IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,877,569
Granted Patent B2
US 10,877,569 · App. 16/423,030 · Granted Dec 29, 2020

Touch device and operating method thereof

Inventor: Chueh-Pin Ko (New Taipei, TW)
Assignee: Acer Incorporated
G06F3/0202G06F3/0219G06F3/0227G06F3/0393G06F3/03547G06F3/04162
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,877,569
App. No.
16/423,030
Granted
Dec 29, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure provides a touch device and an operating method thereof. The touch device includes a touch panel, a positioning structure, and a detecting module. The touch panel bears a detachable keyboard module. The positioning structure fixes the detachable keyboard module on the touch panel, wherein the detachable keyboard module fixed on the touch panel partially covers the touch panel. The detecting module detects the detachable keyboard module fixed on the touch panel.

Claims (39)

1. A touch device, comprising:

a touch panel, bearing a detachable keyboard module;

a positioning structure, fixing the detachable keyboard module to the touch panel, wherein the detachable keyboard module fixed to the touch panel partially covers the touch panel; and

a detecting module, detecting the detachable keyboard module fixed on the touch panel and comprises at least one optical detecting component disposed on at least one side of the touch panel and transmitting an optical signal toward a bottom side of the touch panel to measure a signal strength of a reflected optical signal for detecting a position of the detachable keyboard module and accordingly determining a type of the detachable keyboard module.

2. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the positioning structure comprises a positioning slot disposed on one side of the touch panel and corresponding to a protruding portion on the detachable keyboard module, wherein the positioning slot accommodates the protruding portion to fix the detachable keyboard module to a preset position on the touch panel.

3. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the positioning structure comprises a first magnetic component disposed in the touch panel and corresponding to a second magnetic component on the detachable keyboard module, wherein the first magnetic component attracts the second magnetic component to fix the detachable keyboard module to a predetermined position on the touch panel.

4. The touch device of claim 3 , wherein the detecting module comprises a magnetic sensor disposed in the touch panel adjacent to the first magnetic component, wherein the magnetic sensor is determines that the detachable keyboard module is detected in response to a magnetic force change caused by the first magnetic component attracting the second magnetic component.

5. The touch device of claim 3 , wherein one of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element is a magnet, and another of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element is a magnetized material.

6. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the detecting module comprises at least one optical detecting component disposed on one side of the touch panel, wherein when a signal strength measured by the at least one optical detecting component is higher than a strength threshold, determining that the detachable keyboard module has been detected.

7. The touch device of claim 6 , wherein the detecting module further comprises a hidden slot disposed on the side of the touch panel, and the at least one optical detecting component is disposed in the hidden slot.

8. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the touch device is configured to:

in response to the detecting module detecting the detachable keyboard module, obtaining a touch coordinate from the touch panel, wherein the touch coordinate is located in a coverage of the detachable keyboard module on the touch panel; and

converting the touch coordinate to a key event, wherein the key event corresponds to a pressed key on the detachable keyboard module.

9. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the touch device is configured to:

obtaining a touch coordinate from the touch panel, wherein the touch coordinate is located in a coverage of the detachable keyboard module on the touch panel;

determining whether the detecting module detects the detachable keyboard module; and

in response to the detecting module detecting the detachable keyboard module, converting the touch coordinate into a key event, wherein the key event corresponds to a pressed key on the detachable keyboard module.

10. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the detachable keyboard module is a passive keyboard module.

11. The touch device of claim 1 , wherein the detachable keyboard module comprises a plurality of key units, wherein each of the key units comprises:

a key body for receiving a pressing operation;

a deformable structure connected to the key body, generating a defoi illation phenomenon in response to the pressing operation, and resetting after the pressing operation disappears;

a conductive material disposed on the key body or the deformable structure, moving along with the deformation phenomenon, and correspondingly changing a capacitance value between the touch panel and the touch panel; and

a support structure supporting the key body and the deformable structure.

12. The touch device of claim 11 , wherein the detachable keyboard module further comprises at least one of a connecting member and a carrier, the connecting member being connected between the key units, the carrier is configured to carry the key units and is placed on the touch panel.

13. The touch device of claim 12 , wherein the detachable keyboard module further comprises an extending segment connected to the carrier, the extending segment being configured for the detecting module to detect whether the detachable keyboard module is placed on the touch panel.

14. The touch device of claim 13 , wherein the positioning structure comprises a positioning slot, and the extending segment is further accommodated in the positioning slot to fix the detachable keyboard module to a preset position on the touch panel.

15. An operating method of a touch device comprising a touch panel, a positioning structure and a detecting module, wherein the method comprises:

bearing, by the touch panel, a detachable keyboard module;

fixing, by the positioning structure, the detachable keyboard module to the touch panel, wherein the detachable keyboard module fixed to the touch panel partially covers the touch panel; and

detecting, by the detecting module, the detachable keyboard module fixed on the touch panel, wherein the detecting module comprises at least one optical detecting component disposed on at least one side of the touch panel and transmitting an optical signal toward a bottom side of the touch panel to measure a signal strength of a reflected optical signal for detecting a position of the detachable keyboard module and accordingly determining a type of the detachable keyboard module.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

in response to the detecting module detecting the detachable keyboard module, obtaining a touch coordinate from the touch panel, wherein the touch coordinate is located in a coverage of the detachable keyboard module on the touch panel; and

converting the touch coordinate to a key event, wherein the key event corresponds to a pressed key on the detachable keyboard module.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

obtaining a touch coordinate from the touch panel, wherein the touch coordinate is located in a coverage of the detachable keyboard module on the touch panel;

determining whether the detecting module detects the detachable keyboard module; and

in response to the detecting module detecting the detachable keyboard module, converting the touch coordinate into a key event, wherein the key event corresponds to a pressed key on the detachable keyboard module.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the detecting module comprises at least one optical detecting component disposed on one side of the touch panel, and the step of detecting, by the detecting module, the detachable keyboard module fixed on the touch panel comprises:

when a signal strength measured by the at least one optical detecting component is higher than a strength threshold, determining that the detachable keyboard module has been detected.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2019
From: KO, CHUEH-PIN
To: ACER INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 049298/0020 →
Priority Claims (1)
TW 107215442 U · Nov 14, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200150778A1 · May 14, 2020