Position information input system

• US 9,274,623 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2014
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pnf Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Pnf Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jae Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H
• Application Number:
  US14/258,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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,

wherein a contact power switch is installed on a surface of the housing in correspondence to the signal generating device,

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,

wherein a first charging terminal is installed at the signal generating device,

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,

wherein a second charging power source connection unit, configured to connect an 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.

2. 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,

wherein a contact power switch is installed on a surface of the housing in correspondence to the signal generating device,

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,

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.

3. The position information input system of claim 2, 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.

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

wherein a second charging power source connection unit, configured to connect the external charging power source to a 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.

5. 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,

wherein a contact power switch is installed on a surface of the housing in correspondence to the signal generating device,

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,

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.

6. The position information input system of claim 5, wherein the coupling unit is formed of a transparent plastic material.

7. 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,

wherein a contact power switch is installed on a surface of the housing in correspondence to the signal generating device,

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,

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.

8. The position information input system of claim 7, wherein the coupling unit is formed of a transparent plastic material.

9. 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,

wherein a contact power switch is installed on a surface of the housing in correspondence to the signal generating device,

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, and

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.