[0063] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions, and advantages to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention clearer, a detailed description will be given below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.
[0064] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the touchpad of a notebook computer in the prior art must cooperate with two mechanical buttons to complete various functions of the input device, and the two mechanical buttons occupy the keyboard area of the notebook computer, so that the entire touchpad occupies a larger area. The problem of area and inconvenience is to provide an input device and a computer including the input device.
[0065] Such as Figure 5 , Image 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the input device 50 of the embodiment of the present invention may be specifically a one-piece touch panel, that is, only the related structure of the touch panel, and does not include mechanical keys. The input device 50 may also be set in a notebook computer, a smart PDA, or a mobile communication. In electronic devices such as terminals and players, as input devices of these electronic devices, they complete input functions.
[0066] The input device 50 specifically includes:
[0067] The touchpad 52 is used to provide the operating body for operations; the touchpad 52 here refers to the touch layer on the surface of the touchpad in the usual sense;
[0068] The first sensing unit 53 can be arranged under the touch panel 52, and is used to obtain the touch position information of the operating body on the surface of the touch panel 52, and output the coordinate information corresponding to the touch position information; the coordinate information is used for To determine the position of the cursor of the electronic device corresponding to the input device; the coordinate information may include the coordinate value and the coordinate change of the touch point when touched; for example, it may be a finger clicking or sliding on the surface of the touchpad 52, the The first sensing unit 53 will convert the position of the finger when the finger is clicked into the coordinate value of the X/Y direction in the coordinate system and output; when the finger slides on the surface of the touch panel 52, the first sensing unit 53 It will also convert the starting position, ending position and movement amount of the finger into the coordinate change amount in the X/Y direction in the coordinate system and output;
[0069] The second sensing unit 54 can be arranged under the touch panel 52, and is used to obtain the pressure value of the external force exerted by the operating body on the surface of the touch panel 52, and output the pressure value;
[0070] The processing unit 55 is connected to the first sensing unit 53 and the second sensing unit 54 respectively, and is used to trigger the right button or the right button at the position of the cursor corresponding to the coordinate information when the pressure value is greater than a preset pressure threshold. Space bar function.
[0071] The specific implementation will be described in detail in the following embodiments.
[0072] In specific implementation, the input device may further include a supporting structure 51 for supporting the touch panel 52, the first sensing unit 53 and the second sensing unit 54, and the supporting structure 51 is used to support the touch panel. Under the action of the external force transmitted by 52, it has a first state, and when the external force is withdrawn, it has a second state, wherein the first state has a first position, the second state has a second position, and the first position and the second position The two positions are different.
[0073] Specifically, the supporting structure 51 may include a backing board 512; the first sensing unit 53, the second sensing unit 54 and the processing unit 55 may all be disposed on the backing board 512; the touch pad 52 is located on the second A sensing unit 53, a second sensing unit 54 and the processing unit 55, and connected to them; the support structure 51 also includes a frame 511, the frame 511 has an accommodating space; the liner 512, the The first sensing unit 53, the second sensing unit 54, the processing unit 55, and the touch pad 52 are located in the accommodating space, and the touch pad 52 can slide along the frame 511; the touch pad 52 is under the influence of the user's finger When pressed, the touch pad 52 can slide down along the frame 511, so that the supporting structure 51 has the first state and is located in the first position. When the user's finger lifts off the touch pad 52, the touch pad 52 can also Return to the original position, so that the supporting structure 51 has the second state and is located at the second position.
[0074] The specific structure of the frame 511 is as Figure 7 Shown in the above Image 6 Based on the embodiment of the input device shown, the frame 511 may specifically include: a plurality of column-type sliding grooves (the number of the column-type sliding grooves can be determined according to the overall shape of the touch panel 52, for example, the touch panel 52 is If it is a square shape, each corner of the square needs to be provided with a column-type chute), these column-type chutes are arranged on the edge of the liner 512, and the touch pad 52 can slide up and down along the column-type chute. When the touch pad 52 is pressed by the user's finger, the touch pad 52 can slide down along the column-type chute. The second sensing unit 54 senses the pressure on the surface of the touch pad 52, and the processing unit 55 will respond to the pressure Determine the state of the touchpad 52 currently being operated; at the same time, a rebound mechanism (not shown in the figure) may be provided on the column-type chute for when the user's finger lifts off the touchpad 52, the touchpad 52 can also be restored to its original position;
[0075] Of course, the column-type chute and the rebound mechanism on it can also be replaced with the inner "X" bracket and elastic cap like the existing keyboard keys, the "X" bracket is arranged under the liner 512, and the elastic cap is embedded In the "X" bracket.
[0076] In addition, the touchpad 52 can also be moved on the surface of the touchpad 52 when the force of the finger remains unchanged after sliding down along the column-type chute, or when the current force of the finger remains unchanged, use Another finger moves on the surface of the touchpad 52 to obtain the current pressure on the touchpad 52, and further judge the trajectory of the finger movement, thereby judging the user's current operation intention, such as "selection" and "dragging". "Move" is similar to dragging the mouse while pressing the left button of the mouse to realize the selection of one or more lines of text. Of course, it can also realize the selection of multiple non-text areas.
[0077] In specific applications, the first sensing unit 53 in the foregoing embodiment may specifically be:
[0078] A circuit board located under the touch pad 52, the upper surface of the circuit board is provided with electrodes (such as Figure 5 The electrode array shown by the reference numeral 52 in ), the electrode senses the coordinate value and coordinate change amount of the touch point when the surface of the touch panel 52 is touched, and outputs the coordinate value and coordinate change amount through the circuit board.
[0079] The touchpad 52 here can be the touch layer of a normal touchpad, and the touch of the finger on the touch layer can be sensed, and the circuit board and the electrode array on it are the circuit board and the electrode array on it that can actually sense the touch of the finger on the touch layer. Any conductive electrode and the ground or another conductor can form a set of capacitors Cp. When a person’s finger or a human body approaches the capacitor Cp, the parasitic capacitance of the human body will be coupled to the Cp two-electrode plates to increase the Cp value. The change of Cp can be used to measure whether a human body approaches the capacitor Cp. special. The circuit board can be a PCB (printed circuit board) board. The PCB board and the electrode array on it form a coordinate system. When a finger moves on the upper surface of these arrays, the capacitance value of the corresponding electrode will change. By analyzing and calculating the change of the capacitance value of each electrode, you can know the coordinate value of the user's finger (one finger or multiple fingers) and the change of the coordinate. Send this coordinate value and coordinate value change to the processing unit 55, and then cooperate with the pressure value obtained by the second sensing unit 54 to realize the "cursor navigation", "zoom in", "rotate", and "cursor navigation" on the computer screen. Functions such as "select", "confirm", "drag and drop", and "right click".
[0080] In specific applications, the second sensing unit 54 in the foregoing embodiment may specifically include:
[0081] A pressure key switch and a circuit (not shown in the figure), one end of the pressure key switch is grounded, the other end is connected to the input end of the circuit, and the output end of the circuit is connected to the aforementioned processing unit 55;
[0082] The pressure key switch senses the pressure value in the vertical direction when the surface of the touch panel 52 is pressed. The vertical direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the touch panel and controls its own state according to the pressure value. The first state, control its own open circuit, and control its own closed loop according to the second state of the key switch. For example, when the key switch is in the "on" state, the circuit is open, and when the key switch is in the "off" state , The circuit is a closed loop, and the pressure value is output in the form of a level signal when the circuit is open or closed;
[0083] Of course, in this embodiment, the "on" and "off" states of the key switch are relative and not absolute. However, when the key switch is in the "on" state, the circuit is a closed loop; the key switch When in the "off" state, the circuit is open.
[0084] Specifically, the pressure key switch is mounted on the lower surface of the PCB circuit board, and the pressure key switch is used to detect the pressure value of the circuit board when the finger presses the surface of the circuit board; when the pressure value is less than the preset pressure threshold, The key switch is open, and the corresponding circuit is open. When the pressure value is greater than the preset pressure threshold, the switch is closed, and the corresponding circuit also forms a closed loop. The processing unit 55 can determine the user's operation willingness and operation state according to the obtained finger coordinate values and their coordinate changes, and in conjunction with the opening and closing states of the keys.
[0085] In this embodiment, a pressure key switch and a corresponding circuit are used to realize the pressure sensing function of the second sensing unit 54, which is small in cost, simple and convenient.
[0086] Of course, in the embodiment of the present invention, other functional modules are not excluded to realize the functions that the second sensing unit 54 can achieve. For example, the second sensing unit 54 may also be a pressure sensor or a pressure detector (such as Picture 8 (Shown), the pressure of the touchpad mounted on it can also be obtained.
[0087] Such as Picture 9 What is shown is a schematic diagram of a use state of the input device 50, and the second sensing unit 54 can be specifically as follows in addition to the foregoing implementation manner:
[0088] A distance acquisition device, set in the above Figure 7 The column chute is used to obtain the distance that the touch panel 52 slides downward along the column chute when it is pressed, obtain the corresponding pressure value according to the distance, and output the pressure value. Specifically, if the distance obtaining device obtains the distance that the touchpad 52 slides downward along the column-type chute when the touchpad 52 is pressed, the distance is converted into a corresponding pressure according to a preset conversion mechanism, the conversion mechanism may be The mapping relationship table of distance and pressure saved in advance according to experience, such as a distance of N mm down, the corresponding pressure is N1N, through this correspondence, the distance can be converted into the corresponding pressure, and the processing unit 55 will use the pressure according to the Value for subsequent judgment.
[0089] In specific applications, the processing unit 55 in the foregoing embodiment may be specifically a capacitor chip.
[0090] In this embodiment, the input device 50 does not require mechanical keys, and all functions of the existing touch panel can be completed through two sensors and processing unit chips, and these sensors and processing unit chips are all located under the touch panel. The area occupied by the smart device by the input device is relatively reduced, which is convenient for users to use.
[0091] In addition, in order to facilitate use by different users, in the foregoing embodiments, the processing unit 55 may further include: a setting unit for setting the preset pressure threshold. The preset pressure threshold may be a default value preset in the chip of the processing unit 55, such as a force of 20N. When the pressure on the touch panel 52 is greater than 20N, it outputs the coordinate values and control commands related to the pressing. , On the contrary, output the coordinate values and control commands related to the touch;
[0092] Of course, the setting unit can also be an interface reflected in the smart device, allowing users to set or modify the pressure threshold according to their own habits and needs, to further meet the actual needs of users. Therefore, the setting unit Can specifically include:
[0093] At least one setting option unit is used to provide pressure threshold setting options, each setting option corresponds to a pressure threshold range, and the pressure threshold range corresponding to each setting option is different from the pressure threshold range corresponding to other setting options. For example, the pressure threshold range of the first setting option unit is: less than 20N, and the pressure threshold range of the second setting option unit is greater than or equal to 20N and less than 50N, and the pressure threshold range of the third setting option unit is: greater than or Equal to 50N; Of course, there can also be a fourth setting option unit, a fifth setting option unit,..., users can set the pressure threshold range according to their own habits, so that users can feel better.
[0094] In addition, in specific implementation, the touch panel 52 may include a virtual area, and the processing unit 55 is configured to determine that the touch position is located in the virtual area according to the coordinate information output by the first sensing unit, and the pressure When the value is greater than the preset pressure threshold, the right-click function is triggered;
[0095] In this embodiment, the left button function can be implemented in the following three ways:
[0096] 1) When the pressure value is less than the preset pressure threshold value, the left button function, such as touch and click, can be triggered at any position of the touchpad;
[0097] 2) The left button function can also be triggered when the pressure value is less than the preset pressure threshold value outside the virtual area;
[0098] 3) It can also trigger the left button function when the pressure value is greater than the preset pressure threshold outside the virtual area, inside the surface of the touch pad.
[0099] Similarly, in another embodiment, the first processing unit can also realize the function of triggering the space bar when it is determined that the touch position is located in the virtual area and the pressure value is greater than the preset pressure threshold; In this embodiment, the left button function can also be implemented in the above-mentioned three ways 1), 2) and 3), which will not be repeated here.
[0100] In a specific implementation, the touch panel 52 may include a first virtual area and a second virtual area, and the first virtual area and the second virtual area do not overlap, the processing unit 55 may specifically include:
[0101] The first processing unit is configured to determine, according to the coordinate information output by the first sensing unit 53, that the touch position is located in the first virtual area, and the pressure value is greater than the preset pressure threshold, The position of the cursor corresponding to the coordinate information triggers the right-click function;
[0102] The second processing unit is configured to determine, according to the coordinate information output by the first sensing unit 53, that the touch position is located in the second virtual area, and the pressure value is greater than the preset pressure threshold, when The position of the cursor corresponding to the coordinate information triggers the space bar function.
[0103] In this embodiment, the touchpad 52 is divided into a first virtual area and a second virtual area. The first virtual area is used to trigger the right button, and the second virtual area is used to trigger the space bar, so that the touchpad can trigger the right button at the same time. And the function of the space bar. When realizing the left button function, the implementation of the left button function is similar to the methods described in 1), 2) and 3) above, and there are also the following three:
[0104] 1') When the pressure value is less than the preset pressure threshold, the left button function can be triggered at any position of the touchpad;
[0105] 2') The left button function can be triggered when the pressure value is less than the preset pressure threshold outside the first virtual area and the second virtual area;
[0106] 3') It is also possible to trigger the left button function when the pressure value is greater than the preset pressure threshold value outside the first virtual area and the second virtual area.
[0107] Of course, in the above-mentioned embodiment, other function keys can also be implemented on the touch panel, such as the Alt key, Ctrl key, etc. The implementation of these keys can be similar to the way of realizing the functions of the right key and space bar on the above touch panel, here It will not be repeated, but the implementation of these function keys should also be included in the protection scope of the present invention, including the realization of cursor navigation on the touch panel.
[0108] Generally, when the user operates the touchpad for cursor navigation, the pressure on the touchpad is relatively small. During the cursor navigation, the finger touches the touchpad almost all the time; when clicking, the pressure on the touchpad is slightly greater , The click action is usually to leave the touchpad first, then touch the touchpad in a short time, and then quickly leave the touchpad; and the pressure of pressing the space bar on the keyboard is similar to the pressure of clicking the touchpad, so you can use The feature when clicking, realize the function of the space bar on the touch panel.
[0109] Finally, in all the above embodiments of the present invention, the touchpad in the input device is described as an example of a square shape. Of course, the shape of the touchpad can also be designed to be round, oval, etc., as long as it makes the user comfortable to use.
[0110] In summary, in the above-mentioned input device embodiment of the present invention, the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are installed under the touch panel, wherein the first sensing unit can sense the position information of the finger on the touch panel. The second sensor unit can sense the pressure of the finger pressing the touchpad. When the user slides and presses the touchpad with his finger, it can realize "cursor navigation", "zoom in", "rotate", "select", " "Confirm", "drag", "right click", "space bar" and other functions (for example: when the user slides the surface of the touchpad with a pressure less than the preset pressure threshold, the cursor navigation can be realized Function; when the user uses two fingers to slide toward or backward on the touchpad with a pressure less than the preset pressure threshold, the function of zooming out or zooming in can be realized; when the user exceeds the preset pressure threshold When the touchpad is pressed in the set area, the function of the right key or the space bar can be realized; when the user uses one finger to place it on the touchpad without exceeding the preset pressure threshold, and the other finger slides in other areas , You can achieve the function of rotation; when the user presses the touchpad in the set area with one finger exceeding the preset pressure threshold, and the other finger slides in other areas, the drag function can be realized; when the user Tap the surface of the touchpad with one finger and the pressure does not exceed the preset threshold, the confirmation function is realized). There are no longer independent mechanical buttons outside the area of the touchpad. The place where the mechanical buttons were previously placed can be used to place the touchpad, which greatly increases the area of the touchpad. In addition, the entire operation process is completed on the touch panel, unlike before, you need to use your fingers to press the corresponding mechanical buttons outside the touch panel, which greatly facilitates the user's operation.
[0111] Such as Picture 10 As shown, the embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer 100. The computer may be a portable computer, such as a notebook computer. The portable computer includes: a base 101 having a housing space; and an input device 50 arranged in the housing In the space, it is used to provide the operator with information input;
[0112] Wherein, the structure and function of the input device 50 are the same as all the above descriptions of the input device 50, and will not be repeated here; but it should be noted that: the frame of the input device 50 is in the computer 100, which may be the base The frame around the accommodating space of 101, the frame may actually be a part of the base 101.
[0113] In this embodiment, by installing a second sensing unit under the touchpad of the computer, the pressure of the finger pressing the touchpad can be sensed. When the user slides and presses the touchpad with his finger, "cursor navigation" can be realized. Functions, "Zoom in and out" function, "Rotate" function, "Select" function, "Confirm" function, "Drag and drop" function, "Right key", "Space bar" and other functions. There are no longer independent mechanical buttons outside the area of the touchpad. The place where the mechanical buttons were previously placed can be used to place the touchpad, which greatly increases the area of the touchpad. In addition, the entire operation process is completed on the touch panel, unlike before, you need to use your fingers to press the corresponding mechanical buttons outside the touch panel, which greatly facilitates the user's operation.
[0114] The following is a description of the specific process, the above touchpad realizes the functions of left, right and space, such as Picture 11 Shown:
[0115] Step 121: The first sensing unit obtains the touch position information of the operating body on the surface of the touch panel, and outputs coordinate information corresponding to the touch position information. The coordinate information is used to determine the electronic device corresponding to the input device. The position of the cursor;
[0116] Step 122: The second sensing unit obtains the pressure value of the operating body on the surface of the touch panel, and outputs the pressure value;
[0117] Step 123, judge whether the pressure value exceeds a preset pressure threshold, if yes, go to step 124; otherwise, go to step 125;
[0118] Step 124: According to the coordinate information, trigger a right key or space key function at the cursor position corresponding to the coordinate information;
[0119] Step 125: Output touch operation data and touch control instructions according to the coordinate information, and implement touch operation functions according to the touch operation data and the touch control instructions.
[0120] In addition, before step 121, you can also include the step of setting or modifying the preset pressure threshold of the touchpad as needed, so that the result output in step 123 is the operating data and control instructions that meet the user's actual needs or operating habits .
[0121] In summary, this method senses the pressure of the finger pressing the touchpad. When the user slides and presses the touchpad with his finger, when the pressure is greater than the preset pressure threshold, functions such as the right key or space bar can be realized. When the pressure is less than the preset pressure threshold, touch-related operations can be realized, such as "cursor navigation", "zoom in and out", "rotate", "select", "confirm", "drag" and other functions. For example: when the user slides the surface of the touchpad with a finger with a pressure less than the preset pressure threshold, the cursor navigation function can be realized; when the user uses two fingers to apply a pressure less than the preset pressure threshold When the touch pad is swiped toward or in the opposite direction, the function of zooming out or zooming in can be realized; when the user uses one finger to place a finger on the touch pad without exceeding the preset pressure threshold, and the other finger slides in other areas , You can realize the function of rotation; of course, when the pressure is less than the preset pressure threshold, the left button function can also be realized. When the user taps the surface of the touchpad with a finger and the pressure does not exceed the preset threshold, that is Achieve confirmation function. Of course, in this method, the way of realizing the function of the left button can also be as described in 1'), 2'), 3') above, which will not be repeated here. The solution of the present invention no longer has independent mechanical buttons outside the area of the touch pad, and the place where the mechanical buttons were previously placed can be used to place the touch pad, which greatly increases the area of the touch pad. In addition, the entire operation process is completed on the touch panel, unlike before, you need to use your fingers to press the corresponding mechanical buttons outside the touch panel, which greatly facilitates the user's operation.
[0122] The above are the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principles of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can be made, and these improvements and modifications are also It should be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.
