KR101447036B1 - Mobile terminal and character input method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for efficiently inputting characters in a micro mobile terminal. When entering a character input mode, a plurality of key groups composed of at least one key block are displayed, And a character is input by linking the rolling between the key groups and the movement between the key blocks. Rolling between key groups is performed by a key having an upward / downward movement function, and movement between the key blocks is performed by a direction key. When the movement between the key blocks is performed by the direction key, the first character in one key block is selected and input by the key input, and another character is selected and input by repeatedly pressing the same key.

Key group, key block, rolling, character input

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND CHARACTER INPUT METHOD USING THE SAME [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a method for inputting a character using a minimum key in a mobile terminal having no input-only key.

The mobile terminal may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such various functions include a data and voice communication function, a function of photographing a video or a moving image through a camera, a voice storage function, a music file playback function through a speaker system, and an image or video display function. Some mobile terminals include additional functions to execute games, and some other mobile terminals are also implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent mobile terminals can receive a broadcast or multicast signal to view a video or television program.

Further, efforts for supporting and increasing the functions of the mobile terminal continue. Such efforts include not only changes and improvements in structural components that form the mobile terminal, but also improvements in software or hardware.

However, in contrast to the above-mentioned increase in functionality, mobile terminals are becoming smaller, slimmer and lighter in consideration of portability, and various designs corresponding to such trends have been developed and applied. For example, a folder type, a slide type, a bar type, a rotation type, or a wristwatch type is applied to such a design.

Among them, a wristwatch-type micro mobile terminal, for example, a watch phone, can not have a keypad used as an input device of a general mobile terminal because the size of the watch phone is limited due to limitation of mechanism mounting.

Accordingly, in the case of the micro mobile terminal as described above, a desired character is input using a touch key or an external wireless key. However, the touch key has a disadvantage that the response speed is not fast, The wireless key has the inconvenience of always carrying around.

The present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of inputting a character using a minimum key in a miniature mobile terminal having no input-only key, and a method thereof.

The present invention also provides a mobile terminal and a method thereof which can conveniently perform menu display and screen switching in a micro mobile terminal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal including: a memory for storing a plurality of key groups each including at least one key block; A user input unit for generating key input data; A control unit for controlling the input of characters by interlocking the rolling between the key groups and the movement between the key blocks according to the key operation of the user input unit; And a display unit for displaying the plurality of key groups and the character input status.

Preferably, the user input unit includes five direction keys including four direction keys and one confirmation key, or a left / right direction key, a scroll key, a left / right direction key, and a wheel key.

 Preferably, the rolling between the key groups is performed by any one of an up / down key, a scroll key, and a wheel key having a function of high / high, and movement between the key blocks is performed by a left / right direction key. When the movement between the key blocks is performed by the left / right direction key, the first character in one key block is selected and input by the key input.

Preferably, character selection in each key block is repeatedly performed by pressing the same key.

Preferably, the key block is divided into a key block for inputting characters and a key block for performing a function.

A character input method of a mobile terminal according to an example of the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned problem includes: entering a character input mode; Displaying a plurality of key groups composed of at least one key block when entering a character input mode; And controlling the character input by interlocking the rolling between the key groups and the movement between the key blocks according to the key operation of the user input unit.

Preferably, the rolling between the key groups is performed by any one of an up / down key, a scroll key, and a wheel key having a function of high / high, and movement between the key blocks is performed by a left / right direction key. When the movement between the key blocks is performed by the left / right direction key, the first character in one key block is selected and input by the key input.

Preferably, character selection in each key block is repeated by pressing the same key.

Preferably, the key block is divided into a key block for inputting characters and a key block for performing a function.

The present invention performs full text and numeric input using only a five-way key that performs navigation (four-way key) and ok (key) function, thereby precisely and conveniently inputting characters in a compact mobile terminal, There is an effect that can be carried out.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal may be implemented in various forms. For example, the mobile terminal described in the present specification may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) have.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, An interface unit 170, a control unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. 1 shows a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are required. A mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or a mobile terminal may be implemented by fewer components.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more components that allow wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a network on which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

Meanwhile, the broadcast related information may be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S) Only Digital Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured to be suitable for all broadcasting systems that provide broadcasting signals as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

In addition, the mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module 113 can be built in or externally.

The short-range communication module 114 is a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as the short distance communication technology.

The location information module 115 is a module for confirming or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. One example is the GPS (Global Position System) module. The GPS module receives position information from a plurality of satellites. Here, the location information may include coordinate information indicated by latitude and longitude. For example, the GPS module can accurately calculate the current location according to the triangulation method by measuring the precise time and distance from three or more satellites and measuring three different distances. A method of obtaining distance and time information from three satellites and correcting the error by one satellite may be used. In particular, the GPS module can acquire latitude, longitude and altitude as well as three-dimensional velocity information and accurate time from the position information received from the satellite.

An audio / video (A / V) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. Then, the processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and the like and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise removal algorithms for removing noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. Particularly, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151, which will be described later, it can be called a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence of the user, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. Also, it is responsible for a sensing function related to whether or not the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, Video input / output (I / O) ports, earphone ports, and the like.

Here, the identification module is a chip that stores various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM) ), A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (" USIM "), and the like. In addition, an apparatus having an identification module (hereinafter referred to as 'identification device') can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device to transfer the data to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or to transmit data in the mobile terminal 100 to an external device.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, and an alarm unit 153.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. If the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the captured image and / or the received image or UI and GUI are displayed.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display unit 13 and the touch pad have a mutual layer structure to constitute a touch screen, the display unit 151 can be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display 3D display). In addition, there may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with an external display unit (not shown) and an internal display unit (not shown) at the same time.

The sound output module 152 outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The sound output module 152 outputs an acoustic signal related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The sound output module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include receiving a call signal, receiving a message, and inputting a key signal. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, it is possible to output a signal in a vibration mode. When a call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm unit 153 can output a vibration to notify it. Alternatively, when the key signal is input, the alarm unit 153 can output the vibration by the feedback to the key signal input. The user can recognize the occurrence of an event through the vibration output as described above. Of course, a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event may also be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and may store a program for temporarily storing input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, Function may be performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory) A random access memory (SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM) , An optical disc, and the like. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage for storing the memory 150 on the Internet.

The control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. In addition, the control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power required for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a computer-readable recording medium, for example, using software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases, And may be implemented by the control unit 180.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that perform at least one function or operation. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. In addition, the software codes may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the control unit 180. [

 In the foregoing, the mobile terminal related to the present invention has been described in terms of components according to functions. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal related to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in view of the components according to the outline. Hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, a slider type mobile terminal will be described as an example among various types of mobile terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, and the like. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a slider type mobile terminal but can be applied to all types of mobile terminals including the above-mentioned type.

2 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal of the present invention includes a first body 200 and a second body 205 configured to be slidable along at least one direction on the first body 200. In the case of a folder phone, the mobile terminal of the present invention includes a first body and a second body configured to fold or unfold at least one side of the first body.

The state where the first body 200 is disposed in a state of being overlapped with the second body 205 may be referred to as a closed configuration and the first body 200 may be referred to as a second body 205 may be referred to as an open configuration. The mobile terminal operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, but the standby mode is also released by the operation of the user. The mobile terminal operates mainly in a communication mode in an open state, but is also switched to a standby mode by a user's operation or a predetermined period of time.

The casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) constituting the outer appearance of the first body 200 is formed by the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225. Various electronic components are installed in a space formed by the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225.

The cases may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin, or may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the sound output module 152, the camera 121 or the first user input unit 210 may be disposed in the first body 200, specifically, the first front case 220.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and the like, which visually represent information.

In addition, the touch panel may be superimposed on the display unit 151 in a layer structure so that the display unit 151 may operate as a touch screen to enable information input by a user's touch.

The sound output module 152 may be implemented in the form of a speaker.

The camera 121 may be adapted to photograph an image or a moving image of a user or the like.

As in the case of the first body 200, the case constituting the outer appearance of the second body 205 is formed by the second front case 230 and the second rear case 235.

A second user input unit 215 may be disposed on the front face of the second body 205, specifically, the second front case 230. A third user input unit 245, a microphone 122 and an interface unit 170 may be disposed on at least one of the first front case 230 and the second rear case 235. [

The first to third user input units 210, 215 and 245 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion 130. In a tactile manner in which the user operates with a tactile impression, Can be employed.

For example, the user input unit may be implemented by a dome switch or a touch pad capable of receiving a command or information by a push or a touch operation of a user, or may be a wheel, a jog type, a joystick, or the like Can also be implemented.

In a functional aspect, the first user input unit 210 is for inputting commands such as start, end, scrolling, etc., and the second user input unit 215 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols and the like.

In addition, the third user input unit 245 may operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the mobile terminal.

The microphone 122 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving voice, sound, etc. of the user.

The interface unit 170 is a path for allowing a mobile terminal related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may be a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an IrDA port, a Bluetooth port, (wireless Lan port), etc.), or power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal.

The interface unit 170 may be a card socket for accommodating an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) or a memory card for storing information.

And a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal is mounted on the second rear case 235 side.

The power supply unit 190 may be detachably coupled to a rechargeable battery, for example, for charging.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 121 may be further mounted on the rear surface of the second rear case 235 of the second body 205. The camera 121 of the second body 205 has a photographing direction which is substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 of the first body 200 and a different pixel from the camera 121 of the first body 200 Lt; / RTI >

For example, the camera 121 of the first body 200 has low pixels so that it is easy to capture a face of a user in the case of a video call or the like and transmit it to the other party, Since it is often the case that a subject is photographed and not immediately transferred, it is preferable to have a high pixel.

A flash 250 and a mirror 255 may be additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 of the second body 205. The flash 250 illuminates the subject when the subject of the subject is photographed by the camera 121 of the second body 205. The mirror 255 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to take a picture of himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 of the second body 205.

The second rear case 235 may further include an acoustic output module 152.

The sound output module 152 of the second body 205 may implement a stereo function together with the sound output module 152 of the first body 200 and may be used for a call in a speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna 260 for receiving broadcast signals may be disposed on one side of the second rear case 235 in addition to the antenna for communication. The antenna 260 may be installed to be detachable from the second body 205.

A portion of the slide module 265 that slidably couples the first body 200 and the second body 205 is disposed on the first rear case 225 side of the first body 200.

The other part of the slide module 265 may be disposed on the second front case 230 side of the second body 205 and may not be exposed to the outside as in this figure.

The second camera 121 and the like are disposed on the second body 205, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, at least one of the configurations 260, 121 to 250, and 152 described as being disposed in the second rear case 235, such as the camera 121 of the second body, It is also possible that the first rear case 225 is mounted to the rear case 225. In such a case, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) disposed in the first rear case 225 in the closed state is protected by the second body 205. Further, even if the camera 121 of the second body is not separately provided, the camera 121 of the first body may be configured to be rotatable so that the camera 121 of the second body may be configured to be photographable up to the photographing direction of the camera 121 have.

The terminal 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is operable in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or a packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system .

Hereinafter, a communication system capable of operating a terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The communication system may use different air interfaces and / or physical layers. For example, wireless interfaces that can be used by communication systems include, but are not limited to, Frequency Division Multiple Access ('FDMA'), Time Division Multiple Access ('TDMA'), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (especially Long Term Evolution (LTE)), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) . Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the description will be limited to CDMA. However, the present invention is applicable to all communication systems including CDMA wireless communication systems.

4, the CDMA wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminals 100, a plurality of base stations (BSs) 270, and base station controllers (BSCs) 275 , And a mobile switching center ('MSC') 280. MSC 280 is configured to be coupled to a Public Switched Telephone Network (" PSTN ") 290, and is also configured to be coupled to BSCs 275. BSCs 275 may be coupled in pairs with BS 270 through a backhaul line. The backhaul line may be provided according to at least one of E1 / T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL or xDSL. Thus, a plurality of BSCs 275 may be included in the system shown in FIG.

Each BS 270 may comprise at least one sector, and each sector may comprise an omnidirectional antenna or an antenna pointing to a particular direction of radial from BS 270. [ In addition, each sector may include two or more antennas of various types. Each BS 270 may be configured to support a plurality of frequency assignments and each of the plurality of frequency assignments has a specific spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sector and frequency assignment may be referred to as a CDMA channel. BS 270 may be referred to as a Base Station Transceiver Subsystem (BTSs). In this case, the word "base station" may be referred to as a combination of one BSC 275 and at least one BS 270. [ The base station may also indicate a "cell site ". Alternatively, each of the plurality of sectors for a particular BS 270 may be referred to as a plurality of cell sites.

4, a broadcasting transmitter (BT) 295 transmits a broadcasting signal to the terminals 100 operating in the system. The broadcast module 111 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the terminal 100 to receive a broadcast signal transmitted by the BT 295.

In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates several Global Positioning System ('GPS') satellites 300. The satellites 300 help to locate at least one of the plurality of terminals 100. Although two satellites are shown in Figure 4, useful location information may be obtained by two or more satellites. The GPS module 115 shown in FIG. 1 cooperates with satellites 300 to obtain desired location information. Here, you can track your location using all of the technologies that can track your location, as well as your GPS tracking technology. Also, at least one of the GPS satellites 300 may optionally or additionally be responsible for satellite DMB transmission.

Among the typical operations of a wireless communication system, BS 270 receives reverse link signals from various terminals 100. [ At this time, the terminals 100 are in the process of connecting a call, transmitting or receiving a message, or performing another communication operation. Each of the reverse link signals received by the particular base station 270 is processed by the particular base station 270. The data resulting from the processing is transmitted to the connected BSC 275. The BSC 275 provides call resource allocation and mobility management functions, including the organization of soft handoffs between the base stations 270. The BSC 275 also transmits the received data to the MSC 280 and the MSC 280 provides additional transmission services for connection with the PSTN 290. [ Similarly, the PSTN 290 connects to the MSC 280, the MSC 280 connects to the BSCs 275, and the BSCs 275 communicate with the BSs 270 ).

5 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, the mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a wireless communication unit 110, a user input unit 130, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and a controller 180.

The wireless communication unit 110 transmits and receives wireless signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server through a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to a user operation. The user input unit 130 includes a scroll key 131 for sequentially rolling and selecting a plurality of key groups, And first and second selection keys 132 and 133 for selecting and inputting a desired character. Preferably, the character or text includes Korean characters, alphabets, numbers, Chinese characters, katakana, hiragana, and punctuation marks.

If the scroll key 131 is not in the character input mode, the user can move between the menus and between the menus on the idle screen. If the scroll key 131 is pressed, the indicator such as the antenna and the battery is displayed for a predetermined time The screen is switched to the displayed screen. The first selection key 132 may be used as a call button for a call and the second selection key 133 may be operated as a menu key in the initial screen and the movement in a specific menu may be performed by rolling the scroll key 131 . Also, if the second selection key 133 is long pressed, the screen is switched to the previous screen.

The scroll key 131 and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 are mapped to each key block in one key group. Therefore, assuming that the three key blocks constitute one key group, the left key block is the first selection key 132, the middle key block is the scroll key 131, and the right key block is the second selection key 133 ) Can select the characters in each block. In addition, the character included in each key block can be selected by pressing the corresponding key plural times.

The scroll key 131 is disposed on any one of a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface of the mobile terminal 100. In the present invention, the scroll key 131 is described as an example for sequentially selecting and rolling a plurality of key groups. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of keys such as a wheel key and up / down / It is also possible to deform.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, and an alarm unit 153.

The display unit 151 may display a plurality of key groups in accordance with the operation of the scroll key 131 in addition to the communication mode or the photographing mode, A character selected by the user is displayed. The display unit 151 includes at least one display area. 6, the display unit 151 includes an area 151A indicating an operation mode of the terminal, a character input area 151B in which characters are actually input, a scroll key 131 and selection keys 132 and 133, And a key group area 152C in which a plurality of key groups to be mapped are displayed.

The memory 160 stores various programs and various data for controlling the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the memory 180 stores a plurality of key group patterns that are rolled according to the operation of the scroll key 212. In the plurality of key groups, the three key blocks form one key group, and the three key blocks are simultaneously rolled according to the rolling of the scroll key 131. Each of the key blocks may include a character to be input or a function of the terminal. Each key group is composed of the same type of key blocks for convenience of input. For example, characters (Korean, alphabet, numeral, kanji, katakana, hiragana, punctuation) and functions (clear, option, symbol and others) are separated from each other to form a key block.

The control unit 180 performs overall control operations of the mobile terminal, such as voice call, data communication, and video call, and controls operations of the respective components. The control unit 180 maps a plurality of key group patterns stored in the memory 160 to key operations of the scroll key 131 and the selection keys 132 and 133 and displays the selected characters in each key block of the specific key group (151B) of the key block (151) or performs a function selected in each key block.

The character input method in the mobile terminal according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The user can enter numbers, Hangul, English, symbols, etc. to input a telephone number or to write a text message. When a telephone number is input, the user enters a call mode by pressing the first selection key 132, which is a call button, on the initial screen. When a text message is created, a second selection key 133, which is a menu key, The character input mode can be entered.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The character input method according to the present invention performs full text and numerical input using only a five-way key performing navigation (four-way key) and ok (key) function. At this time, it is assumed that the scroll key 131 performs the upward movement, the downward movement, and the confirmation function, and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 respectively perform the leftward and rightward movement and confirmation functions.

7, when the user operates the second selection key 133 and the scroll key 131 of the user input unit 130 to select the "SEND MESSAGE" menu, or to select a first selection key The control unit 180 detects the key input and reads the key group pattern stored in the memory 160 and displays it on the key group area 152C of the display unit 151 as shown in FIG. And a cursor 50 is generated in the character input area 151B in which characters are actually input (S10). In the area 151A, information indicating the corresponding mode and status information of the terminal (such as remaining battery power, time, and intensity of electromagnetic waves) can be displayed in the area 151A.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the user can scroll the scroll key 131 upward or downward to move the input to a desired key group, that is, select one of a plurality of key group patterns. Each of the key groups is configured to be mapped to the scroll key 131 and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 as described above. For example, assuming that the three key blocks constitute one key group, the three key blocks are simultaneously moved as the scroll key 131 is rolled, and the left key block is moved by the first selection key 132, The middle key block is mapped to the operation of the scroll key 131 and the right key block is mapped to the operation of the second selection key 133. [

Accordingly, when the user rolls the scroll key 131 upward or downward, the controller 180 detects the key operation direction and the degree of operation, and displays a plurality of keys in the key group area 152C of the display unit 151 Groups are successively rolled and displayed (S11, S12). When the desired key group is moved, the user stops the rolling and performs an operation for actually inputting a character. This operation is performed by the scroll key 131 and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133.

When the user moves to a desired key group by rolling the scroll key 131, the user can use the scroll key 131 and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 The selection indicator indicating the selected key block can be moved in units of the key block. For example, each time the scroll key 131 or the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 are pressed, the selection indicator is moved by one block, and at the same time, the first character of each key block is moved And is displayed in the character input area 151B. In this state, the user repeatedly presses the scroll key 131 and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 to select a desired character from the three key blocks (S13). That is, movement between characters and key input are simultaneously performed. When the scroll indicator 131 is moved in units of a key group, the selection indicator may be set to a default position in the middle key block, and the selection indicator can be changed as needed.

At this time, since the first key block in the selected key group includes "., 1", the second key block includes "ABC2", and the third key block includes "DEF3" The characters of the block are selected using the first selection key 132, the characters of the second key block are selected using the scroll key 131, and the characters of the third key block are selected using the second selection key 133 .

The controller 180 displays the selected character in the character input area 151B according to the number of times the scroll key 131 and the first and second selection keys 132 and 133 are pressed in each key block S14).

FIG. 10 shows an example of inputting characters of the second key block by using the scroll key 131. FIG.

As shown in Fig. 10, the character "ABC2" can be selected by repeatedly pressing the scroll key 131. In other words, if the scroll key 131 is depressed once, the alphabet "A" is selected and input, the second time, the alphabet "B" is selected and input, the third time, the alphabet "C" "2" is selected and input. That is, character movement and character selection are all performed by one key operation.

As described above, according to the present invention, a key group composed of at least one key block is configured to be rolled by the operation of the scroll key 131, and characters included in each key block are selected using a key mapped to each key block, You can enter a phone number or easily create a text message.

However, when entering a telephone number or entering a character, a cursor may be moved or a specific character may be deleted. The present invention provides a key group composed of a key block for inputting characters as well as a key block for performing a specific function, and the corresponding key groups are rolled using a scroll key to select a desired key group and a key block .

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a character input method of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 illustrates an operation of controlling a character input by selecting a function key block. An example of performing deletion is shown.

As described above, in the present invention, at least one key block forms one key group, and each key block may include a character to be input or a function of the terminal. Each key group is composed of key blocks of the same type for convenience of input. For example, key blocks for inputting characters (Korean, alphabet, numeral, kanji, katakana, hiragana, punctuation) clear, cursor movement, option, symbol, and others).

As shown in FIG. 11, when the user enters the menu "send message" or the character input menu (S20), the controller 180 detects the key input and displays the initial key group pattern in the key group area 152C The cursor 50 is generated in the character input area 151B (S20).

When the user operates the scroll key 131 in this state, the controller 180 senses the key operation direction and the operation degree, and sequentially displays a plurality of key groups of the display unit 151 by rolling (S21, S22).

If a desired function key group is selected by rolling the scroll key 131 in step S23, the user can scroll the function key block in the selected function key group by using the scroll key 131, the first and second selection keys 132, (Step S24).

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the user operates the scroll key 131 to select a function key group for performing the cursor moving function, and then, for each function key block of the selected key group, 132, the scroll key 131 and the second selection key 133 to perform cursor movement and character deletion. That is, when the first selection key 132 is pressed once, the cursor moves leftward one by one. When the scroll key 131 is pressed, "Clear" mapped to the scroll key operates and "o" is deleted from "you".

In the same manner as described above, the present invention can perform operations on options and symbol functions.

The method according to the present invention allows full text and numerical input using only a five-way key that performs navigation (four-way key) and ok (key) function. It can be applied to 5 direction keys (left, scroll, right) to which general five direction keys (left, right, up, down, and arrow) and wheel method are applied.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as computer-readable code on a medium on which a program is recorded. A computer readable medium includes any type of recording device that stores data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet) . In addition, the computer may include a control unit 180 of the terminal.

The above-described mobile terminal according to the present invention is not limited in the configuration and the method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be modified such that all or some of the embodiments are selectively And may be configured in combination.

As described above, according to the present invention, full text and numeric input are performed using only a 5-way key that performs navigation (4-way key) and OK (key) function, It is possible to perform a character input function.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system in which a mobile terminal may operate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a view showing a plurality of key groups displayed on a screen when characters are input and keys mapped to the key groups.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a view showing an example of selecting one of a plurality of key groups by operating the scroll key in Fig. 7; Fig.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of inputting a desired character by selecting each key block in the key group selected in Fig.

10 is a diagram illustrating an example of inputting characters of a second key block using a scroll key;

11 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a view showing an example of performing a function cursor movement and character deletion by selecting a function key block;

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS FOR MAJOR PART OF DRAWINGS ********

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit

130: user input unit 131: scroll key

132, 133: selection key 151:

160: memory 180:

Claims (18)

A memory for storing a plurality of key groups constituted by at least one or more key blocks; A user input unit for generating key input data; A display unit for displaying input characters and a plurality of key groups; And And a controller for displaying a plurality of key groups arranged hierarchically so that one key group is arranged at the top and a part of the previous and next key groups are exposed when the character input mode is selected, Wherein the control unit rolls the key groups in such a manner that the highest key group is lowered and the lower key group is raised to the highest level according to the second key operation of the user input unit, Wherein the mobile terminal performs movement between a plurality of key blocks and inputs a plurality of characters included in the moved key block according to a first key operation. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input Wherein the mobile terminal comprises four direction keys and one confirmation key. The method of claim 1, wherein the first key A scroll key, and a wheel key, and the second key is a left / right direction key. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the rightward key Wherein the display is switched to a previous screen by pressing and holding the key, and the menu key is operated in the initial screen. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the left arrow key And the scroll key or the wheel key is switched to a screen indicating an indicator indicating a state of the terminal when the corresponding key is pressed in the initial screen. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of characters included in the key block Wherein the first key is sequentially selected according to the number of times the first key is pressed. delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one key block Wherein the mobile terminal is divided into a key block for inputting characters and a key block for performing a function. 10. The method of claim 9, Alphanumeric characters, kanji, katakana, hiragana, punctuation, and the function includes clear, cursor movement, options, and symbols. delete Entering a character input mode; A step of displaying a plurality of key groups hierarchically arranged such that one key group is displayed at the uppermost level and a part of the previous and next key groups are exposed at the lower level when entering the character input mode Rolling a plurality of key groups up and down according to a first key operation of a user input unit in such a manner that a top key group is lowered and a lower key group is raised to the highest level; Performing a left-right movement between a plurality of key blocks in the selected key group according to a second key operation of the user input unit when one key group is selected and displayed at the top by the up-down rolling; And And inputting the character selected by the first key operation among the plurality of characters included in the selected key block when one key block is selected by the left and right movement. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first key Wherein the second key is one of an up / down direction key, a scroll key, and a wheel key, and the second key is a left / right direction key. delete 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of characters included in the selected key block Wherein the number of times the first key is pressed is sequentially selected according to the number of times the first key is pressed. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of key blocks Wherein the key input unit is divided into a key block for inputting characters and a key block for performing a function. 17. The method of claim 16, Wherein the character string includes at least one of Korean characters, alphabets, numbers, Chinese characters, katakana, hiragana, and punctuation, and the function includes clear, cursor movement, options, and symbols. delete

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