COMPUTING DEVICE AND INPUT DEVICE THEREOF
A computing device and an input device are provided. Each of the computing device and the input device includes a control unit, a light source, a projection plate and a casing. The control unit, the light source and the projection plate are accommodated within the casing. The light source emits light beams. The projection plate includes a pattern. After the light beams pass through the projection plate, the light beams are projected outside the casing and an image corresponding to the pattern of the projection plate is formed on a projection surface that is located outside the casing. Since the projection plate is cheap and small, the fabricating cost of the computing device or the input device is reduced and the purpose of developing the computing device or the input device toward light weightiness, slimness and small size is achievable.
The present invention relates to a computing device and an input device, and more particularly to a computing device and an input device with a projecting function.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the information age, most people rely on the help of computers to complete their tasks in order to work efficiently. The common input device of a computer includes for example a mouse device, a keyboard device, a trackball device, or the like. Moreover, for increasing the application and entertainment, an input device with a projecting function has been introduced into the market.
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As mentioned above, the input device is equipped with the LCD panel to provide the projecting function. However, the installation of the LCD panel increases the fabricating cost of the input device. Moreover, the bulky volume of the LCD panel is detrimental to the development of the input device toward light weightiness, slimness and small size. In other words, the conventional input device with the projecting function needs to be further improved. Moreover, the computing device with the projecting function has not been disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention provides a computing device and an input device with the projecting function. Each of the computing device and the input device includes a light source and a projection plate. Since the projection plate is cheap and small, the fabricating cost of the computing device or the input device is reduced and the purpose of developing the computing device or the input device toward light weightiness, slimness and small size is achievable.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device. The input device includes a control unit, a light source, a projection plate and a casing. The control unit is in communication with a computing device. When the input device is operated by a user, the control unit generates a control signal to the computing device. The light source emits plural light beams. The projection plate includes a pattern. The control unit, the light source and the projection plate are accommodated within the casing. After the plural light beams are transmitted through the projection plate, an image corresponding to the pattern is projected outside the casing and formed on a projection surface that is located outside the casing.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computing device. The computing device includes a control unit, a light source, a projection plate and a casing. When the computing device is operated by a user, the control unit generates a control unit to the computing device. The light source emits plural light beams. The projection plate includes a pattern. The control unit, the light source and the projection plate are accommodated within the casing. After the plural light beams are transmitted through the projection plate, an image corresponding to the pattern is projected outside the casing and formed on a projection surface that is located outside the casing.
The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
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In this embodiment, the projection module 23A comprises a light source 231, a first lens 232, a projection plate 233 and a fixing element 234. The first lens 232 is arranged between the light source 231 and the projection plate 233. The fixing element 234 is used for fixing the first lens 232 and the projection plate 233. The light source 231 emits plural light beams L2. When the light beams L2 outputted from the light source 231 pass through the first lens 232, the travelling directions of at least portions of the light beams L2 are changed. In an embodiment, the first lens 232 is a concave-convex lens or a plano-convex lens, and the fixing element 234 is a sleeve for fixing the first lens 232 and the projection plate 233 therein. It is noted that the type of the first lens 232, the type of the fixing element 234 and the way of fixing the first lens 232 and the projection plate 233 are not restricted.
The projection plate 233 has a pattern 2331. For example, the projection plate 233 is a film. The pattern 2331 on the projection plate 233 indicates the information to be displayed (e.g., a logo). The pattern 2331 is formed on the film through a printing process or a developing process. The way of forming the pattern 2331 is well known to those skilled in the art, and is not redundantly described herein.
The projecting operations of the mouse device 2 will be described as follows.
The focal distance, the size of the image 2331′ on the projection surface 4 or any other appropriate image effect may be determined according to the optical data of the first lens 232 and/or the distance relationship between the first lens 232, the projection plate 233 and the light source 231. The distance relationship between the first lens 232, the projection plate 233 and the light source 231 may be specially designed by those skilled in the art according to the practical requirements.
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From the above descriptions, the input device of the present invention is equipped with the light source 231 and the projection plate 233 having the pattern 2331. Consequently, the input device of the present invention has the function of projecting the image corresponding to the pattern 2331. Since the projection plate 233 is cheap and small, the fabricating cost of the input device is reduced and the purpose of developing the input device toward light weightiness, slimness and small size is achievable. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.
For example, in some embodiments, the projection module 23A, 23B or 23C is not equipped with any lens. Under this circumstance, the light beams L2 outputted from the light source 231 are directly transmitted through the projection plate 233 and projected outside the casing 22. In the above embodiments, the input device is the mouse device. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the input device is a keyboard device with the function of projecting the image corresponding to the pattern. In some other embodiments, the projection plate is arranged between the light source and the first lens.
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The projection plate 533 has a pattern 5331. For example, the projection plate 533 is a film. The pattern 5331 on the projection plate 533 indicates the information to be displayed. The pattern 5331 is formed on the film through a printing process or a developing process. The way of forming the pattern 5331 is well known to those skilled in the art, and is not redundantly described herein.
The projecting operations of the computing device 5 will be described as follows. After the light beams L5 outputted from the light source 531 pass through the first lens 532, the light beams L5 pass through the projection plate 533. After the light beams L5 pass through the projection plate 533, the light beams L5 are projected outside the casing 52. Consequently, the image 5331′ corresponding to the pattern 5331 is formed on a projection surface 6 that is located outside the casing 52. Preferably but not exclusively, the projection surface 6 is a desk surface where the computing device 5 is placed.
In this embodiment, the computing device 5 further comprises a connecting port 56. For example, the image corresponding to the pattern 5331 on the projection plate 533 indicates the information about the connecting port 56. In case that the connecting port 56 is a USB3.0 connecting port, the image corresponding to the pattern 5331 on the projection plate 533 indicates the information “USB3.0”. The image 5331′ corresponding to the pattern 5331 is projected outside the casing 52 and formed on the projection surface 6 (e.g., a desk surface). The image 5331′ on the projection surface 6 (e.g., the desk surface) indicates the information “USB3.0” near the connecting port 56. Consequently, the projected image 5331′ is helpful for the user to recognize the connecting port 56. Preferably but not exclusively, when the connecting port 56 is being used, the light source 531 stops emitting the light beams L5 under control of the control unit 51. That is, the projecting function is disabled. Consequently, the power-saving efficacy is enhanced.
The focal distance, the size of the image 5331′ on the projection surface 6 or any other appropriate image effect may be determined according to the optical data of the first lens 532 and/or the distance relationship between the first lens 532, the projection plate 533 and the light source 531. The distance relationship between the first lens 532, the projection plate 533 and the light source 531 may be specially designed by those skilled in the art according to the practical requirements. For example, the projection module 53 as shown in
From the above descriptions, the computing device 5 of the present invention is equipped with the light source 531 and the projection plate 533 having the pattern 5331. Consequently, the input device of the present invention has the function of projecting the image corresponding to the pattern 5331. Since the projection plate 533 is cheap and small, the fabricating cost of the computing device 5 is reduced and the purpose of developing the computing device 5 toward light weightiness, slimness and small size is achieved.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
Claims
1. An input device, comprising:
- a control unit in communication with a computing device, wherein when the input device is operated by a user, the control unit generates a control signal to the computing device;
- a light source emitting plural light beams;
- a projection plate comprising a pattern; A
- a casing, wherein the control unit, the light source and the projection plate are accommodated within the casing; and
- a connecting port,
- wherein after the plural light beams are transmitted through the projection plate, an image corresponding to the pattern is projected outside the casing and formed on a projection surface that is located outside the casing, and wherein the image formed on the projection surface indicates an information about the connecting port.
2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a first lens, wherein when the plural light beams pass through the first lens, travelling directions of at least portions of the plural light beams are changed, wherein the first lens is arranged between the light source and the projection plate, or the projection plate is arranged between the light source and the first lens.
3. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising a second lens, wherein when the plural light beams pass through the second lens, travelling directions of at least portions of the plural light beams are changed, wherein the projection plate is arranged between the first lens and the second lens.
4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the projection plate is sandwiched between the first lens and the second lens, and the first lens and the second lens are contacted with the projection plate.
5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the projection plate is a film.
6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the pattern is formed on the film through a printing process or a developing process.
7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the projection surface is a desk surface where the input device is placed.
8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a mouse device or a keyboard device.
9. A computing device, comprising:
- a control unit, wherein when the computing device is operated by a user, the control unit generates a control unit to the computing device;
- a light source emitting plural light beams;
- a projection plate comprising a pattern;
- a casing, wherein the control unit, the light source and the projection plate are accommodated within the casing; and
- a connecting port,
- wherein after the plural light beams are transmitted through the projection plate, an image corresponding to the pattern is projected outside the casing and formed on a projection surface that is located outside the casing, and wherein the image formed on the projection surface indicates an information about the connecting port.
10. (canceled)
11. The computing device according to claim 9, wherein when the connecting port is being used, the light source stops emitting the plural light beams under control of the control unit.
12. The computing device according to claim 9, further comprising a first lens, wherein when the plural light beams pass through the first lens, travelling directions of at least portions of the plural light beams are changed, wherein the first lens is arranged between the light source and the projection plate, or the projection plate is arranged between the light source and the first lens.
13. The computing device according to claim 12, further comprising a second lens, wherein when the plural light beams pass through the second lens, travelling directions of at least portions of the plural light beams are changed, wherein the projection plate is arranged between the first lens and the second lens.
14. The computing device according to claim 13, wherein the projection plate is sandwiched between the first lens and the second lens, and the first lens and the second lens are contacted with the projection plate.
15. The computing device according to claim 9, wherein the projection plate is a film.
16. The computing device according to claim 15, wherein the pattern is formed on the film through a printing process or a developing process.
17. The computing device according to claim 9, wherein the projection surface is a desk surface where the computing device is placed.
18. The computing device according to claim 9, wherein the computing device is a notebook computer.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2018
Publication Date: Jan 2, 2020
Inventors: Wei-Chiang Huang (Taipei), Chung-Yuan Chen (Taipei), Chuan-Tai Hsiao (Taipei), Ming-Hui Yeh (Taipei)
Application Number: 16/143,444