WO2008091122A1

WO2008091122A1 - Automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse and automatic scrolling method using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008091122A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myeong Ho Kim
Original assignee: ISV Co Ltd
Current assignee: ISV Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-27
Filing date: 2008-01-25
Publication date: 2008-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-27
Also published as: KR20080070786A

Abstract

Disclosed herein are an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse and an automatic scrolling method using the same. The automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse includes a light emitting unit (111), a light receiving unit (112), a contact sensing unit (120), a microcomputer (140), and a transmission unit (150). The automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse further comprises a scroll key input unit (130) and a microcomputer (140). The scroll key input unit (130) inputs a scroll setting key signal. The microcomputer (140) calculates coordinate values (X, Y) (a horizontal coordinate value, a vertical coordinate value) based on an electrical signal from the light receiving unit (112), and, when the scroll setting key signal is received from the scroll key input unit (130), converts the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' and outputs the 'scroll up/down code'.

Description

AUTOMATIC SCROLL-TYPE OPTICAL PEN MOUSE AND AUTOMATIC SCROLLING METHOD USING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to an optical pen mouse, and, more particularly, to an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse and an automatic scrolling method using the same, which are capable of easily realizing a scroll function or a page up/down function using only the movement of the pen mouse, without using a physical scroll wheel. Background Art

[2] Generally, a mouse for a computer is chiefly used to execute or control an application program, and is an input device that is essentially used in most Graphic User Interface (GUI)-oriented computer systems.

[3] Meanwhile, such a mouse has a problem in that its precision is insufficient in the case where it is used to directly fabricate or create figures or characters in a specific application program.

[4] A mouse that has overcome the problem with the prior art mouse is an optical pen mouse. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the prior art optical pen mouse.

[5] The prior art optical pen mouse has a pen shape, so that it does not cause fatigue even upon long-term use thereof, it is convenient to carry, it can be easily used in a small space, and it has superior ability to be used for precise tasks or writing of cursive script.

[6] As is well known, a typical optical pen mouse includes a light emitting unit, which is implemented using a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or the like, and is configured to emit light; a light receiving unit, which is implemented using an image sensor and a focusing lens, and is configured to receive light formed when the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected from the reflecting surface, convert the light into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal; a contact sensing unit, which is implemented using a pressure sensor, and is configured to sense pressure attributable to contact with a bottom surface (that is, a reflecting surface), input information about selection and execution of an icon through a press (a click on the left button of a typical mouse) and a double press (a double click on the left button of a typical mouse), and input figures or characters through a click-and-drag operation; a microcomputer, which is configured to calculate changing plane coordinate values (that is, coordinate values (X₅Y)) based on an electrical signal from the light receiving unit and transmit the calculated coordinate values to a computer body through a transmission unit; and a scroll wheel 4. The microcomputer, the image sensor, the LED and the pressure sensor are mounted on a main board 2. [7] The scroll wheel 4 is an input switch that is installed such that it is mounted using a shaft, is freely rotatable and partially protrudes outside through a slit formed in the side of a body, and that performs a scroll function or a page up/down function. [8] However, the above-described prior art optical pen mouse has the following problems. [9] That is, the above-described prior art optical pen mouse uses the scroll wheel 4 as means for performing a scroll function or a page up/down function. Since the scroll wheel 4 occupies a large physical space, the thickness of the pen mouse is increased, with the result that there is a problem in that it is difficult for a user to naturally hold the prior art optical pen mouse in the same way as an actual pen. [10] The pen mouse can perform its own function and create demand only when it can be held naturally, like an actual pen, and then be used to input figures or characters.

Due to the scroll wheel 4, which occupies a large volume and has a large surface, the pen mouse does not satisfy users. [11] Furthermore, in the prior art, in order to scroll a page up or down or move a scroll bar up or down, a user must contact the physical scroll wheel 4 with his/her finger and rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise, which also causes fatigue to the user upon long-term use, and thus causes users to avoid the pen mouse.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[12] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical pen mouse that can realize a scroll function or a page up/down function merely by simply moving the pen mouse up/down, without requiring a physical scroll wheel, that allows the volume of the pen mouse to be minimized by realizing a scroll function (or a page up/down function) without requiring a physical scroll wheel, thereby enabling the formation of the pen mouse in a size that can provide a sensation similar to the sensation of using an actual pen, that performs a scroll function not by manipulating a physical switch but by moving the pen mouse itself, so that a user does not need to make a separate finger action in order to perform a scroll function, that enables a user to select a scroll mode or a cursor movement mode, and that is configured to perform a scroll mode only when a contact sensing unit receives a contact sensing signal. Technical Solution

[13] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse including a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, a contact sensing unit, a microcomputer and a transmission unit, the automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse further including a scroll key input unit for inputting a scroll setting key signal; and a microcomputer for calculating coordinate values (X, Y) (a horizontal coordinate value, a vertical coordinate value) based on an electrical signal from the light receiving unit, and, when the scroll setting key signal is received from the scroll key input unit, converting the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' and outputting the 'scroll up/down code'. [14] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an automatic scroll method in an optical pen mouse, including the steps of receiving an electrical signal from a light receiving unit; calculating coordinate values (X, Y) based on the received electrical signal; determining whether a scroll setting key signal has been received; and, if the scroll setting key has been received, converting the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' and transmitting the 'scroll up/ down code' to a computer body through a transmission unit.

Advantageous Effects

[15] An automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse and an automatic scrolling method using the same according to the present invention have the following effects:

[16] First, the present invention has an effect of realizing a scroll function and a page up/ down function by moving the pen mouse up/down in such a way as to simply input a scroll setting key signal (that is, in such a way as to use the value of a change in coordinate values) without requiring a physical scroll wheel.

[17] Second, since the volume of the pen mouse is minimized by realizing a scroll function or a page up/down function without requiring a physical scroll wheel, the present invention has an effect of forming the pen mouse in a size that can provide a sensation similar to a sensation of using an actual pen.

[18] Third, since a scroll function is performed not by manipulating a physical switch but by moving the pen mouse itself, a user does not need to conduct a separate finger action so as to perform a scroll function, so that the present invention has an effect of providing a very convenient and simple scroll usage environment to a user.

[19] Fourth, since a user can select a scroll mode or a cursor movement mode, the present invention has an effect of providing an optimal user environment.

[20] Fifth, since a scroll mode is performed only when the pen mouse comes into contact with a bottom surface, the present invention has an effect of providing a more desirable usage environment. Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the prior art optical pen mouse; [22] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the microcomputer of FIG. 2;

[24] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic scrolling method using an optical pen mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the use of the optical pen mouse according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

[26] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an automatic scrolling method using an optical pen mouse according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[27] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the use of the optical pen mouse according to the embodiment of FIG. 6. Mode for the Invention

[28] Preferred embodiments of an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse and an automatic scrolling method using the same according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on the accompanying drawings.

[29] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[30] As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that an optical pen mouse, including a light emitting unit 111, a light receiving unit 112, a contact sensing unit 120, a button input unit (not shown) and a transmission unit 150, further includes a microcomputer 140 and a scroll key input unit 130, which have novel functions and constructions.

[31] The light emitting unit 111, the light receiving unit 112, the contact sensing unit

120, the button input unit (not shown) and the transmission unit 150 are technologies that were well known to those skilled in the art before the filing of the patent application of the present invention. In brief, the light emitting unit 111 is provided with a light source such as an LED, the light receiving unit 112 is provided with an image sensor, converts optical signals into electrical signals and outputs the electrical signals, the contact sensing unit 120 includes a pressure transmission unit and a pressure sensor, detects whether contact with a reflecting surface has been made and outputs a sensing signal to the microcomputer 140, and the button input unit functions as the right and left buttons of a typical mouse.

[32] The scroll key input unit 130 is a user interface that is used to input the signal of a scroll setting key.

[33] The microcomputer 140 calculates coordinate values (X, Y) (a horizontal coordinate value, a vertical coordinate value) based on the electrical signals from the light receiving unit 112, and, when it receives a scroll setting key signal from the scroll key input unit 130, converts the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' and outputs the scroll up/down code.

[34] That is, the microcomputer 140 performs a 'scroll mode' when it receives a scroll setting key signal from the scroll key input unit 130, and performs a 'cursor movement mode' when it does not receive a scroll setting key signal, that is, at normal times.

[35] Here, the 'scroll mode' is a mode that is capable of implementing a change in coordinate values attributable to the movement of the pen mouse in the form of a scroll function or a page up/down function in a computer body when a user presses the scroll setting key using the scroll key input unit 130.

[36] Meanwhile, the 'cursor movement mode' is a normal mode that is used in the case where a user does not set the scroll mode using the scroll key input unit 130. Of course, this is a mode that implements a change in coordinate values attributable to the movement of the pen mouse in the form of the movement of the cursor of the computer body.

[37] The microcomputer 140 creates a step code based on the calculated coordinate values and then transmits the step code to the computer body through the transmission unit 150 at normal times, that is, in a cursor movement mode, and the computer body performs an operation of moving the cursor.

[38] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the microcomputer of FIG. 2.

[39] As shown in FIG. 3, the microcomputer 140 includes a control unit 141 and a code conversion unit 142.

[40] The control unit 141 calculates coordinate values (X, Y) based on electrical signals from the light receiving unit 112, encodes the coordinate values into step code (that is, coordinate data code) (X, Y), and outputs a 'code conversion control signal' to the code conversion unit 142 when receiving a scroll setting key signal from the scroll key input unit 130.

[41] The code conversion unit 142 converts the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' under the control of the control unit 141 when it receives the 'code conversion control signal' from the control unit 141.

[42] Meanwhile, the control unit 141 performs control so that conversion into a scroll up code is performed if the coordinate value Y of the received coordinate values (X, Y) is increased, that is, if the pen mouse is moved upwards, and conversion into a scroll down code is performed if the coordinate value Y of the received coordinate values (X, Y) is decreased.

[43] Meanwhile, in an automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse according to another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 141 performs control so that a 'code conversion control signal' is output to the code conversion unit 142 only when a contact sensing signal is received from the contact sensing unit 120. [44] In other words, only when a scroll setting key signal and a contact sensing signal are input is a scroll function performed. [45] That is, in the automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse according to another embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the contact sensing unit 120 does not sense contact (that is, the pen mouse does not come into contact with the bottom surface, namely, the reflecting surface) even when a user inputs a scroll setting key signal through a scroll key input unit 130, the control unit 141 does not output a

'code conversion control signal' to the code conversion unit 142, but performs a cursor movement mode, which is a normal mode. [46] Meanwhile, in the case where the scroll setting key signal is not input even when the contact sensing unit 120 senses contact, and thus a sensing signal is output to the control unit 141, it goes without saying that a scroll function is not performed, but typical click-and-drag or a data input mode is performed. [47] Next, an automatic scroll process that is performed using the automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse of the present invention having the above construction will be described below. [48] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic scrolling method using an optical pen mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the use of the optical pen mouse according to the embodiment of FIG. 4. [49] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the automatic scrolling method using the optical pen mouse according to the embodiment of the present invention, when electrical signals are received from the light receiving unit 112 at step S410, the control unit 141 calculates coordinate values (X, Y) at step S412. [50] The control unit 141 determines a scroll mode based on whether a scroll setting key signal has been input at step S414, and, if the scroll setting key signal has been received, transmits the 'code conversion control signal' to the code conversion unit

142. [51] The code conversion unit 142, having received the 'code conversion control signal' from the control unit 141, converts the received coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' at step S416. [52] The control unit 141 transmits the 'scroll up/down code', received by the code conversion unit 142, to the computer body through the transmission unit 150 at step

S418. [53] The computer body, having received the 'scroll up/down code,' as described above, performs scroll up/down or page up/down at step S420. [54] The microcomputer 140 performs conversion into a scroll up code if the coordinate value Y of the calculated coordinate values (X, Y) is increased, that is, if the pen mouse is moved upwards, and performs conversion into a scroll down code if the coordinate value Y of the calculated coordinate values (X, Y) is decreased, that is, the pen mouse is moved downwards, and transmits the scroll up/down code to the computer body into the transmission unit 150.

[55] Meanwhile, if the control unit 141 has not received the scroll setting key signal, it goes without saying that the control unit 41 generates a step code based on the calculated coordinates and transmits the step code to the computer body and that the computer moves the cursor based on the step code at steps S450-S454.

[56] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an automatic scrolling method using an optical pen mouse according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the use of the optical pen mouse according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[57] The automatic scrolling method using a pen mouse, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is characterized in that a scroll mode is not performed in the case where the pen mouse does not come into contact with the reflecting surface even if a command key signal is input by pressing the button of the scroll key input unit, and a scroll mode is performed only in the case where the pen mouse comes into contact with the reflecting surface (it goes without saying that a user must input a scroll command key signal).

[58] That is, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a scroll mode is performed only in the case where the scroll setting key signal and a contact sensing signal are both input.

[59] The control unit 141, having received the scroll setting key signal at S414 of FIG. 4, controls code conversion by outputting a 'code conversion control signal' to the code conversion unit 142 only when the control unit 141 receives a contact sensing signal.

[60] The reception of the contact sensing signal means that the contact sensing unit 120 comes into connect with the reflecting surface and transmits the contact sensing signal to the control unit 141.

[61] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are only embodiments of the technical spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make other variations and modifications within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

[1] An automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse including a light emitting unit (111), a light receiving unit (112), a contact sensing unit (120), a microcomputer (140), and a transmission unit (150), the automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse comprising: a scroll key input unit (130) for inputting a scroll setting key signal; and a microcomputer (140) for calculating coordinate values (X, Y) (a horizontal coordinate value, a vertical coordinate value) based on an electrical signal from the light receiving unit (112), and, when the scroll setting key signal is received from the scroll key input unit (130), converting the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' and outputting the 'scroll up/down code'.

[2] The automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse as set forth in claim 1, wherein the microcomputer (140) comprises: a control unit (141) for calculating the coordinate values (X, Y) based on the electrical signal from the light receiving unit (112), and, when the scroll setting key signal is received from the scroll key input unit (130), outputting the 'code conversion control signal' ; and a code conversion unit (142) for, when the 'code conversion control signal' is received from the control unit 141, converting the coordinate values (X, Y) into the 'scroll up/down code' under control of the control unit 141.

[3] The automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the control unit (141) performs control such that conversion into a scroll up code is performed if a coordinate value Y of the received coordinate values (X, Y) is increased; and the control unit (141) performs control such that conversion into a scroll down code is performed if a coordinate value X of the received coordinate values (X, Y) is decreased.

[4] The automatic scroll-type optical pen mouse as set forth in claim 3, wherein the control unit (141) outputs a 'code conversion control signal' to the code conversion unit (142) only when receiving a contact sensing signal from the contact sensing unit (120).

[5] An automatic scroll method using an optical pen mouse, comprising the steps of: receiving an electrical signal from a light receiving unit; calculating coordinate values (X, Y) based on the received electrical signal; determining whether a scroll setting key signal has been received; and if the scroll setting key has been received, converting the coordinate values (X, Y) into a 'scroll up/down code' and transmitting the 'scroll up/down code' to a computer body through a transmission unit.

[6] The automatic scroll method as set forth in claim 5, wherein: the calculated coordinate values (X, Y) are converted into the scroll up code if a coordinate value Y of the calculated coordinate values (X, Y) is increased; and the calculated coordinate values (X, Y) are converted into the scroll down code if a coordinate value X of the coordinate values (X, Y) is decreased.

[7] The automatic scroll method as set forth in claim 5 or 6, wherein, if it is determined that the scroll setting key signal has been received at the step of determining whether the scroll setting key signal has been received, the step of converting the coordinate values (X, Y) into the 'scroll up/down code' is performed only when a contact sensing signal has been received.