POSITION INFORMATION INPUT SYSTEM

• US 20150138166A1
• Filed: 04/22/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pnf Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Pnf Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: LEE, Jae Jun
• Granted Patent: US 9,274,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0433 in which the acoustic waves are either generated by a movable member and propagated within a surface layer or propagated within a surface layer and captured by a movable member

Abstract

Disclosed are a position information input system capable of coupling a signal generating device and a signal receiving device to each other. Firstly, a coupling unit is formed at a signal receiving device. Under such configuration, a signal generating device and the signal receiving device can be coupled to each other once the signal generating device is coupled to the coupling unit. This can enhance portability and a storage characteristic of the position information input system. Secondly, a contact power switch is installed in the coupling unit. Under such configuration, if a user separates the signal generating device from the signal receiving device for input of position information, the contact power switch is automatically turned on. As a result, the signal receiving device is automatically turned on. On the contrary, if a user, who has completed the input of position information, couples the signal generating device to the signal receiving device, the contact power switch is automatically turned off. As a result, the signal generating device is automatically turned off. This can solve the conventional user'"'"'s inconvenience, i.e., turning on a power switch for input of position information, and tuning off the power switch upon completion of the input of position information. This can enhance a user'"'"'s convenience.

Claims

1. A position information input system, comprising:

a signal generating device formed to have a pen shape, and configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and a reference signal; and

a signal receiving device configured to generate position information by measuring a position of the signal generating device by receiving the ultrasonic signal and the reference signal from the signal generating device, or configured to generate position measuring information used to measure a position of the signal generating device by receiving the ultrasonic signal and the reference signal from the signal generating device, and to transmit the position information or the position measuring information to an external electronic device,

wherein a coupling unit, configured to couple the signal generating device to the signal receiving device, is formed at a housing of the signal receiving device.

2. The position information input system of claim 1, wherein a contact power switch is installed on a surface of the housing in correspondence to the signal generating device, and

wherein the contact power switch is turned on or off by contacting the signal generating device, to turn on or off the signal receiving device.

3. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein a first charging terminal is installed at the signal generating device, and

wherein a second charging terminal is installed at the housing, so as to contact the first charging terminal in a coupled state between the signal generating device and the signal receiving device.

4. The position information input system of claim 3, wherein a second charging power source connection unit, configured to connect external charging power source to the second charging terminal, is installed at the signal receiving device, and

wherein the external charging power source, connected to the second charging power source connection unit, simultaneously charges the signal receiving device and the signal generating device in a connected state between the first charging terminal and the second charging terminal.

5. The position information input system of claim 3, wherein a first charging power source connection unit, configured to connect external charging power source to the first charging terminal, is installed at the signal generating device, and

wherein the external charging power source, connected to the first charging power source connection unit, simultaneously charges the signal receiving device and the signal generating device in a connected state between the first charging terminal and the second charging terminal.

6. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit is coupled to the signal generating device by a magnetic substance,

wherein if the signal generating device is coupled to the coupling unit, the contact power switch is turned off to turn off the signal receiving device, and

wherein if the signal generating device is separated from the coupling unit, the contact power switch is turned on to turn on the signal receiving device.

7. The position information input system of claim 6, wherein the coupling unit is implemented as a magnetic substance or a metallic member, and

wherein the signal generating device includes a magnetic substance or a metallic member so as to be coupled to the coupling unit by a magnetic force.

8. The position information input system of claim 7, wherein a first charging power source connection unit, configured to connect external charging power source to the first charging terminal, is installed at the signal generating device,

wherein a second charging power source connection unit, configured to connect external charging power source to the second charging terminal, is installed at the signal receiving device, and

wherein the external charging power source, connected to the first charging power source connection unit or the second charging power source connection unit, is simultaneously connected to the first charging terminal and the second charging terminal, in a connected state between the first charging terminal and the second charging terminal, such that the signal generating device and the signal receiving device are simultaneously charged by a single external charging power source.

9. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit is implemented as an accommodation groove formed in the housing,

wherein the contact power switch, which is turned on or off by contacting an outer surface of the signal generating device, is installed in the accommodation groove,

wherein if the signal generating device is inserted into the accommodation groove, the contact power switch is turned off to turn off the signal receiving device, and

wherein if the signal generating device is separated from the accommodation groove, the contact power switch is turned on to turn on the signal receiving device.

10. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit is implemented as a through hole formed in the housing along a lengthwise direction of the signal generating device,

wherein the contact power switch, which is turned on or off by contacting an outer surface of the signal generating device, is provided in the through hole,

wherein if the signal generating device is inserted into the through hole, the contact power switch is turned off to turn off the signal receiving device, and

wherein if the signal generating device is separated from the through hole, the contact power switch is turned on to turn on the signal receiving device.

11. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit is implemented as a pair of fixing units integrally formed with the housing and outward extending from one side surface of the housing,

wherein a coupled state between the signal generating device and the coupling unit is maintained as the signal generating device is inserted between the pair of fixing units,

wherein the contact power switch, which is turned on or off by contacting an outer surface of the signal generating device, is provided on an outer surface of the housing between the pair of fixing units,

wherein if the signal generating device is inserted between the pair of fixing units, the contact power switch is turned off to turn off the signal receiving device, and

wherein if the signal generating device is separated from the pair of fixing units, the contact power switch is turned on to turn on the signal receiving device.

12. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit is implemented as a pair of fixing units coupled to the housing so as to face each other with an interval therebetween,

wherein the signal generating device is inserted between the pair of fixing units, to thus maintain a coupled state to the coupling unit by an elastic force of the fixing units,

wherein the contact power switch, which is turned on or off by contacting an outer surface of the signal generating device, is provided on an outer surface of the housing between the pair of fixing units,

wherein if the signal generating device is inserted between the pair of fixing units, the contact power switch is turned off to turn off the signal receiving device, and

wherein if the signal generating device is separated from the pair of fixing units, the contact power switch is turned on to turn on the signal receiving device.

13. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit includes:

a bonding unit adhered to the housing; and

a pair of fixing units extending from both ends of the bonding unit in a vertical direction,

wherein the signal generating device is inserted between the pair of fixing units, to thus be fixed by an elastic force of the pair of fixing units,

wherein a contact power switch groove, through which the contact power switch formed at the housing is exposed to outside to thus contact the signal generating device, is formed in the bonding unit,

wherein if the signal generating device is inserted between the pair of fixing units, the contact power switch is turned off to turn off the signal generating device, and

wherein if the signal generating device is separated from the pair of fixing units, the contact power switch is turned on to turn on the signal generating device.

14. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit has one side surface adhered to one side surface of the housing,

wherein the coupling unit is provided therein with an accommodation groove for accommodating the signal generating device, and

wherein a contact power switch groove, through which the contact power switch contacts the signal generating device accommodated in the accommodation groove, is formed at a contact surface between the coupling unit and the housing.

15. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the coupling unit has one side surface adhered to one side surface of the housing,

wherein the coupling unit is provided therein with a through hole formed in a lengthwise direction of the signal generating device, and

wherein a contact power switch groove, through which the contact power switch contacts the signal generating device inserted into the through hole, is formed at a contact surface between the coupling unit and the housing.

16. The position information input system of claim 12, wherein the coupling unit is formed of a transparent plastic material.

17. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the signal receiving device further includes a hand power switch configured to turn on or off the signal receiving device, by supplying power to the signal receiving device or by disconnecting power supply to the signal receiving device, through a user'"'"'s manipulation, in an ‘

ON’

state of the contact power switch and the signal receiving device.

18. The position information input system of claim 2, wherein the signal receiving device further includes:

a signal receiving module having a reference signal receiving portion configured to receive a reference signal generated by the signal generating device, and having a plurality of ultrasonic signal receiving portions spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, and configured to receive ultrasonic signals generated by the signal generating device;

a position measuring unit configured to generate position information by measuring a position of the signal generating device or position measuring information used to measure a position of the signal generating device, by measuring distances between the signal generating device and the plurality of ultrasonic signal receiving portions, based on differences between a time when a reference signal has been received by the reference signal receiving portion, and times when ultrasonic signals have been received by the ultrasonic signal receiving portions, respectively;

the contact power switch configured to provide power input from a power source unit to the signal receiving module and the position measuring unit, when turned on by contacting the signal generating device; and

a hand power switch configured to supply power output from the power source unit to the signal receiving module and the position measuring unit, or to disconnect the power supply, through a user'"'"'s manipulation, in an ‘

ON’

state of the contact power switch.

19. The position information input system of claim 13, wherein the coupling unit is formed of a transparent plastic material.

20. The position information input system of claim 14, wherein the coupling unit is formed of a transparent plastic material.