KR100888795B1 - The key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key input device, and provides a key input device for quickly inputting various characters while having a small number of keys. To this end, the key input device according to the present invention, a plurality of character keys to which at least one Korean and English alphabet is assigned, and an input for switching the key input mode corresponding to the alphabet / numeric input mode each time it is pressed And a mode selector key and a program selector for executing a preset program, wherein ten of the plurality of character keys are further assigned with a number of '0' to '9' one by one; The keys to which the numbers '1' to '9' are assigned are arranged adjacent to each other in the form of three rows and three columns, and the keys to which the number '0' is assigned are adjacent to the keys to which the number '1' is assigned. The numbers are input in the number input mode, and the program selection key executes a preset program corresponding to the key to which each number is assigned when the number is simultaneously pressed with the key to which the number is assigned. do. As described above, the present invention has the advantage of performing various character representations and functions with a small number of keys.

Key-in device, mobile communication terminal, computer

Description

Key input device {THE KEY INPUT DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a key input device, and more particularly, to an apparatus for quickly entering various characters with a small number of keys.

The present invention is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT new growth engine core technology development project of the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication Research and Development. [Task management number: 2006-S-038-01, Task name: Terminal for mobile convergence computing Adaptive Embedded Operating System Technology].

Today, due to the development of information and communication, various services such as DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), and GPS (Global Positioning System) are provided, and various terminals provided for such services are used. By using these terminals, the user can use services such as phone calls, text messages, the Internet, email, DMB broadcasting, and location and route guidance of the vehicle.

In order to use various services using these terminals, a character must be input by using a key input device. A key input device used in a conventional mobile communication terminal can be pressed several times using a key input method such as Cheonjiin. Characters are slow and uncomfortable because they are completed by combining letters. In addition, although the mobile phone identification number used in the country starts with '01' such as 010, 011, 016, 017, 018, 019, the key input devices used in the conventional mobile communication terminals are '0' and '1'. 'Is far away, so it is inconvenient to dial the phone number. On the other hand, a key input device used in a conventional computer or the like has a faster character input speed than a key input device used in a mobile communication terminal. However, the number of keys is too large to be suitable for use in a small portable communication terminal.

Therefore, there is a need for a key input device that speeds up text input and makes a user easy to use while minimizing the number of keys so as to be conveniently used in various terminals currently used.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a key input device for quickly entering various characters. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a key input device that performs various functions while having a small number of keys so as to reduce the volume of various information communication devices to which the present invention can be applied.

To this end, the key input device according to the present invention, a number of character keys to which at least one or more Korean and English alphabets are assigned, and a key input mode corresponding to the letter / numeric input mode each time it is pressed once And an input mode conversion key and a program selector for executing a preset program, wherein ten of the plurality of character keys are further assigned with one number of '0' to '9', and the number is assigned. Keys to which numbers of '1' to '9' are assigned are arranged adjacent to each other in the form of three rows and three columns, and keys to which the number '0' is assigned are adjacent to the keys to which the number '1' is assigned. The numbers are inputted in the number input mode, and when the program selection key is pressed at the same time as the key to which the number is assigned, the preset program is executed corresponding to the key to which the number is assigned. And that is characterized.

As described above, the present invention has the advantage of performing various character representations and functions with a small number of keys. In addition, the present invention has an advantage of reducing the volume of various information communication devices to which the present invention is applied by providing a key input device composed of a small number of keys. In addition, the present invention has the advantage that the number of the key input device can be efficiently arranged to shorten the fingering distance during call origination, thereby providing convenience to the user.

1 is a plan view illustrating a key input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the key input device 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

The key input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a character key input unit 110 to which various characters are assigned and a function key input unit 120 to which function keys for performing various functions are assigned.

The character key input unit 110 includes 28 keys, and includes 26 character keys in which the Hangul alphabet and the English alphabet are arranged in a QWERTY manner and two keys assigned with the symbols '.' And ':'. Include. QWERTY method is a keyboard layout method in which the six alphabetic keys are arranged in the order of 'Q', 'W', 'E', 'R', 'T', and 'Y' from the left. It is now widely used as a standard for computer keyboards. In addition, ten keys among the keys of the character key input unit 110 are further assigned with numbers '0' to '9', which will be described in more detail below.

The function key input unit 120 may include a function key 'SHIFT' key 121, a 'Korean / English' key 122, a 'SPACE / PHONE' key 123, and a 'CLR <' key 124. , 'FN' key 125, 'HOME / end' key 126, and 'ENTER / call' key 127, and the like.

The 'SHIFT' key 121 performs the same operation as in a general computer keyboard. For example, when the character input mode of the keyboard is the Hangul input mode, the multiple consonants 'ㅃ', 'ㅉ', 'ㄸ', 'ㄲ', 'ㅆ' or the vowels with the 'SHIFT' key 121 pressed When a key to which 'ㅒ' or 'ㅖ' is assigned is pressed, the layered consonant or layered vowel is input. In addition, when the character input mode of the keyboard is the English input mode, when the key to which the English letter is assigned is pressed while the 'SHIFT' key 121 is pressed, the uppercase letter is displayed when the English input mode is a lowercase letter. If the input mode is uppercase, lowercase letters are entered.

The 'Korean / English' key 122 switches the Korean / English input mode to the English / Korean input mode. For example, when the Korean / English key 122 is pressed once while the character input mode is the Korean input mode, the character input mode is switched to the English input mode. Similarly, while the character input mode is the English input mode, When the 'Korean / English' key 122 is pressed once, the character input mode is switched to the Hangul input mode.

When the SPACE / PHONE key 123 is pressed for less than a predetermined time, the space is entered one space among key inputs.If the SPACE / PHONE key is pressed for more than a predetermined time, the letter / number input mode is displayed. Switch to Jamo input mode. The number input mode refers to a mode in which a number assigned to a key is input when a key assigned to both a number and a letter is pressed. Hereinafter, pressing and holding the 'SPACE / PHONE' key 123 for a predetermined time or more is expressed by pressing the input mode conversion key 123. In addition, in the numeric input mode according to an embodiment of the present invention, not only numbers but also a plurality of keys described below can be input.

The shaded portions in FIG. 1 represent keys that can be input in the numeric input mode. Referring to FIG. 1, in the numeric input mode, a key that can be input includes a key assigned with a number of '0' to '9', a key assigned to symbols '*', '#', and '@', and a cursor. '←', '↑', '→', '↓' and the various function keys 'CLR <' (124), 'FN' (125), 'HOME / EXIT' ( 126), 'ENTER / Call' 127. For example, when the input mode conversion key 123 is pressed in the Jamo input mode in which the Korean alphabet and the English alphabet can be input, the input mode is switched to the numeric input mode. If you press a key that is assigned with 'and the number' 0 ', the number' 0 'is entered. That is, when a user using a key input device according to the present invention wants to make a call, press the input mode conversion key 123 to change the key input mode to the number input mode, and then press a key to which the number is assigned to the phone number. Just type

2 (a) to 2 (c) is an exemplary view showing a numerical arrangement of a key input device, a key input device for a conventional mobile communication terminal and a key input device for a conventional computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, 3A to 3F are exemplary views showing fingering distances according to mobile phone identification numbers.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in the key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, numbers '0' and numbers '1' are arranged adjacent to each other, and numbers '1' to '9' are three rows. It can be seen that they are arranged in three rows. This is to minimize the fingering distance, which is the moving distance of the finger pressing the telephone number when calling. On the other hand, referring to Figure 2 (b) and Figure 2 (c), the key input device for a conventional mobile communication terminal and the key input device for a conventional computer is that the number '0' and the number '1' are far apart from each other. Able to know.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 to 3, when the mobile phone identification numbers '010', '011', '016', '017', '018' and '019' currently used in Korea are pressed, Compares the fingering distance between the key input device, the key input device for the conventional mobile communication terminal, and the key input device for the conventional computer.

When calculating the fingering distance according to the numerical arrangement (Fig. 2 (a)) of the key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in Table 1.

Mobile phone identification number Fingering distance calculation formula Fingering distance calculation result 010

011

016

017

018

019

When calculating the fingering distance according to the numerical arrangement (Fig. 2 (b)) of the conventional computer key input device is shown in Table 2.

Mobile phone identification number Fingering distance calculation formula Fingering distance calculation result 010

011

016

017

018

019

Table 3 shows the fingering distances calculated according to the numerical arrangement (FIG. 2C) of the key input device for the conventional mobile communication terminal.

Mobile phone identification number Fingering distance calculation formula Fingering distance calculation result 010

011

016

017

018

019

은 각각 소수점 아래 셋째 자리에서 반올림한 값인 1.41, 2.24, 3.16으로 계산한다. Table 4 compares the fingering distances for the above three key input devices by mobile phone identification number. Irrational number from the fingering distance calculated above

Is calculated as 1.41, 2.24, and 3.16 rounded to the third place after the decimal point, respectively.

Mobile phone identification number Fingering distance of key input device according to the present invention Common mobile terminal fingering distance Common computer keyboard fingering distance 010 2 6.32 18 011 One 3.16 9 016 3.24 5.40 14 017 3 5.16 15 018 3.24 5.40 16 019 3.82 5.98 17

Referring to <Table 4>, when 1) mobile phone identification number '010' is pressed, the fingering distance in the key input device according to the present invention is 1 / (3.16) times greater than the fingering distance in the mobile communication terminal, computer You can see that it is 1/9 times shorter than the fingering distance on the keyboard. Fig. 3A shows the fingering distance when the mobile telephone identification number '010' is pressed.

2) When the mobile telephone identification number '011' is pressed, the fingering distance in the key input device according to the present invention is 1 / (3.16) times the fingering distance in the mobile communication terminal, and 1 / the fingering distance in the computer keyboard. 9 times shorter. 3B shows a fingering distance when the mobile telephone identification number '011' is pressed.

3) When the mobile telephone identification number '016' is pressed, the fingering distance in the key input device according to the present invention is 1 / (1.67) times greater than the fingering distance in the mobile communication terminal, and 1 / (greater than the fingering distance in the computer keyboard. 4.32) We can see that it is short. 3C shows a fingering distance when the mobile telephone identification number '016' is pressed.

4) When the mobile telephone identification number '017' is pressed, the fingering distance in the key input device according to the present invention is 1 / (1.72) times greater than the fingering distance in the mobile communication terminal and 1/5 of the fingering distance in the computer keyboard. It can be seen that the ship is short. 3 (d) shows a fingering distance when the mobile telephone identification number '017' is pressed.

5) When the mobile telephone identification number '018' is pressed, the fingering distance in the key input device according to the present invention is 1 / (1.67) times larger than the fingering distance in the mobile communication terminal, and 1 / ((10) than the fingering distance in the computer keyboard. 4.32) We can see that it is short. 3E shows the fingering distance when the mobile telephone identification number '018' is pressed.

6) When the mobile telephone identification number '019' is pressed, the fingering distance in the key input device according to the present invention is 1 / (1.57) times the fingering distance in the mobile communication terminal, and 1 / ( 4.45) We can see that it is short. 3 (f) shows the fingering distance when the mobile telephone identification number '019' is pressed.

That is, the numerical arrangement of the key input device according to the present invention has a very short fingering distance when the call is originated, thereby providing convenience to the user.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the 'CLR <' key 124 performs a function of deleting a number input in the number input mode.

The 'FN' key 125 is a program selection key for selecting a preset program corresponding to the key to which the numbers '0' to '9' are assigned. For example, if the Internet web browser is preset to execute a key assigned with the number '0', when the user presses the key assigned with the number '0' while holding the 'FN' key 125 The Internet web browser is launched. This is to allow you to perform various functions with a few keys.

In the numeric input mode, the 'HOME / end' key 126 performs a call termination function, and the 'ENTER / call' key 127 performs a call incoming / outgoing function. In addition, the 'HOME / end' key 126 and the 'ENTER / call' key 127 are arranged adjacent to each other, so as to provide convenience by shortening the fingering distance during continuous call by the user.

4 is an exemplary view illustrating a combination of a conventional computer key input device and an input / output port of a key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The conventional key input device for a computer has 104 keys, which is an international standard. The key input device used in Korea includes 106 keys including two keys, 'Korean / English' and 'Chinese'. Equipped. As shown in (a) of FIG. 4, in order to design a key input device having 106 keys, it is necessary to design a combination of input and output ports of a 10 * 11 matrix, which requires 21 input / output ports. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4 (b), when designing a key input device having a 35 keys according to an embodiment of the present invention is designed by the combination of input and output ports of 7 * 5 matrix or 6 * 6 matrix This is possible and requires 12 input and output ports. Therefore, when designing a key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention it is possible to significantly reduce the volume.

In the above description of the present invention, a specific embodiment has been described, but various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be defined by the described embodiments, but should be determined by the equivalent of claims and claims.

1 is a plan view showing a key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 (a) to 2 (c) is an exemplary view showing a numeric arrangement of a key input device, a key input device for a conventional mobile communication terminal and a key input device for a conventional computer according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3 (a) to 3 (f) is an exemplary view showing a fingering distance according to the mobile phone identification number,

4 is an exemplary view showing a combination of a conventional key input device for a computer and an input / output port of a key input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (4)

A number of character keys to which at least one Korean and English alphabet is assigned, Includes an input mode conversion key for switching the key input mode corresponding to the alphabet / numeric input mode each time it is pressed once and a program selector for executing a preset program. Ten keys of the plurality of character keys are assigned with one more number of '0' to '9', and the keys to which numbers of '1' to '9' are assigned among the keys to which the number is assigned. The keys arranged in the form of three rows and three columns are adjacent to each other, and the keys to which the number '0' is assigned are arranged to be adjacent to the keys to which the number '1' is assigned, and the numbers are inputable in the number input mode. When the program selection key is pressed simultaneously with the key to which the number is assigned, the program selection key executes a preset program corresponding to the key to which each number is assigned. Keystroke device. The method of claim 1, Four keys among the plurality of character keys are further assigned with a function for selecting directions of up, down, left and right, respectively. The direction selection function is activated in the numeric input mode Keystroke device. delete The method according to claim 1 or 2, Including the call key to perform the call / call in the numeric input mode, An end key arranged adjacent to the call key and ending the call / call in the numeric input mode; Keystroke device.

Images