Electronic device having multi-functional human interface
A multi-functional human interface device includes a control unit and a first multi-functional input button. The first multi-functional input button includes a cover unit configured to receive a touch input of a user's finger, an electrode unit including a transmitter and a receiver to form an electric field, an elastic unit configured to move from a first height to a second height when a first pressure is applied from the cover unit and configured to move back to the first height when the first pressure from the cover unit is released, and a switch unit configured to generate an electric signal representing an input of a predetermined letter.
1. An electronic device having a multi-functional human interface, comprising:
a text region that forms a predetermined keyboard layout and receives text input from a user;
a touch region that forms at least a part of the predetermined keyboard layout and receives touch input from the user;
multi-functional buttons disposed in an overlap region between the text region and the touch region; and
a controller that processes signals received from the multi-functional buttons,
wherein the multi-functional buttons includes:
a cover that is touched or applied with a physical pressure by the user and moved up and down by the physical pressure;
a switch that generates a text input signal when the cover is moved down;
multiple electrodes located under the cover to form a transmitter and a receiver for generating pointer location-relevant information in response to the touch; and
an electrical connection member that electrically connects the transmitter and the receiver with the controller, and
the multiple electrodes include a first electrode that forms multiple first electrode lines which are electrically connected along any one of a longitudinal direction or a widthwise direction of the keyboard layout and thus have different drive timings and functions as the transmitter and a second electrode that forms multiple second electrode lines which are electrically connected along the other one of the longitudinal direction and the widthwise direction of the keyboard layout and thus have different scan timings and functions as the receiver, and
wherein the multi-functional button selectively receives the text input only when the multi-functional button is pressed since the switch generates the text input signal only when the cover is at a down position, and the multi-functional button receives the touch input at least when the multi-functional button is not moved down since the electrical connection member electrically connects the transmitter and the receiver with the controller at least when the cover is at an up position.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 ,
wherein the electrical connection member includes a first electric conductor fixed and connected to the controller and a second electric conductor connected to the transmitter or the receiver, and
since the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor are electrically connected with each other when the cover is at the up position and the down position, the multi-functional button receives the touch input both when the multi-functional button is moved down and when it is not moved down.
3. The electronic device of claim 2 ,
wherein the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor maintain the electrical connection with each other while the cover is moved up and down.
4. The electronic device of claim 3 ,
wherein the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor maintain a physical contact with each other while the cover is moved up and down.
5. The electronic device of claim 4 ,
wherein the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor maintain a sliding contact with each other while the cover is moved up and down.
6. The electronic device of claim 2 ,
wherein in the electrical connection member, the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor are electrically connected with each other by using an electromagnetic induction phenomenon.
7. The electronic device of claim 2 ,
wherein in the electrical connection member, the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor are electrically connected with each other by using high-frequency signals.
8. The electronic device of claim 1 ,
wherein the electrical connection member is formed as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).
9. The electronic device of claim 8 ,
wherein at least some of the multiple multi-functional buttons share the electrical connection member through the flexible printed circuit board.