Methods and apparatus for correcting input error in input apparatus

Methods and apparatus are provided for correcting an input error in an input apparatus capable of touch inputs of a first touch input scheme and a second touch input scheme. Upon detecting a touch input of the first touch input scheme, an activity corresponding to the detected touch input is executed and activity execution information corresponding to the activity is stored. The activity executed in accordance with the touch input of the first touch input scheme is cancelled, when a touch input of the second touch input scheme occurs before the touch input of the first touch input scheme is released or before a preset timer expires. The first touch input scheme and the second touch input scheme are different schemes.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 5, 2011 and assigned Serial No. 10-2011-0000860, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an input apparatus capable of a touch and a pen input, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for detecting and correcting an input error in the input apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many display devices employ a touch screen input scheme in which a user may input data by directly touching the screen using his or her fingertip or a stylus pen. This touch screen input scheme is mainly adopted in personal mobile terminals such as, for example, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a notebook computer, an All-in-One Personal Computer (PC), a tablet PC, and a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP). An intuitive and convenient user interface may be provided via the touch screen input scheme, which specifically allows for the inputting information about a position that a user has indicated by touching a specific position on a display screen instead of using a keyboard, a mouse, and physical buttons. A pen-based touch input scheme is suitable for graphic works such as, for example, Computer-Aided Design (CAD).

The touch screen input scheme, which is also referred to as digitizer and an Electric Graphic Input Panel (EGIP), may be roughly classified into a resistive scheme, a capacitive scheme, and an ElectroMagnetic Resonance (EMR) scheme, according to the method of detecting the position indicated by the user.

The resistive scheme detects a position pressed according to pressure by detecting a change in current with a Direct Current (DC) voltage applied thereto. Specifically, the resistive scheme may detect a direct contact between two thin conductive layers on the screen due to pressure from a fingertip or a stylus pen. The resistive scheme may detect any object, regardless of whether it is a conductor or a non-conductor, because this scheme detects position by pressure.

The capacitive scheme detects a touch point using capacitance coupling with an Alternating Current (AC) voltage applied thereto. Specifically, the capacitive scheme may detect only the conductive object, and requires a contact area greater than or equal to a predetermined area to ensure a detectable change in capacitance. Therefore, the capacitive scheme may detect a position when the user inputs data using his or her fingertip. However, when the user inputs data using a conductive tip, the capacitive scheme may not detect the position due to the small contact area caused by the conductive tip.

The EMR scheme employs a digitizer sensor substrate including an array of loop coils. Accordingly, if the user moves a pen, the pen is driven by an AC signal to cause an oscillating magnetic field, which induces a signal in the coils. The position of the pen is detected based on the signal induced in the coils.

Unlike the resistive scheme, the EMR scheme does not necessarily have the sensor substrate disposed in front of a display module. Instead the EMR scheme may have the sensor substrate disposed at the rear of the display module, because this scheme disposes a plurality of coils on the substrate and identifies a position of the pen by detecting a change in electromagnetic field occurring by an access of the pen to the sensor substrate.

Accordingly, a multi-input apparatus capable of both a digitizer (touch) input of the EMR scheme and a touch input of the capacitive scheme may be provided. However, when a part of the hand touches the touch screen during pen input, an input unintended by the user may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and correcting an input error having occurred without user's intention in an input apparatus capable of both a touch input of a capacitive scheme and a pen input of an EMR scheme.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for correcting an input error in an input apparatus capable of touch inputs of a first touch input scheme and a second touch input scheme. Upon detecting a touch input of the first touch input scheme, an activity corresponding to the detected touch input is executed and activity execution information corresponding to the activity is stored. The activity executed in accordance with the touch input of the first touch input scheme is cancelled, when a touch input of the second touch input scheme occurs before the touch input of the first touch input scheme is released. The first touch input scheme and the second touch input scheme are different schemes.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for correcting an input error in an input apparatus capable of touch inputs of a first touch input scheme and a second touch input scheme. The apparatus includes an input unit including a touch screen panel for detecting a touch input of the first touch input scheme and a pen input unit for detecting a touch input of the second touch input scheme. The apparatus also includes a controller for, upon detecting the touch input of the first touch input scheme, executing an activity corresponding to the detected touch input and storing activity execution information corresponding to the activity, and for cancelling the activity executed in accordance with the touch input of the first touch input scheme, when a touch input of the second touch input scheme occurs before the touch input of the first touch input scheme is released. The first touch input scheme and the second touch input scheme are different schemes.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for correcting an input error in an input apparatus capable of a touch input of a first touch input scheme and a touch input of a second touch input scheme. Upon detecting the touch input of the first touch input scheme, starting a timer that operates for a preset time, an activity corresponding to the detected touch input is executed, and activity execution information corresponding to the activity is stored. The activity executed in accordance with the touch input of the first touch input scheme is cancelled, when the touch input of the second touch input scheme occurs before the timer expires. The first touch input scheme and the second touch input scheme are different schemes.

In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for correcting an input error in an input apparatus capable of a touch input of a first touch input scheme and a touch input of a second touch input scheme. The apparatus includes an input unit including a touch screen panel for detecting the touch input of the first touch input scheme and a pen input unit for detecting the touch input of the second touch input scheme. The apparatus also includes a controller for, upon detecting the touch input of the first touch input scheme, starting a timer that operates for a preset time, executing an activity corresponding to the detected touch input and storing activity execution information corresponding to the activity, and for cancelling the activity executed in accordance with the touch input of the first touch input scheme when the touch input of the second touch input scheme occurs before the timer expires. The first touch input scheme and the second touch input scheme are different schemes.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an input apparatus capable of providing input based on different first and second touch input schemes. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for detecting and correcting an input error unintended by a user in an input apparatus capable of a touch screen input of a capacitive scheme (the first input scheme) and a pen input of an EMR scheme (the second input scheme).

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a display of an input apparatus to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable.

Referring toFIG. 1, the input apparatus, to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable, includes a display panel module120having a general Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) display panel or Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) display panel for displaying images. The input apparatus also includes a Touch Screen Panel (TSP)110disposed on the top of the display panel module120for detecting a touch input of the capacitive scheme. The input apparatus further includes a digitizer module130disposed on the bottom of the display panel module120for detecting a pen input of the EMR scheme.

When the display panel module120is embodied as the TFT-LCD display panel, the display panel module120may include a liquid crystal panel on which images are formed, and a backlight assembly for irradiating light to the rear of the liquid crystal panel. When the display panel module120is embodied as the OLED display panel, the display panel module120may include an upper electrode, an organic material layer, a lower electrode, and a substrate.

In order for a user to conveniently input data using a pen, the input apparatus may be set to nullify a touch input caused by the hand when a distance between the pen and the EMR sensor substrate is less than or equal to a pen recognition distance, such as, for example, 2 to 3 centimeters (cm). Generally, however, when writing on paper, most people habitually place the bottom of the hand holding the pen on the paper before writing, thus causing a possible unintended input error. In order to prevent this input error, the user would have to place the pen on the touch screen before putting the bottom of the hand thereon during pen input. However, this pose may be uncomfortable because it is different from the general pen input pose. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for automatically detecting and correcting the input error that occurs during pen input in an input apparatus capable of both a touch input of the capacitive scheme and a pen input of the EMR scheme.

Generally, events occurring by an input scheme, such as a mouse input, a touch screen input, and a pen input, may include three different types of events: a Detect event occurring when an initial input is detected; a Move event occurring when input coordinates are changed with the input being maintained; and a Release event occurring when the input is released.

Accordingly, the input apparatus may generally detect events according to the flow shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a flow of input events occurring during touch screen input. As shown inFIG. 2, during touch screen input, a Detect event202occurs from the initial contact, Move events204a-204coccur from the movement of an input position, and a Release event206occurs if the input is released. The Move events204a-204cmay occur any number of times before the Release event206occurs. Further, the flow of input events may proceed directly from the Detect event202to the Release event206without any Move events204a-204cthere between.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating occurrence of an input error unintended by a user during pen input. As shown inFIG. 3, when a user performs a pen input, the bottom of the user's hand may touch the screen before a distance between the pen and the screen is less than or equal to the pen recognition distance set in an EMR sensor. In this case, the input apparatus may detect input events according to the flow shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a flow of input events when an input error occurs according toFIG. 3. Generally, during pen input, the bottom of the hand touches the touch screen before the pen touches the touch screen. Accordingly, a touch input by the hand is detected first at Detect event402before the pen input is detected at Detect event410. After the Detect event402, Move events404a-404cby a hand input may occur. The Detect event410may occur before a Release event406of the touch input by the hand occurs. Additional Move events404dand404eare entered via the hand or the pen after the Detect event410.

FIG. 5is a diagram that illustrates input results when an input error unintended by a user has occurred during pen input. The input results shown inFIG. 5occur due to the activities inFIG. 4. In this case, in addition to a pen touch input520intended by the user, an unnecessary input510by a hand touch input occurs, which is unintended by the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to correct this input error, if a Detect event by the pen occurs after a touch input by the hand and before the touch input by the hand ist released, the execution of activities having occurred by the hand touch inputs are cancelled. Thus, it is determined that the hand touch inputs are unintended inputs. For example, if a stroke was drawn by the hand touch input, the drawn stroke may be deleted. If the screen was rotated by the hand touch input, the rotated screen may be restored back to the previous screen.

Embodiments of the present invention store information about an activity corresponding to each event during occurrence of events by the input apparatus, and cancel the execution of the activity when the current touch input is determined as an erroneous input.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an operation of cancelling input events to correct an input error upon occurrence of an input error unintended by a user, according to an embodiment of the present invention. If a pen input starts after the hand first touched the touch screen, a Detect event and Move events610, having occurred by the hand touch inputs prior to the moment that a Detect event620by a pen input occurs, are cancelled, as shown inFIG. 6.

Because the Detect event620by the pen input has occurred before a Release event by a hand input occurs, it is determined that the current touch input by the hand input corresponds to an unintended user event. Therefore, the activities executed by the events having occurred by the hand inputs are cancelled, thereby correcting the input errors unintended by the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in order to correct an input error, if a Detect event by the pen has occurred within a preset time after occurrence of a touch input by the hand, the execution of activities resulting from the hand touch inputs are cancelled. Thus, it is determined that the hand touch inputs are unintended erroneous inputs.

Generally, during pen input, even though a part of the hand first touched the touch screen, an input by the pen may occur immediately. Therefore, if a Detect event by the pen has occurred within a preset time after a touch input by the hand occurred, the execution of activities resulting from the hand touches may be cancelled.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating a structure of an input error correction apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, the input error correction apparatus includes a communication unit720, an output unit750, a storage740, a controller710, and an input unit730.

The input unit730includes a TSP732for detecting a touch input of the capacitive scheme, and a pen input unit733for detecting a touch input of the EMR scheme. The input unit730may further include an input means for receiving user inputs, such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The output unit750, which may include, for example, an LCD or OLED display panel, outputs display information based on a control signal from the controller710. The output unit750corresponds to the display panel module120inFIG. 1.

The communication unit720is used by the input error correction apparatus to communicate with other devices.

The storage740stores information necessary for an operation of the input error correction apparatus. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the storage740stores activity execution information when an activity corresponding to each touch input event is executed according to the touch input of the capacitive scheme. The stored information includes information necessary to cancel the executed activities if needed, such as, for example, state change information and setting information for each activity.

The controller710controls components of the input error correction apparatus.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, upon detecting a touch input of the capacitive scheme, the controller710executes an activity corresponding to the detected input and stores activity execution information in the storage740. If a touch input of the EMR scheme has occurred before the touch input of the capacitive scheme is released, the controller710cancels the activity executed by the touch input of the capacitive scheme.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, upon detecting a touch input of the capacitive scheme, the controller710starts a timer that operates for a preset time, executes an activity corresponding to the detected input, and stores activity execution information in the storage740. If a touch input of the EMR scheme has occurred before the timer expires, the controller710cancels the activity executed by the touch input of the capacitive scheme. The timer may be set to operate for 1 to 3 seconds.

If the pen accesses the touch screen within the pen recognition distance during pen input, the controller710does not execute activities corresponding to touch inputs of the capacitive scheme.

FIG. 8is a flow diagram illustrating input error correction, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, the controller710determines whether a Detect event has occurred on the TSP732of the input unit730, in step810. If a Detect event has not occurred, the controller710awaits the Detect event and repeats step810. If a Detect event has occurred on the TSP732, the controller710proceeds to step820.

In step820, the controller710executes an activity corresponding to the touch input, and stores activity execution information in the storage740. The storing of activity execution information is required for cancellation of the executed activity if it is determined that the current touch input is an input unintended by the user. Accordingly, the controller710stores in the storage740the information necessary to cancel the executed activities, such as, for example, state change information and setting information for each activity.

The controller710determines whether a Release event has occurred on the TSP732, in step830. If a Release event has occurred on the TSP732, the controller710ends the operation, determining that the current touch input is a normal touch screen input.

However, if a Release event has not occurred on the TSP732in step830, the controller710determines whether a Detect event has occurred on the pen input unit733, in step840. If a Detect event has not occurred on the pen input unit733, the controller710returns to step830to determine if a Release event has occurred on the TSP732. If a Detect event has occurred on the pen input unit733, the controller710cancels the previous activity corresponding to the input on the TSP732, in step850. Specifically it is determined that the touch input entered on the TSP732is unintended by the user. The controller710cancels the activity based on the activity execution information stored in the storage740in step820.

FIG. 9is a flow diagram illustrating input error correction, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, the controller710determines whether a Detect event has occurred on the TSP732of the input unit730, in step910. If a Detect event has not occurred, the controller710waits for the Detect event and repeats step910. If a Detect event has occurred on the TSP732, the controller710proceeds to step920.

In step920, the controller710sets a preset timer, executes an activity corresponding to the touch input, and stores activity execution information. The storing of the activity execution information is for cancellation of the executed activity if it is determined that the current touch input is unintended by the user. Accordingly, the controller710stores in the storage740the information necessary to cancel the executed activities, such as, for example, state change information and setting information for each activity.

The controller710determines whether the timer set in step920has expired, in step930. If the timer has expired in step930, the controller710ends the operation, determining that the current touch input is a normal touch screen input.

However, if the timer has not expired in step930, the controller710determines whether a Detect event has occurred on the pen input unit733, in step940. Thus, it is determined whether a Detect event has occurred on the pen input unit733within a preset time (or a time set in the timer) after the initial Detect event occurred on the TSP732.

If a Detect event has not occurred on the pen input unit733in step940, the controller710returns to step930to determine whether the timer has expired. If a Detect event has occurred on the pen input unit733, the controller710cancels the previous activity corresponding to the input on the TSP732, in step950. Thus, it is determined that the touch input entered on the TSP732is unintended by the user. The controller710cancels the activity based on the activity execution information stored in step920.

As is apparent from the foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention, the input error correction methods and apparatus may provide a stable pen input environment by automatically detecting and correcting a touch input error which may occur due to the user's unintended hand touches during pen input in an input apparatus capable of a touch screen input of the capacitive scheme and a pen input of the EMR scheme.