KR100694196B1 - Key input device and method, and portable electronic apparatus and method including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key input device suitable for a portable electronic device and an input method thereof. The key input device is assigned a plurality of keys to one keypad. The keypad is a multi-key structure in which a plurality of keys corresponding to letters or numbers are assigned to the center, left and right. The keypad is rotated to the left, rotatory translation, and to the right to enter the assigned keys respectively. Therefore, according to the present invention, by inputting letters and numbers using the keypad of the multi-key structure, the number and fingering distance of the keypad can be minimized, and the input is easy.

Portable electronic device, key input device, keypad, key arrangement, multi-key

Description

KEY INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD, AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND METHOD INCLUDING THE SAME

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a portable terminal according to the present invention;

2 is a view showing a key arrangement structure of the keypad shown in FIG. 1;

3A and 3B illustrate key input principles of a key input device according to embodiments of the present invention;

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a flowchart showing a key input procedure of a key input device suitable for a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; And

6 is a flowchart illustrating a key input procedure of a key input device suitable for a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100, 100 ': portable terminal 102: control unit

104: memory 106: housing

108: printed circuit board 110: key input device

112, 112 ', 112a: Keypad 113: Sensor

114a ~ 114c: Array of numbers 116a ~ 116c: Hangul consonant array

118a ~ 118c: English alphabet array 120: Peripherals

The present invention relates to a key input device, and more particularly, to a key input device having a key arrangement structure suitable for a portable electronic device and a key input method thereof. The present invention also relates to a portable electronic device having a key input device which is easy to input a key, and a key input method thereof.

With the development of wireless communication, portable electronic devices have various additional functions as well as basic functions. A portable terminal such as a mobile electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a personal information terminal, inputs and transmits a text message using a keypad for transmitting a text message among these additional functions, regardless of the location. In this case, since the portable terminal is small unlike the keyboard device of the computer system, the manufacturer develops and manufactures a technology for efficiently inputting letters and numbers using fewer keypads.

For example, the current mobile phone character input methods include Cheonjiin, Easy-Hangul, Sky Hangul, and Handol codes depending on the manufacturer. They all assign letters and numbers using twelve keypads, but the key arrangement of letters and numbers and their input methods are different for each manufacturer.

In particular, these keypads require complicated input methods such as pressing specific keypads several times according to each character input method, and thus have a large number of input strokes. There is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a key input device and a method for easily inputting a key regardless of an arrangement of letters and numbers.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a key input device and a method thereof having a fast key input speed.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide a key input device and a method suitable for a small portable electronic device.

The key input device of the present invention for achieving the above object has one feature of assigning letters and numbers to the center and left and right in one keypad. According to the key input device of the present invention, the letters or numbers assigned to the keypad are input in response to the movement of the keypad from side to side in pressing and pressing, so that key input is quick and key input is easy regardless of key arrangement. . Therefore, the key input device of the present invention is suitable for use with an external electronic device.

Key input device of the present invention, a plurality of keypads each assigned at least one letter or number in the center, left and right; A sensor for sensing key strokes in the first to third directions of the keypad; The keypad inputs letters or numbers assigned to the center, the left side and the right side, respectively, to the external electronic device in response to key strokes in the first to third directions.

In one embodiment, the key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed down from the top of the center of the keypad, to the rotation of the keypad in the left direction, and to the right of the keypad. Corresponding.

In another embodiment, the key strokes in the first to third directions correspond to pressing down from the center upper portion of the keypad, moving in the left direction simultaneously with the pressing and moving in the right direction simultaneously with the pressing. do.

Wherein the key input device; The apparatus may further include a controller configured to generate a key signal corresponding to a letter or number input from the keypad and output the key signal to the external electronic device. In addition, the key input device; Keypads located in the center row of the keypads are preferably arranged such that the Hangul vowels of the characters are assigned.

According to another feature of the present invention, a key input method of a key input device in which a plurality of keys are arranged on one keypad is provided. According to this method, key input is faster and key input is easy.

The key input method of the present invention determines which of the first to third directions the key stroke is made on one keypad. When the keypad is keystroked in the first direction, a number or letter corresponding to a key assigned to the center of the keypad is input. When the keypad is stroked in the second direction, the number corresponding to a key assigned to the left side of the keypad is input. Or enter a character. When a key stroke is made in the third direction, a number or letter corresponding to a key assigned to the right side of the keypad is input.

In one embodiment, the key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed down from the center upper portion of the keypad, rotated to the left side of the keypad, and rotated to the right direction of the keypad. .

In another embodiment, the key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed down from the center upper portion of the keypad, while pressing in the first direction, moving in the left direction of the keypad, and While pressing in one direction, it moves in the right direction of the keypad.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a portable electronic device for inputting desired letters and numbers with a single touch is provided. According to such a portable electronic device, not only the key input is easy, but also the number of keypads can be reduced, thereby miniaturizing.

A portable electronic device of the present invention includes: a plurality of keypads each having a letter or number assigned to the center, left side and right side; A sensor for sensing an input of the keypad; A control unit which receives a detection signal from the sensor when the keypad is input, determines an input state of the keypad, and generates a key signal of any one of a plurality of numbers and letters assigned to the keypad in response to the determined input state It includes.

In one embodiment, the input state of the keypad includes the keypad is pressed, rotated to the left of the keypad and rotated to the right of the keypad. At this time, the control unit; In response to the pressing of the keypad, the rotation of the keypad in the left direction, and the rotation of the keypad in the right direction, the assigned letters or numbers are preferably controlled.

In another embodiment, the input state of the keypad includes the keypad being pressed, moving in the left direction in the pressed state, and moving in the right direction in the pressed state. At this time, the control unit; In response to the pressing of the keypad, the movement in the left direction from the pressed state, and the movement from the pressed state to the right, the allocated letters or numbers are preferably controlled.

In another embodiment, the keypads located in the center row of the keypads may be arranged such that the Korean vowels of the characters are allocated.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key input method of a portable electronic device having a key input device in which a plurality of keys are arranged on one keypad. This method allows quick input of desired letters and numbers with a single touch, and continuous input without waiting time.

The key input method of the portable electronic device of the present invention determines whether the keystroke is performed in one of the first to third directions on one keypad. As a result of the determination, when the keypad is keystroked in the first direction, a key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the center of the keypad is input. When the key is stroked in the second direction, a key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the left side of the keypad is input. When the key is locked in the third direction, a key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the right side of the keypad is input. A key signal corresponding to the input key is generated.

In one embodiment, the key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed down from the center upper portion of the keypad, rotated to the left side of the keypad, and rotated to the right direction of the keypad.

In another embodiment, the key strokes in the first to third directions are pressed downwards from the top of the center of the keypad, respectively, while pressing in the first direction, moving in the left direction of the keypad, and in the first direction. While pressing in the direction, it moves in the right direction of the keypad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the embodiments described below. This embodiment is provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the shape of the components in the drawings, etc. have been exaggerated to emphasize a more clear description.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal 100 includes a key input device 110 suitable for a small electronic device, for example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. The key input device 110 includes a plurality of keypads, each of which is assigned at least one number, a plurality of Korean vowels, and English letters at the center and left and right sides.

In addition, the key input device 110 inputs the numbers or letters of keys assigned to the center and left and right sides of each keypad by giving directions to the center and left and right sides when the keypads are input.

Therefore, the portable terminal 100 of the present invention has a plurality of keypad arrangements in which numbers and letters are assigned to one keypad, so that key input is easy and input is possible in a few strokes.

Specifically, the key arrangement structure of the key input device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the key input device 110 uses a structure in which letters and numbers are arranged at the center, left and right sides of one keypad 112. The key input device 110 includes, for example, nine keypads 112 and 112a. Each keypad 112 is assigned with three lines 114, 116 and 118 of numbers, Korean vowels and alphabets, and at least one number (including symbols) or characters to the center, left and right of each assigned line. Are assigned.

Looking at the key input method of the key input device 110, the numbers or letters assigned to the center of the numbers or letters assigned to each of the keypads 112 are pressed to enter, the numbers or letters assigned to the left and right are left or right Orientation in the direction and press to enter. As another key input method, the numbers or letters assigned to the center are pressed and the left and right numbers or letters are moved while pressing left and right.

For example, referring to the keypad 112a of the number '1' among the keypads, in the row 114a where the numbers are arranged, the number '1' is assigned to the center and '0' to the left, and the Hangul consonants are arranged. ), The Korean consonants 'ㄱ' are assigned to the left, the Korean consonants 'ㄴ' to the center, and the Korean consonants 'ㄷ' to the right. In the row 118a where the alphabet is arranged, the alphabet letter 'A' is assigned to the left, the alphabet letter 'B' to the center, and the alphabet letter 'C' to the right.

As an example, the method of inputting the Hangul 'Gang' may include inputting the Hangul consonant 'ㄱ' assigned to the left by pressing the keypad of the number 1 in the diagonal direction from the top left to the bottom of the center, and using the number 5 keypad from the top right Press diagonally below and enter the Korean vowel 'ㅏ' assigned to the right. Then press the number 3 keypad from the top to the bottom to enter the Korean vowel 'ㅇ' assigned to the center. As a result, Hangul 'Kang' is input.

As another example, a method of inputting Korean 'Young' may be performed by pressing the keypad of number 3, followed by the keypad of number 5, and then moving to the left while pressing the keypad of number 5 again. . Then press the number 3 keypad to input Korean 'Young'. In this case, the vowel '·' assigned to the keypad of the number 5 is input in combination with the vowel ', ㅓ, ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅣ' to input the vowel ', ㅕ, ㅛ, ㅠ, ㅒ, ㅖ'. do.

Of course, the number and letter arrangement of the keypads 112 may be variously modified according to the design, function, and necessity of the portable terminal 100. However, the Hangul vowels are keypads (i.e., number 4) provided in one row 116b located at the center of the key input device 110 among the plurality of keypads to minimize the distance between the consonants and the vowels. , Keypads 5 and 6).

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the key input operation of the key input device 110 suitable for the portable terminal 100 or 100 ′ will be described as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the key input device 110 of the present invention has a structure in which one or more numbers and a plurality of letters are arranged at the center, the left side, and the right side of each keypad 112.

The input of each keypad 112 is pushed from the top of the center to the bottom direction, as shown in FIG. 3A, and rotatory translation from the center top to the bottom left direction, i.e., rotating or from the center top to the bottom right direction. It works in three ways to rotate. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, the input of each keypad 112 operates in three ways: pressing, pressing left and moving left and pressing right. Each of these operations sequentially inputs numbers or letters assigned to the center, left and right sides of one keypad, respectively. Such an input method can minimize the number of input strokes by inputting a single number or character with one input (ie, pressing or directional rotation or movement).

Here, each of the keypads 112 is pressed, or oriented diagonally from the top to bottom, or rotated to the left or right while pressing and moving left and right, and when the user's key input is interrupted, the elasticity is restored to the original position instantly It is provided with a mechanical mechanism having a. In addition, these keypads 112 are mounted between the housing 106 of the portable terminal 100 and the printed circuit board 108 and are separated from other keypads to facilitate key input.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, for example, when an input operation of numbers and letters is described using the keypad 112 of the number '1', the portable terminal 100 selects a number / Korean / English input mode selected by a user. Correspondingly, when the keypad 112 is pressed, '1' / 'ㄴ' / 'B' is inputted, and while pressing to move to the left, or pressing while giving direction, that is, turning to the left, '0' / 'ㄱ' / 'A' is entered, and when rotated to the right, (no input) / 'ㄷ' / 'C' is entered.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the keypad 112 'is pressed,' 1 '/' b '/' B 'is inputted, and when it is moved to the left while pressing,' 0 '/' ㄱ '/' A 'is entered, and when pressed and moved to the right, (no input) /' ㄷ '/' C 'is entered.

Accordingly, the key input device 110 of the present invention can reduce the number of input strokes because all letters and numbers are input in a one-touch manner such as pressing a keypad, rotating with directionality, or moving in a pressed state.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable terminal shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, the portable terminal 100 includes a key input device 110 according to the present invention, a control unit 102 that controls and processes various operations of the portable terminal 100, and a control operation of the control unit 102. The memory 104 stores a program and data for processing the data, and a plurality of peripheral devices 120 according to a unique function of the portable terminal 100.

The key input device 110 includes a plurality of keys, and each key has a structure in which letters and numbers are arranged on one keypad in the center, left and right, respectively (hereinafter referred to as 'multi key'). Each of these keypads 112 has a structure of elasticity that is input by pressing, rotating left and right or moving left and right while being pressed, and momentarily returns to the original position when the user's key input is interrupted. Since the technology for this structure has already been developed in various ways and is well known to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the key input device 110 includes a sensor 113 for sensing center, left and right inputs of the keypads 112. The sensor 113 may be, for example, a mechanical switch, an electrical contact sensor having contacts corresponding to the center, left and right, a pressure sensing sensor for detecting an appropriate pressure applied in the center and left and right directions of the keypad, or various. It may be provided with input sensors. 3A and 3B, the sensor 113 is then pressed, in which direction to apply pressure, in which direction, in the pressed state to the left or in the pressed state. It detects the movement to the right and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 102.

The control unit 102 includes, for example, a microcontroller, a processor, or a control unit, and receives a detection signal from the sensor 113 to generate a key signal for a letter or number arranged at the center, left, or right of the keypad. To the peripheral device 120. At this time, the input key is input in numbers, Korean alphabets or English corresponding to the input mode selected by the user, such as numeric input, Korean alphabet input or English input.

In addition, although the control unit 102 has been described as a control device of the portable terminal 100, the control unit 102 may be provided in a key input device that can be used alone, and may be provided as a device for controlling the key input operation of FIG.

The memory 104 stores a program for controlling all operations of the controller 102 and data according to processing of the program. In particular, the memory 104 stores a program for controlling a multi-key input method according to the present invention shown in FIG. Of course, the memory 104 may be included in the controller 102 provided as an internal memory type.

The peripheral devices 120 include various devices according to the unique functions of the portable terminal 100, for example, a wireless terminal transceiver, an LCD panel, a microphone and a speaker when the portable terminal is a mobile phone or a personal information terminal. do.

Therefore, the key input device 110 of the present invention by arranging letters and numbers on the center, left and right in one keypad 112, by determining the key input state and entering the determined letters or numbers at once, It can be implemented with fewer keypads than the key input device of the conventional portable terminal.

In addition, by using the multi-keys with letters and numbers arranged in the center, left and right on one keypad, fewer letters are used to input letters and numbers, so that continuous input is possible without waiting time. Input stroke and fingering distance can be reduced.

As described above, the portable terminal 100 of the present invention uses a key input device 110 having multi-keys in which letters and numbers are arranged at the center, left and right sides of one keypad to input letters and numbers. It is easy. In addition, since the key input device 110 is implemented with fewer keypads 112, it can be further miniaturized.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a key input procedure of a key input device suitable for a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. This procedure is a program processed by the control unit 102 of the portable terminal 100, which is stored in the memory 104. This embodiment presses a key input operation, rotates to the left and rotates to the right to input a specific key.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 102 determines whether the central portion of one keypad is pressed by the sensor 113 in step S130. If the center portion is pressed as a result of the discrimination, the procedure proceeds to step S132 to enter a letter or number assigned to the center of the keypad. If the central portion is not pressed, it is determined in step S134 whether the keypad is rotated in the left direction. If the result of the discrimination is rotated to the left, the procedure proceeds to step S136, in which a letter or number assigned to the left side of the keypad is input. If it is not rotated in the left direction, it is determined in step S138 whether the keypad is rotated in the right direction.

As a result of the discrimination, if it is rotated in the right direction, that is, the keypad is not pressed to the center and not rotated to the left, the procedure proceeds to step S140 to input letters or numbers assigned to the right side of the keypad.

Subsequently, a key signal corresponding to the letter or number input in step S142 is generated and provided to the peripheral device 120 (eg, a display device) of the portable terminal 100.

In this embodiment, the portable terminal 100 of the present invention determines whether the center of the keypad is pressed, rotated in the left or right direction, and inputs an assigned key on the keypad in the determined direction. That is, when an arbitrary keypad is pressed in the center, a key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the center of the keypad is input. When the keypad is rotated to the left, the key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the left side of the keypad is pressed. And, when rotated in the right direction, input a key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the right side of the keypad. Therefore, the portable terminal 100 of the present invention can input one letter or number with one key input.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a key input procedure of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. This procedure is also a program processed by the control unit 102 of the portable terminal 100, which is stored in the memory 104. In this embodiment, the key input operation is described in detail by inputting a specific key by pressing left and right and moving left and right.

Referring to FIG. 6, when one keypad is pressed in step S150, the controller 102 determines whether the keypad moves to the left while being pressed by the sensor 113 in step S152. As a result of the discrimination, if it is moved to the left in the pressed state, the procedure proceeds to step S154 to input a numeric or letter key assigned to the left side of the keypad.

As a result of the determination, if it does not move to the left, this procedure determines whether the keypad moves to the right while being pressed in step S156. In other words, when it is moved to the right in the pressed state, the character or numeric key assigned to the right side of the keypad is input in step S158.

If the result of the determination indicates that the keypad is not moved (or rotated) left or right from being pressed, that is, if the pressed keypad is returned to its original state, the procedure proceeds to step S160 where a letter or numeric key assigned to the center of the keypad is entered. Enter.

Subsequently, in step S162, the controller 102 is pressed or moved (or rotated) to the left or right in the pressed state to generate a key signal corresponding to the input character or numeric key to generate peripheral devices 120 (eg, , Display device, etc.).

In the above, the configuration and operation of the key input device and the portable electronic device including the same according to the present invention have been shown in accordance with the detailed description and the drawings, which are merely described by way of example, and do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Various changes and modifications are possible within the scope.

As described above, the key input device of the present invention arranges numbers and letters in the center, left and right on one keypad, and presses the keypad, presses or presses the directional diagonally to the left and right, and moves left and right while pressing. By inputting in a manner, the input of desired letters and numbers is quick with one touch, and continuous input is possible without waiting time.

In addition, the key input device of the present invention implements a multi-key structure in which numbers and letters are arranged at the center, left and right sides of one keypad to minimize the number of keypads, thereby reducing the fingering distance between the keypads according to the input. This makes input easier.

In addition, the key input device of the present invention is suitable for small electronic devices because it uses a small number of keypads.

Claims (17)

In a key input device for use with an external electronic device: A plurality of keypads rotated to the left and to the right and returned to their original positions after the rotation, and assigned at least one letter or number to each of the center, the left and the right; A sensor for sensing key strokes in the first to third directions of the keypad; And the keypad inputs letters or numbers assigned to the center, the left side, and the right side, respectively, to the external electronic device in response to the key strokes in the first to third directions. The method of claim 1, The key strokes in the first to third directions correspond respectively to pressing down from the top of the center of the keypad, to rotatory translation in the left direction of the keypad, and to rotation in the right direction of the keypad. Key input device, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, Each of the key strokes in the first to third directions corresponds to a downward press from the center upper portion of the keypad, a movement in the left direction simultaneously with the pressing, and a movement in the right direction simultaneously with the pressing. Keystroke device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The key input device; And a controller configured to generate a key signal corresponding to a letter or number input from the keypad and output the key signal to the external electronic device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The key input device; Keypads located in the center row of the keypad is arranged to arrange the keypad so that the Hangul vowels of the characters are assigned. In a key input method of a key input device having a plurality of keypads: Determining whether the key stroke is in a first direction that is pressed centrally from one keypad that returns to its original position after turning left and right, and in a second direction that rotates to the left and a third direction that rotates to the right Step and; When the keypad is keystroked in the first direction, a number or letter corresponding to a key assigned to the center of the keypad is input. When the keypad is stroked in the second direction, the number corresponding to a key assigned to the left side of the keypad is input. Or inputting a character, and when the key is stroked in the third direction, inputting a number or a character corresponding to a key assigned to the right side of the keypad. The method of claim 6, The key strokes in the first to the third directions are respectively pressed downward from the center upper portion of the keypad, rotatory translation in the left direction of the keypad, and rotation in the right direction of the keypad. A key input method of a key input device. The method of claim 6, The key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed down from the center upper portion of the keypad, pressed in the first direction, moved in the left direction of the keypad, and pressed in the first direction. The key input method of the key input device, characterized in that the movement in the right direction of the keypad. In a portable electronic device: A plurality of keypads rotated to the left and right and returned to their original positions after the rotation, and assigned letters or numbers to the center, left and right, respectively; A sensor for detecting rotation of the keypad; Receiving a detection signal corresponding to the rotation of the keypad from the sensor to determine the input state of the keypad, any of a plurality of numbers and letters assigned to the center, left and right of the keypad corresponding to the determined input state And a control unit for generating one key signal. The method of claim 9, The input state of the keypad may include pressing the keypad, rotating the keypad in the left direction, and rotating the keypad in the right direction. The method of claim 10, The control unit; And the assigned letters or numbers are respectively input in response to the pressing of the keypad, the rotation of the keypad in the left direction, and the rotation of the keypad in the right direction. The method of claim 9, The input state of the keypad includes the keypad being pressed, moving in the left direction in the pressed state, and moving in the right direction in the pressed state. The method of claim 12, The control unit; And the allocated letters or numbers are respectively input in response to the pressing of the keypad, the movement in the left direction in the pressed state, and the movement in the right direction in the pressed state. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, The keypads located in the center row of the keypads arrange the keypads so that Hangul vowels of the characters are allocated. A key input method of a portable electronic device having a key input device, the method comprising: Determining whether the key stroke is in the first direction, which is pressed centrally from one keypad returning to the original position after turning to the left and right, and the second direction to rotate to the left and the third direction to rotate to the right Steps; When the keypad is keystroked in the first direction, a key corresponding to the number or letter assigned to the center of the keypad is input. When the keypad is keystroked in the second direction, the keypad is assigned to the number or character assigned to the left side of the keypad. Inputting a corresponding key, and when the key is stroked in the third direction, inputting a key corresponding to a number or letter assigned to the right side of the keypad; And generating a key signal corresponding to the input key. The method of claim 15, The key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed downward from the center upper portion of the keypad, rotational rotation in the left direction of the keypad, and rotation in the right direction of the keypad. Key input method of a portable electronic device. The method of claim 15, The key strokes in the first to third directions are respectively pressed downward from the center upper portion of the keypad, pressed in the first direction, moved in the left direction of the keypad, and pressed in the first direction. A key input method of a portable electronic device, characterized in that moving in the right direction of the keypad.

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