Patent Publication Number: US-11023078-B2

Title: Inputter, display apparatus having the same, and control method of the inputter

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an inputter, a display apparatus having the inputter and a control method of the inputter. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, various devices such as electronic apparatuses and mechanical apparatuses have been provided with a user interface for receiving predetermined commands or providing a variety of information to a user. The user can allow the electronic apparatus and the mechanical apparatus to start its operation or to perform a predetermined operation by manipulating an input means of the user interface. 
     As for these various devices, the electronic apparatus may include a home appliance. Home appliances are a collection of various types of electronic products used at home. Home appliances include refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, radios, audio devices, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, home computers or laptop computers. In home appliances, a control device for controlling various operations required for the home appliance can be embedded. For example, the control device may include a micro control unit (MCU). The micro control unit represents a controller corresponding to one or more chips in which a plurality of modules such as a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile or nonvolatile storage device, one or more ports are implemented. The MCU may perform various operations to generate a control signal, and control the entire home appliance by transmitting the generated control signal to each component of the home appliance. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing an inputter capable of preventing a malfunction caused by an external noise and improving input precision, a display apparatus having the inputter, and a control method of the inputter. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to solve the above-described problems, an inputter, a display apparatus having the inputter and a control method of the inputter are provided. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides a control method of an inputter including an operation in which at least one of the inputter and an electronic apparatus connected to the inputter acquires reference data, an operation in which a manipulation detector of the inputter outputs a manipulation detection signal, an operation in which a light source of the inputter irradiates a first light, an operation in which a light detector detects a first reflected light that is incident to the light detector among the irradiated first light, and an operation in which at least one of the inputter and the electronic apparatus compares a detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data, and identifies whether the manipulation detector outputting the manipulation signal malfunctions, based on a comparison result. 
     The acquisition of the reference data may include an operation in which the light source irradiates a second light, an operation in which the light detector detects a second reflected light caused by the irradiated second light, and an operation in which the reference data is acquired based on a detection result of the second reflected light. 
     The operation in which the light source irradiates the second light in response to the acquisition of the reference data may include an operation in which light source irradiates the second light periodically, and an operation in which light source irradiates the second light at a predetermined time or an operation in which light source irradiates the second light at an arbitrary time 
     The operation in which the light source irradiates the light may include an operation in which the light source irradiates the light by a plurality of times, and the acquisition of the reference data based on the detection result of the reflected second light may include acquiring reference data based on a detection result of the plurality of second reflected light corresponding to the light irradiated by the plurality of times. 
     The comparison between the detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data and the identification of whether the manipulation detector outputting the manipulation signal malfunctions, based on a comparison result, may include identifying that, when a difference between the detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data is greater than a predetermined comparison value, the manipulation detector is operated normally. 
     The control method may further include generating a control signal corresponding to the manipulation detection signal, when the manipulation detector is operated normally. 
     The comparison between the detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data and the identification of whether the manipulation detector outputting the manipulation signal malfunctions, based on a comparison result, may include identifying that, when a difference between the detection result of the first reflected light and the reference data is less than a predetermined comparison value, the manipulation detector malfunctions. 
     The control method may further include ignoring the manipulation detection signal, when the manipulation detector malfunctions. 
     The manipulation detector may include at least one of a touch sensor or an infrared sensor. 
     The control method may further include identifying a position of an external object and correcting a detection result of the first reflected light based on the position of the external object. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a display apparatus including a substrate, a manipulation detector installed on the substrate and configured to output a manipulation detection signal in response to a user manipulation, a light source installed on the substrate or the manipulation detector and configured to irradiate light, a light detector configured to output a detection signal corresponding to a reflected light that is incident among the light irradiated from the light source; and a processor configured to compare the detection signal corresponding to the reflected light and reference data, and configured to identify whether the manipulation detector outputting the manipulation signal malfunctions, based on a comparison result. 
     When it is a time to acquire reference data, the processor may allow the light source to irradiate light and acquire the reference data based on a detection signal of the light detector. 
     The processor may acquire the reference data by allowing the light source to irradiate light periodically or to irradiate light at a predetermined time or at an arbitrary time. 
     The processor may allow the light source to irradiate light by a plurality of times, and acquire the reference data based on a plurality of detections signals corresponding to the light irradiated by the plurality of times. 
     When a difference between the detection signal of the reflected light and the reference data is greater than a predetermined comparison value, the processor may identify that the manipulation detector is operated normally, 
     When the difference between the detection signal of the reflected light and the reference data is less than the predetermined comparison value, the processor may identify that the manipulation detector malfunctions. 
     The processor may ignore the manipulation detection signal, when the manipulation detector malfunctions. 
     The manipulation detector may include at least one of a touch sensor or an infrared sensor. 
     The display apparatus may further include an object position detector configured to detect a position of an external object. The processor may correct a detection result of the reflected light based on the position of the external object. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an inputter including a substrate, a manipulation detector installed on the substrate and configured to output a manipulation detection signal in response to a user manipulation, a light source installed on the substrate or the manipulation detector and configured to irradiate light, and a light detector configured to output a detection signal corresponding to a reflected light that is incident among the light irradiated from the light source. The manipulation detector transmits the output manipulation detection signal to a body according to a comparison result between the detections signal of the reflected light and the reference data. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     The inputter, the display apparatus in which the inputter is installed, and the control method of the inputter may prevent a malfunction caused by an external noise and improve input precision of the inputter. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a control block diagram of the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of an inputter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is side view of the inputter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an inputter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the inputter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an inputter according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing a process of acquiring reference data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a first view showing a process of identifying whether a manipulation detector malfunctions. 
         FIG. 10  is a second view showing a process of identifying whether the manipulation detector malfunctions. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a control method of the inputter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a method for acquiring reference data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method for acquiring reference data according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter various embodiments of an inputter and an electronic apparatus to which the inputter is installed will be described will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 10 . 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic apparatus  1  may include a body  2  in which various components for performing a function of the electronic apparatus  1 , and a user interface  3  installed on the body  2 . 
     The electronic apparatus  1  represents an apparatus configured to start its operation or perform a variety of operations according to a user manipulation on the user interface  3 . For example, the electronic apparatus  1  may include home appliances, computer devices, a variety of portable terminals, wearable computers, electric devices, and a variety of mechanical devices. The home appliance may include display apparatuses, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, or robot cleaners. The display apparatus may include a television or a monitor device. The portable terminal devices may include a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a portable game machine, a navigation device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other devices that can be carried by the user. The wearable computers may include smart glasses, a smart band, or a smart watch. 
     Hereinafter for convenience of description, a display apparatus will be described as an example of the electronic apparatus  1 , but is not limited thereto. As mentioned above, various apparatuses will be employed as an example of the electronic apparatus  1 . 
     The body  2  is provided to perform various functions of the electronic apparatus  1 . For example, when the electronic apparatus  1  is a display apparatus, the body  2  may be configured to output images and/or sounds. 
     The body  2  may include a display  2   a  and an outer frame  2   b  to which the display  2   a  is fixed and in which a variety of components is embedded. 
     The display  2   a  may be implemented with a variety of display panels such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or an active-matrix organic light emitting diode) display panel. 
     Inside the outer frame  2   b , various components needed for the operation of the body  2 , such as a semiconductor chip, a substrate, various circuit components, and/or a speaker may be embedded. A controller  200  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) or a storage  210  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) may be implemented with the semiconductor chip, the substrate, various circuit components embedded inside the outer frame  2   b . In the outer frame  2   b , a support may be provided so that the electronic apparatus  1  can be installed at a predetermined position. For example, the support may include a stand or a wall-mounted bracket. 
     The user interface  3  may be provided on one outer surface of the outer frame  2   b . The user interface  3  may be provided on the front surface of the outer frame  2   b . In this case, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the user interface  3  may be provided on a front lower bezel of the outer frame  2   b . However, an installation position of the user interface  3  is not limited thereto. Therefore, the user interface  3  may be installed on a lateral surface or a rear surface of the outer frame  2   b , or alternatively installed on a front upper end or a lateral end of the outer frame  2   b.    
     The user interface  3  may include at least one of an output device  98  and  99  providing a variety of information of the electronic apparatus  1  to a user, and an inputter  100  receiving various commands from a user. Depending on embodiments, at least one of the output device  98  and  99  and the inputter  100  of the user interface  3  may be integrally formed with the electronic apparatus  1  or separately formed and then mounted to a part of the electronic apparatus  1 , such as the outer frame  2   b.    
     The output device  98  and  99  is configured to display an operation state of the electronic apparatus  1  or output the operation state as a sound under a control of the controller  200 . For example, the output device  98  and  99  may be implemented with an illuminator configured to emit light such as a light emitting diode or a halogen lamp or implemented with a device such as a speaker. 
     The inputter  100  may receive various commands from a user according to a user manipulation. For example, the inputter  100  may detect a user touch manipulation, a user motion, or electromagnetic waves, which is generated in a remote controller (not shown) by a user manipulation, and output an electrical signal based on the detected result. Therefore, the inputter  100  may allow the electronic apparatus  1  to receive various commands related to the operation of the electronic apparatus  1 , from the user. The various commands related to the operation of the electronic apparatus  1  may include an operation start command for starting the operation of the electronic apparatus  1 , a power supply command for supplying power to each component of the electronic apparatus  1 , a switch command for switching a ready state into an operation state, and/or an operation change command for changing a channel or regulating a volume of a sound. In this case, the inputter  100  may be configured to receive all of these commands or one or two of the commands.
         The user interface  3  may include an outer cover  3   a  configured to protect the output device  98  and  99  and/or the inputter  100 . The output device  98  and  99  and/or the inputter  100  may be shielded by the outer cover  3   a . The outer cover  3   a  may be implemented with a film or a panel formed of a transparent material or a translucent material. In addition, the outer cover  3   a  is configured to allow the inputter  100  to detect a user touch or motion.       

       FIG. 2  is a control block diagram of the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the electronic apparatus  1  according to one embodiment, may include the inputter  100 , the controller  200  and the storage  210 , and further include a driver  290  depending on embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the inputter  100  may include a manipulation detector  110  configured to detect a user manipulation, a light source  120  configured to emit light (L 1 ) according to an external control or a predetermined setting, and a light detector  140  configured to detect light (L 12 ) that is a part of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120 . In addition, depending on embodiments, the inputter  100  may further include an inputter cover  130  configured to transmit light (L 10 ) that is a part of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  and reflect light (L 12 ) that is other part of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120 . 
     The manipulation detector  110  is configured to detect the user manipulation and output an electrical signal corresponding to the detected manipulation that is a manipulation detection signal  216  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) and  218  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). The manipulation detection signal output from the manipulation detector  110  may be transmitted to at least one of the light source  120  or the controller  200  through a circuit or a wire. For example, when a user presses or touches the inputter  100 , the manipulation detector  110  may output a manipulation detection signal corresponding to the user pressure or touch manipulation, the output manipulation detection signal may be transmitted to the controller  200  through the circuit or the wire, and the controller  200  may receive the manipulation detection signal transmitted from the inputter  100  and analyze the received manipulation detection signal, and transmit a control signal corresponding to the manipulation detection signal, to the inputter  100 , the storage  210  and/or the driver  290 . Alternatively, the manipulation detection signal output from the manipulation detector  110  may be transmitted to the light source  120 , and the light source  120  may start an emission of the light (L 1 ) in response to the reception of the manipulation detection signal. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of an inputter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 4  is side view of the inputter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     According to one embodiment, the manipulation detector  110  may be implemented using a touch sensitive panel  112  configured to detect a user touch manipulation, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The touch sensitive panel  112  is seated on a substrate  114 , and detects the user touch manipulation applied through the inputter cover  130 . The touch sensitive panel  112  may be implemented using at least one of a resistive touch panel, a capacitive touch panel, an infrared touch panel, and an ultrasound touch panel. For example, in a state in which the touch sensitive panel  112  is implemented with the resistive touch panel, when a predetermined magnitude of force is applied to an outer surface of the inputter cover  130  by using a touch tool such as the user finger or a touch pen, the force applied to the inputter cover  130  may be transmitted to the touch sensitive panel  112 , and the touch sensitive panel  112  may detect the applied force and output an electrical signal corresponding to the applied force, thereby receiving a command according to the user manipulation. Alternatively, in a state in which the touch sensitive panel  112  is implemented with the capacitive touch panel, when a user inputs a touch manipulation to the outer surface of the inputter cover  130  by using an object having the conductivity such as the finger, the touch sensitive panel  112  may detect the user touch manipulation by using a capacitive response generated in the inputter cover  130 , and output a signal. 
     The substrate  114  on which the touch sensitive panel  112  is mounted may be a part of a printed circuit board assembly built in the electronic apparatus  1  for controlling various operations of the electronic apparatus  1 . Alternatively, the substrate  114  may be separately manufactured from the printed circuit board assembly. The substrate  114  may be installed at various positions of the electronic apparatus  1 . For example, the substrate  114  may be installed on a rear surface or a side surface of the display panel of the electronic apparatus  1 . In this case, the substrate  114  is provided on one side of the outside of the outer frame  2   b.    
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of an inputter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 6  is a side view of the inputter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     According to another embodiment, a manipulation detector  110  may be implemented using an infrared sensor  115  configured to detect a user manipulation by using infrared rays, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     According to one embodiment, the infrared sensor  115  may include an infrared ray transmitter  116  emitting infrared rays and an infrared ray receiver  117  receiving infrared rays that is reflected and returns from an external object. The infrared ray transmitter  116  and the infrared ray receiver  117  may be spaced apart with each certain distance on a substrate  118 . In this case, the infrared ray transmitter  116  and the infrared ray receiver  117  may be disposed on the substrate  118  in various ways, according to a designer. For example, on the substrate  118 , the infrared ray transmitter  116  and the infrared ray receiver  117  may be arranged in line with the light source  120  or the light detector  140 . Alternatively, on the substrate  118 , the infrared ray transmitter  116  and the infrared ray receiver  117 , and the light source  120  or the light detector  140  may be arranged side by side. In addition, the infrared ray transmitter  116  and the infrared ray receiver  117  may be arranged independently of the position of the light source  120  or the light detector  140 . 
     The infrared rays transmitted from the infrared ray transmitter  116  are directed to the direction of the substrate  118  by being reflected by the user hand or the object that is in contact with the inputter cover  130 . The infrared rays transmitted to the direction of the substrate  118  may be received by the infrared ray receiver  117  and the infrared ray receiver  117  may generate and output an electrical signal corresponding to the infrared rays, in response to the received infrared rays. The electrical signal generated by the infrared ray receiver  117  may be transmitted to at least one of the light source  120  and the controller  200 . 
     The substrate  118  on which the infrared sensor  115  is mounted may be separately manufactured from a printed circuit board assembly, or alternatively, the substrate  118  may be a part of the printed circuit board assembly. The substrate  118  may be installed at various positions on the electronic apparatus  1  such as a rear surface or a side surface of the display panel of the electronic apparatus  1 . In this case, the substrate  114  may be provided on one surface of the outside of the outer frame  2   b.    
     The light source  120  is configured to emit predetermined light (L 1 ) according to an electrical signal that is applied. In this case, the light source  120  may be configured to emit all or most of the light (L 1 ) to the direction of the inputter cover  130  that is a direction opposite to the substrate  114  and  118 . The predetermined light (L 1 ) may include visible light, infrared light or ultraviolet light and the visible light, and the visible light may include light in at least one color among various colors such as white or red. 
     The light source  120  may emit the light (L 1 ) based on the electrical signal transmitted from the controller  200 , or emit the light (L 1 ) based on the electrical signal output from the manipulation detector  110 . For example, the controller  200  may generate a control signal related to a lighting operation of the light source  120  based on the manipulation detection signal transmitted from the manipulation detector  110 , and transmit the control signal to the light source  120 . Therefore, the light source  120  may emit the light (L 1 ) in response to the control signal that is received. Alternatively, the electrical signal output from the manipulation detector  110  may be directly or indirectly transmitted to the light source  120 , and the light source  120  may emit the light (L 1 ) in response to the electrical signal output from the manipulation detector  110 . 
     According to one embodiment, the light source  120  may be disposed on one region of the touch sensitive panel  112 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this case, the light source  120  may disposed and fixed on an appropriate region of one side of the touch sensitive panel  112  so not to interfere the user touch manipulation.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate that a single light source  120  is installed on the touch sensitive panel  112 , but is not limited thereto. Depending on embodiments, a plurality of light sources  120  may be provided on the touch sensitive panel  112 . 
     In addition, according to another embodiment, the light source  120  may be disposed directly on the substrate  118 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this case, the light source  120  may be spaced apart from the infrared ray transmitter  116  and the infrared ray receiver  117  by a predetermined distance. 
     For example, the light source  120  may be implemented using an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a sodium lamp, a mercury lamp, a fluorescent mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, an arc lamp, a neon tube lamp, an EL lamp, or a light emitting diode lamp. In addition, various light emitting means that can be considered by a designer may be employed as the light source  120 . 
     The part (L 12 ) of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  may be reflected by a reflector. The reflector may include the outer cover  3   a  of the user interface  3 , the inputter cover  130 , the human&#39;s hand  9  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) or various devices that are touched to the inputter  100  to manipulate the manipulation detector  110 , such as a touch pen. When the reflector is the inputter cover  130 , the light (L 10 ) that is a part of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  may pass through the inputter cover  130  and then emitted to the outside of the inputter  100 , and the light (L 12 ) that is other part of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  may be reflected by the outer cover  3   a , one surface in contact with the outside of the inputter cover  130 , or various particles inside the inputter cover  130 . 
     The light detector  140  is configured to detect the light (L 12 ) that is reflected by the outer cover  3   a  or the inputter cover  130  and then transmitted to the direction of the substrate  114  and  118 , among the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the light detector  140  may be installed on one region of the touch sensitive panel  112  or as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the light detector  140  may be directly installed on the substrate  118 . 
     The light detector  140  may be installed around the light source  120  to appropriately detect the reflected light (L 12 ). In this case, the light detector  140  may be installed on one point of the substrate  118  or the touch sensitive panel  112  while the light detector  140  is spaced apart from the light source  120  by a predetermined distance.  FIGS. 4 to 7  illustrate that one single light detector  140  is installed on one side of the light source  120 , but the number or the arrangement of the light detector  140  is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of light detectors  140  may be installed around the inputter cover  130  while surrounding the light source  120 . 
     Depending on embodiments, the light detector  140  may be implemented using a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, and/or a photo transducer. In addition, the light detector  140  may be implemented using various tools capable of detecting light. 
     The inputter cover  130  is installed on the touch sensitive panel  112  or the substrate  118 . In this case, the inputter cover  130  may be configured to protect components such as the touch sensitive panel  112 , the substrate  114  and  118 , the light source  120 , and the light detector  140 . 
     The inputter cover  130  may be configured to allow the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  to propagate and configured to allow the part (L 12 ) of the propagating light (L 1 ) to be reflected inside the inputter cover  130  and then propagate to the direction of the substrate  114  and  118 . In this case, the part of light (L 12 ) may be reflected by an interface between the inputter cover  130  and the outside, or reflected by molecules scattered inside a material forming the inputter cover  130 . Other part light (L 10 ) of the light (L 1 ) propagating in the inputter cover  130  may pass through the inputter cover  130  and emitted to the outside. 
     The inputter cover  130  may be implemented using various types of transparent or translucent materials. For example, the inputter cover  130  may be formed of a synthetic resin such as an epoxy resin or glass. For example, the inputter cover  130  may be a cover glass. The inputter cover  130  may be separately manufactured and then installed on the touch sensitive panel  112  or the substrate  118 . Alternatively, the inputter cover  130  may be installed on the touch sensitive panel  112  or the substrate  118  by being applied on the touch sensitive panel  112  or the substrate  118  and then cured. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an inputter according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an inputter  100  may further include an object position detector  160 , as well as the above mentioned manipulation detector  110 , light source  120 , inputter cover  130  and light detector  140 . 
     The object position detector  160  is configured to identify the presence of objects in front or behind the inputter  100 , and configured to measure a distance between an object and the inputter  100 . The object position detector  160  may irradiate an electromagnetic wave or an ultrasonic wave to a front or side object, receive electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves reflected from the front object, and output a signal corresponding to the received electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves. The electromagnetic wave includes infrared light or laser light. 
     More particularly, when the controller  200  generates a control signal at a predetermined time or an arbitrary time and transmits the control signal to the object position detector  160 , the object position detector  160  is operated in response to the control signal of the controller  200  so as to irradiate electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves to an object in front. Upon receiving electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves, the object position detector  160  outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the received electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves. The output electrical signal may be transmitted to the controller  200 . When receiving the electrical signal, the controller  200  identifies a point of time in which the object position detector  160  receives the electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves, based on the received electrical signal. The controller  200  calculates and acquires a distance between the inputter  100  and the object based on a point of time when the object position detector  160  transmits electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves and a point of time when the object position detector  160  receives the electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves. According to one embodiment, the controller  200  may allow reference data to be corrected based on the calculated distance between the inputter  100  and the object. 
     In the absence of the user&#39;s touch, an amount of light or an intensity of light (L 12 ) that is received by the light detector  140  when various objects such as a set-top box or a flowerpot is present in front or side of the inputter  100 , may be more increased or more decreased than when the object is not present. The controller  200  may acquire reference data  212  based on the amount of light (L 12 ) that is received by the light detector  140  in the absence of the user&#39;s touch to the inputter  100 . Therefore, when the object is adjacent to the inputter  100 , the reference data  212  may be acquired differently from the absence of the object. The controller  200  may acquire the reference data  212  based on the amount of light or the intensity of light that is adjusted based on the distance between the inputter  100  and the object, or the controller  200  may acquire new reference data  212  by correcting the previous reference data  212  by applying the distance between the inputter  100  and the object to the acquired reference data  212 . 
     Depending on embodiments, the object position detector  160  may be installed on the manipulation detector  110  such as the touch sensitive panel  112  or the substrate  114  and  118 . 
     The controller  200  is configured to control the operation of the inputter  100 . Depending on embodiments, the controller  200  may control the overall operation of the electronic apparatus  1 , or alternatively, the controller  200  may control an operation of the driver  290 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The controller  200  may be a processor implemented using at least one semiconductor chip, circuit, and related components. For example, the processor may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a microprocessor unit (MPU). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the controller  200  may include a reference data processor  202  configured to acquire the reference data  212 , and a malfunction determiner  204  configured to identify whether the inputter  100  is operated normally or not, based on the reference data  212 . The reference data processor  202  and the malfunction determiner  204  may be physically separated from each other or logically separated from each other. When the reference data processor  202  and the malfunction determiner  204  are physically separated from each other, the reference data processor  202  and the malfunction determiner  204  may be implemented with different MCU or MPU. A detail operation of the reference data processor  202  and the malfunction determiner  204  will be described later. 
     The storage  210  may temporarily or non-temporarily store the reference data  212 . The storage  210  may transmit the reference data  212  to the controller  200  in response to a call of the controller  200  so as to allow the malfunction determiner  204  of the controller  200  to identify whether the malfunction occurs based on the reference data  212 . In addition, the storage  210  may temporarily or non-temporarily store at least one detection signal  214  (refer to  FIG. 8 ),  217  (refer to  FIG. 9 ), and  219  (refer to  FIG. 10 ), output from the light detector  140 , and transmit the stored detection signal  214 ,  217  and  219  to the controller  200  in response to a call of the controller  200 . The storage  210  may store various data or programs needed for the operation of the electronic apparatus  1 , as well as the reference data  212  and the detection signal  214 ,  217  and  219 . 
     The storage  210  may be implemented using at least one of a magnetic drum storage device, a magnetic disk storage device, and a semiconductor storage device, and the semiconductor storage device may include a nonvolatile memory or a volatile memory. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment in which the controller  200 , the storage  210  and the inputter  100  are separately provided, but at least one of the controller  200  and the storage  210  may be provided in the inputter  100 . In this case, the semiconductor chip and the related circuit provided on the substrate  114  and  118  of the inputter  100  may perform at least one function of the controller  200  and the storage  210 . 
     The driver  290  performs various functions and operations that the electronic apparatus  1  can provide to a user. For example, when the electronic apparatus  1  is a display apparatus, the driver  290  may include a display  2   a  implemented using a display panel. When the electronic apparatus  1  is a refrigerator, the driver  290  may include components for cooling a storage space, such as a condenser, a compressor, an expansion valve and a heat exchanger. When the electronic apparatus  1  is a cleaner, the driver  290  may include various components for sucking foreign substances. In addition, the driver  290  may be implemented by having various components according to type of the electronic apparatus  1 . 
     Hereinafter the operation of the reference data processor  202  and the malfunction determiner  204  will be described in details. 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing a process of acquiring reference data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The reference data processor  202  may acquire the reference data  212  based on the detection signal  214  transmitted from the light detector  140 . 
     Particularly, the reference data processor  202  may transmit a control signal to the light source  120  according to a user&#39;s manual manipulation or a predetermined setting, and the light source  120  may emit the light (L 1 ) according to the control signal. The predetermined setting may include a point of time when the light source  120  emits the light (L 1 ). The time when the light source  120  emits the light (L 1 ) may be pre-defined by a user or a designer or may be a point of time that is arbitrarily selected by the reference data processor  202 . In addition, the predetermined setting may include a period in which the light source  120  emits the light (L 1 ). For example, when a period in which the light source  120  emits the light (L 1 ) is one hour, the reference data processor  202  may transmit a control signal to the light source  120  every time and the light source  120  may emit the light (L 1 ) every time in response to the control signal. 
     When the light (L 1 ) is emitted from the light source  120 , a part (L 10 ) of the light may pass through the inputter cover  130  and then be emitted to the outside, and other part (L 12 ) of light may be reflected by the outer surface or the inside of the inputter cover  130  and then transmitted to the light detector  140 . 
     The light detector  140  may output the detection signal  214  corresponding to the received light (L 12 ), and directly transmit the output detection signal  214  to the controller  200  or transmit the output detection signal  214  to the storage  210 . In this case, an intensity of the detection signal  214  output from the light detector  140  may correspond to the amount or the intensity of the incident reflected light (L 12 ). As needed, before being transmitted to the storage  210 , the signal output from the light detector  140  may be converted into a digital signal by an analogue-to-digital converter and/or amplified by an amplifier. 
     According to one embodiment, the light source  120  may emit light (L 1 ) by a plurality of times and thus the light detector  140  may output the number of detection signals  214   a  to  214   d  corresponding to the number of emission time of the light (L 1 ). The plurality of detection signals  214   a  to  214   d  may be stored in the storage  210  independently of each other. 
     The reference data processor  202  may acquire the reference data  212  based on the detection signal  214  that is transmitted from the light detector  140  or stored in the storage  210 . Particularly, the reference data processor  202  may acquire the reference data  212  by corresponding to the amount of light or the intensity of light corresponding to the detection signal  214 . The reference data processor  202  may define the amount of light or the intensity of light as the reference data  212  without a change. Accordingly, as the amount of light or the intensity of light is increased, the reference data  212  may be defined as a relatively large value, and as the amount of light or the intensity of light is reduced, the reference data  212  may be defined as a relatively small value. In addition, the reference data processor  202  may define the reference data  212  by partially correcting the amount of light or the intensity of light by adding a weight to the amount of light or the intensity of light. In this case, the weight may be to apply the detection result of the object position detector  160 . Depending on embodiments, when acquiring the reference data  212 , the reference data processor  202  may define the amount of light or the intensity of light contained in a predetermined range, as the same value of reference data. 
     when the plurality of the detection signals  214   a  to  214   d  is acquired, the reference data processor  202  may acquire the reference data  212  by using methods such as calculating an arithmetic mean, a harmonic mean, or a geometric mean of the amount of light or the intensity of light corresponding to each of the plurality of the detection signals  214   a  to  214   d , or acquiring a median value of the amount of light or the intensity of light corresponding to each of the plurality of the detection signals  214   a  to  214   d.    
     In a state in which a predetermined reference data  212  is provided, when new reference data  212  is acquired by using the detection signal  214 , the reference data processor  202  may discard the reference data that is previously acquired, and set the new reference data  212  to reference data that is used to identify the malfunction. When the light source  120  periodically emits the light (L 1 ), the reference data  212  may be periodically updated. 
     Further, the reference data processor  202  may acquire the reference data  212  based on the detection signal  214  by using various methods that is considered by a designer. 
     The reference data  212  acquired by the reference data processor  202  may be transmitted to the storage  210 , and the storage  210  may temporarily or non-temporarily store the reference data  212 . 
       FIG. 9  is a first view showing a process of identifying whether a manipulation detector malfunctions. 
     The malfunction determiner  204  may identify whether the malfunction of the manipulation detector  112  and  115  occurs based on the reference data  212  acquired by the reference data processor  202  and the detection signal  217  transmitted from the light detector  140 . 
     Hereinafter a malfunction identification operation of the malfunction determiner  204  will be described as an example in which the manipulation detector  110  is the touch sensitive panel  112 . However, operations and functions to be described may be applicable to a case in which the manipulation detector  110  is the infrared sensor  115 , with modification or without modification. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , when the touch sensitive panel  112  outputs the manipulation detection signal  216  in response to the touch manipulation, the light source  120  may emit the light (L 1 ) according to the control of the controller  200  or the manipulation detection signal  216 . While a part (L 11 ) of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  propagates inside the inputter cover  130 , the part (L 11 ) may be emitted to the outside, and other part (L 14 ) may be reflected to the direction of the substrate  114  by a reflector and then incident to the light detector  140 . 
     When a touch tool  9  such as the fingertip, is in contact with the outer surface of the inputter cover  130  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , reflectance of the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  may be increased by the touch tool  9  and thus a relatively great amount of light (L 14 ) may be incident to the light detector  140  in comparison with the case in which the touch tool  9  is not in contact with the outer surface of the inputter cover  130 . Accordingly, the light detector  140  may output a detection signal  217  corresponding to the relatively great amount of light, and in this case, an intensity of the detection signal  217  may be greater than the detection signal  214  at the acquirement of the reference data  212 . The output detection signal  217  may be directly transmitted to the controller  200 , or stored in the storage  210  and then transmitted to the controller  200 . 
     The malfunction determiner  204  of the controller  200  may call the reference data  212  and compare the reference data  212  with the detection signal  217 . According to one embodiment, the malfunction determiner  204  identifies that the manipulation detection signal  216  is output by the user manipulation when a difference between the reference data  212  and the detection signal  217  exceeds a predetermined comparison value (C), as illustrated in an upper end portion of equation 1 below. That is, when the difference between the reference data  212  and the detection signal  217  exceeds the comparison value, the malfunction determiner  204  identifies that the touch sensitive panel  112  is appropriately operated. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   D 
                   = 
                   
                     { 
                     
                       
                         
                           NORMAL 
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               if 
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                   
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                  
                                 
                                   Vr 
                                   - 
                                   Vc 
                                 
                                  
                               
                             
                             ≥ 
                             C 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           ERROR 
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               if 
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                   
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               
                                  
                                 
                                   Vr 
                                   - 
                                   Vc 
                                 
                                  
                               
                             
                             &lt; 
                             C 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     Equation 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
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                     1 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In the equation 1, D represents a determination result, Vr represents a reference data value, Vc represents a detection signal value, and C represents a comparison value. In addition, the equation 1 is defined such that it is identified to be normal when the reference data Vr and the detection signal Vc are the same. Alternatively, the equation 1 may be defined such that it is identified that the malfunction occurs when the reference data Vr and the detection signal Vc are the same. 
     When it is identified that the touch sensitive panel  112  is operated normally, based on the comparison result, the controller  200  may generate a control signal corresponding to the manipulation detection signal  216  and transmit the control signal to each component of the electronic apparatus  1  such as the driver  290 . For example, according to the manipulation detection signal  216 , the controller  200  may transmit the control signal to a power supplier or a switch that connects each component to the power supplier, so as to apply the power to each component of the electronic apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 10  is a second view showing a process of identifying whether a manipulation detector malfunctions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the touch sensitive panel  112  outputs the manipulation detection signal  216 , the light source  120  may output the light (L 1 ) according to the control of the reference data processor  202  of the controller  200  or the manipulation detection signal  216 . While the emitted light (L 1 ) propagates inside the inputter cover  130 , the emitted light (L 1 ) may be emitted to the outside (L 13 ), or reflected to the direction of the substrate  114  (L 16 ) and then incident to the light detector  140 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the touch tool  9  is not present on the outer surface of the inputter cover  130 , the light (L 1 ) emitted from the light source  120  generally passes through the inputter cover  130  and then emitted to the outside (L 13 ), and a relatively smaller amount of light (L 16 ) is incident to the light detector  140  in comparison with a case in which the touch tool  9  is present on the outer surface of the inputter cover  130 . Accordingly, the light detector  140  outputs a detection signal  219  corresponding to the light (L 16 ) that is relatively smaller amount. In this case, since there is little difference between an amount of light or an intensity of light (L 16 ) incident to the light detector  140  and an amount of light or an intensity of light (L 12 ) incident to the light detector  140  upon acquiring the reference data  212 , the output detection signal  219  may be substantially the same as the detection signal  214  that is output upon acquiring the reference data  212 . The output detection signal  219  may be directly transmitted to the controller  200  or stored in the storage  210  and then transmitted to the controller  200 . 
     The malfunction determiner  204  of the controller  200  calls the pre-stored reference data  212  and compares the reference data  212  with the detection signal  219 . In this case, since the detection signal  219  is substantially the same as the detection signal  214  that is output upon acquiring the reference data  212 , a difference between the reference data  212  and the detection signal  219  is less than the predetermined comparison value (C). As illustrated in a lower part of the equation 1, the malfunction determiner  204  identifies that, when the difference between the reference data  212  and the detection signal  219  is less than the predetermined comparison value (C), the manipulation detection signal  216  is output because of the malfunction of the touch sensitive panel  112  not because of the user manipulation. 
     When it is identified that the touch sensitive panel  112  malfunctions, the controller  200  ignores or discards the manipulation detection signal  216 . Accordingly, any control single is not transmitted to each component of the electronic apparatus  1  such as the driver  290 , and thus each component may not perform an operation corresponding to the control signal despite of the output of the detection signal  219  of the touch sensitive panel  112 . 
     In a state in which the touch sensitive panel  112  employs the capacitive method, the manipulation detection signal  218  may be output from the touch sensitive panel  112  caused by the power noise although the user does not perform a touch manipulation. In a state in which the touch sensitive panel  112  employs the resistive method, the manipulation detection signal  218  may be output from the touch sensitive panel  112  caused by the pressure of the peripheral device or the distortion of the touch sensitive panel  112 , although the user does not perform the touch manipulation. As mentioned above, as for identifying whether the touch sensitive panel  112  malfunctions based on the comparison between the detection signal  214  and the detection signal  217  and  219 , it may be possible to prevent the electronic apparatus  1  from being operated caused by the malfunction although the touch sensitive panel  112  outputs the manipulation detection signal  218  without the touch manipulation. 
     Hereinafter a control method of the inputter will be described with reference to  FIGS. 11 to 13 . 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a control method of an inputter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the reference data is acquired by the light source  120  and the light detector  140  provided in the inputter of the electronic apparatus, as mentioned above ( 300 ). 
     When a manipulation detection signal is output from the manipulation detector  110  ( 301 ), the light source  120  irradiates light in response to the manipulation detection signal or under the control of the controller  200  ( 302 ), and the light detector  140  receives light that is reflected by one surface or the inside of the inputter cover  130  ( 303 ) and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light ( 304 ). 
     The controller  200  compares the acquired reference data with the detection signal ( 305 ). 
     When the difference between the detection signal and the reference data exceeds the comparison value (Yes in  306 ), the controller  200  identifies that a user manipulates the inputter and the manipulation detection signal is output caused by the user manipulation ( 307 ), and generates a control signal according to the manipulation detection signal and transmits the control signal to components of the electronic apparatus. 
     Each component of the electronic apparatus is operated in response to the control signal ( 308 ). In other words, the electronic apparatus is operated according to the user manipulation. 
     When it is identified that the difference between the detection signal and the reference data is less than the comparison value, based on the comparison result (No in  306 ), the controller  200  identifies that a user does not manipulate the inputter and the manipulation detection signal is output caused by the malfunction ( 309 ). 
     Accordingly, the controller  200  ignores or discards the manipulation detection signal output from the inputter  100  and thus the electronic apparatus  1  maintains its previous state or operation ( 310 ). 
     Hereinafter a method for acquiring reference data will be described with reference to various examples. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a method for acquiring reference data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when it is a time of acquisition of the reference data according to a predetermined setting such as a predetermined time or a predetermined period ( 320 ), the light source  120  emits light ( 321 ), and the light detector  140  receives light that is reflected by one surface or the inside of the inputter cover  130  ( 322 ) and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light ( 323 ). 
     The controller  200  acquires the reference data based on the output detection signal. For example, the controller  200  may set an amount of light or an intensity of light corresponding to the detection signal, to the reference data without modification or with modification, and the controller  200  may allow the storage  210  to store the reference data ( 324 ). 
     The electronic apparatus  1  is ready until a manipulation detection signal is output from the inputter  100  ( 301  of  FIG. 11 ) or until it is a time of acquisition of new reference data ( 325 ). 
     When it is the time of acquisition of new reference data (yes in  326 ), the controller  200  of the electronic apparatus  1  allows the light source  120  to irradiate light by controlling the light source  120  ( 321 ), and the controller  200  acquires new reference data based on reflected light that is detected by the light detector  140 , and store the new reference data ( 322  to  324 ). In this case, the previous reference data may be discarded. 
     The above mentioned method for acquiring reference data may be continuously performed as long as the power is supplied to the electronic apparatus  1 . For example, the method for acquiring reference data may be performed although the electronic apparatus  1  is in a ready state or an operation state ( 326 ). 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method for acquiring reference data according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , when it is a time of acquisition of the reference data according to a predetermined setting such as a predetermined time or a predetermined period ( 330 ), the light source  120  irradiates light ( 332 ), and the light detector  140  receives light that is reflected by one surface or the inside of the inputter cover  130  ( 333 ) and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light ( 24334 ). The storage  210  stores the output detection signal in the form of data ( 335 ). 
     Until the number of time reaches a predetermined number of time (N), the irradiation of the light ( 332 ), the detection of the light ( 333 ), the output of the detection signal ( 324 ), and the storage of the detection signal ( 325 ) may be repeatedly performed ( 331 ,  336  and  337 ). That is, the inputter  100  or the controller  200  counts the number of times of acquiring detection signal and when the number of times of acquiring detection signal is identical to a predetermined number of times (no in  336 ), the inputter  100  or the controller  200  terminates the acquisition process of the detection signal ( 331  to  335 ). 
     The controller  200  may acquire the reference data based on the acquired plurality of detection signals ( 338 ). For example, the controller may average the amount of light or the intensity of light corresponding to the plurality of detection signals or acquire a median value among them, and set the acquired average or median value, to the reference data. 
     The electronic apparatus  1  is ready until a manipulation detection signal is output from the inputter  100  ( 301  of  FIG. 11 ) or until it is a time of acquisition of new reference data ( 339 ). 
     When it is the time of acquisition of new reference data (yes in  340 ), the controller  200  of the electronic apparatus  1  acquires a plurality of detection signals by corresponding to the time of acquisition of new reference data ( 331  to  336 ) and the controller  200  may acquire new reference data by using the acquired plurality of detection signals ( 338 ). 
     The above mentioned method for acquiring reference data may be continuously performed as long as the power is supplied to the electronic apparatus  1 . 
     The above-described control method of the inputter can be applied to the control method of the electronic apparatus without modification or with modification. In this case, the electronic apparatus may include home appliances, computer devices, electric devices, and a variety of mechanical devices or a variety of portable terminals. In addition, the electronic apparatus may include a variety of apparatuses configured to be electrically controlled and configured to allow the above mentioned inputter to be installed thereon. Therefore, the above mentioned control method of the inputter may be applied to a control method of a display apparatus without modification or with modification. 
     A control method of the inputter according the above-described embodiment may be implemented in the form of a program executed by a variety of computer devices. A processor implementing the above mentioned controller  200  may allow the control method of the inputter or the control method of the display apparatus to be performed by executing the program. The program may include program instructions, data files, and data structures as itself or a combination therewith. The program may be designed or manufactured by using higher level code executed by the computer by using an interpreter, as well as by using a machine code that is produced by a compiler. 
     Programs for implementing the control method of the above-mentioned inputter may be recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer. The recording medium readable by a computer may include various types of hardware devices capable of storing a particular program executed in response to a call from a computer, e.g. magnetic disk storage media such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, optical media such as a magnetic tape, a compact disc (CD) or a DVD, magneto-optical media such as a floptical disk, and semiconductor memory devices such as ROM, RAM, or flash memory. 
     Hereinbefore a variety of embodiments of the inputter, the display apparatus to which the inputter is installed, and the control method of the inputter are described, but is not limited thereto. A variety of embodiments which is implementable by those skilled in the art by correcting and modifying based on the above mentioned embodiment may correspond to the above mentioned inputter, the display apparatus to which the inputter is installed, and the control method of the inputter. For example, when the above-mentioned techniques is executed in a different order from the above-mentioned method, and/or the above-mentioned components such as system, structure, device and circuit is coupled or combined in a manner different from the above-mentioned method or is replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, the same or the similar result as the above-mentioned inputter, the display apparatus to which the inputter is installed, and the control method of the inputter may be achieved and those may correspond to an example of the above-mentioned inputter, the display apparatus to which the inputter is installed, and the control method of the inputter. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The above-described inputter, the display apparatus to which the inputter is installed, and the control method of the inputter can be used in various fields such as in-house or industrial field, and thus there is industrial applicability.