WO2004090704A1

WO2004090704A1 - A device of inputting character information, the method and the application

Info

Publication number: WO2004090704A1
Application number: PCT/CN2004/000242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erzhong Liu
Original assignee: Erzhong Liu
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2004-03-24
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Also published as: CN1514341A; CN1221884C

Abstract

A device of inputting character information, the method and the application, which are used in PC, mobile phone, keypanel and the like. The invention can avoid the inconvenience caused by the size of the inputting device is too large and the number of the key is too few. The invention is comprised of a house, a touch panel with some concave keys for touching input, and a corresponding signal circuit, etc. The touch panel is supported by a few supporting units or ports, which comprise of stress pressure sensor or sensitive element, providing the signal of stress change when the touch panel is pressed. The signal processing unit process the signal to identify the character information of the touching point position and the pressure. The method and the device of the invention allows a lots of keys distributed densely on the touch panel, which can minimize the relating device, improve the comfort and the efficiency of inputting, and save the cost.

Description

Device, method and application with character input function

The present invention relates to a device, a method, and an application having information input functions such as characters for devices such as a microcomputer, a handheld telephone, and a keyboard.

Background technique

The prior art information input devices are mainly keyboards, touch screens, etc. For portable or handheld or pocket-sized devices, these devices are too bulky, in order to avoid misoperation (when inputting touch pressure, the other keys or touch bits are mistakenly Press) and reduce the requirements for the accuracy of finger keystrokes, the sum of the distance between the center of each key or touch position (key position) and the edges of the keys or touch positions on both sides must be greater than or even significantly greater than the width of the end of the finger. Input devices with more keys or touch positions (such as the popular notebook computers and standard keyboards) are difficult to reduce in width. If the number of keys or touch positions (key positions) is significantly reduced, multi-use of one key will increase the complexity of the operation. And reduce the input speed (such as existing small notebook computers, mobile phones and PAD, etc.); there are also pocket input devices that use input pens, but the input is slow, and it also increases the trouble of carrying and holding the pen.

In order to solve the contradiction between input speed and portability, some new schemes have appeared. For example, Motorola's compact keyboard structure (China Publication No. 1182907) uses a method of greatly increasing the ratio of the button spacing to the button radius (reducing the button) to reduce the keyboard, but the effect is limited. For another example, the Israeli VKB company tried to project a standard keyboard image on the desktop with a micro laser device and measured the finger position to determine the input information, but it was inconvenient to use when going out. Another example is U.SJPat.5581484, which describes the method of placing an acceleration sensor on the fingertip and performing integral calculation to determine the position under the finger, which is very troublesome.

Others have tried to solve this problem by using touch screen or writing pad technology, but the contact surface between the finger and the touch screen or writing pad is almost the same as that of ordinary keys, and the key position is difficult to shrink. In USPat.5459463, Gmaz et al. Used the analysis of many sensitive points triggered on the underside of the finger contact surface to determine the center of compression; in USPat. The pressure-sensitive area of the pressure-sensitive layer is reduced; in USPat.5463388, Bole et al. Used the calculation of the detection signals obtained by the capacitive-sensing elements distributed in rows and columns under the cover to determine the position of the finger; these technologies are too complicated, and the effect is not large. Touch When the finger cannot directly sense whether the position is accurate, it seriously affects the input speed and is not satisfactory.

In the prior art, the contradiction between the miniaturization of the keyboard and the fast operation is in mobile phones (especially wrist-type mobile phones). Most prominent in technology. In order to improve the speed of entering text, some enterprises even provide a 30-key small keyboard that is specifically connected to a mobile phone, but it is not easy to carry. In recent years, many companies (such as Samsung) have used voice input to replace the keyboard (such as Samsung SPH-W10) in order to reduce the size of wrist-type mobile phones. However, the error rate is high and they are susceptible to environmental interference. Launched a much larger wrist phone with a keyboard (such as Samsung CEC F88), which is not only clunky to wear on the wrist, but also is not convenient to enter characters.

The above situation shows that for many years people have urgently needed more convenient and quick miniature keyboard input technology, but they have not been able to do so.

Invention Disclosure

The purpose of the present invention is to propose a new solution, which can avoid the problem that the pitch of the original keyboard keys or touch positions (key positions) is restricted by the width of the finger and cannot be significantly reduced, so as to achieve multiple keys or multiple touch positions (key positions). Miniaturization of input devices or electronic devices with such devices. This is explained in detail below.

The invention is a device with information input functions such as characters, which is composed of a casing, a touchpad on the casing that accepts a touch of a touch object to input information, and a corresponding signal line part;

The invention is characterized by:

Several (at least 2) different positions on the inner side or near the touch pad are directly or indirectly supported by several supporting parts or supporting members to balance the touch force experienced by the touch pad,

A number of the supporting parts or their supporting parts or touch pads are supported (or are themselves) with a stress (strain) sensor or sensitive element; the sensors or sensitive elements are capable of being touched when the touch pad is touched A sensor or a sensitive element that provides a signal that reflects a continuous number of changes in the stress on the location or component can be connected to the signal processing portion of the signal line portion of the device or the signal processing portion of another external device. The signal processing portion can be connected by Process the measured quantity or proportion of the stress signal received by the supporting part or component, determine the position of the touch force acting on the touch pad, calculate the coordinates, or the information represented by the character, etc.

The surface of the touchpad has a key position in different specific areas that are touched by a touch object in order to input different characters respectively (a specific area is hereinafter referred to as a key position, and the combined point of the touch force is located in a certain key position, and the device can input a certain corresponding Characters), where several keys (or key groups) are raised, the highest part of the raised part is higher than the surface at or near the boundary with the adjacent key (or key group), or phase Adjacent bonds (or groups of bonds) have recesses formed between the surfaces. Several key positions of the touch pad can be marked by corresponding character graphics of characters that can be input. The touch panel of the device may be a lightweight rigid rectangular plate or a rectangular plate with a rigid bottom plate. Each of the four corners may have a support member with a stress (strain) sensing element or a sensitive element, or one each. Supporting stress (strain) sensor or sensitive element. The stress (strain) sensor or sensitive element of the device may be a resistive or capacitive or inductive or electromotive force or photoelectric sensor or sensitive element. '

It can be seen that when the touch panel is subjected to a touch force, it is the position of the combined touch point that determines the proportion of the stress on each support part or support component, regardless of the size of the contact surface. Therefore, if the signal is processed, the judgment result can only be It is the position of the contact point of the resultant force of the touch, so even if the key positions are very small and close, the device can be distinguished, and it is not easy to enter by mistake.

However, when the key position is small, if the touched joint force falls on or near the key boundary, recognition errors are easy to occur, and the surface height of the key boundary or near the boundary of the device is relatively low, making it difficult for the fingers to touch In these parts, it is easier to touch the key part near the relatively convex part in the middle (the higher part will be subjected to a greater touch force, and the position of the combined force point will be less likely to deviate) to avoid misoperation or misjudgment. At the same time, the raised key position can also make the user directly feel whether the position of the finger is accurate, which is conducive to adjusting the direction of the click and then obviously improve the feel and greatly improve the accuracy and speed of operation.

The top of the key raised portion of the touch panel described in this device may be flat or with a concave or character-like surface or with a patterned or grid-like or dot-like rough surface or a different shape. This can further improve the feel and improve the tactile discrimination effect.

The surface layer or the inner layer or the lower layer or some parts of the touch pad or key position described in this device may be provided with elastic materials or elastic elements. In this way, a moderate sinking can be felt when a finger is struck, which is convenient for controlling the strength, and improves the comfort of movement, and greatly improves the working conditions and efficiency of typing or input.

The touch pad of the device may have a smooth surface suitable for a sliding touch of a touch object. In this way, more input methods can be used. When the touch object slides on the surface of the touchpad, the cursor can be controlled or handwriting input can be performed. The program can be appropriately arranged. When the touch pressure is small, only the cursor or stroke is displayed on the display screen. When the touch pressure reaches a certain value, it means that the click on the cursor or the character or word is completed, and the input character or word can be recognized.

The signal line part of the device may include:

A signal data acquisition section for acquiring measurement values of each stress sensor, and a data processing section, 'for each stress sensor obtained according to the signal data acquisition section The measured values of the device and the positions or coordinates of each stress sensor calculate the force position or the calculated coordinates of the force acting point of the touchpad, and determine the characters or information to be inputted accordingly.

The position of the touch point can be determined by using the mechanical principle of balance between the force and moment of the touchpad, and the supports can be calculated according to the distribution position or coordinates of the support parts of the touchpad and the stress value (ie, the support force value) measured by each sensor element. Location support force (may also include the gravity of the touchpad itself) The position where the combined action line of the combined force passes through the surface of the touchpad. This position is the position of the point of application of the touch force that is balanced with the support force (including gravity). This calculation method can be implemented by the data processing section or the processor according to an appropriate program.

Because the output characteristics of the stress sensor, the shape of the touch panel, the support part or the component, or the mechanical characteristics may change during the production or use process, which affects the accuracy of key position input, it may need to be corrected or adjusted.

The device may be provided with keys or knobs or key positions capable of performing correction or adjustment function operations. When the actual touched key position or position is different from the key position or position calculated or judged by the device, the device is started and operated Correct the program or use it to adjust the signal from the stress sensor or signal measurement section.

The device may also be provided with other keys or a keyboard or a touch pad or non-convex keys.

When the touch force on the touchpad or the key position of the device is in different ranges, different information or instructions or characters can be input.

The device has an acoustic signal or an optical signal generator or a tactile climbing generator to prompt or express or reflect the magnitude of the touch force received by the touchpad or the different key positions or input information received.

The device may use an internal or external data processing part to calculate the sum of the stresses (that is, the touch force) of the support parts or the sum of the measured values of the sensors or sensitive elements at any time. When the value or the touch force is at In certain predetermined ranges, different information or instructions or characters can be input, and the above signal generator can emit acoustic or optical signals or vibration signals.

For example, when the touch force is very small, only characters may be displayed. When the touch force is larger, characters may be input. When the touch force is greater, uppercase characters or another character or instruction or information sharing the same key position may be input.

The device may have a signal processing section connected to the signal measurement section and an interface line for transmitting information such as characters to an external computer or other equipment.

The device may be provided with liquid crystal or other types of displays, as well as microprocessors, memories, interfaces, and other micro or portable or handheld computers or data processing devices required by the circuit and components. The device may also have a micro-display, radio transmitting and receiving antennas, receiving and transmitting elements and lines, microprocessors, memories, pickups, speakers, batteries and other components and lines required for a portable telephone or portable communication device.

An external keyboard, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a cordless phone, and a remote controller including or applying the device with a character information input function of the present invention.

Because the output characteristics of the stress sensor or sensing element are not strictly linear and may drift, and the deformation of the touch pad or other mechanical parts may increase the drift, the calculation of the position of the touch point often includes very complicated corrections. This kind of drift occurs during use, and it will cause input errors, and even related technologies cannot be solved in a reasonable way.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes a method with a character input function (referred to as method I), including:

(i) Provide a touch pad with key positions corresponding to different characters on the surface, and several (at least 2) parts at different positions near the inner side or edge of the touch pad are directly or indirectly supported by several supporting parts or supporting members To balance the touch force on the touchpad,

Have (or be itself) a stress (strain) sensor or sensitive element on or near some of the support areas or their support parts or touch pads,

(ϋ) A signal data acquisition section is provided for acquiring measurement values of each stress sensor when the touch panel is touched, and a data processing section is provided for measuring values of each stress sensor obtained according to the signal data acquisition section and The position or coordinate of each stress sensor calculates the resultant force of each supporting force (the touchpad gravity can be considered). The calculated coordinate of the corresponding force corresponding to the position of the point of action. The calculated coordinate is the calculated force of the touch force corresponding to the position of the point of touch force that is balanced. ,

(iii) preselect a point on the touchpad that has the same or similar relative position within each key position, preferably a point or points with obvious features or distinguishing meanings, or for marked points, as keys Bit reference point,

(iv) Generate a reference point calculation coordinate storage table for each key position (storage of the key-to-point reference point coordinates):

Calculate the calculated coordinates of each key reference point according to the design or manufacturing parameters (that is, design contact force calculation coordinates) Include in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table, or

Make each key reference point receive a more accurate actual touch pressure one by one, and obtain the measured force calculation coordinates of each key reference point according to (ii), and include them in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table, or By

If there is a difference between the measured contact force calculation coordinates and the design calculation coordinates at the same reference point, the measured contact force calculation coordinates can be used instead of the design calculation coordinates to be included in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table, or the later measured contact force calculation coordinates can be used instead. The original measured contact force calculation coordinates are included in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table.

Or calculate the calculated coordinates of the reference point of the key using the calculated contact force of other reference points near the reference point of a key and store it.

If the design calculation coordinates or measured touch force calculation coordinates of each key position reference point are different depending on the touch pressure to which the reference point is subjected, if necessary, the key point reference points may be subjected to different touch pressures according to the above method. The calculated coordinate list obtained by one is stored,

(V) When the touchpad is touched in the input situation, calculate the coordinates corresponding to the touch point according to (ii), and compare or compare the calculated coordinates with the reference coordinates of each key position stored in (iv) or Calculate, find the closest or most suitable reference point or points under corresponding circumstances (if necessary, under the corresponding touch pressure) (if necessary, according to its proper orientation in the key position adjacent to it), and determine the touch The key where the point is located or the corresponding input character or information or instruction,

Where necessary, the key reference point described in part (iii) of method I may also be a point located at the center of the key position, or the midpoint or endpoint or inflection point of the key boundary or delimitation line segment, or Specific marked points. '

In part (V) of method I, when the touchpad is touched, calculate the coordinates according to part (ii) according to the touch force corresponding to the touch point, and calculate the coordinates with the reference points of the key positions of the storage table. The comparison judgment can also be made in one of the following ways:

When the selected key reference point is the key center point, the comparison and judgment in (V) refers to: Finding the distance from the reference point calculation coordinate of the reference point calculation coordinate storage table to the touch point calculation coordinate distance of the touch point The closest (the sum of the absolute value of the coordinate difference or the smallest coordinate mean square error), the key position where the reference point is located is the key position where the touch point is located,

When the selected key reference point is the upper left or lower left or upper right or lower right corner of the key boundary or dividing line segment, the comparison and judgment described in (V) refers to: finding the location of the reference point from the calculated coordinates of the reference point in the storage The touch force calculation coordinate of the touch point is upper left or lower left or upper right or lower right and is closest to the touch force calculation coordinate of the touch point. The key position of the reference point or the reference point is lower right or upper right or lower left or upper left side. Touch the key where the point is located. When the selected key reference point is the left or right of the key position, or the midpoint of the upper or lower boundary or delimitation line segment, from the reference point calculation coordinates in the storage, find the touch force calculation coordinates located at the touch point left or right or Up or down and closest to the touch force calculation coordinates of the touch point, the key position of the reference point or the right or left or bottom or upper side of the reference point is the key position immediately, that is, the key position of the touch point,

When needed, the positions of several different reference points that are closest to or closer to the coordinates of the touch point (calculated coordinates) or the relative positions of the touch point and the latter can also be used to calculate or determine the key position. And the characters or information or instructions they represent.

On the basis of Method I, a method for inputting different specific information or instructions or characters using different maximum values of the touch force per touch (Method III) may be provided, including-specifying that each key position of the touchpad is subject to each touch When the maximum touch force (or single click touch force peak) is in several different ranges, different specific information or instructions or characters should be entered. When the touchpad is touched, the processor or signal processing section not only determines the time The key position of the touch action point also determines or first determines the touch force of the touch (corresponds to the sum of the support force of the support parts of the touchpad minus the touchpad gravity). The maximum value or the range of the peak force of a single click. Determine the input information or instructions or characters corresponding to the touch according to the touched key position and the range of the maximum touch force according to the relevant regulations above

When needed, according to the difference in the range of the touch force value or the maximum value of the single touch, the user is prompted in one or more of the following ways:

Provide a sound or sound device, and use it to emit corresponding exams of different volume or tone color or tone or rhythm,

Providing a vibration generating device for using the touchpad surface to generate vibrations of different sizes or different frequencies or rhythms,

Provide an optical signal device that uses it to emit light or displays of different colors or brightness or graphics,

Take advantage of differences or changes in display graphics or symbols or colors.

Method III is a further development of method I, which can use the peak value of the keystroke strength (single-time maximum value) to enter different characters in the same key position (such as mobile phone number or text, uppercase letters or lowercase letters, etc.) , Or distinguish whether it is working, displaying, entering or whether it is in the state of correction or adjustment or distinguishing other information.

The present invention also provides an operator for correcting or adjusting the key position reference point of the storage table to calculate coordinates. Method (Method IV), including:

(i) Operate the function keys or key positions or otherwise make the system where the touchpad is located in the adjustment working state, and press the required touch force to press the reference point or the vicinity of the key position to be adjusted. If the system display shows characters or The labeling is consistent with the labeling of the key position or its reference point, and the related program can add the calculated coordinate of the touch force (or the calculated reference position of the key position) to the key position reference point calculation coordinate storage instead of the original calculated coordinates. Table storage, or

(ii) Operate the key position or key to cause the system display to display characters or signs corresponding to the key position or its reference point to be adjusted, and then press the key point reference point or its vicinity with the required touch force, and advance Operate the function button or key position at the same time or subsequently or otherwise make the system in the adjustment working state. The relevant program can use the calculated contact force calculated at this time as the calculated coordinate of the reference position of the key to be adjusted instead of the original calculated coordinate. Include reference point calculation coordinate storage table storage.

In actual use, after the calculation coordinates of a certain reference point are adjusted accurately, you may find that some key boundaries of the key position still have some deviations. If you press the position of the reference point slightly offset in the opposite direction during adjustment, the effect may be more it is good. +

The invention also provides a method (method 11) with a character input function, including:

(i) providing a touch pad, in which a plurality of (at least 2) different positions on the inner side or near the edge of the touch pad are directly or indirectly supported by several supporting parts or supporting members to balance the touch force experienced by the touch pad,

Having or being a stress or strain sensor or a sensitive element in or near a portion of or a portion of the support portion or its support member or touch pad being supported,

(ii) It is stipulated in the system where the touchpad is located that when the touch force value and its instantaneous peak value of the touchpad are in several different ranges, and the position of the touched point is different or the coordinates of the touch force are calculated, the corresponding ones should be entered or entered Specific information or instructions or characters,

(iii) setting a signal data collection part for collecting measurement values of each stress sensor when the touchpad is touched, and setting up a data processing part for measuring each stress sensor obtained according to the signal data acquisition part Value and the position or coordinates of each stress sensor to calculate the touch force value corresponding to the difference between the supporting force combined force and the touchpad gravity or its instantaneous peak value and the resultant force calculation coordinate corresponding to the position of the action point, and the calculated coordinates are balanced with it Touch force calculation coordinates corresponding to the position of the touch force action point,

(IV) Different ranges according to the value of the touch force or its instantaneous peak value, and the current touch point Position or corresponding touch force calculation coordinates, and determine the input information or instructions or characters corresponding to the touch according to (ii),

(V) When needed, for the difference in the range of the touch force value or its instantaneous peak value when touching, adopt one or more of the following methods to prompt the user:

Provide a sound or sound device, and use it to emit corresponding sounds of different volumes or different tones or different tones or different rhythms,

Provide an optical signal device, which uses it to emit light or display of different colors or different brightness or different graphics,

The instantaneous peak value of the touch force value refers to the highest value of the touch force generally fluctuating within a time interval of 0.02 to 1 second.

Method II is another significant improvement of the present invention. It can be used to input more than two different types of information or instructions or characters at the same position on the touchpad. If the touch force is too small, it will not be displayed, and when the touch force is small, the characters or strokes are only on the display. It is displayed that the character is really input only when the force is large (this can avoid the misoperation of the micro keyboard); for example, when the handwriting input on the smooth surface of the touchpad is described, the instantaneous peak of the force of the touching object is large enough to instruct the processing The character has been written, and the recognition process can begin. This method can use the difference in instantaneous peak power to input uppercase or lowercase letters respectively, and it can also distinguish whether the cursor moves or clicks the cursor (the instantaneous peak reaches a certain level to indicate click Cursor), or you can use the specified force to instruct the relevant device or system to enter the calibration or adjustment working state.

The above method I and method II are both applicable to a touch pad with a protrusion corresponding to a key position on the surface, and a touch pad having no protrusion on a surface key position.

It can be seen from the above description that the present invention uses the principle of judging the position of the combined force point of the touch contact surface according to the ratio of the stresses on several support parts or components, so the position of the combined force point is determined regardless of the size and shape of the contact surface. For inputting information, the input resolution is extremely high, allowing the characters on the touchpad to be densely distributed without being restricted by the width of the finger. In order to avoid possible adverse effects on blind typing, the main part of the key of the present invention is at or near the boundary of the key. It is convex and can even be elastic, which is very conducive to making the center of the combined force of the touch force on the main part of the key position, reducing misinput and greatly improving The touch and comfort of fingers improve the accuracy and control of keystroke, which is convenient for blind typing and increase the input speed. The invention also provides a convenient, effective and reliable method for determining the position of the touch point and the input character and a related correction and adjustment method to avoid or The potential adverse effects of stress sensor output drift and mechanical deformation are eliminated; the method for distinguishing different input information corresponding to a touch at the same position according to the difference in touch force or single maximum value or instantaneous peak value is very helpful to simplify the keyboard and operation method. The technology of the present invention is simpler than the prior art, uses only a few sensors, is more suitable for miniaturization and reduces costs, and has a very prominent effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of Embodiment 1 of a device with a character input function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of Embodiment 2 of the device with a character input function of the present invention

'FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of Embodiment 3 of the device with a character input function of the present invention

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of Embodiment 4 of the device with a character input function according to the present invention.

Among them, 1, is the shell, 2, is the touch pad, 3, is the corresponding graphic of the character, 4, is the support part, 5, is the support part, 6, is the stress and strain, sensor, 7, is the smooth surface, 8, Is a button, 9, is a calibration button, 10, is a display light, 11, is an audio port, 12, is an external cable, 13, is a display, 14, is an antenna, 15, is an earphone hole, 16, is corresponding to a key position Bulge.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of distribution of each supporting force and resultant force

Among them, F ₂ , F ₃ , F ₄ , XL yi, x ₂ , y ₂ , x ₃ , y ₃ , and x ₄ y ₄ are the coordinates of each supporting force and its point of action, respectively. F _s , x _s , and y _s are The resultant force and the coordinates of its point of application.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of the circuit of the devices of Examples 1 and 2.

Among them, 21 is a stress sensor, 22 is a multiplex transmission conversion, 23 is an A / D conversion, 24 is an interface, 28, is a switch, 25, is a microprocessor and a memory, 26, is a display, 27, Are other devices, where the left side of the dotted line is the signal measurement portion, and the right side of the dotted line is the signal processing portion.

Figure Ί shows a working flowchart based on the method I, method II, method III and method IV, where step 31 is to enter the adjustment state, step 32 is to display the corresponding reference point symbol and open the storage address, step 33 is to press the reference point, step 34 is for measuring and calculating touch force values and coordinates, step 35 is for designing calculation coordinates, step 36 is for storing reference point calculation coordinates in a list; step 41 is for starting up, step 42 is for touch and click, step 43 is for inputting detection signals and registering, step 44 To calculate the touch force and coordinates, step 45 is to determine the key position, step 46 is no, and step 47 is to compare with the stored coordinates To determine the key position, step 48 is to determine the character or instruction or point.

The best way to implement the invention

Embodiment 1 is a miniature external input keyboard for a microcomputer or the like of the present utility model.

(As shown in Figure 1), its size is similar to ordinary playing cards. The surface of the touchpad 2 on the upper surface of the thin housing 1 is marked with various characters 3 and corresponding key positions (not all marked in Figure 1). The central body of most of these keys is raised and contains an elastic material. The touch pad is rectangular and is supported by four support members 5 with capacitive stress sensors 6 under each corner through the support portion 4. When the touchpad is touched by a finger or a pen tip, the stress signals generated by the four stress sensors are processed by a signal processing section inside the housing, which can be based on the sum of the stresses on the upper left and lower left corners and the upper right and lower right two The ratio of the sum of the stresses of the corners determines the lateral position of the point of application of the touch force, and the ratio of the sum of the stresses of the upper left and upper right corners to the sum of the stresses of the lower left and lower right corners determines the effect of the touch force The vertical position of the dot, and determine the character or information to be input. The character or information signal will be transmitted to the external host through the interface circuit and the external cable 12. When touch force

When the (sum of the four angular stresses) reaches or exceeds the effective value or input value, the display lamp 10 will emit light, and the acoustic signal generator will sound through the sound port 11. The device can display or input the character judged at this time. This input keyboard is provided with a button 8 such as a switch and a calibration button 9 and a calibration program. When the center reference point of a key position is pressed accurately and the calibration button is pressed simultaneously, the signal processing section will store the key center reference point according to the program. At this time, the measured position or calculated coordinates are used to compare, modify or replace the previously stored position or calculated coordinates. In this way, even if the measurement signal of the relevant sensor has a small deviation, the normal operation of the device can be guaranteed. The input keyboard has a smooth surface 7 at the lower left position of the touchpad. You can slide your fingertip on it to move the cursor or write input. According to Method II, you can specify that when the fingertip pressure instantly increases to a certain level, it means clicking The cursor or the character (word or word) can be recognized and displayed by the software after writing.

Embodiment 2 is a pocket computer (as shown in FIG. 2) of the device of the present utility model. The touch panel 2 is miniature and has various character keys 3 marked on it. Part), and also includes a signal measurement part and a signal processing part similar to Embodiment 1, as well as devices and circuits such as a liquid crystal display 13, a microprocessor, a memory, an interface, and several function buttons 8, a calibration button 9, and a display lamp 10 And audio port. The computer is smaller than an ordinary book, and the number of input keys on the touchpad is up to 60. However, according to the method III, the difference in finger pressure can be used to display or input certain uppercase or lowercase letters by pressing on the same key position, or Two or three different characters or instructions, suitable for one-handed operation, Easy to carry.

Embodiment 3 of the device of the present invention is another pocket computer (as shown in FIG. 3), the structure and function of which are similar to those of Embodiment 2, but the touchpad 2 used for input is close to a right-angled triangle (there are gaps on the hypotenuse), The three support members with sensors are located near the three corner ends. Its touchpad has 80 character graphics and a smooth surface (not shown on Figure 3).

Embodiment 4 of the device of the present invention is a compact handheld telephone (as shown in FIG. 4), which is provided with a miniature touchpad 2, a liquid crystal display 13, a button, an antenna 14, a receiver, a microphone, and a required receiving and transmitting element or line. , Microprocessor, memory, battery, etc., in addition to the keys on the touchpad surface are marked with larger and more prominent Arabic numerals, they are also marked with letters and other text input symbols and operating symbols, without the need for multiple characters to share a touch Location, so it ’s very convenient to use the phone to send text messages or go to the Internet. . ''

The above devices and methods need to determine the position of the touch point, that is, the calculated coordinates, according to the signals of the stress sensors. A specific way is described below:

As shown in FIG. 5, the X-axis Y-axis is set in the geometric plane where the touchpad is located, and the coordinates _Xl , _yi , x _{2 of} the supporting points F _t , F ₂ , F ₃ , and F ₄ are determined according to the positions of the supporting parts. , Y ₂ , x ₃ , y ₃ , x ₄ , y ₄ , and then according to the sum of the moments of the supporting forces relative to the ¥ axis (? ₁ ^ +? _{2 2} + ₃ + F ₄ x ₄ ) and relative to the X axis The sum of the moments (F _{i yi} + F ₂ y ₂ + F ₃ y ₃ + F ₄ y ₄ ) is equal to the moment of the resultant force (F _s x _s ) and (F _s y _s ), which can be calculated according to the following formula Coordinates (calculated coordinates) of the resultant point of action x _s , y _S :

F _s s ^ Fi x _x + F ₂ x ₂ + F ₃ x ₃ + F ₄ x ₄

F _s Ys = Fi y _x + F ₂ y ₂ + F ₃ y ₃ + F ₄ y ₄ ;

In this example, the touchpad is miniature and lightweight. Regardless of its weight, the coordinate of the above combined force point is the touch point coordinate. When there are less than or more than four support sites, similar calculations can still be performed.

The force or coordinate is not necessarily a mechanical value or a geometric value, and may be a corresponding signal or data. The left part of the dotted line in the circuit block diagram of FIG. 6 is suitable for the circuit of Embodiment 1, and the block diagram of FIG. 6 is generally suitable for the circuit of Embodiment 2.

The work flow of FIG. 7 is also applicable to the apparatuses of the foregoing embodiments.

The right side represents the adjustment or proofreading workflow of the above-mentioned device before or during shipment. Method II may or may not include this part of the process: The relevant parameters can be calculated according to the design parameters before leaving the factory. The calculated coordinates of the reference point 35 are stored; generally, the device or system is brought into the adjustment state by adjusting the button first, so that the display shows the symbol to be adjusted, the relevant storage address is opened, and then the reference point on the touchpad to be adjusted is pressed At this time, the processor will use the stress sensor signal measurement to calculate the range of the touch force value and calculate the coordinates of the reference point, and include them in the reference point calculation coordinate storage table for future use. The left side of Figure 7 is the information input workflow: After powering on, click the touchpad, input and register the sensor measurement signal or maximum value, and then calculate the touch force value or maximum value and the touch force calculation coordinates. If the touch is not In order to determine the key position, but to enter a figure or move the cursor, step 46 directly proceeds to step 48 to determine the input information, otherwise proceeds to step 47, and compares the calculated coordinates with the reference point stored in the list in step 36 to determine the key where the touch is located. Bits to further determine the characters or information or instructions entered. '

Embodiment 5 of the device of the present invention is a miniature telephone that can be worn on the wrist, which is similar to Embodiment 4, but has a much smaller volume. The casing of the device is provided with a wristband or a rack or rod connected to the wristband or other Structure or element

Embodiment 6 of the device of the present invention is a miniature telephone that can be worn around the neck, and the casing is provided with a necklace or a collar, or a ring or a hole or other connection structure or element '.

Industrial applications

The present invention utilizes a touch pad with raised key positions, an input device of corresponding signal lines, and a corresponding method, which can supplement or replace the existing keyboard input technology, and is more conducive to miniaturization of devices such as keyboards, mobile phones, notebook computers, and PDAs. , Can be widely used in the production and use of various products mentioned above.

Claims

Rights request

1. A device with a function of inputting character information, which is composed of a casing, a touch pad on the casing that accepts a touch by a touch object to input information, and a corresponding signal line part;

It is characterized by:

The at least two different positions on the inner side or near the edge of the touch pad are directly or indirectly supported by several support parts or support members to balance the touch force experienced by the touch pad;

If the supporting part or its supporting part or the part where the touch pad is supported is provided with or is itself a stress or strain sensor or a sensitive element; the sensor or sensitive element is capable of providing a reflection when the touch pad is touched A sensor or a sensitive element that continuously changes the signal of the stress on the location or part can be connected to the signal processing part of the signal line part of the device or the signal processing part of other external devices. The signal processing part can be Processing the measured quantity or ratio of the stress signals on the support parts or components, and determining information such as the position of the touch force acting on the touch panel or the calculated coordinates or the characters they represent;

The touchpad surface has a key position in different specific areas that are touched by a touch object in order to input different characters, and the combined point of the touch force is located in one of the key positions, and the device can input a certain type of character. The key or key group is convex, and the highest part of the raised part is higher than the surface at or near the boundary with the adjacent key or key group, or the surface of the adjacent key or key group. There is a gap formed by the depression.

2. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of key positions of the touch pad are marked by corresponding character graphics of characters that can be inputted by the touch pad.

3. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1, characterized in that the top of the convex portion of the key position of the touch panel is flat or has a concave or character-like surface or has a pattern Shaped or grid-like or dot-like rough surface or different shapes.

4. A device with character information input function according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the surface or inner layer or the lower layer or some parts of the touch pad or key position are provided with elastic materials or Elastic element.

5. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1, wherein the touch pad has a smooth surface suitable for a sliding touch of a touched object.

6. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1, characterized in that The signal line part includes:

A signal data acquisition section is used to collect the measurement values of each stress sensor, and a data processing section is used to calculate according to the measurement values of each stress sensor and the position or coordinates of each stress sensor obtained by the signal data acquisition section. Calculated coordinates of the force location or force action point of the touchpad, and determine the characters or information to be inputted accordingly.

7. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is provided with keys or knobs or key positions capable of performing correction or adjustment function operations. When the key position or position calculated or judged by the device is deviated, it is used to start and operate the calibration program, or used to adjust the signal of the stress sensor or signal measurement part.

8. A device having a character information input function according to claim 1, further comprising other keys or a keyboard or a touch pad or a non-convex key position.

9. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1, characterized in that when the magnitude of the touch force received by the touchpad or the one or some key positions is in several different ranges, input can be made Different messages or instructions or characters.

10. A device with a character information input function according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that the device has an acoustic signal or optical signal generator or a tactile vibration generator to prompt or express or reflect the touch panel The magnitude of the touch force or the key position or input information being touched is different.

11. A method with a character input function, including:

(i) Provide a touch pad with key positions corresponding to different characters on the surface, and at least two parts in the same position near the inner side or edge of the touch pad are directly or indirectly supported by several supporting parts or supporting members, Balance the touch force experienced by the touchpad;

Causing or supporting a number of said supporting parts or their supporting parts or touch pads with or being stress or strain sensors or sensitive elements;

(π) setting a signal data collection part for collecting measurement values of each stress sensor when the touch panel is touched, and setting a data processing part for each stress sensor obtained according to the signal data collection part The measured value and the position or coordinates of each stress sensor calculate the resultant force of each supporting force (considering the gravity of the touch pad). The calculated coordinate of the resulting force corresponding to the position of the point of action. Force calculation coordinates

(iii) pre-select a touchpad with the same or similar relative position in each key position Have obvious features or distinguishing meanings, or use marked points as key reference points;

(iv) Generate the reference coordinate calculation table of each key position in one of the following ways, that is, the storage table of the correspondence relationship between the key position and its reference point:

Calculate the calculated coordinates of each key reference point according to the design or manufacturing parameters, that is, design the contact force calculation coordinates and include them in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table, or

Make each key reference point receive a more accurate actual touch pressure one by one, and obtain the measured force calculated coordinates of each key reference point according to (ii), and include it in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table, or

If there is a difference between the measured contact force calculation coordinates and the design calculation coordinates at the same reference point, the measured contact force calculation coordinates can be used instead of the design calculation coordinates to be included in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table, or the later measured contact force calculation coordinates can be used instead. The original measured contact force calculation coordinates are included in the key reference point calculation coordinate storage table,.

Or calculate the calculated coordinates of the reference point of the key using the calculated contact force of other reference points near the reference point of a certain key position and store it, '

(V) When the touchpad is touched in the input situation, according to (ii) obtaining the coordinates of the touch force corresponding to the touch point, compare it with the calculated coordinates of the reference points of each key position stored in (iv) or judge Calculate, find the corresponding situation, if necessary, the nearest or most suitable reference point or points under the corresponding touch pressure, and if necessary, determine the touch point according to its proper orientation in the key position adjacent to it The key position or the corresponding input character or information or instruction.

12. A method with a character input function according to claim 11, wherein (iii) the reference position of the key position is a point located at a center of the key position, or a midpoint of a key position boundary or a dividing line segment or End points or inflection points, or points that are specifically marked.

13. A method with a character input function according to claim 11 or 12, wherein (V) when the touch pad is touched, calculate coordinates according to (ii) after obtaining a touch force corresponding to the touch point, and then The comparison and judgment with the calculated coordinates of each key position reference point of the storage table are performed in one of the following ways: When the selected key position reference point is the center position of the key position, the comparison judgment described in (V) means: from the reference point Find the coordinate distance between the touch point and the touch point in the calculation point of the reference point in the calculation coordinate storage table The closest (the sum of the absolute value of the coordinate difference or the smallest mean square error of the coordinate), the key position where the reference point is located is the key position where the touch point is located;

When the selected key reference point is the upper left or lower left or upper right or lower right corner of the key boundary or dividing line segment, the comparison and judgment described in (V) refers to: finding the location of the reference point from the calculated coordinates of the reference point in the storage The touch force calculation coordinate of the touch point is upper left or lower left or upper right or lower right and is closest to the touch force calculation coordinate of the touch point. The key position of the reference point or the reference point is lower right or upper right or lower left or upper left side. Touch the key where the point is located, '

When the selected key reference point is the left or right of the key position, or the midpoint of the upper or lower boundary or delimitation line segment, from the reference point calculation coordinates in the storage, find the touch force calculation coordinates located at the touch point left or right or Up or down and closest to the touch force calculation coordinates of the touch point, the key position of the reference point or the right or left or bottom or upper side of the reference point is the key position immediately, that is, the key position of the touch point,

When needed, the positions of several different reference points that are closest or closer to the coordinates of the touch point or the coordinates or the relative position of the touch point to the latter can also be used to calculate or determine the key position and Character or information or instruction represented.

14. The method with a character input function according to claim 11, further comprising:

Specifies that the maximum value of the touch force (or peak value of a single click touch force) for each touch of the touchpad is in different ranges or different specific information or instructions or characters that should be entered. When the touchpad is touched, When processing, the processor or signal processing section not only determines the key position to which the touch action point belongs, but also determines or first determines the touch force of the touch (corresponding to the sum of the support forces of the support parts of the touchpad minus the touchpad gravity) Or the range of the single-click touch force peak, and the input information or instructions or characters corresponding to the touch are determined according to the range of the touched key position and the maximum value of the touch force according to the above-mentioned relevant regulations,

15. The method with a character input function according to claim Γ4, further comprising: taking one of the following methods or Multiple prompts for users:

Provide a sound or sound device, and use it to emit sounds with different volumes or different tones or different tones or different rhythms,

Providing a vibration generating device, which uses the touchpad surface to generate vibrations of different sizes or different frequencies or rhythms, Provide an optical signal device, which uses it to emit light or display of different colors or different brightness or different graphics,

16. The method with a character input function according to claim 11 or 13, further comprising an operation method of calibrating or adjusting a key reference point of the storage table to calculate coordinates, comprising:

(i) Operate the function button or key position or otherwise make the system where the touchpad is located in the adjustment working state, and touch the reference point of the key position to be adjusted with or near the required touch force. If the system display shows characters or The labeling is consistent with the labeling of the key position or its reference point. The related program may include the calculated touch force coordinates or the measured key position reference point calculation coordinates in the key position reference point calculation coordinate storage table instead of the original calculated coordinates. , Or

17. A method having a character input function, including:

(i) providing a touch pad, at least two different positions near or inside the touch pad are directly or indirectly supported by several supporting parts or supporting members to balance the touch force experienced by the touch pad;

(ii) In the system where the touchpad is located, the corresponding or should be entered when the value of the touch force and its instantaneous peak value of the touchpad are in several different ranges, and when the position of the touched point is different or the coordinates of the touch force are different. Specific information or instructions or characters;

(iii) setting a signal data collection part for collecting measurement values of each stress sensor when the touch panel is touched, and setting up a data processing part for each stress sensor obtained according to the signal data collection part The measured value and the position or coordinate of each stress sensor are used to calculate the touch force value corresponding to the difference between the total force of the supporting force and the touch pad's gravity, or its instantaneous peak value, and the resultant force calculation coordinate corresponding to the position of the action point. The calculated coordinate is the balance with it. Touch force calculation coordinates corresponding to the position of the touch force action point; (iv) Calculate the coordinates according to the range of the touch force value of the touch or its instantaneous peak value, the position of the current touch point or the corresponding touch force, and determine the input information or instructions or characters corresponding to the touch in accordance with the provisions of (ii).

18. The method with a character input function according to claim 17, further comprising: adopting one or more of the following methods for the difference in the range of the touch force value or the range of the instantaneous peak value when touching. For tips:

19. An external keyboard, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a cordless device including a device having information input functions such as characters as described in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 Phone, remote control.