Description

A DEVICE FOR DETECTING DIRECTION AND LOCATION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a device for detecting directions and locations, and, more particularly, to a device for detecting directions and locations that includes a moving terminal and a plurality of fixed terminals, allows two or more fixed terminals to be brought into contact with the moving terminal, and processes the input of the values of the detected fixed terminals as a single piece of data. Background Art

[2] Since, in a conventional directional input device (or a sensor), fixed terminals (fixed detection terminals) located in respective directions are closely located and arranged in the case in which the number of radial input directions is eight or more, there occurs an "interference problem" (* an error state in which a value at a location is confused with a value at another location), in which not only a fixed terminal in a desired target direction but also one or more fixed terminals in one or more nearby directions are detected by a moving terminal (a movement detection terminal), when specific direc tional input is performed.

[3] As shown in Fig. 1, hitherto, in order to measure the displacement of a moving terminal, there has been a device for detecting directions and locations, which includes a plurality of input ports 10 provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor 200, and a plurality of fixed terminals 30 connected to the respective input ports in one-to-one correspondence, and which transfers input signals to the semiconductor when the moving terminal 20 connected to a ground input port 150 comes into contact with the fixed terminals 30.

[4] The processing of the input of the input signal is performed at the time of contact between one fixed terminal and the moving terminal. If two or more fixed terminals and the moving terminal come into contact with each other, the processing of input error is performed.

[5] However, if the number of input directions is eight or more, as shown in Fig. 2, not only a fixed terminal 30 in a relevant direction but also one or more fixed terminals 30 in one or more similar directions may be detected when the moving terminal 20 moves in the relevant direction, and thus it is difficult to implement a mobile terminal so that accurate directional input in association with eight or more directions can be performed in a small-sized directional input device that is manipulated using a single finger.

[6] Sony's portable game terminal, called a PSP, is equipped with an eight-direction mobile input device called an "analog pad," which enables manipulation for moving a

mouse pointer or a game character in eight directions. The "analog pad" directional input device is composed of a large number of parts, that is, 11 parts, to enable eight- direction movement input, but nevertheless the case in which an input signal in a diagonal direction is not normally generated occurs frequently at the time of directional input. This is one of the most frequently occurring reasons for after-sale service of the PSP terminal.

[7] If the detection means is formed in a considerably small size in order to prevent an inference problem that may occur as the number of input directions increases, detection does not occur smoothly because contact with the moving terminal does not occur smoothly (because detection occurs only when pushing is performed in an accurate direction).

[8] In the small-sized directional input device of a portable terminal in which directional input is performed by radially moving or pressing input means, when the number of input directions exceeds six, it is difficult to perform input so that only the detection means in a desired direction is detected because fixed terminals located in respective directions are arranged close to each other.

[9] If only one moving (which is a term including lateral moving, tilting, pressing and the like) terminal and fixed terminal of an input unit (or input means) are desired to be detected in order to prevent interference, the size of fixed terminals must be small, in which case a problem arises in that an input signal is generated only when the moving terminal is moved in a direction toward a location at which a target fixed terminal is located, that is, in a precise direction toward the location.

[10] That is, a problem occurs in that an input signal is not generated when the moving terminal is not located in the exact direction in which a target fixed terminal is located.

[11] It is difficult for a human's finger to precisely move a moving terminal (or an input key) to a specific location. In order to easily generate a direction signal even when input is performed in a similar direction, when the size of one of the moving terminal and the fixed terminals is increased, the contact therebetween will occur easily even when movement is performed in the similar direction. However, in this case, a problem arises in that an "interference problem" occurs. For this reason, it is difficult to implement a highly accurate directional input device capable of precisely inputting a larger number of directions.

[12] If the size of the moving terminal is reduced to the size of the fixed terminals so that only one fixed terminal is detected by the moving terminal, the distance of movement required to make the moving terminal come into contact with each of the fixed terminals is increased, with the result that a longer movement distance is required (that is, the average distance of movement required to bring the moving terminal into contact with each of the fixed terminals is increased).

[13] In particular, in the case of a device for detecting directions and locations, in order to accurately detect directional locations, a large number of fixed terminals must be arranged, and there is a limitation to a reduction in the size of the fixed terminals (if the size is excessively small, it is difficult for electric contact to occur), and thus the diameter of a circular fixed terminal unit, in which the fixed terminals are arranged, is increased in proportion to the number of directions.

[14] In this case, with the increase in the accuracy of directional input (in order to prevent interference), the size of the moving terminal is decreased in line with the decreased size of the fixed terminals to allow the moving terminal to come into contact with only one fixed terminal, the diameter of the fixed terminal unit is further increased, and thus the distance between the moving terminal and the fixed terminals is further increased, with the result that a problem arises in that a directional location value can be detected only when the moving terminal must be moved a long distance to a specific fixed terminal.

[15] For this reason, in an input device for performing directional input through the pressing or tilting of an input unit, it is difficult for a moving terminal and fixed terminals to precisely obtain input values in many directions while enabling one contact to be detected at one time.

[16] In order to perform accurate detection, that is, in order to accurately determine radial directions or locations, a number of fixed terminals equal to the number of directions (locations) must be arranged. As the number of fixed terminals is increased, the number of input ports connected to the fixed terminals must be increased.

[17] However, since the device for detecting directions and locations can detect only directions based on the number of input ports, it has a limitation as the direction and location detection device of a mobile communication terminal that requires the detection of various directions.

[18] Since the number of input ports that can be used in an input device having a limited space is restricted and the accurate determination of locations using a large number of input ports is inefficient from the standpoint of manufacturing costs, there is a limitation to the accurate determination of directions or locations in a directional input device (sensor) or a touch pad used in a mobile communication terminal or the like, or a robot joint sensor (a location estimating inertial sensor).

[19] Hitherto, since a number of input ports equal to the number of fixed terminals is required, inefficiency results. For example, 200 fixed terminals are required to detect 200 directions, and thus 200 input ports are required.

[20] Since a method of detecting a large number of directions in such a way as to assign one input port to each fixed terminal is very inefficient from the standpoint of manufacturing costs, it is difficult to commercialize a device or a sensor capable of

accurately detecting a large number of directions.

[21] In the case in which accurate radial directional input is performed using a capacitive or magnetic sensor or a pressure sensor, an expensive controller is required, and thus a problem arises in that the manufacturing costs thereof increase. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[22] 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 enable not one fixed terminal but a plurality of fixed terminals to be detected at the time of directional input, thereby determining the directional location.

[23] Another object of the present invention is to provide a directional input device for inputting predetermined directional input, in which, in order to generate an input signal corresponding to a specific direction without hindrance even when input is performed not in a correct direction but a similar direction, a plurality of fixed terminals is arranged for each direction, a plurality of fixed terminals is allowed to be detected by a moving terminal at the time of directional input, and the direction in which a relatively large number of fixed terminals are detected is processed as an input direction when the plurality of fixed terminals is detected at directional locations corresponding to two or more directions.

[24] A further object of the present invention is to, in order to identify the maximum number of location values using the minimum number of input ports, provide a predetermined number of input ports and a number of fixed terminals larger than the number of input ports, repeatedly use the input ports, connect one or more different types of input ports to each of the fixed terminals in such a way that different types and a different number of input ports are connected to each of the fixed terminals so that the value of the input ports connected to each of the fixed terminals (the types or number of input ports connected to each of the fixed terminals) can be unique among the values of groups of input ports connected to the respective fixed terminals.

[25] Yet another object of the present invention is to, in order to identify the maximum number of location values using the minimum number of input ports, provide a predetermined number of input ports and a number of fixed terminals larger than the number of input ports, repeatedly use the input ports so that only one input port is assigned to each of the fixed terminals, process the input of a location only when N or more fixed terminals are detected by the moving terminal, and connect the input ports to the detection means so that the number of cases of a detection pattern detected when N detection means are detected is one.

[26] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor that is capable of

detecting both the direction and speed of a moving terminal using the values of a plurality of detected fixed terminals.

[27] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a directional input device for performing predetermined directional input, which determines the location of a median among a plurality of detected fixed terminals (a fixed terminal group), determines the range (area) of a direction within which the relevant location falls, and processes the direction as an input direction.

[28] Still another object of the present invention is to, in order to input accurate directional locations, arrange a plurality of fixed terminals for each direction, enable a plurality of fixed terminals to be detected by a moving terminal at the time of directional input, and determine an accurate location by determining the location of the median of a detected fixed terminal group when a plurality of fixed terminals is detected.

[29] Still another object of the present invention is to previously organize input values based on detection values in all cases into a table using data values and process the input of the respective detection values using the table.

[30] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor that is capable of detecting both the direction and speed of a moving terminal using the values of a plurality of detected fixed terminals.

[31] Still another object of the present invention is to apply a device for detecting directions and locations according to the present invention to a touch pad, a touch screen and a robot joint sensor, as well as a directional input device for performing radial directional input.

[32] Still another object of the present invention is to enable an accurate directional location to be continuously detected based on the situation of variation in the information values of first detected fixed terminals - situation in which one or more fixed terminals are removed from or added to first detected fixed terminals - in the case in which a directional location is continuously indicated by moving an input unit in a circumferential direction in the situation in which a signal is continuously generated or directional input has been performed.

[33] Still another object of the present invention is to perform implementation so that a plurality of moving terminals and a plurality of fixed terminals are provided, and so that a plurality of moving terminals and a single integrated fixed terminal are provided. Technical Solution

[34] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed

terminals connected to the respective input ports in one-to-one correspondence; and a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals.

[35] The fixed terminals are arranged in a circle, and are formed of respective dots.

[36] The fixed terminals are arranged in a circle, and are formed of respective segments having a predetermined length.

[37] The fixed terminals are connected to respective conductive segments that are arranged along X and Y axes.

[38] The fixed terminals are formed of respective spots and distributed throughout a predetermined area, and the moving terminal is moved throughout the predetermined area.

[39] The fixed terminals and the plurality of input ports are connected to each other in a random manner.

[40] The input ports are connected to the fixed terminals in a predetermined sequence

(according to a rule or a pattern) so that a signal generated in a semiconductor can be generated in a unique pattern when N or more fixed terminals are brought into contact with the moving terminal at a certain location.

[41] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals; and a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein a plurality of fixed terminals is provided for each of directions to be detected; and wherein, when two or more fixed terminals are detected in two or more directions, a direction in which a larger number of fixed terminals is detected is processed as an input direction.

[42] The fixed terminals may be disposed in a circular (radial) arrangement.

[43] The present invention provides a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals; and a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein, when two or more fixed terminals are detected, a median in the detected fixed terminals is determined and processed as an input direction.

[44] The fixed terminals may be disposed in a circular (radial) arrangement.

[45] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein the input ports are repeatedly used, and are arranged such that one

input port is assigned to each of the fixed terminals; wherein, when N or more detection means (where N is two) are detected, location input is processed; and wherein the input ports are connected to the fixed terminals so that an input value (type of input port) of input ports detected by N fixed terminals at any location (direction) is unique among values of input ports of groups of N input ports that can be detected at all detection locations (in all directions).

[46] The fixed terminals may be disposed in a circular (radial) arrangement.

[47] The present invention provides a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals arranged in a circle and configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein the plurality of input ports is connected to the plurality of fixed terminals in a random manner, and, when N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected, a direction is determined using a relevant value.

[48] The random arrangement is configured such that the number of cases of the value of

N or more detected signals is one.

[49] The random arrangement is configured such that a unique pattern is generated when

N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected.

[50] The input of the location value is processed when N or more fixed terminals (where

N is two) are detected.

[51] The present invention provides a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals arranged in a circle and configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein the plurality of input ports is connected to the plurality of fixed terminals in order to generate a unique pattern when N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected; and wherein, when the moving terminal resumes moving in the state in which the moving terminal comes into contact with fixed terminals and a direction is determined, a speed of the moving terminal is detected by detecting one or more fixed terminals that are removed from or newly come to contact with the moving terminal.

[52] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals arranged along X and Y axes and configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with

two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein the plurality of input ports is repeatedly used, and is connected to the plurality of fixed terminals in one-to-one correspondence in order to generate a unique pattern when N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected, thereby determining a location of the moving terminal.

[53] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals arranged along X, Y and Z axes and configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein the plurality of input ports is repeatedly used, and is connected to the plurality of fixed terminals in one-to-one correspondence in order to generate a unique pattern when N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected, thereby determining a location of the moving terminal.

[54] The present invention provides a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals arranged in a circle and configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein a plurality of fixed terminals is provided for each of directions desired to be detected; and wherein, when two or more fixed terminals are detected in two or more directions, a median between the detected fixed terminals is determined, and a direction including the median is processed as an input direction.

[55] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein a relatively small number of input ports are repeatedly used, and one of the input ports is connected to each of a relatively large number of fixed terminals; wherein the control unit determines a relevant value and then processes input of the relevant value when N or more fixed terminals are detected; and wherein types or a sequence of input ports that are related to N or more fixed terminals that come into contact with the moving terminal at a certain location within an input region are configured in such a way that the fixed terminals are connected to the input ports in a multiple division irregular connection arrangement so that a detection value at the location is unique (a number of cases is 1) among all detection values (or location values) that can be generated when the fixed terminals located within the input region are brought into contact with the moving terminal.

[56] The sequence of the arrangement is that of a combinational arrangement.

[57] The sequence of the arrangement is that of a permutational arrangement.

[58] The location of movement of the moving terminal is continuously detected based on one or more fixed terminals that are removed from or newly come into contact with the moving terminal as the moving terminal is moved.

[59] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting directions and locations, including a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor; a plurality of fixed terminals configured to come into contact with a moving terminal; and the moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals; wherein the plurality of input ports is connected to the plurality of fixed terminals in a random manner, and, when N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected, a location is determined using a relevant value.

[60] Furthermore, all technical terms and scientific related terms that are not specially defined in the present specification have general meanings that are widely used in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. However, the following terms are defined in order to clarify the range of the present invention, as follows:

[61] [Definitions of Terms]

[62] (1) With regard to the term "irregular connection arrangement" in the present specification, when the input ports of a CPU are connected to a plurality of fixed terminals arranged in a detection region, the input ports are generally connected to the fixed terminals in parallel in the sequence of arrangement of the input ports. For example, the first, second, third, fourth and fifth input ports of the CPU, which are arranged in parallel, are sequentially connected to first, second, third, fourth and fifth fixed terminals, which are arranged in parallel. As shown in Fig. 9, the first input port is connected to the first fixed terminal, the second input port is connected to the second fixed terminal, the third input port is connected to the third fixed terminal, and •••. In contrast, the term "irregular connection arrangement" is defined as an arrangement in which input ports are connected to fixed terminals not in sequence but in an irregular manner for a specific purpose, as shown in Fig. 10.

[63] Examples)

[64] [Sequential connection arrangement]

[65] first input port → first fixed terminal

[66] second input port → second fixed terminal

[67] third input port → third fixed terminal

[68]

[69] [Irregular connection arrangement]

[70] first input port → third fixed terminal

[71] second input port → first fixed terminal

[72] third input port → fifth fixed terminal

[73]

[74] (2) In the specification, the term "combination arrangement" is defined as an arrangement for which the types of input ports connected to one fixed terminal or a plurality of fixed terminals are taken into account and the sequence (sequential positions) of the arrangement of input ports are not taken into account (% When the types of input ports included in an arrangement are the same as those of another arrangement, even though the sequences of input ports included in the arrangements are different from each other, the values of the arrangements are considered to be the same).

[75] Examples) 1, 2, 4 ≠ 1, 2, 3 = 2, 1, 3 = 3, 2, 1 ≠ 5, 2, 1

[76] (3) In the present specification, the "permutational arrangement" is defined as an arrangement for which not only the types of input ports connected to one fixed terminal or a plurality of fixed terminals but also the sequence (sequential positions) of the arrangement of input ports are taken into account (•;*:• When the sequence of input ports included in an arrangement is different from that of another arrangement, even though the types of input ports included in an arrangement are the same as those of another arrangement, the values of the arrangements are considered to be different)

[77] Examples) 1, 2, 4 ≠ 1, 2, 3 ≠ 2, 1, 3 ≠ 3, 2, 1 ≠ 5, 2, 1

Advantageous Effects

[78] Accordingly, the present invention enables a directional input signal in a desired direction to be easily obtained even when an input unit is manipulated not in an accurate direction but in a similar direction at the time of specific directional input, such as character input, and enables accurate directional input, through which direction and location input corresponding to 100, 200 or more directions can be performed, at the time of using the device of the present invention, employing a small number of input ports, as a joystick (control means) for moving the pointer of a mouse or characters in a game.

[79] Furthermore, the present invention enables the detection of a large number of locations, compared with the prior art, even using the minimum number of input ports in a general-purpose semiconductor, which is widely used in electronic products, and the detection of locations can be performed through the detection of electric signals generated through the electric contact between a moving terminal and fixed terminals (between conductive terminals), with the result that accurate direction or location sensors superior to prior art sensors can be manufactured in a simple manner and at very low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[80] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a device for detecting directions and locations according to a conventional embodiment; [81] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an 'interference problem' according to a conventional embodiment; [82] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a device for detecting directions and locations according to an embodiment of the present invention; [83] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a method of detecting a certain direction according to an embodiment of the present invention; [84] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an 'aggregate data processing scheme'-based device for detecting directions and locations according to another embodiment of the present invention; [85] Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing a problem that is caused when 'interference' occurs in an 'aggregate data processing scheme'-based device for detecting directions and locations according to an embodiment of the present invention; [86] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the detection of different detection values at respective detection locations in a 'multiple division data processing scheme'-based device for detecting directions and locations according to another embodiment of the present invention; [87] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the connection between fixed terminals and input ports according to a conventional embodiment; [88] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an 'irregular connection arrangement' according to an embodiment of the present invention; [89] Figs. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing a process of processing the location of the media of a detection region as an input direction when a plurality of fixed terminals is detected by a moving terminal in an embodiment of the present invention; [90] Figs. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing a process of processing a direction in which the largest number of fixed terminals is detected as an input direction when a plurality of fixed terminals is detected by a moving terminal in still another embodiment of the present invention; [91] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a dynamic direction and speed detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [92] Figs. 16 and 17 are diagrams showing a 'multiple division data processing scheme'-based device for detecting directions and locations according to an embodiment of the present invention; [93] Figs. 18 to 25 are diagrams showing various devices for detecting directions and locations, to which the present invention is applied;

[94] Figs. 26 and 27 are diagrams showing a detection sensor for a touch pad or a touch screen, to which the present invention is applied;

[95] Figs. 28 and 29 are diagrams showing a device for detecting directions and locations, to which the present invention is applied and which can perform three-dimensional detection along three axes, that is, X, Y and Z axes; and

[96] Figs. 30 and 31 are diagrams showing a robot joint sensor (inertial sensor), to which the present invention is applied. Mode for the Invention

[97] A data input device of the present invention having the above-described construction will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[98] The device for detecting directions and locations according to the present invention uses an interference phenomenon in order to solve an interference problem.

[99] The "interference problem" is solved by allowing a plurality of fixed terminals, rather than one fixed terminal, to be detected by a moving terminal at the time of directional input, as shown in Fig. 3, and processing the values of the plurality of detected fixed terminals as a single input value.

[100] Furthermore, a directional input device for processing predetermined directions, as shown in Fig. 4, is configured to process a relevant direction as an input direction in such a way as to arrange a plurality of fixed terminals in each input direction and determine the direction in which the largest number of fixed terminals is detected by the moving terminal when fixed terminals are detected in two or more directions by a moving terminal.

[101] Accordingly, although the moving terminal is not accurately moved in a target direction and fixed terminals in adjacent directions are detected by the moving terminal, a direction closest to the direction in which the moving terminal is moved can be found. As a result, when a user moves the moving terminal in a direction close to a target direction, only the desired direction can be input without an "interference input" or "non-input" phenomenon, thereby improving the accuracy of input.

[102] As shown in Fig. 5, in order to overcome the problem in which a large number of input ports is required due to the increase in the number of fixed terminals at the time of processing precise directional (location) input, and in order to process the maximum number of directional locations using the maximum number of input ports,

[103] input ports are repeatedly used, and

[104] a combination of one or more input ports is assigned to each fixed terminal so that each fixed terminal can have a unique value,

[105] thereby obtaining a number of cases (the number of fixed terminals or location values) larger than the number of all input ports used.

[106] However, the "aggregate data processing scheme" cannot be widely used for all devices.

[107] It is difficult for the "aggregate data processing scheme" to avoid the "interference problem" when the number of input directions (locations) increases (when detection means are closed arranged). In the case of a precise device for detecting directions and locations or a precise location sensor, it is difficult to implement it so that one fixed terminal is always brought into contact with a moving terminal because a large number of fixed terminals are closely arranged.

[108] That is, as shown in Fig. 6, in the above-described input processing scheme, when a first terminal having the code value (1) and a second terminal having the code value (2, 3) are detected together in the case in which the second terminal is located immediately beside the first terminal, a control unit performs input processing using the code value (1, 2, 3).

[109] However, since the code value (1, 2, 3) has already been assigned to the third terminal, the control unit processes a location different from the actually detected location as an input direction.

[110] In other words, in the case of an "aggregate data processing scheme" in which a plurality of input ports is used in relation to each of the fixed terminals and the number of fixed terminals is greater than the total number of input ports, two or more input ports must be connected to each of the fixed terminals and each of the fixed terminals must have a unique signal value (an input port value), with the result that the types of input ports related to each of the fixed terminals must be different from the types of input ports related to any other fixed terminal. In this case, when a plurality of fixed terminals is detected by the moving terminal, the total number of detected input ports is larger than in the case in which one input port is connected to each of the fixed terminals.

[I l l] As shown in Fig. 7, in some cases, even if only two fixed terminals are detected, detection signals may be generated in all of the input ports.

[112] Accordingly, it is difficult to apply the "aggregate data processing scheme" to the above-described case, in which an interference problem occurs.

[113] This limitation results in the case in which more accurate directional input processing is not performed.

[114] Accordingly, a "multiple division data processing scheme," which is another embodiment of the present invention, is devised to solve the problem of the "aggregate data processing scheme."

[115] As shown in Fig. 8, input ports are repeatedly used, and one input port is connected to each of fixed terminals, and

[116] input is processed when N or more fixed terminals are detected by a moving

terminal, and the input ports are connected to the fixed terminals in a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement" so that the N or more fixed terminals can have a different value in each of all possible directions.

[117] (•;*:• N is characterized in that it is 2 or more, or three or more.)

[118] In other words, in the "multiple division data processing scheme," the input ports are repeatedly used, one input port is connected to each of the fixed terminals, the processing of input for one direction is performed using the entire detection value of N or more detected fixed terminals when the N or more fixed terminals are detected by the moving terminal, and the input ports are connected to the fixed terminal in predetermined patterns so that the value of N or more fixed terminals detected at any location can be unique among the values of groups of N or more fixed terminals that can be detected in all directions (at all locations) (*the input ports are not sequentially connected to the fixed terminals in the sequence of the input ports in a semiconductor, and different types or numbers of input ports are connected to detection means). In this case, when N or more fixed terminals are detected by the moving terminal at a certain location, the value of the N or more detected fixed terminals is output as a single directional (location) value, and thus the maximum number of direction (location) values can be acquired using a small number of input ports.

[119] It can be seen from (1) of Fig. 8 that three input ports ®, © and © are detected by the moving terminal due to the input, from (2) thereof that three input ports ®, © and © are detected by the moving terminal due to the input, from (3) thereof that the moving terminal moves further and five input ports ©, ©, ©, ® and © are detected. The detection values in the cases (1), (2) and (3) are different from each other, the detection values can be detected only in the respective directions (locations), and the control unit performs input processing on data corresponding to the respective detection value.

[120] The correspondence between a plurality of fixed terminals and input ports in the "multiple division data processing scheme" is characterized by a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement," that is, a random arrangement.

[121] The above-described concept 'random' is a concept that is to be compared with the concept 'sequential', and refers not to the sequential arrangement of fixed terminals and input ports, but to the random arrangement thereof.

[122] For example, when the arrangement in which input port No. 1 is arranged to correspond to fixed terminal No. 1, input port No. 2 is arranged to correspond to fixed terminal No. 2, input port No. 3 is arranged to correspond to fixed terminal 3, •••, as shown in Fig. 9, is referred to as sequential arrangement, random arrangement refers to the arrangement in which input port No. 1 is arranged to correspond to fixed terminal No. 3, input port No. 2 is arranged to correspond to fixed terminal No. 1, input port No. 3 is arranged to correspond to fixed terminal No. 5, •••, as shown in Fig. 10.

[123] Furthermore, random arrangement is characterized in that the input ports are connected to the fixed terminals according to a predetermined sequence (rule) so that a signal generated in a semiconductor has a unique pattern when N or more fixed terminals are brought into contact with the moving terminal.

[124] That is, an electric signal is generated when the moving terminal is brought into contact with one or more fixed terminals, and the generated signal is transferred to the input port and then to the semiconductor.

[125] The semiconductor generates a code unique to each of the input ports. In the present invention, the feature of the contact between the moving terminal and the fixed terminals does not cause an electric signal to be transferred to one input port, but causes electric signals to be transferred to a plurality of input ports.

[126] Codes simultaneously generated through respective input ports are a plurality of codes, and constitute a pattern, like a combination of numbers. Patterns each composed of a plurality of codes are generated depending on the arrangement of the fixed terminals and the input ports and the available range of contact between the moving terminal and the fixed terminals.

[127] For example, assuming that input portl corresponds to code 1, input port2 corresponds to code 2 and input port3 corresponds to code 3, unique patterns are each composed of the codes of input ports, and are a total of seven, including 3Cl (three), 3C2 (three) and 3C3 (one). That is, there are seven unique patterns. Here, regardless of the direction in which the moving terminal comes into contact with fixed terminals, only one unique pattern is generated in that direction.

[128] That is, the above-described three input ports can recognize seven directions, and cannot recognize more than seven directions.

[129] However, if, in the present invention, the moving terminal is not simultaneously brought into contact with fixed terminals in each direction but is sequentially brought into contact with the fixed terminals, directions that can be detected by three pins are based on 15 unique patterns, including 3Pl (3), 3P2 (6), and 3P3 (6). Each of these unique patterns is configured to appear only in one direction.

[130] That is, a direction (location) is not detected only by determining the types (the state of the combination) of input ports connected to N detected fixed terminals, but a direction (location) is detected in consideration of the sequence of contact of fixed terminals (the sequence of transmission of electric signals to the input ports). When input ports 1, 2, and 3 are detected, when input ports 2, 1 and 3 are detected, and when input ports 3, 2 and 1 are detected, detection values in the cases are processed as different values because the types of input ports involved in each case are the same as those involved in each of the other cases, but the sequences of detection of the input ports are different from each other. That is, if directions are detected in consideration

of the sequence of detection of input ports, 15 directions can be recognized. [131] If input processing is performed using permutations, in which the time difference (the sequence of detection) is additionally taken into consideration, rather than combinations, in which only the overall value (types) of detected input ports is taken into consideration, it is possible to obtain a larger number of values (direction values, and location values). [132] A method of processing the input of one piece of data using the overall value of a plurality of fixed terminals detected by the moving terminal according to the present invention will be described below. [133] As shown in Fig. 11, a device for detecting directions and locations according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: [134] a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor;

[135] a plurality of fixed terminals arranged in a circle; and [136] a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals. [137] In this device, when two or more fixed terminals are detected, the device detects the median location of the detected fixed terminals, and the median 60 may be processed as one piece of data (one input location). [138] When an even number of fixed terminals is detected, as shown in Fig. 12, the median

60 of a detection region is located between central fixed terminals, and thus the value of any one of the fixed terminals on either side of the median or the value between the fixed terminals may be processed as an input location. [139] Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, a device for detecting directions and locations, which detects predetermined directions according to another embodiment of the present invention, includes: [140] a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor;

[141] a plurality of fixed terminals arranged in a circle; and [142] a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals. [143] In this case, a plurality of fixed terminals is provided for each of directions to be detected. When a plurality of fixed terminals is detected in two or more directions, a direction, including the median in the detection region (area) of the detected fixed terminals, may be processed as an input direction 40. [144] The median 60 may correspond to a fixed terminal or the median between a fixed terminal and a fixed terminal. [145] As an example of determining the median between a plurality of detected fixed

terminals,

[146] The median is obtained in such a way that the locations of the extremities of detected fixed terminals, such as the locations of the rightmost and leftmost terminals of detected fixed terminals or the uppermost and lowermost terminals of detected fixed terminals, are determined, the values of the locations are added together, and the sum is divided by 2. This method includes line, surface and space concepts.

[147] It will be apparent that the technology of the present invention is not limited to the method of determining the median between a plurality of detected fixed terminals and performing input processing based on the median. It will also be apparent that input values based on the detection values of N or more fixed terminals that can be detected in all directions (locations) may be previously put into a table using data values (organized into a database) and the input of the respective detection values may be processed using the table.

[148] In the present invention, a number of directions larger than the number of conventional limited directions can be detected, and thus the more accurate detection of directions can be achieved. Moreover, in the present invention, the speed of the moving terminal can also be detected.

[149] From Fig. 15, it can be seen that, when the moving terminal is brought into contact with fixed terminals, the moving terminal is sequentially brought into contact with the fixed terminals.

[150] When the moving terminal is moved upward, the moving terminal first comes into contact with an upper center fixed terminal 30a, as indicated by (1). As the moving terminal is moved further, the moving terminal additionally comes into contact with both side fixed terminals 30b and 30c, as indicated by (2).

[151] Since the fixed terminals are sequentially brought into contact with the moving terminal as the moving terminal is moved further, there is a difference between the time at which the fixed terminal 30a is detected and the time at which the fixed terminal 30b or the fixed terminal 30c is detected. When the moving terminal is moved further, the moving terminal additionally comes into contact with a fixed terminal 30d and a fixed terminal 30e, as indicated by (3), and there is a certain difference between the time at which the fixed terminals 30b and 30c are detected and the time at which the fixed terminals 30d and 30e are detected. The speed of the moving terminal can be calculated by detecting variation in the difference between the times at which the plurality of fixed terminals is sequentially detected.

[152] In the present invention, the speed of the moving terminal may be determined by detecting the differences between the times at which a plurality of fixed terminals is detected when the plurality of fixed terminals is sequentially detected by the moving terminal as the moving terminal is moved further.

[153] Furthermore, the acceleration of the moving terminal may be determined using variation in the differences between the times at which respective fixed terminals are sequentially detected.

[154] The acceleration of the moving terminal is determined using variation between the time differences in the detection of fixed terminals when the fixed terminals are sequentially detected by the moving terminal, that is, variation between the difference between the time at which the fixed terminal 30a is detected and the time at which the fixed terminal 30b or 30c is detected, and the difference between the time at which the fixed terminal 30b or 30c is detected and the time at which the fixed terminal 30d or 30e is detected.

[155] Furthermore, in the present invention, in a directional input device or a device for detecting directions and locations, the speed of a mouse pointer in the Internet or the speed of a character in a game may be adjusted in stages depending on the distance that the moving terminal is moved. In the present invention, the number of detected fixed terminals varies with the distance the moving terminal is moved. Accordingly, the speed of a mouse pointer or a game character may be processed in stages depending on the distance of movement (the number of fixed terminals). This is useful when a mouse pointer is desired to be moved faster or a character is desired to be moved (made to run) faster during a game. The realistic and convenient manipulation of movement may be performed in such a way that a mouse pointer or a game character can be moved in proportion to the pressure of movement of a hand or the distance of movement (a user's intention).

[156] As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, a device for detecting directions and locations according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[157] a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor;

[158] a plurality of fixed terminals connected to the respective input ports in one-to-one correspondence; and

[159] a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals.

[160] In this device, the control unit performs input processing only when N or more fixed terminals are detected by the moving terminal, and the input ports are repeatedly used, and are provided in a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement" so that, when N or more fixed terminals are detected in a certain direction (at a certain location) by the moving terminal, a value that is unique among all detection values (the values (types) of input ports connected to the detected fixed terminals) that may be generated when N or more fixed terminals are detected at each of all directions (locations) is generated (only one value exists).

[161] Furthermore, the plurality of fixed terminals is arranged in a circle, and each of the fixed terminals may be formed in a dot shape (see Fig. 16) or a broken line shape (see Fig. 17: an entity having a terminal shape formed along a predetermined length, rather than a dot).

[162] The 'dot shape' refers to an entity having the minimum size of a contact.

[163] The technical spirit of the present invention may be applied to various kinds of directional input devices.

[164] Figs. 18 and 19 show an embodiment of the present technology in which the directional movement of input means is detected. In this embodiment, a moving terminal is installed on a pillar 80 that supports the upper member 70 of input means, and fixed terminals are installed on the circular guide means 100 of a base 90, which comes into contact with the pillar when the input means performs directional movement, so that, when the input means, which comes into contact with the pillar, performs directional movement input, N fixed terminals come into contact with the moving terminal and the control unit determines a directional movement location by detecting the value of the N detected fixed terminals.

[165] Figs. 20 and 21 show the directional pressing input of direction input means that is applied to the spirit of the present invention and is practiced. A moving terminal is installed at the bottom of the upper member 70 of the input means, and fixed terminals are installed on the top of the base so that they are brought into contact with the moving terminal at the time of performing directional pressing on the input means. Accordingly, at the time of directional pressing on the input means, N fixed terminals are brought into contact with the moving terminal, and thus a directional pressing location can be determined.

[166] In this case, the number of fixed terminals that come into contact with the moving terminal varies with the intensity of directional pressing. That is, the upper member of the input means is made of elastic material that can be deformed at the time of pressing. When directional pressing is performed on the upper member at a predetermined intensity, a predetermined number of fixed terminals are detected. In contrast, when directional pressing is performed on the upper member at an intensity stronger than the predetermined intensity, a number of fixed terminals larger than the predetermined number are brought into contact with the moving terminal. In this case, the control unit may perform input processing based on a value that varies depending on the value (or number) of fixed terminals that are detected by the moving terminal.

[167] Accordingly, the input means can input different pieces of data depending on the intensity of directional pressing even at the same directional location. For example, data corresponding to first-stage pressing input may be input at the time of pressing at a first-stage intensity, and data corresponding to second-stage pressing input may be

input at the time of pressing at a second-stage intensity.

[168] Fig. 22 shows a directional input device that is practiced in still another form. A moving terminal is installed on the lower portion of the pillar 80 of stick-shaped movable input means, and fixed terminals are installed on the bottom of a base 90 that can come into contact with the moving terminal. When the input means performs directional movement (is tilted), N or more fixed terminals are brought into contact with the moving terminal at a specific directional location, and thus the location of the directional movement of the input means can be determined.

[169] Figs. 23 and 24 show a device for detecting directions and locations according to still another embodiment of the present invention, including:

[170] a plurality of input ports provided such that different electric signals are input to a semiconductor;

[171] a plurality of fixed terminals arranged along X and Y axes and configured to come into contact with the moving terminal; and

[172] a moving terminal designed to be brought into contact with two or more of the plurality of fixed terminals;

[173] wherein the plurality of input ports is connected to the fixed terminals so that they generate a unique pattern when N or more fixed terminals (where N is two) are detected, and are configured to determine the location of the moving terminal.

[174] In this case, the plurality of input ports is repeatedly used, and one input port is connected to each of the fixed terminals in unique pattern sequence so that, when N or more fixed terminals are detected, the value thereof can be unique among the values of all possible cases in such a way that the input ports are connected to the fixed terminals in a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement" for which, when N fixed terminals in a different sequence are detected, the code value thereof can be a unique value.

[175] Fig. 23 shows an embodiment of the directional input device in which the location of the directional movement of an input means 50 is detected and determined along X and Y axes. An X-axis support 110a and a Y-axis support 110b are connected below the input means, moving terminals 20 are installed on the bottoms of both ends of each of the X- and Y-axis supports, and fixed terminals 30 are arranged on the top of a base, throughout which the supports are moved, along the paths of the moving terminals along X and Y axes so that they are brought into contact with the moving terminals at the time of the movement of the supports. As the input means moves, the X-axis support and the Y-axis supports are respectively moved laterally along the X axis and vertically along the Y axis, and thus the values of the fixed terminals that are brought into contact with the moving terminals vary, with the result that the location of the movement of the input means can be determined.

[176] Referring to Fig. 24, when the input means is moved in a northwest direction, the X- axis support is moved in a left direction and the Y-axis support is moved in an upper direction, and thus fixed terminals located along the paths along which the supports are moved come into contact with the moving terminals, with the result that the input means is determined to be moved in the northwest direction.

[177] Fig. 25 shows still another embodiment in which, in a stick-type directional input device, the movement of the input means is determined based on detection values along X and Y axes. It is apparent that the "multiple division data processing scheme" of the present invention may also be applied to the directional input device in such a way that fixed terminals are connected to input ports in a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement" and N or more fixed terminals are always detected by the moving terminal.

[178] It is apparent that the technical spirit of the present invention can be applied to a touch pad, a touch screen and a robot joint sensor, as well as a device for detecting directions and locations (an input device) capable of performing radial directional input.

[179] As shown in Fig. 26, the plurality of fixed terminals is formed of conductive segments 120 that cross each other (i.e., lie at right angles to each other) along X and Y axes, and may be brought into contact with the moving terminal, with the result that a detection signal may be generated. It is apparent that the input ports are repeatedly used in conjunction with the fixed terminals connected to segments arranged along the X and Y axes and are provided in a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement." When the above-described method is implemented in the touch pad of a notebook computer, a touch capable of more accurately determining location values compared with current touch pads can be implemented using a smaller number of input ports.

[180] Furthermore, a plurality of fixed terminals may be formed of spot terminals 130, and may be distributed throughout a predetermined area, as shown in Fig. 27. Input ports are repeatedly used in conjunction with the spot-shaped fixed terminals, and are provided in a "multiple division irregular connection arrangement." The 'spots' refer to entities each having a spot- shaped contact size that can conduct electric signals when they are brought into contact with the moving terminal.

[181] Furthermore, the plurality of fixed terminals is arranged along X, Y and Z axes, as shown in Figs. 28 and 29, and can three-dimensionally determine the movement of the moving terminal along three axes (that is, in 3D or in space).

[182] Furthermore, the plurality of fixed terminals is arranged in a circular strip or area inside the space of a sphere, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, and can determine the movement of moving terminals in the joint sensor of a robot or the like. In this case,

the moving terminals include a rotation detection moving terminal 20a capable of detecting the rotation of a joint 160 and a bending detection moving terminal 20b capable of detecting the bending (the angle of movement) of the joint. When the joint is rotated, as shown in Fig. 30, the rotation detection moving terminal is detected by the fixed terminals along the X axis, thereby determining the rotation of the joint. When the joint is bent, as shown in Fig. 31, the bending detection moving terminal is detected by the fixed terminals along the Y axis, thereby determining the bending of the joint. Furthermore, the rotating and angular speed of a joint can be determined by detecting the differences between the times at which the respective fixed terminals are sequentially detected by the moving terminals.