Abstract: A wireless communication system and a channel changing method thereof are provided. The wireless communication system which includes a plurality of channels, uses one of the plurality of channels as a specific channel, and uses another channel of the plurality of channels as a communication channel, includes: a base terminal for obtaining the one of the plurality of channels as an alternative channel, generating a channel change command including information on the alternative channel, and transmitting the command on a specific channel, when there is a data error received on the communication channel; and a wireless input device for resetting the alternative channel as a new communication channel and performing wireless communication on the communication channel which was reset, after obtaining the information on the alternative channel by receiving the channel change command from the specific channel.

Abstract: Provided are a touchpad and a touch sensor using the same. The touchpad includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); a plurality of conductors; and a non-conductive board disposed on one surface of the PCB and having a plurality of protrusions respectively including the conductors therein. In addition, the touch sensor includes: the touchpad; and a contact signal generation unit having a plurality of digital contact controllers for sensing delay due to a change in impedance between the conductors in the protrusions and the PCB and outputting a digital signal according to the delay. An apparatus having the touchpad as an input device enables a user to feel the touchpad better.

Abstract: Provided are an electronic device and a method of arranging a touch panel thereof. The electronic device includes: a display panel for displaying an image; a touch panel including a cover and a plurality of electrodes adhered to the cover; and a sensing unit including a plurality of digital contact controllers for detecting delays caused by variations of capacitances of the electrodes to output digital data signals. Thus, the electronic device includes an economical touch panel that can be variously applied according to users' convenience or purpose without using an expensive substrate having the entire surface coated with an ITO layer.

Abstract: An optical pointing device is provided. The optical pointing device includes: a base plate; a circuit board disposed on one side of the base plate, and having a light source irradiating light and a sensor receiving a light reflected from a working surface; an optical structure disposed between the base plate and the circuit board and having a light path guiding the light irradiated from the light source to the sensor; and a light blocking mean disposed on the light path to block the light path when the base plate is separated from a predetermined position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a light source and optical input device using the same. The light source controlling method includes setting a shutter ON time of an image sensor using a statistical value of an image obtained through the image sensor, and setting a light source ON time in accordance with the shutter ON time and turning on/off the light source and the shutter in response to the set light source ON time and the set shutter ON time. Thus, undesired consumption of electric power of the light source is prevented to increase energy efficiency by actively setting an ON/OFF period of the light source consuming the maximum electric current in the optical input device according to a shutter ON/OFF period. Further, availability of the light source and its electric current is enhanced by controlling the light source for the shutter OFF period and by allowing the light source to be used as a source for the data transmission.

Abstract: Provided is a touch sensor device including: at least one terminal connected to at least one contact pad; at least one common terminal; at least one light emitter connected between the common terminal and the terminal; and a touch sensor and light-emission controller unit connected to the common terminal and the terminal, and when a touch is sensed by the contact pad, controlling a corresponding light emitter to emit light.

Abstract: An optical pointing device includes: an image input part emitting light and accumulating the light reflected from a working surface during a sampling period to generate an analog image, and converting the analog image into a digital image to output a sample frame, a correlation matrix generator comparing the sample frame with a reference area to generate a correlation matrix, selecting one weighting matrix of a plurality of weighting matrices in response to a movement value, and outputting a weighted correlation matrix using the selected weighting matrix, a movement value calculator finding a cell having a largest correlation value among the weighted correlation matrix, calculating the movement value and outputting the movement value to a position of the cell, and transmitting the movement value to the correlation matrix generator to select a following weighting matrix, and an interface converting the outputted movement value into a signal of a certain format.

Abstract: Provided are a sensor device and a method of operating the same. The sensor device includes a plurality of semiconductor devices connected in series. When a semiconductor device does not sense a state of contact with an object and receives first sensing data from a preceding semiconductor device, the semiconductor device outputs the first sensing data to a succeeding semiconductor device. When the semiconductor device senses the state of contact with the object and receives the first sensing data from the preceding semiconductor device, the semiconductor device generates second sensing data and outputs the first and second sensing data to the succeeding semiconductor device. When the semiconductor device senses the state of contact with the object and does not receive the first sensing data from the preceding semiconductor device, the semiconductor device generates the second sensing data and outputs the second sensing data to the succeeding semiconductor device.

Abstract: An image sensor, an optical pointing device and a motion calculating method of the optical pointing device are disclosed. The optical pointing device includes an image sensor for obtaining and providing a surface image corresponding to a motion searching range; and an image processor for determining a direction and a length of an X axis and a Y axis of the motion searching range and a reference area to continuously obtain the surface image corresponding to the direction and length of the X axis and Y axis, obtaining a reference frame and a current frame using the continuously obtained surface image, setting a certain area of the reference frame corresponding to the direction and length of the X axis and Y axis of the reference area as the reference area, and calculating a correlation between the reference area and the sample frame, to thereby calculate motion. The image sensor can obtain the larger surface image in the X axis direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are a navigation system and a navigation method, wherein the navigation method comprises the steps of sequentially providing image frames containing navigation information and generating electric signals corresponding to a position of an optical sensor, storing a first image frame into a reference frame memory as a reference frame, storing an input image frame subsequent to the first image frame into an input frame memory as a current input frame, setting a mask window having a predetermined size on the reference frame, obtaining correlation values over all the pixels on the current input frame by a full search comparison method, by moving the mask window on the current input frame pixel by pixel, calculating X-axis and Y-axis displacements of a pixel having the greatest correlation value of all the pixels, and updating the reference frame using the current input frame stored in the input frame memory.

Abstract: An optical pointing device is provided. The optical pointing device includes an image sensor including a photocell array including a plurality of photocells for sensing light and generating an analog signal corresponding to the light, the image sensor sequentially outputting analog signals from the plurality of photocells, a comparator for comparing the signals output from the image sensor to generate a relative comparative signal, and comparing at least one signal output from the image sensor with a comparative signal to generate an absolute comparative signal, and a controller for outputting motion data using the relative comparative signal and outputting a shutter control signal using the absolute comparative signal. The optical pointing device does not include an A/D converter or a pre-filter circuit, thus reducing a chip size of a semiconductor integrated circuit, unlike a conventional optical pointing device.

Abstract: Provided is a human input apparatus and method for calculating a movement value thereof. The human input apparatus includes a plurality of touch sensors for varying and outputting output signals by direct contact, a sensing unit for receiving the output signals in parallel from the plurality of touch sensors and generating input data in response to the output signals, and a movement value calculating means for extracting valid input data from the input data and operating on and outputting a movement value using operated-on data comparing the valid input data with reference data and the reference data. Accordingly, a mechanical device mounted on the human input apparatus in order to express movement can be replaced by an electronic device employing the touch sensors, so that it is possible not only to prevent malfunction caused by noise or abrasion of a mechanical switch, but also to reduce power consumption and production cost. Further, it is advantageous for downsizing.

Abstract: An optical sensor module for an optical pointing device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The optical sensor includes: a lead frame having a light receiving hole formed in a pad; an image sensor attached to the pad and detecting light emitted from a light source through the light receiving hole; and a molding member for integrally molding the lead frame and the image sensor. The method includes: forming a light receiving hole in a pad of a lead frame; attaching an image sensor to the pad; connecting the image sensor to a lead of the lead frame by bonding using a wire; molding the lead frame and the image sensor; and trimming the lead of the lead frame to a certain length and forming the lead.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a touch sensor device. The semiconductor device includes a die including a sense signal generator for sensing a touch signal to generate a sense signal; a conductive die-attach pad attached to the die to generate the touch signal; and a package for packaging the die and the die-attach pad, wherein the die-attach pad generates the touch signal depending on whether a touch object comes into contact with the package. The touch sensor device includes a plurality of semiconductor devices connected in a daisy-chain communication mode, wherein each of the semiconductor devices includes a die including a sense signal generator for sensing a touch signal to generate a sense signal; a conductive die-attach pad attached to the die to generate the touch signal; and a package for packaging the die and the die-attach pad, wherein the die-attach pad generates the touch signal depending on whether a touch object is brought into contact with the package.

Abstract: An optical pointing device is disclosed. The optical pointing device includes: a case having an opening portion formed on a bottom thereof; a light source installed in the case; an illuminating member for reflecting light emitted from the light source to the exterior through one side of the opening portion of the case; a lens member installed in the case to collect the light which is reflected by the illuminating member and then is reflected from the exterior of the case to enter through the other side of the opening portion; an image sensor installed above the lens member to receive the collected light; and a masking member installed closely to the lens member and having a light collecting hole which exposes a significant surface of the lens member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for searching and displaying data are provided.

Abstract: Provided is an input device. The input device includes: n first input lines; m groups of n second input lines connected to the n first input lines in different manners, wherein m is larger than n; an input unit having m groups of n touch units correspondingly connected to the m groups of n second input lines; and an input signal determination part for decoding signals from the n first input lines to generate input signals. Therefore, the input device can generate a large number of input signals through a small number of input lines using an electrical touch sensor having a single pressure pad for detecting a contact. In addition, partially using a pressure sensor instead of the touch sensor, it is possible to generate a larger number of input signals.

Abstract: Provided are a touch sensor and a method of operating the same. The touch sensor includes: a pulse signal generator for generating a pulse signal of which pulse width is calibrated in response to a control code; a pulse signal transmitter for transmitting the pulse signal when a touch object is out of contact with a touch pad and stopping transmitting the pulse signal when the touch object is in contact with the touch pad; a pulse signal detector for detecting the pulse signal transmitted through the pulse signal transmitter; and a controller recognizing a non-contact state and adjusting the control code to calibrate the pulse width of the pulse signal when the pulse signal detector detects the pulse signal. In the above-described configuration, the contact of the touch object with the touch pad can be sensed more precisely, and the occurrence of a malfunction in the touch sensor due to changed operating conditions can be prevented. As a result, the operating reliability of the touch sensor can be enhanced.

Abstract: A time-to-digital converting circuit and a pressure sensing device using the same are provided. The circuit includes: a delay time-varying unit generating a reference signal having a fixed delay time, and a sensing signal having a variable delay time in response to an impedance of an externally applied signal; and a delay time calculation and data generation unit calculating a delay time difference between the reference signal and the sensing signal, and generating digital data having a value corresponding to the calculated delay time difference. Accordingly, the digital data are generated using the delay time varied in response to the externally applied signal, so that the size of the time-to-digital circuit is significantly reduced. In addition, an affect due to external noises is minimized.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided. A sensor generates a motion detection signal by sensing motion. A calculator receives the motion detection signal, calculates a motion value based on the motion detection signal, calculates a conversion motion value base on an angle of the motion value, and outputs the conversion motion value. An interface outputs the motion conversion value inputted from the calculator. By limiting a motion angle, the pointing device can provide a positioning operation suitable for a motion intended by a user. The user can optionally use a motion control method in all directions according to need.