KR100605972B1 - Using method of multi-function key - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key input method used to perform various functions in a mobile phone, and in particular, a multi-function key using method that can be operated to perform various functions with a single key in a mobile phone and can perform phone number input or character input. It is about. To solve this problem, in a mobile terminal including a key input unit having at least one multifunction key, a display unit displaying a plurality of menus representing a plurality of functions, and a microphone and a speaker, one of the menus is selected by the multifunction key. The selecting method includes the first step of displaying the plurality of menus on the display unit by operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time; A second step of moving a cursor from one of the plurality of menus to the next adjacent by operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time different from the corresponding long / short time of the first process; And a third process of selecting the menu by the operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time of the first process when the cursor is positioned on a predetermined menu among the plurality of menus.

Multi-Function Keys, Make Call

Description

How to use the multi-function key on your mobile phone {USING METHOD OF MULTI-FUNCTION KEY}

1 is a block diagram of a mobile phone according to an embodiment applied to the present invention

2 is a perspective view of a watch type mobile phone having a multifunction key according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an exemplary diagram of a multifunction key type according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a diagram illustrating a method of selecting a function using a multifunction key in a function menu state having a multi-stage multifunction structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an example of a mobile phone function menu status table according to FIG.

6 is a diagram showing the number of function input methods that can be generated by a single-level multi-function key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view showing the number of function input methods that can be generated by the multi-function key of the two-stage slide structure

8a, b, c is a control flow diagram showing a number / character input method using a multi-function key in a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention

9A to 9H illustrate contents displayed on a screen by selecting a multifunction key when inputting numbers / characters in FIG.

FIG. 10A illustrates an example of inputting Korean characters using multi-function keys according to the Korean input state displayed on the LCD screen in FIG. 9E; FIG.

Figure 10b is an example of how to enter the English capital letters with the multi-function key by the English capital letter input state displayed on the LCD screen

11 is a control flowchart showing a method of performing a special function using a multifunction key according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a key input method used to perform various functions in a mobile phone, and more particularly, to a multi-function key using method capable of performing a multifunction with a single key in a mobile phone and performing a phone number input or a character input.

Today's electronic products are used not only for the convenience of life but also for expressing their individuality, and various electronic products with practical and unique designs are being released. Among these electronic products, telephones that can be always carried by users, especially mobile wireless terminals such as mobile phones, have practical elements such as ease of use, ease of carrying, and ease of carrying, as well as consumer design such as unique design and unique usage. It is designed and manufactured to meet consumer's taste with the commercialization considered.

In addition, the electronic products provided various functions in order to provide more convenient and beneficial functions to consumers. In proportion to the various functions provided by the electronic products, a plurality of keys are installed in the electronic products to perform various functions. In particular, in the case of a mobile wireless terminal such as a mobile phone that we use, it is equipped with many keys such as 3 * 4 keys, various function keys, up / down keys, and menu keys to perform various functions such as dialing and name registration. According to the function set for each key, the corresponding key was used.

However, from the point of view of the user, it was possible to bring about confusion of the operation method by the configuration of a number of keys when using a conventional mobile phone, to be familiar with the functions provided by each key, and inconvenient to use each function set in many keys. There was a ham. In addition, from the manufacturer's point of view, due to the space occupied by each key, there was a difficulty in satisfying practicality and various personalities of consumers due to size or design constraints when designing a product.

In addition, there was a stereotype that the 3 * 4 key used in numbers, character input, and dialing should be used.However, it is possible to perform these functions more easily by breaking the 3 * 4 key method. Numeric and character input methods are required.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a method for using a multifunction key capable of performing various functions as one key in an electronic product, in particular, a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function key using method that can be designed with a multi-function key in the mobile phone without limiting the size of the desired design.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function key using method that provides a simpler method of use than the existing 3 * 4 key while breaking the existing 3 * 4 key method.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a method for using a multifunction key that can perform numeric input or character input and dial start using a single multifunction key.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a method for using a multi-function key that can set various functions desired by a user using one multi-function key in a mobile phone.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a key input unit having at least one multifunction key, a display unit displaying a plurality of menus representing a plurality of functions, and a microphone and a speaker. A method of selecting one of the menus includes: a first step of displaying the plurality of menus on the display unit by operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time; A second step of moving a cursor from one of the plurality of menus to the next adjacent by operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time different from the corresponding long / short time of the first process; And a third process of selecting the menu by the operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time of the first process when the cursor is positioned on a predetermined menu among the plurality of menus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a key input unit having at least one multifunction key, a display unit on which selected letters / numbers are displayed, and a microphone and a speaker. The method for selecting the first step of displaying the input state of the alphanumeric character by the operation of the multi-function key for a corresponding long / short time; A second to move the cursor from one of the letters / numbers displayed in the input state of the letters / numbers to the next adjacent one by the operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time different from the corresponding long / short time of the first process Process; When the cursor is located at a predetermined letter / number among letters / numbers displayed in the input state of the letter / number, the letter / number is selected by operation of the multifunction key for the corresponding long / short time of the first process. It is characterized by consisting of a third process.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First of all, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, such as specific processing flows. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that are determined to unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile phone applied to the present invention,

The controller 11 controls the overall operation of the mobile phone and controls the corresponding function to be performed according to the input method of the multifunction key provided in the key input unit 21. The duplexer 12 receives a radio signal received from the antenna ANT 112 and outputs the radio signal to the radio receiver 13, and outputs a transmission signal received from the radio transmitter 15 through the antenna 112. The wireless receiver 13 outputs the data to the controller 11 when receiving data and outputs the wireless voice signal received in the call mode to the voice processor 16. The frequency synthesizing unit 14 generates a carrier removal signal for removing a reception carrier signal in response to a reception channel under the control of the control unit 11, outputs the carrier removal signal to the control unit 11, and generates a transmission carrier signal. Output to the wireless transmitter 15. The wireless transmitter 15 synthesizes the voice signal received from the voice processor 16 and the carrier signal received from the frequency synthesizer 14 under the control of the controller 11 in the call mode. ) The voice processing unit 16 demodulates the coded voice received from the wireless receiving unit 13 and outputs it to the speaker (SPK) 113 through the switch unit 17, and is electrically transmitted by the microphone (MIC) 114. The signal converted into a voice signal is encoded into an electrical voice signal received through the switch unit 17 and output to the wireless transmitter 15.

The ringer unit 18 outputs a ringer sound when receiving a ring signal under the control of the control unit 11. The memory unit 19 includes a ROM in which a program storing control data necessary for controlling the control unit 11 is embedded, a non-volatile memory (NVM) for storing various telephone numbers and names, and the like. And a RAM for temporarily storing and processing data generated during the program control.

The key input unit 21 includes a multifunction key, and generates a plurality of key signals corresponding to the input method of the multifunction key operated by a user and outputs the plurality of key signals to the control unit 11. The display unit 111 uses an LCD (liquid crystal display device), for example, and displays the state and operation process of the mobile phone under the control of the control unit 11.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, various types of information according to a function selected by a user are displayed on a display unit, for example, an LCD screen by the control of the controller 11. On the other hand, among the display information displayed on the display 111, a numeric input state using 3 * 4 keys (for example, FIGS. 9A to 9C and 9H) and a character input state using character keys (for example, FIG. 9E). , And information such as a special character input state (for example, FIGS. 9F and 9G) are displayed when there is an input signal of the corresponding multifunction key.

One preferred embodiment of a mobile phone using such a multifunction key is shown in FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a watch type mobile phone having a multi-function key according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the multi-function key 10 having a two-stage slide key is installed in a mobile phone in place, for example, vertically. Press or push left or right to generate various key input signals to perform various functions. On the other hand, the multi-function key in Figure 2, for example, by pressing vertically or sliding up, down to generate a variety of key input signal can operate or set various functions.

Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram of a multi-function key type according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a multi-function key type of a multi-stage structure or a rotary structure integrally formed. In FIG. 3, the first stage multifunction key is pressed vertically, the second stage multifunction key is pressed vertically and left and right, and the three or more stage multifunction keys are pressed vertically and slide to each stage. Generates various input signals by vertical pressing and rotary methods, and the function type can be variously generated according to the number of vertical pressing, vertical pressing, and left and right sliding length and shortness.

4 is a diagram illustrating a method of selecting a function using a multifunction key in a function menu state having a multi-stage multifunction structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[I], [I-I], [I-I-I], [I-I-I-I], ..., [I-I-I-I-I-... -I] Each of the function menu states (e.g., [I] → [I-1], [I-2] ,, , [IN] → [I-1-1], [I-1-2] ,,, [INM] →…. } And a plurality of sub-menu states of the same class that are displayed when the menu is selected {for example, [I-1], [I-2], [I-3]... Of the [I-I] group of FIG. 4. [I-N]} is a function menu.

In FIG. 4, "A" is a first input signal (or first input method) of the multifunction key. When "A" is selected, a lower specific submenu is selected, and a solid line is selected by "A". As a result, the transition from the upper menu to the lower menu is shown.

In FIG. 4, "B" is a second input signal (or second input method) of the multifunction key. When "B" is selected, another "B" in the same group (referred to as a submenu state of the same grade) is selected. Moving to a menu is selected, and a dotted line indicates a state of moving to another menu in the same group as the "B" is selected.

An example of a method for selecting a function using the multifunction key will be described in detail. If the user selects the [I-1-2] of FIG. 4 by the multi-function key, the user selects the first input method of the multi-function key on the initial screen [I]. 401), each sub function ([I-1], [I-2] ,,,, [IN]) belonging to the sub menu [II] group is displayed on the LCD screen. 1] move cursor blinks to indicate current position. Since the current movement cursor position is a desired function, when the user selects the first input method of the multi-function key again to select the [I-1], the user moves to the solid arrow direction 403 and moves to the lower sub-menu [III]. Each function ([I-1-1], [I-1-2] ,,,, [I-1-N]) belonging to the group is displayed on the LCD screen, and this time [I-1-1] ] Cursor is blinking to indicate the current position. The user selects the second input method of the multifunction key to move to the [I-1-2] position. The move cursor then shifts to the next function [I-1-2] position in the same group and blinks the move cursor at the [I-1-2] position. In this state, when the user selects the first input method of the multifunction key, the desired [I-1-2] function is selected.

In the above, the first input method of the multi-function key may be, for example, an input method by one press, the second input method may be, for example, an input method by two consecutive presses, or a time length of the press. Input methods can also be distinguished by stages. Since the input method of the multi-function key is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the same way as described above, even by using only one multi-function key, each menu state can be selected to select a desired function.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram of a mobile phone function menu state table according to FIG. 4, and illustrates an example of a function menu state table for selecting a function using the multifunction key. For example, the user can select the [3. Ringtone size] function of 501 by using the method described above with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the number of function input methods that can be generated by a single-level multi-function key according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first and second input methods illustrated in FIG. 4 are “short press” and “long press”. Can be. However, FIG. 6 shows the number of cases where a number of function input methods can be generated even with a single multi-function key. For example, for "short press" 610; Once input 611, twice input 612, three times input 613, n times input 61n, each has a unique function input method (Func # 1 to Func # n) (621 to 62n). It may be, "long press" (630) one-time input (631) may also be a unique function input method, ["short press" 610 and "long press" 630 is a combination of [" Press briefly "once input +" press and hold "] (641), [" press briefly "enter twice +" press and hold "] (651), [" press briefly "n times +" press and hold "] (661 ) May also be a unique function input method (f # 1, f # 2 ,,, f # n).

However, when the number of presses of the multi-function key increases, it will be somewhat inconvenient for a user to use. Therefore, when using the multi-function key, it may be desirable to generate a function input method by limiting to an appropriate number of presses. For example, if the number of "short presses" is up to three times: {[1 short press], [2 short presses], [3 short presses], [long press], [1 short press + long] Press], [2 short presses + long press], [3 short presses + long press]} the multi-function key can be generated in all seven types of function input method and the seven function input method The key is available.

The multi-function key of the multi-stage structure will be described with reference to FIG. 7. 7 is a view showing the number of function input methods that can be generated by the multi-function key of the two-stage slide structure, the multi-function key of the two-stage slide structure forms the multi-function key structure 10 of FIG. The input method of the two-stage multifunction key of FIG. 3 is possible by a "vertical pressing" input method and a "left and right sliding" input method. That is, the two-stage slide type multi-function key formed integrally can generate the number of the "vertical pressing" function input method 600 of FIG. 6 in the case of vertical pressing, and "short to the left" 720 when sliding left and right. The function input methods Func 711, 721, 731, 741 can also be generated by the "long left" 710, the "short right" 730, and the "long right" 740.

As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the multifunction key applied to the present invention means a key capable of generating a plurality of input signals as a single key, and thus, it is possible to escape the keypad structure consisting of a plurality of keys that are used. A small number of keys including a multifunction key may serve as a keypad composed of a plurality of keys used in the past. Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, the function input method and the number of function input methods of the multi-function key having the 1-stage structure and the 2-stage structure have been described. According to the present invention, it is possible to generate more various function input methods and function input methods by the pressing intervals of the "vertical pressing", the "left and right sliding" and the "pressing long" and "short pressing", and the number of inputs. As it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, it is omitted here. In addition, the present invention has been described by limiting the multi-function key to an integrated slide type, but this is for convenience of description only, the multi-function key to be applied to the present invention is considered to be a multi-function key of the type that can perform various functions with only one key. I will have to. An example of this is a structure that forms a vertically multistage structure.

Hereinafter, the multifunction key described above is applied to a real electronic product, and a mobile phone deviating from the 3 * 4 key method as a preferred embodiment will be described. In the following description, the multifunction key is a two-stage slide type multifunction key (the two-stage multifunction key structure of FIG. 3 has the number of function input methods of FIG. 7. Here, the shape of the multifunction key is shown in FIG. 10), the method of using the multi-function key in the mobile phone performing various functions is described.

8A, 8B, and 8C are control flow diagrams illustrating a number / character input method using a multifunction key in a mobile phone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10A is a diagram showing the contents displayed on the LCD screen, FIG. 10A is an example of a method of inputting Korean characters with the multi-function key according to the Hangul input state displayed on the LCD screen in FIG. 9E, and FIG. 10B is displayed on the LCD screen. A diagram showing an example of a method of inputting English capital letters with the multifunction key by the English capital letter input state.

Characteristic of the character or number input method using the multi-function key is not to perform the character and number input by pressing a plurality of keys located on the existing 3 * 4 keys, respectively, but is displayed on the display unit 111 LCD screen provided in the mobile phone 9A to 9C and 9H and various character input states (FIGS. 9E to 9G), the user pushes the multifunction key left and right to select the position of the corresponding character. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention using this, a telephone dialing method, a telephone number registration method, and a text input method will be described in detail with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 8.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Here, the key provided in the key input unit 21 of the present invention may be assumed to be only one multifunction key as an example, and as another example, a send key and an end together with the multifunction key 10 shown in FIG. It is also possible to assume that the key is a clear key. Whether a key other than the multifunction key is used will be additionally described in the applicable situation.

In step 801, when the multifunction key 10 provided in the key input unit 21 is vertically pressed or the send key is pressed in step 801, the controller 11 considers this as a numeric input setting and proceeds to step 803. Then, in step 803, the control unit 11 controls to display the numerical information stored in advance on the LCD screen. An example of the numeric information displayed in this manner is illustrated in FIG. 9A. In this case, the controller 11 blinks the cursor for moving the position at a specific numeric position in operation 805. The shaded portion in FIG. 9A becomes the current position of the cursor. The cursor is moved left or right by sliding left and right of the multifunction key 10 adjusted by a user on the screen of the LCD display 111. In step 807, the control unit 11 moves the cursor to an arbitrary numeric position according to the manipulation of the left or right sliding input method of the multifunction key by the user. When the user moves the cursor to a desired number position in the numeric input state displayed on the LCD screen and the multi-function key is input vertically shortly once to select a number, the controller 11 detects this in step 809 and detects it in step 811. Proceed to In step 811, the control unit 11 displays the number selected by the user on the screen in the numerical information display holding state. One example of this is illustrated in [02-54] above. 9B illustrates the selected state. Thereafter, in step 813, the controller 11 continuously checks whether the left or right sliding of the multifunction key 10 is selected, and if the multifunction key adjustment is performed again, the left or right sliding of the multifunction key 10 is selected again. Returning to step 807, the subsequent processes are sequentially performed. Otherwise, if the multi-function key is vertically pressed or the send key is pressed, the controller 11 detects this as a dialing selection state for dialing and step 817. Dialing is performed using the selected phone number information.

However, if the dialing is not selected in step 815 and the telephone number registration is selected in step 819 by moving the cursor to the "registration" position shown in FIG. 9C and pressing it vertically, the controller 11 proceeds to step 821. To display the address on which the phone number to be registered on the LCD screen is stored. Subsequently, the control unit 11 detects the address when the user selects the address by using the multifunction key (using the left or right movement method) by looking at the state of the address information displayed on the screen and using the vertical or vertical movement method. Enter your address. If the address check selection for the address input is selected by vertical pressing of the multifunction key, the controller 11 proceeds to step 827. If the address check selection is not made, steps 823 and 825 are performed again. The address selection and address confirmation selection screen display information is as shown in FIG. 9D, for example.

In step 827, if the end is selected through the multifunction key or the end key, the control unit 11 proceeds to step 829, registers the telephone number to be registered by the user at the selected address, and proceeds to step 831 to return the function mode to the standby mode. Drive to return the LCD screen to the initial screen and then exit. The end selection is selected, for example, by vertically pressing the multifunction key or by pressing the end key as described above. In this case, the phone number is registered without a name.

However, if the end is not selected after the address selection in step 825 and the multi-function key is selected to select the text input mode for name registration, the control unit 11 proceeds to step 900 and enters the text input mode using the multi-function key. Perform Here, the input method of the multi-function key for selecting the character mode may be, for example, "vertical pressing twice consecutive input", or "sliding left long input".

Referring to Figure 8c will be described in detail the character input mode using the multi-function key.

When the character input mode is selected, the controller 11 displays the Hangul input state of FIG. 9E, the special character input state of FIGS. 9F and 9G, the number input state of FIG. 9H, and the English uppercase letter input state of FIG. 10B on the LCD screen. A list of information about various character input states such as is displayed. The character input state is various, such as the Korean input state, English capital input state, special character input state, number input state, etc., as shown in the above example, so that it is difficult to display them all on one screen. Displays a selectable icon to switch to another character input state.

When the text input mode is selected in step 900, the controller 11 displays the above-described text information on the LCD screen in step 901. For example, [1.Hangul 2.English uppercase letter 3.English lowercase letter 4.Special character… ] Is displayed on the LCD screen. Thereafter, in step 903, the controller 11 displays a specific character input state selected in step 905 on the LCD screen when a list of desired character information is selected by adjustment of the multi-function key.

After that, the control unit 11 proceeds to steps 907 and 909 to select a desired character type based on the left / right sliding input method of the multifunction key input by the user. Once input is selected, it is detected and the selected specific character is displayed on the screen in the character input state display state in step 915. In this way, the user can select a desired character by repeating the operations 907 to 913. On the other hand, the movement of each character adjacent to the character input state uses the left and right movement input method, but the position movement cursor on the screen such as a line break (line change) in the display state composed of multiple lines. The input method may be used, such as vertically pressing the multifunction key twice. In step 913, if the user wants to input a character in the same character type, the process proceeds to step 907, and in the case where the user wants to input a character in another character type, the user returns to step 903 to select a different character type. The display information of the status has an icon for selecting a different character type for the user to select.

When the character input confirmation is selected in step 915 by vertical pressing of the multifunction key, the controller 11 proceeds to step 917 to end the character input mode in step 919 and then ends the character input mode in step 919. In step 825, the phone number and name selected in step 819 are registered at the selected address.

A method of inputting Korean and English capital letters using the multifunction key will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10;

First, a method of inputting "pretty" using the multifunction key in the Hangul input state will be sequentially described with reference to FIG. 10A. First, to input consonants, select the desired consonant letters by moving the multi-function key left and right, and then enter the vertical press once. In the embodiment of the present invention, "-, ..., |" is used for vowel input.

That is, look at the "Yes" input process; After selecting [ㅇㅁ] where yieun ('ㅇ') is located, press the multi-function key vertically once, and the yieun ('ㅇ') is selected, and select the multifunction key at [·] to select 'ㅖ'. Entering the vertical press twice, and entering the vertical pressing twice the multi-function key in the [ㅣ] position completes the letter "Yes".

Next, look at the "pretty" input process; Select '위치한' where Bieup ('ㅂ') is located, and press the multi-function key vertically three times. 'ㅃ' is selected, and press the multi-function key vertically at the [ㅡ] position. Complete

Next, look at the "many" input process; Select [ㄷㄹ] where the dich ('ㄷ') is located and press the multi-function key vertically once, input the multi-function key vertically at the [ㅣ] position, and input the multi-function key vertically at the [·] position. Press once to complete the letter "da" and you can enter the word "pretty" as a whole.

Next, a method of inputting "HIT" using the multifunction key will be described sequentially with reference to FIG. 10B. First, select [zero] with the multi-function key. Move the cursor in the English uppercase letter input state displayed, select [GH], and then press the multi-function key vertically. Enter twice for “H”. After selecting [IJ], press the multi-function key. If the vertical press once, "I" is selected, and after selecting the [ST], if the multi-function key is pressed twice, "T" is selected to enter the letter "HIT" as a whole.

As described above, the multifunction key applied to the present invention plays a role of selecting a menu, moving between menus, and setting a function as one key. As described above, a multi-function key can be used to enter a phone number, perform dialing, register a phone number, and perform character input.

Another embodiment of performing various functions of the mobile phone using the multifunction key in addition to the numeric input and the text input using the multifunction key described above will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a control flowchart illustrating a method of performing a special function using a multifunction key according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In describing another embodiment of the present invention, the flowchart of FIG. 11 and the above-described FIGS. It will be described in detail with reference to. In the following description, only the manner of performing a manner function, a recent call number, and an automatic voice dialing function using the multifunction key will be described. However, the function disclosed in the function menu status table shown in FIG. Also, it should be noted that a method of performing a function using a multifunction key described below can be applied.

First, during the execution of a special function using the multifunction key, a method of performing a manner function 1100 will be described. If the sliding input signal is generated to the left from the multi-function key in the standby state in step 1101, the controller 11 determines that this is a manner function setting / release mode and proceeds to step 1103. In step 1103, the controller 11 checks whether the manner mode is currently set. If the manner mode is set, the controller 11 proceeds to step 1107 to release the manner mode, and if the manner mode is not set, proceeds to step 1105. To set silent mode. The manner function can be used to turn on or off the manner function.

As another example, a method of performing a call function to a recently called number using the multifunction key will be described in step 1200; If the multi-function key is pressed twice in a row in step 1201, the control unit 11 detects that the calling function is selected by the number that has been recently called and proceeds to step 1203. Then, the controller 11 displays the phone book information on the LCD screen in step 1203. In step 1205, the control unit 11 adjusts the multi-function key left and right by the user to move to the latest number view function position. In this case, the user may adjust the movement of another menu view on the phone book function by briefly sliding the multi-function key left or right. Thereafter, when the user inputs the multi-function key vertically once at the position of viewing the latest number, the controller 11 selects the recent number view mode in step 1207 and displays the latest number information on the LCD screen in step 1209. . The user may move the displayed latest number information to a desired recent number position by adjusting the multifunction key left or right. In this case, the control unit 11 moves the latest number position according to the left or right input of the multifunction key in step 1211. Move. Thereafter, in step 1213, if there is a single vertical press of the multifunction key at a specific recent number position, the control unit 11 dials the current number currently located and transmits it.

As another example, a method of performing automatic voice dialing using the multifunction key will be described in step 1300;

The controller 11 slides to the right side of the multifunction key in step 1301 and if there is a moving input to the right side, the controller 11 proceeds to step 1303 and transmits a guidement requesting a name input through the speaker 113. Thereafter, the controller 11 checks whether there is a voice input through the microphone 114 in step 1305, and if there is a voice input, the controller 11 proceeds to step 1307 and compares whether the voice already registered and the input voice match. When the registered voice coincides with the input voice, the controller 11 proceeds to step 1309 to automatically dial the phone number previously registered in the voice. However, if the voice registered in step 1307 and the input voice do not match, proceed to step 1311 to send the voice re-input announcement through the speaker 113 and return to step 1305 to perform the subsequent process sequentially. .

As described above, the present invention performs various functions provided by the mobile phone by changing the input method using only one multi-function key, and uses the information displayed on the multi-function key and the LCD screen to input a phone number or text for dialing. Can be done.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, the function input method and the history signal of the multi-function key are used interchangeably, which becomes a function input method of the multi-function key from the user's point of view, and the input signal of the multi-function key from the control unit's point of view. It is mixed.

In addition, in the detailed description of the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications are of course possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

As described above, the method for using a multifunction key according to the present invention can perform various functions as one multifunction key in an electronic product, especially a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, thereby reducing the limitation on space and size.

Another effect of the present invention is to perform a phone number input or a character input for making a phone call with a single multi-function key to meet the user's personality by breaking the existing method, the operation method is easier to enter numbers and letters Provide a method.

Another effect of the present invention is that it is convenient to use because it can be performed by selecting all functions provided by using one key, moving between menus, or setting functions.

Claims (15)

In a mobile terminal comprising a key input unit having at least one multifunction key, a display unit displaying a plurality of menus representing a plurality of functions, and a microphone and a speaker, a method of selecting one of the menus by the multifunction key In A first process of displaying the plurality of menus on the display unit by operation of the multi-function key for a corresponding long / short time; A second process of moving the cursor from one of the plurality of menus to the next adjacent by operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time different from the corresponding long / short time of the first process; And a third step of selecting the menu by the operation of the multi-function key for a corresponding long / short time of the first step when the cursor is positioned on a predetermined menu among the plurality of menus. . The method of claim 1, And if the selected menu has a submenu, repeating the above steps to select the submenu. The method of claim 1, And at least one operation of the multifunction key having the corresponding long / short time. The method of claim 1, The operation of the multi-function key is a menu selection method, characterized in that by pressing the multi-function key. The method of claim 1, The operation of the multi-function key is a menu selection method, characterized in that made through the left and right sliding of the multi-function key. The method of claim 1, The operation of the multi-function key is a menu selection method, characterized in that through the rotation of the multi-function key. In a mobile terminal comprising a key input unit having at least one multifunction key, a display unit on which selected letters / numbers are displayed, and a microphone and a speaker, the method of selecting the letters / numbers by the multifunction keys,  A first process of displaying an input state of letters / numbers by operation of the multi-function key for a corresponding long / short time; A second to move the cursor from one of the letters / numbers displayed in the input state of the letters / numbers to the next adjacent one by the operation of the multifunction key for a corresponding long / short time different from the corresponding long / short time of the first process Process, When the cursor is located at a predetermined letter / number among letters / numbers displayed in the input state of the letter / number, the letter / number is selected by operation of the multifunction key for the corresponding long / short time of the first process. Character / number selection method characterized in that consisting of a third step. The method of claim 7, wherein A fourth step of displaying the types of letters / numbers by operation of the multi-function key for the corresponding long / short time of the first step;  A fifth process of moving the cursor from one of the types of letters / numbers to the next adjacent by operation of the multifunction key during the corresponding long / short time of the first process;  When the cursor is located at a predetermined letter / number type among the letter / number types, the character / numeric input state of the letter / numeric type is changed by operation of the multifunction key for the corresponding long / short time of the first process. Character / number selection method characterized in that it further comprises a sixth step of displaying. The method of claim 7, wherein Selecting and displaying letters / numbers while repeating the above steps, and further comprising terminating the input procedure of the letters / numbers by the operation of the multifunction key for the corresponding long / short time of the first step. How to choose letters / numbers. The method of claim 7, wherein And repeating the above process, selecting and displaying the numbers, and performing the dialing function by recognizing the displayed numbers as telephone numbers by the operation of the multi-function key for the corresponding long / short time of the first process. Character / number selection method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method according to claim 7 or 8, And the at least one operation of the multi-function key having the corresponding long / short time. The method according to claim 7 or 8, Character / numeric selection method characterized in that the operation of the multi-function key is made by pressing the multi-function key. The method according to claim 7 or 8, The operation of the multi-function key is a letter / number selection method, characterized in that made through the left and right sliding of the multi-function key. The method according to claim 7 or 8, The operation of the multi-function key is a letter / number selection method characterized in that made by the rotation of the multi-function key. The method of claim 7, wherein Characters / numbers selection method characterized in that the letters represent Korean, English, Chinese characters and special characters.

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