects that the electronic device 10 can provide to enhance the fun of use.

4 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the human interface device 400 is similar to the human interface device 300 of the foregoing third embodiment, and the same components in the two embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Specifically, the difference between the human interface device 400 and the human interface device 300 of the foregoing embodiment is mainly that the control module 430 of the embodiment includes the power supply unit 432 and the wireless transmission unit 434, and the human interface device 400 does not. A physical transport connection module is required. That is to say, the wireless transmission unit 434 can provide the function of wireless communication so that the control module 430 is electrically connected to the electronic device 10. In addition, the power supply unit 432 can independently provide the power required to activate the feedback component 320 without using the power of the electronic device 10.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5 , the human interface device 500 is similar to the foregoing embodiment, and is suitable for being electrically connected to the electronic device 10 , and includes a carrier 110 , a bending sensor 120 , a control module 130 , 330 , and a pressure sensor 140 . The transmission connection module 150 and the feedback component 320. The functions and designs of the carrier 110, the bending sensor 120, the control module 130, 330, the pressure sensor 140, the transmission connection module 150, and the feedback component 320 can be referred to the description of the foregoing embodiments, and are not described herein. . In particular, the present embodiment incorporates the design of the various embodiments described above to provide a human interface device 500 that can perform operational inputs as well as provide specific stimuli.

In this embodiment, the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 can provide the user with an input action by bending, twisting, tapping, pressing, flipping, and the like. At the same time, the control module 130 and the control module 330 can be electrically connected to each other to cause the feedback component 320 to operate according to the operation signal sensed by the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140. Therefore, the user can feel the stimulation generated by the feedback component 320 while performing the input operation, and greatly enhance the interest of use. Of course, the feedback component 320 can be operated according to the command signal sent by the electronic device 10 as described in the foregoing embodiment.

In this embodiment, the control module 130 and the control module 330 are illustrated as two blocks. However, in other embodiments, the bending sensor 120 and the pressure sensor 140 may be implemented using only one control module. And control of the feedback component 320. In addition, the control module 130 and the control module 330 are connected to the electronic device 10 by the physical transmission connection module 150, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. 6 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the human interface device 600 is similar to the human interface device 500 of the foregoing fifth embodiment, and the same components in the two embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Specifically, the difference between the human interface device 600 and the human interface device 500 of the foregoing embodiment is mainly that the control module 630 of the embodiment includes the power supply unit 632 and the wireless transmission unit 634, and the human interface device 600 does not. A physical transport connection module is required. That is, the wireless transmission unit 634 can provide the function of wireless communication, so that the control module 630 is electrically connected to the electronic device 10, wherein the number of the wireless transmission units 634 can be two to respectively apply the bending sensor 120 to the sensing application. The pressure sensor 140 and the feedback component 320 for stimulation are connected to the electronic device 10. The disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the power supply unit 632 can independently provide the power required to activate the bending sensor 120, the pressure sensor 140, and the feedback element 320 without using the power of the electronic device 10.

In summary, the human interface device of the present disclosure can provide an input interface independent of the electronic device, and can provide various input modes other than pressing to enhance the diversity of the electronic device used. In addition, the human-machine interface device of the present disclosure can generate a specific stimulus to enhance the user's facial features to enhance the user's enjoyment.

The present disclosure has been disclosed in the above embodiments, but it is not intended to limit the disclosure, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of protection of this disclosure is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

10‧‧‧Electronic devices

100~600‧‧‧Human Machine Interface Device

110‧‧‧Carrier

112‧‧‧ Carrying Department

114‧‧‧Induction Department

116‧‧‧Fixed structure

120‧‧‧Bending sensor

130, 230, 330, 430, 630‧‧‧ control modules

140‧‧‧pressure sensor

150‧‧‧Transport connection module

232, 422, 632‧‧‧ power supply unit

234, 424, 634 ‧ ‧ wireless transmission unit

320‧‧‧Feedback components

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

6 is a schematic diagram of a human-machine interface device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

10. . . Electronic device

110. . . Carrier

112. . . Carrying part

114. . . Induction unit

116. . . Fixed structure

120. . . Bending sensor

140. . . Pressure sensor

320. . . Feedback component

600. . . Human-machine interface device

630. . . Control module

632. . . Power unit

634. . . Wireless transmission unit

Claims (15)

A human-machine interface device is adapted to be electrically connected to an electronic device, the human-machine interface device comprising: a carrier having at least one flexible portion, wherein the electronic device is detachably disposed on the carrier; a folding sensor is disposed on the flexible portion of the carrier; and a control module is disposed on the carrier, coupled to the bending inductor, and electrically connected to the electronic device, wherein the bending is from the bending A first operation signal of the folding sensor is transmitted to the electronic device by the control module, so that the electronic device operates according to the first operation signal. The human-machine interface device of claim 1, further comprising a transmission connection module, the control module being connected to the electronic device. The human interface device of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a wireless transmission unit electrically connected to the electronic device. The human-machine interface device of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a power supply unit to provide power. The human-machine interface device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor disposed on the carrier and connected to the control module, wherein a second operation signal from the pressure sensor is The control module is transmitted to the electronic device, and the electronic device is operated according to the second operation signal. The human-machine interface device of claim 1, further comprising a feedback component disposed on the carrier and connected to the control module. The human-machine interface device of claim 6, wherein the feedback component operates according to a command signal from the electronic device. The human-machine interface device of claim 6, wherein the feedback component group operates according to the first operational signal from the bending sensor. The human-machine interface device of claim 6, wherein the feedback component comprises a tactile feedback component, a visual feedback component, a sound player or a combination thereof. The human-machine interface device of claim 9, wherein the haptic feedback component comprises a vibrator, an actuator or an electrical stimulation feedback unit. The human-machine interface device of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a carrying portion for carrying the electronic device and a sensing portion connected to the carrying portion, and the bending sensor is located on the sensing portion. . The human-machine interface device of claim 11, wherein the sensing portion is adapted to be opened and closed with respect to the carrying portion to close the carrying portion and the sensing portion, wherein the carrying portion and the sensing portion are respectively located in the electronic device The opposite sides of the device. The human-machine interface device according to claim 12, wherein the sensing portion does not substantially shield the electronic device when the carrying portion and the sensing portion are opened. The human-machine interface device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is detachably sleeved on the carrying portion of the carrier. The human-machine interface device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a portable electronic device.