KR101768629B1 - Chopsticks-type pointing device and pointing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chopstick-type pointing device (10). The chopstick-type pointing device 10 according to the present invention includes a pair of pointing units 10a and 10b and sensor units 11 (11a and 11b) are disposed at the ends of the respective pointing units 10a and 10b And the position information is generated as the sensor parts 11a and 11b contact each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a chopstick type pointing device and a pointing system,

The present invention relates to a chopstick type pointing device and a pointing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chopstick type pointing device and a pointing system that can be used as a 3D input device of electronic equipment.

Recently, as the use of electronic equipment such as a computer, a notebook, and a smart phone has been expanded, researches on an input device or a pointing device in which a user can input information into electronic equipment have been accelerated.

1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional pointing device / input device. The mouse and joystick were mainly used as the conventional pointing devices. In recent years, input devices such as the Omos interface, the Nintendo Wii controller for recognizing the 3D coordinates, and the air mouse have been developed. An input device has been developed.

The mouse is based on the movement of the arm, and the movement of the finger is focused on the index finger. There is a risk of injury due to the concentration of movement on the wrist and some fingers, and there have been many improvements to improve it. However, there is a problem that can not be solved basically. Basically, it recognizes XY coordinates and is suitable for 2D, There was no problem.

The joystick is based on arms rather than hands. There is a risk of injury due to the concentration of movement on the wrist and thumb, and it is advantageous in simulating motion of an airplane or a car compared to a mouse, but it basically recognizes XY coordinates and is suitable for 2D, and 3D coordinates can not be immediately recognized.

The Omos interface is similar to a joystick in coordinate recognition for pointing. However, unlike a joystick, there is no movement of the hands, and the movement of the thumbs of both hands causes the finger movement to be insufficient.

The controller of the Nintendo Wii is based on the movement of the arms holding the pointing device in hand, and unlike other pointing devices, it basically recognizes the XYZ coordinates. However, the fingers are concentrated on some fingers such as the thumb, such as a mouse, and the finger movement is insufficient.

The air mouse can be pointed by arm and hand movements, and does not require much finger movement. Basically, it recognizes the XY coordinates and is suitable for 2D. In order to recognize the 3D coordinates, there is a problem that the accuracy of the vision and calculation time are required.

The stylus pen can only be used on the touchscreen and does not require finger movements based on the movement of the arms and hands.

The above-mentioned input devices / pointing devices have a structure in which only a specific finger (thumb, index finger) is used even when the device is operated with little finger movement, or depending on the arm movement or based on finger movement.

On the other hand, the interest in healthcare is being promoted while entering the aging society, and the prevention of dementia for healthy brain is attracting attention. Many of the devices that come in contact with electronic equipment for many hours in everyday life, and that simultaneously provide healthcare through electronic equipment, are being introduced.

The inventor of the present invention has developed a pointing device that can use finger movements that are difficult to expect in existing devices and can perform healthcare through finger movements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to activate a brain stimulation through finger movement while using a chopstick-type pointing device.

In addition, the present invention aims to prevent the dementia of the elderly people by using the chopstick-type pointing device and to educate the children about the use of the chopsticks

In addition, the present invention aims to utilize the present invention as a 3D input device in software.

The above object of the present invention is also achieved by a chopstick-like pointing device comprising a pair of pointing units, wherein a sensor section is disposed at an end of each of the pointing units and position information is generated as each of the sensor sections mutually contacts Lt; / RTI >

The sensor unit includes: a signal transmission unit for generating a contact signal; An elastic part including an elastic member; And a contact portion that provides a portion where each of the sensor portions comes into contact with each other and transmits a pressure due to the mutual contact of the sensor portion to the elastic portion.

The sensor unit includes: a signal transmission unit for generating a contact signal; A magnetic portion having a magnetic property of + or -; Wherein the magnetic portions of the respective pointing units are magnetized in mutually opposing directions, and when the contacting portions are in contact with each other, the attraction portions of the magnetic portions of the respective pointing units And can be electrically connected while contacting the signal transmission unit.

The sensor unit includes: a signal transmission electrode unit having a polarity opposite to that of the signal transmission electrode unit; And a spacer portion forming an interval between the signal transmitting electrode portion and the contact electrode portion, and a contact signal can be generated through a change in capacitance due to a change in distance between the signal transmitting electrode portion and the contact electrode portion.

The above object of the present invention can also be achieved by a chopstick-like pointing device comprising a pair of pointing units, a sensor unit disposed at an end of each of the pointing units, ; A terminal for receiving position information of the chopstick-type pointing device; And a display unit for displaying a software screen of the terminal and displaying a position of a pointer according to position information of the chopstick-type pointing device.

Wherein the movement of the chopstick-type pointing device in the X and Y directions is used to move the position of the pointer, and the movement of the chopstick-type pointing device in the Z direction is performed in the Z direction on the display portion of the pointer, Can be used to perform the input.

According to the present invention configured as above, there is an effect that the stimulation of the brain can be activated through the finger exercise while using the chopstick-type pointing device.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the dementia of the elderly people by using the chopstick-type pointing device, and to educate the children about the use of the chopsticks.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is utilized as a 3D input device in software.

1 is a diagram showing a conventional pointing device / input device.
2 is a schematic view of a system to which a chopstick-type pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
3 is a schematic view showing a chopstick-type pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 to 6 are views showing a sensor unit of a chopstick-type pointing device according to various embodiments of the present invention.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the use of an input device in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, embodiments. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views, and length and area, thickness, and the like may be exaggerated for convenience.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

2 is a schematic view of a system to which a chopstick-type pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 3 is a schematic view showing a chopstick-type pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a system to which the chopstick-type pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied may include a chopstick-type pointing device 10, a terminal 20, and a display 30.

The chopstick-type pointing device 10 is a device that can perform input and carry out pointing with the same discipline as the operation of chopsticking by the user. Here, the pointing can be understood as a concept similar to a mouse pointing, arrow, which allows a user to designate a target to be performed through display of electronic equipment. The user can perform input and pointing through the chopstick operation through the chopstick-type pointing device 10 without being limited by the space.

When the end points (sensor portions 11 (11a, 11b)) of the pair of chopstick type pointing devices 10 (10a, 10b) are in contact with each other by performing operations such as chopping, Information can be transmitted. When the chopstick-type pointing device 10 moves, the position information on the movement path of the pointing device is continuously transmitted to the terminal 20. When the end points of the chopstick-type pointing device 10 are in contact with each other, , Execution information according to the current pointing position, for example, execution information such as click of a mouse, touch on a touch screen / touch pad, enter of a keyboard, and the like can be transmitted.

The terminal 20 includes any electronic equipment having a display such as a computer, a notebook, a smart phone, a tablet, a PDA, a game machine, and the like. The terminal 20 may receive position information of the chopstick-type pointing device 10. The terminal 20 and the chopstick-type pointing device 10 can transmit and receive mutual information through a known wireless transmission / reception technology.

The display unit 30 displays a screen according to the software of the terminal 20 and can display the position of the moved pointer according to the position information of the chopstick-type pointing device 10. Alternatively, it may execute instructions to the software according to the execution information at the position of the moved pointer. The terminal 20 and the display unit 30 may not necessarily be separated from each other because some electronic equipment such as a smart phone has the terminal 20 and the display unit 30 integrated with each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, the chopstick-type pointing device 10 may include a pair of pointing units 10a and 10b. Each of the pointing units 10a and 10b may include a sensor unit 11 (11a and 11b), a position calculating unit 13, a control unit 15, a communication unit 17, and a power source unit 19.

The sensor unit 11 detects whether or not the two pointing units 10a and 10b contact each other when the end points of the two pointing units 10a and 10b contact each other due to the operation of chopsticks. The sensor unit 11 is preferably located at one end of the chopstick-type pointing device 10. The controller 15 and the communication unit 17 when a pair of the sensor units 11 are detected to be in contact with each other. The detailed configuration of the sensor unit 11 according to various embodiments will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The position calculating section 13 can calculate the position of the sensor section 11 and send it to the control section 15 when an operation start signal is received from the control section 15. [ The position calculation unit 13 may include an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a gyro sensor, a gravity sensor, or the like. The position calculating unit 13 may receive a plurality of reference position values through an initialization process before use.

The position calculating unit 13 can determine the position of the sensor unit 11 using an acceleration-angular velocity 6-axis sensor. The six-axis sensor calculates the moving distance and the moving direction from the reference position, for example, the position of the terminal 20, the position of the display unit 30, etc., and calculates the direction of the pointing unit 10a, 10b from the six- It is possible to calculate the position of the sensor unit 11 spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The acceleration-angular velocity 6-axis sensor calculates the coordinates (X1, Y1, Z1) of the chopstick motion and calculates the coordinate (X2, Y2, Z2) It can be calculated as a coordinate separated by a predetermined distance D in the vector direction. That is, the position of the chopstick-type pointing device 10 can be determined through two-step calculation. In addition to this, the position calculating section 13 may use a known technique for calculating the 3D position.

The control unit 15 may be connected to the sensor unit 11, the position calculation unit 13, and the communication unit 17 to control the respective functions. Receives the contact signal from the sensor unit 11 and sends it to the position calculating unit 13 to calculate the position of the end point of the pointing unit 10a or 10b (the position of the sensor unit 11) To the communication unit 17, and to cause the communication unit 17 to transmit the information to the terminal 20. When receiving the contact signal from the sensor unit 11, it is possible to transmit to the terminal 20 information about the execution of the operation related to the pointing position or the execution of the operation according to the simple button input. In addition, the chopstick-type pointing device 10 may continuously transmit an operation start signal to the position calculating unit 13 so that the chopstick-type pointing device 10 can sense a continuous pointing signal along a path moving in the normal space. In addition, an operation start signal may be intermittently performed to detect only a signal related to a simple execution.

The power supply unit 19 supplies power to each element of the chopstick-type pointing device 10. The power source unit 19 may be provided with a replaceable battery or may be configured to be able to be charged through a separate charging terminal by inserting the integral battery.

4 to 6 are views showing a sensor unit of a chopstick-type pointing device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

4, the sensor unit 11 according to the first embodiment may include the signal transmission units 21 and 26, the elastic units 22 and 27, and the contact units 23 and 28.

The signal transmission parts 21 and 26 can send a contact signal to the control part 15 when receiving pressure from the elastic parts 22 and 27.

The elastic portions 22 and 27 may be composed of elastic members such as a spring, a pressure switch, and the like. When the elastic parts 22 and 27 are pressed under pressure like a mouse, a clicking sound may be generated to inform that the input is normally performed. In FIG. 4, two elastic portions 22 and 27 are shown mounted on the sensor portions 11a and 11b, but a larger number of the elastic portions 22 and 27 may be mounted in more directions to easily detect the contact. In this case, the number of the contact portions 23, 28 connected to the elastic portions 22, 27 can also be increased equally.

The contact portions 23 and 28 are portions that substantially touch the pointing units 10a and 10b to each other. When the user performs chopsticking, the touching units 10 and 10 can be pressed in contact with each other as if the mouse button is clicked. The contact portions 23 and 28 constitute the outer shape of the sensor portion 11 and may have a spherical shape to facilitate mutual contact, but are not limited thereto.

When the contact portions 23 and 28 are pressed against each other, they press the elastic portions 22 and 27 so that the signal transmission portions 21 and 26 can generate contact signals. When the pressure is released, the elastic portions 22 and 27 are returned to their original positions by the elastic force, and a signal indicating that the contact is released can be generated.

5, the sensor unit 11 according to the second embodiment may include the signal transmission units 31 and 36, the magnetic units 32 and 37, and the contact units 33 and 38.

When the magnetic portions 32 and 37 contact the inner wall surfaces of the signal transmission portions 31 and 36, the signal transmission portions 31 and 36 are electrically connected to each other to generate a contact signal To the control unit 15.

The magnetic portions 32 and 37 may be constituted by magnets magnetized with + and -, respectively. It is preferable that the magnetic portions 32 and 37 have magnetism opposite to each other so that the magnetic portions 32 and 37 have attractive force. As shown in FIG. 5B, the magnetic portions 32 and 37 are arranged such that when the pointing units 10a and 10b are in contact with each other (when the contact portions 33 and 38 are in contact with each other), the signal transmitting portion 31- A magnetic portion 32, a magnetic portion 37, and a signal transfer portion 36 so as to generate a contact signal.

The contact portions 33 and 38 are portions in which the pointing units 10a and 10b substantially abut against each other and can contact each other when the user performs chopsticks. When the contact portions 33 and 38 are brought close to each other, the inner magnetic portions 32 and 37 come close to each other and come into contact with the inside of the signal transmitting portions 31 and 36, Lt; / RTI > The generated contact signal can be sent to the controller 15.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sensor unit 11 according to the third embodiment may include signal transmitting electrode units 41 and 46, spacer units 42 and 47, and contact electrode units 43 and 48.

The signal transmitting electrode portions 41 and 46 may be positive or negative electrodes and generate a contact signal according to the change in capacitance according to the intervals d1 and d2 with the contact electrode portions 43 and 48, . It is preferable that the signal transmission electrode portions 41 and 46 have opposite polarities.

The spacers 42 and 47 form the spacing d1 and d2 between the signal transmitting electrode portions 41 and 46 and the contact electrode portions 43 and 48 and are made of an elastic material ≪ / RTI >

The contact electrode portions 43 and 48 are portions that substantially act to bring the pointing units 10a and 10b into contact with each other and can be pressed in contact with each other when the user performs chopping. 6 (b), when the spacer portions 42 and 47 are pressed by the pressure, the distance between the signal transmitting electrode portions 41 and 46 and the contact electrode portions 43 and 48 becomes d1 -> d2 Can be reduced. As a result, the capacitances existing in the buffer portions 42 and 47 can be changed in the portion where the pressure is applied, and the charging or discharging occurs in the portion where the pressure is applied according to the change of the capacitance, 41, and 46 in response to a predetermined current.

(A is the area of the electrode, d is the distance between the electrodes), and the distance between the electrodes is d1 (the distance between the electrodes as the spacer portions 42 and 47 are expanded and contracted) < - > d2. The contact signal can be generated at the signal transfer electrode units 41 and 46 by changing the current according to the change of the capacitance. In addition, since the interval between the contact electrode portions 43 and 48 and the signal transmitting electrode portions 41 and 46 can be changed according to the pressing force of the contact electrode portions 43 and 48, various execution information according to the force may be generated.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the use of an input device in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 7, 3D software is executed on the display unit 30. Fig. Actually, the screen of the display unit 30 is a 2D screen composed of XY planes, but it can be displayed in 3D by imagining that there are more Z-axes in the screen. When the user grasps the pointing device 10 and moves from left to right, the chopsticks in the display unit 30 can move in the same direction (1? 2). When the user grasps the pointing device 10 and performs the operation of chopping the chopsticks, it is possible to catch the object 3 (e.g., beans, beads, etc.) You can also pick up and move it.

Referring to FIG. 8, it is also possible to move the mouse pointer 5 on the display unit 30. FIG. The user can move the mouse pointer 5 only by holding the pointing device 10 and moving it in the XYZ direction in the space. Since the display unit 30 is a 2D screen composed of an XY plane, the mouse pointer 5 may be moved by reflecting only the operation of the pointing device 10 in the X and Y directions.

Also, various programs 6 (6a, 6b, 6c) can be driven on the display unit 30. [ The pointing device 10 can input not only the XY direction input but also the Z direction. When the pointing device 10 moves in the Z direction, the pointing device 10 can be set to perform a specific input method on the display unit 30. [ Generally, in order to switch from a window to another program, it is possible to utilize the keyboard Alt + Tab, window key + Tab, etc., and moving the pointing device 10 in the Z direction can be set to replace such a function. For example, when the user moves the pointing device 10 in the XY direction, the mouse pointer 5 can be moved, and when the pointing device 10 is moved in the Z direction, various programs 6 (6a, 6b, 6c) Can be seen in a line. At this time, the chopper operation can be performed to select and execute the specific program 6. In addition, movement of the pointing device 10 in the Z direction may be set to perform various functions such as screen enlargement / reduction, clicking, touch, and the like.

As described above, the chopstick-type pointing device 10 of the present invention can activate pointing or inputting information as the user performs chopsticking, thereby activating the brain stimulation through finger movement. Especially, since the daily electronic equipment is used through the chopsticks that are known to help prevent dementia, the frequency of use of the chopsticks can be increased, and thus a virtuous cycle such as activation of brain stimulation and prevention of dementia can be achieved.

In addition, infants and children can use chopstick-type pointing devices to practice chopsticks while using games, software, and apps to naturally achieve chopsticks education.

In recent years, there is an increasing tendency to provide a 3D format for software in a monitor. It is not easy to execute a specific command in a screen configuration arranged in a three-dimensional manner using a conventional mouse. The chopstick-type pointing device of the present invention can be used as a 3D input device by executing a command in a manner that picks up a specific software in a screen configuration arranged in a three-dimensional arrangement, similar to an operation of picking up food by chopsticks There is an effect that can be.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken in conjunction with the present invention. Variations and changes are possible. Such variations and modifications are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.

10: Chopstick type pointing device
11:
13:
15:
17:
19: Power supply
20:
21, 26, 31, 36:
22, 27:
23, 28, 33, 38:
30:
32, 37:
41, 46: signal transmission electrode part
42 and 47:
43, 48: contact electrode part

Claims (6)

Comprising a pair of pointing units,
The pointing unit includes:
A sensor unit disposed at an end of the pointing unit and sensing whether the end points of the pair of pointing units are in contact with each other; And
A position calculating unit for calculating a position of the sensor unit,
/ RTI >
(1) When a pair of pointing units performs a chopping operation and each of the sensor units is in contact with each other, position information is generated,
(2) when the pointing unit moves, position information on the movement path is continuously generated, and a chopping operation is performed with the pair of pointing units, thereby generating execution information according to the pointing position,
Chopstick type pointing device. The method according to claim 1,
The sensor unit includes:
A signal transmitter for generating a contact signal;
An elastic part including an elastic member; And
And a contact portion for transmitting the pressure due to the mutual contact of the sensor portion to the elastic portion,
And a chopstick-type pointing device. The method according to claim 1,
The sensor unit includes:
A signal transmission unit for generating a contact signal;
A magnetic portion having a magnetic property of + or -;
And a contact portion
/ RTI >
Wherein the magnetic portions of the respective pointing units are magnetized in opposite directions,
Wherein when said contact portions are in contact with each other, attraction of said magnetic portions of said respective said pointing units is electrically connected to each other by contacting with said signal transmitting portion. The method according to claim 1,
The sensor unit includes:
A signal transmitting electrode portion and a contact electrode portion having mutually opposite polarities; And
And a spacer portion which forms an interval between the signal transmission electrode portion and the contact electrode portion,
/ RTI >
And generates a contact signal through a change in capacitance caused by a change in the interval between the signal transmission electrode unit and the contact electrode unit. A chopstick type pointing device including a pair of pointing units;
A terminal for receiving position information of the chopstick-type pointing device; And
A display unit for displaying a software screen of the terminal and displaying a position of a pointer according to position information of the chopstick-type pointing device;
Lt; / RTI >
The pointing unit includes:
A sensor unit disposed at an end of the pointing unit and sensing whether the end points of the pair of pointing units are in contact with each other; And
A position calculating unit for calculating a position of the sensor unit,
/ RTI >
(1) When a pair of pointing units performs a chopping operation and each of the sensor units is in contact with each other, position information on the 3D is generated,
(2) when the pointing unit moves, position information on the movement path is continuously generated, and a chopping operation is performed with the pair of pointing units, thereby generating execution information according to the pointing position,
Chopstick type pointing system. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the movement of the chopstick-type pointing device in the X and Y directions is used to move the position of the pointer, and the movement of the chopstick-type pointing device in the Z direction is performed in the Z direction on the display portion of the pointer, A chopstick type pointing system used to perform input.

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