WO2005064804A1

WO2005064804A1 - Data input apparatus and data input method using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2005064804A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/000095
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jongtae Park
Original assignee: Jongtae Park
Priority date: 2003-12-30
Filing date: 2004-01-19
Publication date: 2005-07-14
Also published as: KR20050086364A; KR100599210B1

Abstract

Disclosed are a data input apparatus for allowing users to conveniently and rapidly input data (characters, numbers, symbols, etc.) therethrough and a data input method using the same. The data input apparatus includes a slide panel unit (320) moving from a predetermined standard point in a direction among shaped directions by a user’s manipulation, and a guide panel unit (330) for creating code signals corresponding to position values according to the movement of the slide panel unit (320). The apparatus and method cause codes in unlimited numbers to be created, are extensively applied to varying environments, allow users to easily learn how to manipulate, to rapidly input data therethrough, and to input letters and symbols without conversion from a character (Korean, English, Japanese, etc.) input mode to a symbol (,, ., % etc.) input mode.

Description

DATA INPUT APPARATUS AND DATA INPUT METHOD USING THE SAME

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a data input apparatus and a data input method using the same, and more particularly to a data input apparatus for allowing users to conveniently and rapidly input, several kinds of data (characters v such as Korean, English and Japanese, numbers, symbols, direction keys, etc.) therethrough, and a data input method using the apparatus.

Background Art

Recently, with the spread of private portable communication equipment, various additional services as well as a fundamental voice service are provided. Among such additional services, a service for transmitting character data to a user of a destination-side terminal by means of a user's own terminal and a service for receiving and transmitting character data in real time are popular with the younger generation. According to the above current situation of the times, manufacturers have researched communication terminals into which characters, numbers, symbols, etc. are easily and rapidly inputted. In order to satisfy the above requirements, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0036733, entitled "METHOD FOR INPUTTING KOREAN CHARACTER TO MOBILE TERMINAL", discloses a technique in which Korean characters are rapidly and simply inputted to a mobile terminal (cellular phone) using a small number of buttons and a small number of push frequencies, compared to a conventional terminal, when Korean characters are inputted to the mobile terminal. Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0055668, entitled "DATA INPUT

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOBILE TERMINAL", discloses a technique in which at least one single vowel is assigned to each of the number keys and a vertical stroke addition key or a horizontal stroke addition key is assigned to each of the number keys, thereby allowing a desired vowel to be inputted to a mobile terminal, causing an order of writing strokes when a vowel is inputted to the mobile terminal to coincide with a standard, reducing the key input frequency, and allowing all vowels to be inputted to the mobile terminal using the vowel keys and the stroke addition keys. Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0069315, entitled "DATA INPUT APPARATUS THROUGH DIVISIONAL ASSIGNMENT OF VOWEL AND

CONSONANT AND COMMUNICATION TERMINAL APPARATUS USING THE

SAME" discloses a data input apparatus using divisional assignment of vowels and consonants and a communication terminal apparatus using the same. Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0001476, entitled "CHARACTER INPUT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOBILE TERMINAL" discloses a technique in which direction keys (including direction keys representing four directions such as up, down, left, and right, and an OK key) located at an upper position of number keys of a mobile terminal are used as stroke addition keys so that vowel characters are inputted, and at least one constant is assigned to each of the number keys so that a key pad is capable of being easily manipulated. Korean Utility Model Registration Application No. 20-2000-0020659 discloses a data input apparatus using a touch pad, and Korean Utility Model Registration Application No. 20-2000-0021047 discloses a data input apparatus in which a sensor, such as a Braille-typed letter, is arranged between number buttons of various terminals and mobile communication units, and a user draws a line between the sensors as if he/she writes letters so that characters are inputted to the terminals and the units by means of combinations of a drawing order of the line sensed by the sensors. However, most of the above-described conventional techniques employ a method in which specific character codes are respectively assigned to limited number buttons of a conventional terminal, and characters and numbers are divisionally inputted to the terminal through mode conversion. In the above conventional techniques, in order to increase efficiency of inputting characters, arrangement of the number buttons is changed or additional buttons for providing several additional functions are installed, thus limiting convenient and rapid input of characters. The technique using the touch pad requires the touch pad provided with a small board and a sensor provided on the board, thus increasing the cost of a manufactured product. The technique, in which the sensors, such as Braille-type sensors, are arranged between character buttons of various terminals and mobile communication units for sensing a line drawn between the sensors, has poor reliability. Further, as the communication terminal has an improved function, the conventional techniques cannot satisfy the requirements of the communication terminal such as rapid and easy input of various kinds of language.

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a data input apparatus for allowing a user to conveniently and rapidly input characters therethrough, and a data input method using the same. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data input apparatus for reliably sensing user's manipulation for inputting character, and a data input method using the same. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a data input apparatus for allowing a user to conveniently and rapidly input several kinds of language. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a data input apparatus for inputting characters, numbers, and symbols therethrough by means of combinations of one or more generated code signals, comprising: a slide panel unit moving in a direction out of +-shaped directions; a guide panel provided with a +-shaped guide hole for guiding the movement of the slide panel unit; and sensing means installed at designated positions of the guide panel unit for sensing the moved positions of the slide panel unit and generating code signals corresponding to the moved position of the slide panel unit. Preferably, the slide panel unit may include: a panel unit including a cavity having a designated size on an upper surface thereof and a bar-shaped pointer having a designated length protruded from a lower surface thereof; a touch pad, mounted on the cavity of the panel unit and, including an upper surface having an embossed structure, springs being interposed between the lower surface of said touch pad and the bottom surface of said cavity for elastically protruding the touch pad upward; and contact switches, respectively formed on the lower sur ace of the touch pad and the bottom surface of the cavity, contacting by pressing the touch pad so that the contact switch 328es are switched on, wherein a sliding ring, into which a lower end of the pointer is inserted from the lower surface of the guide panel, is installed. Further, preferably, the +-shaped guide hole of the guide panel unit may include routes extended from respective ends thereof, and the number of the sensing means installed in each of the four routes of the guide hole for sensing the positions of the slide panel unit may be three, thus being twelve in total. Moreover, preferably, the data input apparatus may further comprise an elastic wire having an X-shaped structure, which is arranged in a diagonal direction of the guide panel unit, and is fixed to the slide ring, thereby allowing the slide panel unit to be returned to the central position after external force is released from the slide panel unit. Preferably, the data input apparatus may further comprise a cover plate provided with an opening, formed through the central portion thereof, and marks, carved in four edges, for indicating moving directions of the slide panel unit. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data input method using a data input apparatus for inputting characters, numbers, and symbols therethrough by means of combinations of one or more generated code signals, comprising: a slide panel unit moving in a direction out of |Z| -shaped directions, including: a panel unit including a cavity having a designated size on an upper surface thereof and a bar-shaped pointer having a designated length protruded from a lower surface thereof; a touch pad, mounted on the cavity of the panel unit and, including an upper surface having an embossed structure, springs being interposed between the lower surface of said touch pad and the bottom surface of said cavity for elastically protruding the touch pad upward; and contact switches, respectively formed on the lower surface of the touch pad and the bottom surface of the cavity, contacting by pressing the touch pad so that the contact switch 328es are switched on; a guide panel provided with a φ -shaped guide hole for guiding the movement of the slide panel unit; a sliding ring, into which a lower end of the pointer is inserted from the^' lower surface of the guide panel; and sensing means installed at designated positions of the guide panel unit for sensing the moved position of the slide panel unit and generating a code signal corresponding to the moved position of the slide panel unit, the number of said sensing means installed in each of the four routes of the guide hole for sensing the positions of the slide panel unit being three, thus being twelve in total, wherein the switching-on and off of the contact switch 328es by pressing the touch pad by a user's finger and releasing the user's finger from the touch pad is recognized as a standard code ("0"), and the approaches of the pointer to the twelve sensing means under the condition that the contact switch 328es are switched on are recognized as respective codes ("1 " to "9", "A", "B", and "C"), so that combinations of the standard code ("0") and the respective codes ("1 " to "9", "A", "B", and "C") correspond to the characters, numbers and symbols. Further, when the combinations of code signals are classified into character codes for inputting characters, number codes for inputting numbers, and common codes for inputting data other than characters and numbers, the character codes and the number codes may be generated by combinations of one or more respective codes generated by the movement of the pointer under the condition that the contact switch 328es are switched on by pressing the touch pad, and the common codes may be generated by assigning the switching-on and off of the contact switch 328es by pressing the touch pad by a user's finger and releasing the user's finger from the touch pad to the standard code ("0") and by combining one or more respective codes "1 " to "9", "A", "B", and "C"), generated by the movement of the pointer under the condition that the contact switch 328es are switched on by pressing the touch pad, with the standard code ("0").

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a data input apparatus, which is applied to a mobile phone, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3a is an assembled cross-sectional view of the data input apparatus in Fig. 2; Fig. 3b is a partially enlarged view of the data input apparatus in Fig. 3a; Fig. 4a is a plan view of a cover plate of the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the cover plate of the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5a is a plan view of a slide panel unit of the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5b is a cross-sectional view of the slide panel unit of the data input apparatus in Fig. 5a; Fig. 5c is a partially enlarged view of the slide panel unit of the data input apparatus in Fig. 5b; Fig. 6a is a plan view of a guide panel unit of the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6b is a cross-sectional view of the guide panel unit of the data input apparatus in Fig. 6a; Figs. 7 to 9 are schematic perspective views illustrating operation of the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the generation of codes in the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of symbol codes (common codes) using the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 12 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of Korean codes using the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 13 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of English codes using the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 14 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of Japanese codes using the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 15 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of number codes using the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 16 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of direction key codes using the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a data input apparatus 300, which is applied to a mobile phone 100 including a liquid crystal display unit 200, in accordance with the present invention. Here, the data input apparatus 300 is installed between left and right functions keys of a key input unit. The data input apparatus of the present invention is applicable to PDAs and TV remote control units as well as mobile phones. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the data input apparatus 300 in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3a is an assembled cross-sectional view of the data input apparatus 300, and Fig. 3b is a partially enlarged view of the data input apparatus 300. As shown in Fig. 2 and Figs. 3a and 3b, the data input apparatus 300 comprises a cover plate 311 located at the uppermost position for representing a moving direction of a slide panel 320, a guide panel 330 located at the lowermost position for guiding the movement of the slide panel 320, and the slide panel 320, located between the cover plate 310 and the guide panel 330, moving up, down, right and left. Fig. 4a is a plan view of the cover plate 310, and Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the cover plate 310. As shown in Figs. 4a and 4b, the cover plate 310 is provided with an opening, formed through the central portion thereof, for obtaining an area on which a touch pad 322 of the slide panel 320 is movable, and marks 312, carved in four edges 311 , for indicating moving directions of the slide panel 320. The slide panel 320 includes a panel unit 321 having a size smaller than that of the cover plate 310. A cavity having a rectangular shape for receiving the touch pad 322 is formed at the central portion of the panel unit 321. The touch pad 322 includes an upper surface having an embossed structure, thus allowing a user's finger to easily contact the upper surface of the touch pad 322. A contact switch 328 is installed at the central portion, of a lower surface of the touch pad 322, and the corresponding portion of the bottom surface of the cavity. Four springs 327 are interposed between the lower surface of the touch pad 322 and the bottom surface of the cavity, thus elastically protruding the touch pad 322 upward. Thereby, the contact switch 328 328 maintains an off-state in a normal condition, and is converted to an on-state by pressing the touch pad 322 by a user's finger. As shown in Figs. 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b and 5c, a pointer 323 is protruded from the central portion of the lower surface of the panel unit 321 , and moves along a guide hole 335 (including four routes G1 to G4) of the guide panel 330. The pointer 323 passes through the guide hole 335 of the guide panel 330, and is inserted into a slide ring 332. An elastic wire 333, which is arranged in a diagonal direction of the guide panel 330, is fixed to the slide ring 332, thereby allowing the slide panel 320 to be returned to the central position after the slide panel 320 moves to a designated position. As shown in Figs. 6a and 6b, the guide hole 335 has a |X| -shape, and includes the four routes G1 to G4, which are interconnected so that the pointer 323 of the slide panel 320 moves along the four routes G1 to G4, and which are extended from ends thereof so that the pointer 323 is extendedly movable up, down, right and left. Further, sensors 338, for sensing the approach of the pointer 323, are respectively installed at center and both end portions of each of the four routes G1 to G4 of the guide hole 335, thereby forming a total of twelve sensing points. The sensors 338 include optical sensors, contact sensors, proximity sensors, etc., which sense the proximity or contact of the pointer 323. The sensors 338 sense moving order of the pointer 323, and then generate code information. With reference to Fig. 3, an assembly structure of the data input apparatus

300 will be described in detail. The twelve sensors 338 are respectively installed at designated positions of the guide hole 335 of the guide panel 330. The pointer 323 of the slide panel 320 passes through the center of the guide hole 335, and is inserted into the slide ring 332 from the lower surface of the guide hole 335, so that the pointer 323 slides under the condition that the guide panel 330 and the slide panel 320 are fixedly supported by each other. The slide panel 320 slides under the cover plate 310, and the touch pad 322 moves within the opening of the cover plate 310. Figs. 7 to 9 are schematic perspective views illustrating operation of the data input apparatus 300 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, the touch pad 322 in an initial state is fixedly located at the central portion of the guide hole 335. When a user presses the touch pad 322 by his/her finger, and slidably moves the touch pad 322 right, as shown in Fig. 8, the touch pad 322 moves up to the center of the end of the right edge of the cover plate 310 and the slide panel 320 slides under the cover plate 310. Thereafter, when the user releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322, the touch pad 322 is returned to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 7, by the elastic wire 333 elastically fixing the ring 332, moving together with the slide panel 320, in an "X" shape. In the same manner, in case that the touch pad 322 moves to the left of the end of the lower edge of the cover plate 310, as shown in Fig. 9, when the user releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322, the touch pad 322 is returned to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 7, by the elastic wire 333. That is, the elastic wire 333 provides tensile force for returning the slide panel 320 to the initial position, serving as a standard position, as shown in Fig. 7, although the user moves the pointer 323 by his/her finger in any direction. Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the generation of codes, which are generated by the sensors 338 located at respective positions of the pointer 323 of the slide panel 320, in the above-described data input apparatus of the present invention. In case that identifiers (1 to 9, A, B and C) are assigned to the respective sensors 338 as shown in Fig. 10, there are shown code combinations generated by sensing order of the point 323 by the sensors 338. The number of sensors 338 installed in each of the four routes G1 , G2, G3 and G4 of the guide hole 335 is three, thus being twelve in total. That is, the identifiers 1 , 2 and 3 are respectively assigned to the three sensors 338 of the first route G1 , the identifiers 4, 5 and 6 are respectively assigned to the three sensors 338 of the second route G2, the identifiers 7, 8 and 9 are respectively assigned to the three sensors 338 of the third route G3, and the identifiers A, B and C are respectively assigned to the three sensors 338 of the fourth route G4. Further, an identifier 0 is assigned to the contact switch 328 328 of the touch pad 322 located at the center. Thereby, the codes are generated by the single one or the combinations of the identifiers assigned to the sensors 338. For example, when the touch pad 322 is slid right, "2" is recognized as the code, and then when the touch pad 322 is slid up, "21 " is recognized as the code. Here, since the touch pad 322 must be pressed in order to slide, "2" or "21 " must be recognized as the code only after "0" is recognized. When the user releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322, the contact switch 328 328 of the touch pad 322 is switched off, thus causing "0" not to be recognized. Accordingly, in case that the touch pad 322 is retuned to its initial position by releasing the user's finger from the touch pad 322, "0" is not recognized. Although not shown in Fig. 10, the above-described data input apparatus of the present invention can be designed such that sound (for example, "beep") is generated for informing the user of the on-state of the sensors 338 or the contact switch 328 328, thereby allowing the user to precisely recognize the input of data. The codes generated by the data input apparatus 300 are divided into character codes for inputting characters such as Korean, English, Japanese, etc., number codes for inputting numbers, and common codes for inputting symbols other than numbers. Hereinafter, assignment examples of (1 ) common codes used for inputting symbols regardless of kinds of characters, (2) Korean codes, (3) English codes and (4) Japanese codes, which are divided from character codes, (5) number codes, and (6) direction key codes will be described. As shown in Fig. 10, the identifier "0" is assigned to the contact switch 328 328 serving as a standard point, and the identifiers "1 " to "9", "A", "B" and "C" are assigned to the respective sensors 338 from the right top sensor 338 in the clockwise direction. The generation of the common codes for inputting symbols is started from the input of the identifier "0" (by pressing the touch pad 322 by a user's finger and then releasing the user's finger from the touch pad 322), and the generation of other codes, such as Korean, English, Japanese, number and direction key codes, does not require the input of the identifier "0" (that is, the generation of other codes is achieved under the condition that the touch pad 322 is pressed). Accordingly, symbols can be used simultaneously with characters or numbers. (1 ) Common codes Common codes are used to input symbols, which are commonly used regardless of modes (Korean, English, Japanese, numbers, direction keys, etc.), or convert the mode. The common codes differ from other codes in that they are generated by the combinations of the identifier "0", inputted by pressing the touch pad 322 by a user's finger and then releasing the user's finger from the touch pad 322, and the identifiers "1 to "C", inputted by the sensors. The common codes are simultaneously inputted in all the character input modes. The common codes are assigned according to the shapes and emblematic meanings of symbols defined, as follows.

Symbol ENTER ? I + Code 056 05 085 OB OBB OBAB85 OB55 025 Symbol - * ^•*(/) = % Λ $ ff ^' Code 02 OB8255 02123 022 OB25 055 OB5B5 08282 Symbol #^' @ ( ) BACK DELETE SPACE Code 02255 0882 OB5 OB56 OBCB54 OBAB56 028 082 Symbol * r * ♦ ■ • SPACE Code OB825654 0852 08B2 08B25 0B852 0523 08 054 Symbol English Korean Japanese Direction Number Symbol key Code 0021 002 0023 0089 008 0087

For example, in order to input "ENTER" as shown in Fig. 11 , a user presses the touch pad 322 located on the contact switch 328 328 having the identifier "0" by his/her finger and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322, moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "5" and to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "6" under the condition that the contact switch 328 328 is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located on the contact switch 328 328. A code "056" is generated by the above operation, and is interpreted as "ENTER" by the predetermined Table 1 (switching on the contact switch 328 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching off the contact switch 328 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching on the contact switch 328 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "5" → inputting the identifier "6" → switching off the contact switch 328 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "056"). In the same manner, as shown in Fig. 11 , various symbols, special characters, mode conversion, etc., are inputted by using the common codes. The common codes are characterized in that the identifier "0" is inputted by switching on the contact switch 328 and then switching off the contact switch 328, and identifiers assigned to the respective sensors 338 are then inputted under the condition that the contact switch 328 is switched on.

(2) Korean codes Korean codes are assigned with reference to the writing manner of Korean vowels and consonants (V&C) defined, as follows.

V&C -ι (τ. ) 1_ c (πι) ΞL π Id (tlti ) A ( ) o (^χχ)

Code 23(B23) 54 25(B25) 85 523 52(B52) 5654(B5654) 87 855(B855)

V&C ; ; =1 E JX ϋr l- λ

Code 885 223 225 255 882 2 22 8 88

V&C _L_ _u- ^"T^" TΓ — I H n -ll

Code B BB 5 55 21 56 256 2256 856

V&C =fl A A A\ Λ -rl A Chinese character

Code 8856 B2 B256 B56 58 5856 556 2156_. BBB

First, a user selects the Korean mode from the common codes. That is, the user selects the "Korean" mode in Fig. 11 , switches on and off the contact switch 328 328 having the identifier "0" by the touch pad 322, moves the touch pad 322 to a designated direction having the identifier "2" under the condition that the contact switch 328 is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "02"). Then, a control unit (not shown) of the terminal 100 of Fig. 1 recognizes the code "02" as the Korean mode, and converts the common mode to the Korean mode. When the common mode is converted into the Korean mode, the control unit of the terminal 100 of Fig. 1 displays corresponding characters on the liquid crystal display unit 200 according to a Korean code table as shown in Fig. 12 including the predetermined Korean codes. Hereinafter, the input of "^~ι " will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The user moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a direction having the identifier "2" and to the end of a direction having the identifier "3" under the condition that the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → inputting the identifier "3" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "23"). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "23" as a Korean character "π ", and displays the Korean character "i " on the liquid crystal display unit 200. Further, the data input apparatus of the present invention codes monophthongs and diphthongs of Korean, thus allowing an initial consonant " o " of a starting word or a consonant " o " of a letter without a final consonant to be automatically inputted without the user's direct input.

(3) English codes English codes are assigned with reference to the writing manner, of English lower-case characters, as follows. The English codes are defined by Fig. 13, and a plurality of input codes are provided to each of characters of English so that a user can selectively use the input codes for convenience.

Character A(a) B(b) C(c) D(d) E(e) Code 8 54 22 56 254 Character F(f) G(g) H(h) JO) Code 225 856 23 B5 B56 Character K(k) L(l) M(m) N(n) 0(o) Code 522 5B BB B 82 Character P(P) Q(q) R(r) S(s) τ(t) Code BC BA 52 823 25 Character U(u) V(v) W(w) X(x) Y(y) Code 21 5 55 B5B5 85 Character Z(z) CAPS LOCK Code 282 BBB

Hereinafter, the input of an English lower-case character "a" will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The code of the English lower-case character "a" can be inputted by various methods, but only two methods will be described as shown in Fig. 13. First, a user selects the English mode from the common codes. That is, the user switches on and off the contact switch 328 having the identifier "0" by the touch pad 322, moves the touch pad 322 to a designated direction having the identifier "2" and to a designated direction having the identifier "1" under the condition that the contact switch 328 is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → inputting the identifier "1 " → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "021 "). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "021 " as the English mode, and converts the common mode to the English mode (lower-case character mode). Then, the input of an English small character "a" will be described below.

The user moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "8" under the condition that the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "8" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "8"). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "8" as the English lower-case character "a", and displays the English small character "a" on the liquid crystal display unit 200. Further, the input of the English small character "b" will be described below. The user moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "5" and to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "4" under the condition that the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "5" → inputting the identifier "4" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "54"). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "54" as the English lower-case character "b", and displays the English small character "b" on the liquid crystal display unit 200. In case that the user wants to input only one English small character in an English upper-case character input mode or to input only one English uppercase character in an English small character input mode, the user can insert the identifier "B" into each of the character codes. For example, in the English small character input mode, the code "8" is recognized as an English small character "a", and the code "8B" is recognized as an English upper-case character "A". On the other hand, in the English upper-case character mode, the code "8" is recognized as the English upper-case character "A", and the code "8B" is recognized as the English small character "a". Further, a conversion code between the English upper-case character input mode and the English small character input mode is a CAPS LOCK (a code "BBB").

(4) Japanese code Japanese codes are assigned as shown in Fig. 14. Also, a plurality of input codes are provided to each of Japanese characters so that a user can selectively use the input codes for convenience. Japanese is not related to the writing method of respective characters, but is based on 10 rows (including "A", "Ka", "Sa", "Ta", "Na", "Ha", "Ma", "Ya", "Ra", and "Wa" rows) and 5 columns (including "A", "I", "U", "E", and "O" columns) Rule. According to the 10 rows and 5 columns Rule, respective rows are arranged at the positions of the guide hole 335, representing the identifiers "1 " to "9" and "B", and the four columns ("I", "U", "E", and "O" columns) are arranged at the positions of the guide hole 335, representing the identifiers "2", "5", "8"-, and "B", so that the "I", "U", "E" and "O" columns are represented by adding the identifiers "2", "5", "8", and "B" to the codes of the "A" columns.

Classification A I U E O A ι^ 1 A fc 21 2122 2125 2128 213 Ka fr < lt l 2 22 25 28 3 Sa £ - - * 23 2322 2325 2328 233 Ta t X t 54 5452 5455 5458 545B

5 52 55 58 5B Ha tø t> Λ ^\ tø 56 5652 5655 5658 565B Ma & r Λ t 87 8782 8785 8788 878B Ya "A tφ J: 8 85 8B Ra h Λ 89 8982 8985 8988 898B Ya ^ £ BA BC B Function key Hiragana Katakana Chinese character BBA BBC BBB

Hereinafter, the input of a Japanese character ' " will be described with reference to Fig. 14. The Japanese character Α" can be represented by several codes, but only one code shown in Fig. 14 will be described. First, a user selects the Japanese mode from the common codes. That is, the user switches on and off the contact switch 328 having the identifier "0" by the touch pad 322, moves the touch pad 322 to a designated direction having the identifier "2" and to a designated direction having the identifier "3" under the condition that the contact switch 328 is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → inputting the identifier "3" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "023"). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "023" as the Japanese mode, and converts the common mode to the Japanese mode. Then, the input of the Japanese character Α" will be described below.

The user moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "2" and to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "1" under the condition that the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → inputting the identifier "1 " → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "21 "). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "21" as the Japanese character Α", and displays the Japanese character Α" on the liquid crystal display unit 200. Further, flat consonants, semi-flat consonants and Ya-raw consonants are represented by inputting respective Japanese codes and adding the identifiers "2", "5" and "8" to the Japanese codes.

(5) Number codes Fig. 15 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of number codes in the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Since the number codes is difficult to understand and inconvenient to write, numbers "1 " to "9" and "0" are respectively assigned to the positions of the guide hole 335, representing the identifiers "1 " to "9" and "B".

First, a user selects the number mode from the common codes. In the number mode, the input of the number "1 " will be described below. The user moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "2" and to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "1 " under the condition that the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned, to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → inputting the identifier "1 " → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "21 "). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "21 " as the number "1 ", and displays the number "1 " on the liquid crystal display unit 200.

(6) Direction key codes Fig. 16 is a schematic view of an example of operation and assignment of the generation of direction key codes in the data input apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Direction → ϊ <_ r A \ \ Code 2 5 8 B 21 23 89 87

The direction keys "→", " I ", "<-", and " t " are arranged to the positions of the guide hole 335, representing the identifiers "2", "5", "8" and "B", and the direction keys " "', "V, " \", and " A" are arranged according to the upward and downward movements after the positions of the guide hole 335, representing the identifiers "2" and "8". Hereinafter, the input of the direction key "→" will be described. A user moves the touch pad 322 to the end of a designated direction having the identifier "2" under the condition that the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" is switched on by the touch pad 322, and releases his/her finger from the touch pad 322 so that the contact switch 328 is switched off and the touch pad 322 is returned to the earlier position located at the center of the guide hole 335 (switching on the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0" → inputting the identifier "2" → switching off the contact switch 328 representing the identifier "0"; generating the code "2"). Then, the control unit of the terminal 100 recognizes the code "2" as the direction key "→", and achieves the movement to the right direction. Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a data input apparatus and a data input method system using the same, which have several effects, as follows. First, since Korean, English and Japanese characters, number, direction keys and various symbols (common codes) are inputted through a single input apparatus, it is possible to provide convenience and rapidity in inputting data to a small mobile terminal such as a cellular phone. Second, since the generation of codes is achieved by combination of sensing order of twelve sensors under the a contact switch is switched on, it is possible to theoretically create infinite numbers of codes, in case that the data input apparatus of the present invention is applied to a cellular phone, the data input apparatus allows the cellular phone to represent all of functions thereof and to input all of characters under the condition that all buttons are removed from the cellular phone, and provides probability that input systems of the Korean, English and Japanese characters, numbers, etc., in a small mobile terminal are unified. Third, the data input method of the present invention is the same as a basic writing method, and allows Japanese characters and numbers, to which the basic writing method cannot be applied, to be easily and rapidly inputted by means of serial arrangement. Fourth, since the input all data is started at the same position, a user can input data to a mobile terminal using the data input apparatus of the present invention under the condition that the mobile terminal provided with the data input apparatus is taken into his/her pocket. Fifth, since the data input apparatus of the present invention employs a single slide panel, a physically handicapped person, who cannot use a keyboard, can use the data input apparatus. Sixth, although the input method will be converted later using the data input apparatus of the present invention (i.e., the code setting will be converted), it is possible to apply the converted input method only by converting software without the replacement of the terminal. Seventh, the data input method of the present invention does not require the waiting of the completion of a word or the input of an additional key, differing from a conventional Korean character input apparatus. Eighth, the data input apparatus of the present invention codes monophthongs and diphthongs of Korean, thus allowing an initial consonant " o " of a starting word or a consonant " o " of a letter without a final consonant to be automatically inputted without the user's direct input. Ninth, with the data input apparatus of the present invention allows, most of the symbols ca be inputted without the mode conversion in Korean, English, Japanese and number input modes. Tenth, since the inputs of all the characters including numbers and symbols are started at the same position, the movement of the user's finger is minimized and the inputs of all the characters are achieved by using a single finger (for example, thumb). Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A data input apparatus for inputting characters, numbers, and symbols therethrough by means of combinations of one or more generated code signals, comprising: a slide panel unit moving in a direction out of +-shaped directions; a guide panel provided with a +-shaped guide hole for guiding the movement of the slide panel unit; and sensing means installed at designated positions of the guide panel unit for sensing the moved positions of the slide panel unit and generating code signals corresponding to the moved positions of the slide panel unit.

2. The data input apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the slide panel unit includes: a panel unit including a cavity having a designated size on an upper surface thereof and a bar-shaped pointer having a designated length protruded from a lower surface thereof; a touch pad, mounted on the cavity of the panel unit and, including an upper surface having an embossed structure, springs being interposed between the lower surface of said touch pad and the bottom surface of said cavity for elastically protruding the touch pad upward; and contact switches, respectively formed on the lower surface of the touch pad and the bottom surface of the cavity, contacting by pressing the touch pad so that the contact switch 328es are switched on, wherein a sliding ring, into which a lower end of the pointer is inserted from the lower surface of the guide panel, is installed.

3. The data input apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the +-shaped guide hole of the guide panel unit includes routes extended from respective ends thereof; and the number of the sensing means installed in each of the four routes of the guide hole for sensing the positions of the slide panel unit is three, thus being twelve in total.

4. The data input apparatus as set forth in claim 2 or 3, further comprising an elastic wire having an X-shaped structure, which is arranged in a diagonal direction of the guide panel unit, and is fixed to the slide ring, thereby allowing the slide panel unit to be returned to the central position after external force is released from the slide panel unit.

5. The data input apparatus as set forth in claim 2 or 3, further comprising a cover plate provided with an opening, formed through the central portion thereof, and marks, carved in four edges, for indicating moving directions of the slide panel unit.

6. A data input method using a data input apparatus for inputting characters, numbers, and symbols therethrough by means of combinations of one or more generated code signals, comprising: a slide panel unit moving in a direction out of φ -shaped directions, including: a panel unit including a cavity having a designated size on an upper surface thereof and a bar-shaped pointer having a designated length protruded from a lower surface thereof; a touch pad, mounted on the cavity of the panel unit and, including an upper surface having an embossed structure, springs being interposed between the lower surface of said touch pad and the bottom surface of said cavity for elastically protruding the touch pad upward; and contact switches, respectively formed on the lower surface of the touch pad and the bottom surface of the cavity, contacting by pressing the touch pad so that the contact switch 328es are switched on; a guide panel provided with a φ -shaped guide hole for guiding the movement of the slide panel unit; a sliding ring, into which a lower end of the pointer is inserted from the lower surface of the guide panel; and sensing means installed at designated positions of the guide panel unit for sensing the moved position of the slide panel unit and generating a code signal corresponding to the moved position of the slide panel unit, the number of said sensing means installed in each of the four routes of the guide hole for sensing the positions of the slide panel unit being three, thus being twelve in total, wherein the switching-on and off of the contact switch 328es by pressing the touch pad by a user's finger and releasing the user's finger from the touch pad is recognized as a standard code ("0"), and the approaches of the pointer to the twelve sensing means under the condition that the contact switch 328es are switched on are recognized as respective codes ("1 " to "9", "A", "B", and "C"), so that combinations of the standard code ("0") and the respective codes ("1 " to "9", "A", "B", and "C") correspond to the characters, numbers and symbols.

7. The data input method as set forth in claim 6, wherein the combinations of code signals are classified into character codes for inputting characters, number codes for inputting numbers, and common codes for inputting data other than characters and numbers, wherein: the character codes and the number codes are generated by combinations of one or more respective codes generated by the movement of the pointer under the condition that the contact switch 328es are switched on by pressing the touch pad; and the common codes are generated by assigning the switching-on and off of the contact switch 328es by pressing the touch pad by a user's finger and releasing the user's finger from the touch pad to the standard code ("0") and by combining one or more respective codes "1 " to "9", "A", "B", and "C"), generated by the movement of the pointer under the condition that the contact switch 328es are switched on by pressing the touch pad, with the standard code ("0").