WO2009139532A1 - Multi-key input method and device using touchpad and magnetic sensor - Google Patents

Multi-key input method and device using touchpad and magnetic sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009139532A1
WO2009139532A1 PCT/KR2008/007565 KR2008007565W WO2009139532A1 WO 2009139532 A1 WO2009139532 A1 WO 2009139532A1 KR 2008007565 W KR2008007565 W KR 2008007565W WO 2009139532 A1 WO2009139532 A1 WO 2009139532A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
key
magnetic sensor
key input
touchpad
touch
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2008/007565
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chang Seop Han
Original Assignee
Chang Seop Han
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chang Seop Han filed Critical Chang Seop Han
Publication of WO2009139532A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009139532A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G06F3/021—Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
    • G06F3/0213—Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03545—Pens or stylus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/046—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by electromagnetic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04886—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-key input method and device using a magnetic sensor device and touch pens, each having a magnet attached thereto, in an existing touchpad device,
  • FIG. 1 An input device using an Existing touchpad-screen, an Existing small-sized touchpad device and a switch device (FIG. 1) [10]
  • This input device has a similar configuration as that of the present invention, and is configured to perform additional input using a general push switch, but not to perform input using the two touch pens.
  • This touchpad type keyboard is a touchpad enabling multi-key input and adopts a method of performing typewriting using both hands like a general standard PC- compatible keyboard.
  • This touchpad type keyboard has a big size and is inconvenient to carry on.
  • This input device adopts a method of pressing a small-sized button keyboard using only several fingers.
  • the input device is compatible with a standard PC-compatible keyboard, but is inconvenient to use when a user s hands are big.
  • This keyboard input device is an input device for a small-sized terminal, and it does not include an additional input device other than a touchpad-screen and has a reduced number of keyboards itself.
  • the keyboard input device is implemented to perform additional input through preset another operation of a touchpad-screen and to perform input using a touch pen. This keyboard input device may be inconvenient for persons who are not accustomed to a standard keyboard.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a multi- key input method and device using a magnetic sensor device and touch pens, each having a magnet attached thereto, in an existing touchpad device,
  • respective magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) of the magnetic sensor device is set to a key value
  • small- sized magnetic sensor device is disposed on a rear surface of a plate in which a keyboard is displayed, separately from an existing touchpad device.
  • each of light-emitting element units indicates ON/OFF status of a key which is set in each of magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect).
  • light-emitting element units and magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) are disposed in the magnetic sensor device.
  • a transparent window is disposed in the keyboard display plate so that light of the light-emitting element can be viewed on the keyboard display plate.
  • the transparent window may adopt a method using empty space, a transparent window, or a colorful window.
  • Each of two touch pens includes
  • a pen-tip for applying pressure to a touchpad [35] , a flexible joint portion, a restoring spring device
  • the magnet configured to enable simultaneous operation of two or more magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) for key input.
  • the touchpad is configured to detect a key value using an input touch method and, at the same time, detect values of respective keys by detecting an external intensity of a magnetic field using the respective magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) in a contact less manner and a non-pressure manner, does a merging of an output key value of the touchpad and output key values of the magnetic sensor device, thus producing multi- key input data.
  • the present invention can perform not only an individual key input function, but also a multi-key input function. Further, The present invention can compatibly operate with a multi-key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands according to the arrangement of a keyboard
  • the present invention is advantageous in that it enables small-sized accurate input because key input is performed using only touch pens and enables faster key input when using only one touch pen because two touch pens are used.
  • the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) is advantageous in that it can prevent malfunction due to external physical contact of a small-sized terminal, has less breakage and failure because it has almost no mechanical movement and is not exposed to the outside.
  • the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) can use input space efficiently even when general button switches and magnetic sensor units are used together.
  • the present invention relates to
  • FIG. 1 shows An input device using an Existing touchpad-screen, an Existing small- sized touchpad device and a switch device;
  • FIG. 2 shows an existing touchpad type keyboard;
  • FIG. 3 shows an input device using an existing small-sized button keyboard
  • FIG. 4 shows an existing reduced keyboard input device
  • FIG. 5 shows an input device according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a magnetic sensor unit according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is block diagram of a merging of key values according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of multi-key input according to the present invention
  • FIG. 9 shows a structure of a touch pen according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a portable multi-functional input device, which can prevent the malfunction of a touchpad due to other input devices disposed near the touchpad.
  • [73] 7 Magnet configured to include several kinds of magnets that can be changed according to use environment and also permit operation of two or more magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect).
  • [74] 8 A pen-tip for touchpad input of the touch pen, which enables accurate key input while touching the touchpad.
  • [75] 9 Keyboard display of a touchpad
  • [88] 22 Joint portion of the touch pen, including a restoring spring device disposed in a flexible joint portion of the touch pen, wherein, if external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion returns to its original shape.
  • 23 Magnet configured to include several kinds of magnets that can be changed according to use environment, and the magnet can drive two or more magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) simultaneously.
  • 24 A pen-tip for touchpad input of the touch pen, which enables accurate key input while touching the touchpad.
  • 25 General button type input device
  • a small-sized magnetic sensor device is disposed on a rear surface of a plate in which a keyboard is displayed, separately from an existing touchpad.
  • each of light-emitting element units indicates ON/OFF status of a key which is set in each of magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect).
  • light-emitting element units and magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) are disposed in the magnetic sensor device.
  • a transparent window is disposed in the keyboard display plate so that light of the light-emitting element can be viewed on the keyboard display plate.
  • the transparent window may adopt a method using empty space, a transparent window, or a colorful window.
  • Each of two touch pens includes [104] a pen-tip for applying pressure to a touchpad [105] , a flexible joint portion, a restoring spring device [106] , and more than one magnet attached on an upper portion of the pen-tip [107] that the magnet configured to enable simultaneous operation of two or more magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) for key input. [108] If external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion of the touch pen returns to its original shape so that accurate touchpad input is possible. [109] [HO]
  • the touchpad is configured to detect a key value using an input touch method and, at the same time, detect values of respective keys by detecting an external intensity of a magnetic field using the respective magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) in a contact less manner and a non-pressure manner, does a merging of an output key value of the touchpad and output key values of the magnetic sensor device, thus producing multi- key input data.
  • the microcontroller decides a key value, mapped to the touchpad coordinates, based on the received-dimensional coordinate information and, at the same time,, performs A/D conversion of an output voltage of each of the magnetic sensor units, and checks the resulting A/D converted value. If, as a result of the check, the A/ D converted value is higher than a predetermined value, the microcontroller determines that a key has been pressed.
  • the microcontroller updates status information data of the magnetic sensor units.
  • the microcontroller If there is no input from the touchpad, the microcontroller performs a multi-key input function based on only status information data of the magnetic sensor units.
  • the present invention can perform not only an individual key input function, but also a multi-key input function. Further, The present invention can compatibly operate with a multi-key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands according to the arrangement of a keyboard
  • toggle key caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, insert, language conversion key
  • combination key alt, tab, shift, Ctrl, windows key
  • [126] are arranged in the magnetic sensor device ).
  • the present invention is advantageous in that it enables small-sized accurate input because key input is performed using only touch pens and enables faster key input when using only one touch pen because two touch pens are used.
  • the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) is advantageous in that it can prevent malfunction due to external physical contact of a small-sized terminal, has less breakage and failure because it has almost no mechanical movement and is not exposed to the outside.
  • the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) can use input space efficiently even when general button switches and magnetic sensor units are used together.
  • the present invention can generally find applications in small-sized portable terminal devices, such as small-sized notebook computers, PDAs, mobile phones, and small- sized keyboard terminals. Further, The present invention can support an existing multi- key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands. Accordingly, The present invention can function as an ultra-small-sized keyboard input device according to the tendency of gradually small-sized PCs.
  • small-sized portable terminal devices such as small-sized notebook computers, PDAs, mobile phones, and small- sized keyboard terminals.
  • the present invention can support an existing multi- key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands. Accordingly, The present invention can function as an ultra-small-sized keyboard input device according to the tendency of gradually small-sized PCs.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-key input method and device using a magnetic sensor device and touch pens. The multi-key input device is capable of performing multi-key input through a pressing of a touchpad with fingers and detecting a magnetic sensor units with a two touch pens having a magnet at the same time.

Description

Description
MULTI-KEY INPUT METHOD AND DEVICE USING TOUCHPAD AND MAGNETIC SENSOR
Technical Field
[I] The present invention relates to a multi-key input method and device using a magnetic sensor device and touch pens, each having a magnet attached thereto, in an existing touchpad device,
[2] and more particularly, to a method and device,
[3] which is capable of performing multi-key Input through a merging of an output key value of an existing touchpad device and output key values of a magnetic sensor device [4] in such a manner that a contact input unit of the touchpad device is divided into regions and each region is set to a key value [5] , respective magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) of the magnetic sensor device is set to a key value [6] , and so that both key inputs of the touchpad device and the magnetic sensor device can be performed at same time using two touch pens and each pen having a magnet. [7]
Background Art
[8] Today, things having a similar configuration are as follows.
[9] 1. An input device using an Existing touchpad-screen, an Existing small-sized touchpad device and a switch device (FIG. 1) [10] This input device has a similar configuration as that of the present invention, and is configured to perform additional input using a general push switch, but not to perform input using the two touch pens.
[I I] 2. Existing touchpad type keyboard (FIG. 2)
[12] This touchpad type keyboard is a touchpad enabling multi-key input and adopts a method of performing typewriting using both hands like a general standard PC- compatible keyboard. This touchpad type keyboard has a big size and is inconvenient to carry on.
[13] 3. An input device using an existing small-sized button keyboard (FIG. 3)
[14] This input device adopts a method of pressing a small-sized button keyboard using only several fingers. The input device is compatible with a standard PC-compatible keyboard, but is inconvenient to use when a user s hands are big.
[15] 4. An existing reduced keyboard input device (FIG. 4)
[16] This keyboard input device is an input device for a small-sized terminal, and it does not include an additional input device other than a touchpad-screen and has a reduced number of keyboards itself. The keyboard input device is implemented to perform additional input through preset another operation of a touchpad-screen and to perform input using a touch pen. This keyboard input device may be inconvenient for persons who are not accustomed to a standard keyboard. [17]
Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
[18] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi- key input method and device using a magnetic sensor device and touch pens, each having a magnet attached thereto, in an existing touchpad device,
[19] and more particularly, to a method and device,
[20] which is capable of performing multi-key Input through a merging of an output key value of an existing touchpad device and output key values of a magnetic sensor device
[21] in such a manner that a contact input unit of the touchpad device is divided into regions and each region is set to a key value
[22] , respective magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) of the magnetic sensor device is set to a key value
[23] , and so that both key inputs of the touchpad device and the magnetic sensor device can be performed at same time using two touch pens and each pen having a magnet.
[24]
Technical Solution
[25] To achieve the above object,
[26] according to the present invention,
[27] small- sized magnetic sensor device is disposed on a rear surface of a plate in which a keyboard is displayed, separately from an existing touchpad device. [28] each of light-emitting element units indicates ON/OFF status of a key which is set in each of magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect). [29] light-emitting element units and magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) are disposed in the magnetic sensor device. [30] A transparent window is disposed in the keyboard display plate so that light of the light-emitting element can be viewed on the keyboard display plate. [31] Further, the transparent window may adopt a method using empty space, a transparent window, or a colorful window. [32]
[33] Each of two touch pens includes
[34] a pen-tip for applying pressure to a touchpad [35] , a flexible joint portion, a restoring spring device
[36] , and more than one magnet attached on an upper portion of the pen-tip
[37] that the magnet configured to enable simultaneous operation of two or more magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) for key input.
[38] If external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion of the touch pen returns to its original shape so that accurate touchpad input is possible.
[39]
[40] The touchpad is configured to detect a key value using an input touch method and, at the same time, detect values of respective keys by detecting an external intensity of a magnetic field using the respective magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) in a contact less manner and a non-pressure manner, does a merging of an output key value of the touchpad and output key values of the magnetic sensor device, thus producing multi- key input data.
[41] The present invention can perform not only an individual key input function, but also a multi-key input function. Further, The present invention can compatibly operate with a multi-key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands according to the arrangement of a keyboard
[42] ( user definable key, toggle key, combination key are arranged in the magnetic sensor device ).
[43] Accordingly, The present invention is advantageous in that it enables small-sized accurate input because key input is performed using only touch pens and enables faster key input when using only one touch pen because two touch pens are used. Further, the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) is advantageous in that it can prevent malfunction due to external physical contact of a small-sized terminal, has less breakage and failure because it has almost no mechanical movement and is not exposed to the outside. Moreover, the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) can use input space efficiently even when general button switches and magnetic sensor units are used together.
[44]
Advantageous Effects
[45] The present invention relates to
[46] a multi-key input method and device using a magnetic sensor device and touch pens, each having a magnet attached thereto, in an existing touchpad device, [47] and more particularly, to a method and device,
[48] which is capable of performing multi-key Input through a merging of an output key value of an existing touchpad device [49] and output key values of a magnetic sensor device [50] in such a manner that a contact input unit of the touchpad device is divided into regions and each region is set to a key value [51] , respective magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) of the magnetic sensor device is set to a key value [52] , and so that both key inputs of the touchpad device and the magnetic sensor device can be performed at same time using two touch pens and each pen having a magnet. [53]
Brief Description of the Drawings [54] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[55] FIG. 1 shows An input device using an Existing touchpad-screen, an Existing small- sized touchpad device and a switch device; [56] FIG. 2 shows an existing touchpad type keyboard;
[57] FIG. 3 shows an input device using an existing small-sized button keyboard;
[58] FIG. 4 shows an existing reduced keyboard input device;
[59] FIG. 5 shows an input device according to the present invention;
[60] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a magnetic sensor unit according to the present invention; [61] FIG. 7 is block diagram of a merging of key values according to the present invention;
[62] FIG. 8 shows an example of multi-key input according to the present invention;
[63] FIG. 9 shows a structure of a touch pen according to the present invention;
[64] FIG. 10 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a portable multi-functional input device, which can prevent the malfunction of a touchpad due to other input devices disposed near the touchpad. [65]
[66] <Description of reference numerals of principal elements in the drawings>
[67] 1: Magnetic sensor device
[68] 2: Plate for displaying a keyboard for magnetic sensor device -> multi-usage key
[69] 3: Plate configured to display a keyboard for magnetic sensor device and have key arrangement ( user definable key, toggle key, combination key are arranged in the magnetic sensor device ) for standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) [70] 4: Handle of a touch pen
[71] 5: Joint portion of the touch pen, including a restoring spring device disposed in a flexible joint portion of the touch pen, wherein, if external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion returns to its original shape. [72] 6: Shows that the touch pen can be bent as a drawing.
[73] 7: Magnet configured to include several kinds of magnets that can be changed according to use environment and also permit operation of two or more magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect). [74] 8: A pen-tip for touchpad input of the touch pen, which enables accurate key input while touching the touchpad. [75] 9: Keyboard display of a touchpad
[76] 10: touchpad device
[77] 11 : Transparent window in Plate for displaying the keyboard for the magnetic sensor device, wherein the transparent window is treated as empty space, a transparent window ,or a colorful window. [78] 12: A Light-emitting element unit
[79] 13: Magnetic sensor unit(the Hall effect)
[80] 14: Plate for displaying the keyboard for the magnetic sensor device
[81] 15: keyboard Display for the magnetic sensor device
[82] 16: Shows that the "Enter" key is input in a pressure manner in the touchpad
[83] 17: Touchpad device
[84] 18: Magnetic sensor device
[85] 19: Shows that the "Alt" + "Ctrl" key is input in a contact less manner and a non- pressure manner in the magnetic sensor device [86] 20: Shows that a multi-key "Alt + "Ctrl + "Enter is input in the device of the present invention
[87] 21: Handle of the touch pen
[88] 22: Joint portion of the touch pen, including a restoring spring device disposed in a flexible joint portion of the touch pen, wherein, if external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion returns to its original shape. [89] 23: Magnet configured to include several kinds of magnets that can be changed according to use environment, and the magnet can drive two or more magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) simultaneously. [90] 24: A pen-tip for touchpad input of the touch pen, which enables accurate key input while touching the touchpad. [91] 25: General button type input device
[92] 26: Joystick type input device
[93] 27: Handle
[94] 28: Input device of the present invention
[95]
Mode for the Invention [96] The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [97] According to the present invention, a small-sized magnetic sensor device is disposed on a rear surface of a plate in which a keyboard is displayed, separately from an existing touchpad. [98] each of light-emitting element units indicates ON/OFF status of a key which is set in each of magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect). [99] light-emitting element units and magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) are disposed in the magnetic sensor device. [100] A transparent window is disposed in the keyboard display plate so that light of the light-emitting element can be viewed on the keyboard display plate. [101] Further, the transparent window may adopt a method using empty space, a transparent window, or a colorful window. [102]
[103] Each of two touch pens includes [104] a pen-tip for applying pressure to a touchpad [105] , a flexible joint portion, a restoring spring device [106] , and more than one magnet attached on an upper portion of the pen-tip [107] that the magnet configured to enable simultaneous operation of two or more magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect) for key input. [108] If external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion of the touch pen returns to its original shape so that accurate touchpad input is possible. [109] [HO]
[111] A method of recognizing the pressing of a key in the magnetic sensor unit (the Hall effect) is described below.
[112] If an external magnet approaches a hall element of the magnetic sensor unit (the Hall effect), a magnetic flux of the hall element is changed, and voltage in the hall element of the magnetic sensor unit is changed. The magnetic sensor unit detects such change in the voltage. If, as a result of the detection, the voltage is higher than a predetermined value, it is recognized that a key has been pressed. Accordingly, respective magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) can function as respective key switches.
[H3]
[114]
[115] The touchpad is configured to detect a key value using an input touch method and, at the same time, detect values of respective keys by detecting an external intensity of a magnetic field using the respective magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) in a contact less manner and a non-pressure manner, does a merging of an output key value of the touchpad and output key values of the magnetic sensor device, thus producing multi- key input data.
[116]
[117] The terminology "merging of output key values" is described in detail in connection with an embodiment. If an existing touchpad device transmits two-dimensional coordinate information about a position to which external pressure has been applied to a microcontroller, the microcontroller decides a key value, mapped to the touchpad coordinates, based on the received-dimensional coordinate information and, at the same time,, performs A/D conversion of an output voltage of each of the magnetic sensor units, and checks the resulting A/D converted value. If, as a result of the check, the A/ D converted value is higher than a predetermined value, the microcontroller determines that a key has been pressed.
[118] As described above, the microcontroller updates status information data of the magnetic sensor units.
[119] It producing multi-key input data through a merging of a key value, mapped to the touchpad, and status information data of the magnetic sensor units (FIG. 7).
[120] If there is no input from the touchpad, the microcontroller performs a multi-key input function based on only status information data of the magnetic sensor units.
[121]
[122] The present invention can perform not only an individual key input function, but also a multi-key input function. Further, The present invention can compatibly operate with a multi-key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands according to the arrangement of a keyboard
[123] ( user definable key: user definable key for multi-usage
[124] , toggle key: caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, insert, language conversion key
[125] , combination key: alt, tab, shift, Ctrl, windows key
[126] are arranged in the magnetic sensor device ).
[127] Accordingly, The present invention is advantageous in that it enables small-sized accurate input because key input is performed using only touch pens and enables faster key input when using only one touch pen because two touch pens are used. Further, the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) is advantageous in that it can prevent malfunction due to external physical contact of a small-sized terminal, has less breakage and failure because it has almost no mechanical movement and is not exposed to the outside. Moreover, the key input device using the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) can use input space efficiently even when general button switches and magnetic sensor units are used together.
[128] Industrial Applicability
[129] The present invention can generally find applications in small-sized portable terminal devices, such as small-sized notebook computers, PDAs, mobile phones, and small- sized keyboard terminals. Further, The present invention can support an existing multi- key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands. Accordingly, The present invention can function as an ultra-small-sized keyboard input device according to the tendency of gradually small-sized PCs.
[130]

Claims

Claims
[1] A multi-key input device using magnetic sensor device and touch pens, each having a magnet attached thereto, in an existing touchpad device, the multi-key input device comprising: a small-sized magnetic sensor device is disposed on a rear surface of a plate for displaying a keyboard separately from an existing touchpad device (FIG. 6); two touch pens, each having a pen-tip for applying pressure to the touchpad and at least one magnet for enabling operation of two or more magnetic sensor units
(the Hall effect), thereby enabling key input (FIG. 8); the touchpad device configured to detect a key value using an input touch method and, at the same time, the magnetic sensor device configured to detect values of respective keys by detecting an external intensity of a magnetic field using the respective magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) in a contact less manner and a non-pressure manner, does a merging of an output key value of the touchpad device and output key values of the magnetic sensor device, thereby being capable of performing both an individual key input function and a multi-key input function.
[2] The multi-key input device as claimed claim 1, wherein the magnet is attached to an upper portion of a pen-tip of each of the touch pens, and each of the touch pens has a flexible joint portion (FIG. 9).
[3] The multi-key input device as claimed claim 1, wherein the multi-key input device is configured to compatibly operate with a multi-key input method of a standard PC-compatible keyboard (XT, AT) using both hands depending on an arrangement of a keyboard
( user definable key: user definable key for multi-usage , toggle key: caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, insert, language conversion key , combination key: alt, tab, shift, Ctrl, windows key are arranged in the magnetic sensor device ) (FIG. 5).
[4] The multi-key input device as claimed claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor device further comprises: the magnetic sensor device has the magnetic sensor units (the Hall effect) driven by the magnets of the touch pens and light-emitting element units (FIG. 6) ,and each of light-emitting element units indicates ON/OFF status of a key which is set in each of magnetic sensor units(the Hall effect). [5] The multi-key input device as claimed claim 2, wherein a restoring spring device is disposed in the flexible joint portion of the touch pen, wherein, if external force is not applied to the touch pen, the joint portion returns to its original shape.
PCT/KR2008/007565 2008-05-10 2008-12-20 Multi-key input method and device using touchpad and magnetic sensor WO2009139532A1 (en)

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JPH07319607A (en) * 1994-05-23 1995-12-08 Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> Touch pad with dual sensor
JP2000172447A (en) * 1998-12-01 2000-06-23 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Coordinate input device
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WO2004070396A2 (en) * 2003-02-10 2004-08-19 N-Trig Ltd. Touch detection for a digitizer
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107390901A (en) * 2013-05-10 2017-11-24 罗天成 A kind of Novel electronic pen and intelligent terminal

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