KR101451677B1 - Little Keyboard Which Can Do Quick Input - Google Patents

Abstract

A selection key group arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns on the upper surface and including 12 independent selection keys having different key codes according to the selection of the mode key, A key group having a physical entity constituted by a common key group which is arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns above or below the selection key group and which includes nine independent common keys always having the same key code regardless of the selection of the mode key A small keyboard including the keyboard is disclosed. The compact keyboard according to the present invention can realize many key inputs by setting a key code at the simultaneous input of neighboring keys, and by implementing a numeric mode, an alphabet mode, a Hangul mode and a multimedia mode on a keyboard having a physical entity Almost all keystrokes can be implemented on a standard keyboard with a physical entity at a small size that is sufficiently mobile. Thus, the present invention provides a small keyboard as a physical entity having satisfactory mobility and fast input.

Description

A small keyboard capable of fast input {Little Keyboard Which Can Do Quick Input}

The present invention relates to a compact keyboard capable of fast inputting, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for setting a key code for simultaneous inputting of neighboring keys, thereby providing 12 real keys in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns and a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns A numeric mode, an alphabet mode, and a Korean language mode on a physical entity having a small size and composed of nine actual keys in the form of a physical entity, The present invention relates to a miniature keyboard capable of performing almost all the keystrokes to be implemented as well as fast inputting.

With the development of information and communication technology, mobile electronic devices such as cell phones, smart phones, and tablet PCs have been developed. These electronic devices require input of numbers or characters. Cellular phones usually have a keypad with a physical entity, but since the number of installed keys is limited and multiple key codes are assigned to one key, the key input can not be performed quickly, which is inconvenient.

In order to solve such inconvenience, the present inventor has filed a patent application disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1999-0078618 (titled "key code generation device for fast key input") I got a patent registration. The present invention is characterized in that different keys are assigned and displayed between a plurality of keys and a key code assigned to a combination of both key signals is generated when a portion between two adjacent keys or both keys are pressed together, And to enable quick keystrokes. These keyboards have the same arrangement as the QWERTY type keyboard layout, which comes from the perception that standard keyboard layouts are convenient for users.

Meanwhile, recently developed smart phones and tablet PCs have adopted a virtual keyboard implemented on a touch screen, so that only one key code can be assigned to one key, and as a result, It was. However, even if the virtual keyboard is displayed separately on the display window by the mode of the number mode, the alphabet mode, and the Hangul mode, many keys must be displayed on one screen, causing frequent misrecognition on the key input. Although the inventor of the present invention has described that such a key code generating apparatus can be applied to keys of a touch screen type, if the above patent invention is applied to a touch screen type keyboard, that is, a virtual keyboard, have. In the case of a tablet PC having a large screen size, since the virtual keyboard can be displayed sufficiently large, it is possible to significantly reduce the misrecognition on the key input, but the mobility becomes relatively inconvenient.

In addition, recently, a TV implemented with a bi-directional function is commercialized. Such a TV requires a convenient input device for inputting a user's request. Although a user's request can be input by a commonly used TV remote controller, the input by the TV remote controller is inconvenient because it is subject to considerable restrictions. Therefore, in recent years, a TV product that can be used by connecting a keyboard to a TV by wire or wireless, in particular, by Bluetooth communication, has been commercialized. The keyboard used here is a standard keyboard of a conventional QWERTY arrangement or a miniaturized keyboard which is a little more simplified than that. Standard keyboards have significant mobility restrictions, and even a somewhat streamlined compact keyboard does not have enough mobility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above problems and limitations of the prior art. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a standard keyboard having a small physical entity capable of being input at a high speed by connecting wired or wirelessly to electronic devices requiring input of numbers or characters, such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, And to provide a compact keyboard that can implement almost any keystroke that it implements. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact keyboard having a physical entity that simultaneously satisfies mobility and input characteristics.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for performing a pairing procedure for a plurality of master devices by performing Bluetooth communication only once at first, and then, without performing a complicated procedure for pairing, The present invention provides a compact keyboard that can be connected to other master devices so that a user can select and connect a desired master device among a plurality of master devices simply and conveniently.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compact keyboard including: a shift key and a mode key disposed on a side surface; a plurality of keys arranged in a matrix of four rows and three columns on an upper surface, And nine independent common keys which are arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns above or below the selected key group on the top surface and which are always in the form of a matrix of three rows and have the same key code regardless of the selection of the mode key Keys comprising a common key group and including a physical entity; A key signal generator for generating a key signal corresponding to the key pressed when the keys are depressed; A memory for storing a combination key code corresponding to a combination of the two independent selection keys that are applied when the two independent selection keys in the selection key group are pressed and then released simultaneously or sequentially within a predetermined time, part; When the two independent independent selection keys in the selection key group are depressed and then released at the same time or sequentially released within a predetermined time, the memory unit is referred to, and a combination key code corresponding to the combination of the two independent selection keys And a controller for determining an independent key code corresponding to the key when the single independent selection key is pressed and released; And a communication unit for transmitting the key code determined by the control unit to an external device by wire or wireless according to an instruction from the control unit. Wherein an independent key display in the form of a letter, symbol or number corresponding to the corresponding independent key code is displayed on the keys, and between the selected key group and two adjacent independent keys in the common key group, A combination key display of a character, a symbol or a number corresponding to the key code is displayed.

Preferably, the keyboard is capable of selecting one of a numeric mode and an alphabetic mode by the mode key, or a numeric mode or a Hangul mode, and the numeric mode, the alphabetic mode And a Hangul mode, and it is most preferable that one of the number mode, the alphabet mode, the Hangul mode and the multimedia mode can be selected by the mode key.

Wherein independent keys of letters, numbers or symbols corresponding to the independent key codes corresponding to the modes are displayed in each part of the top surface of the independent selection keys, and in the independent selection keys, A light emitting lamp is disposed on the key display, the light emitting lamp below the key display corresponding to the mode selected by the mode key operates, and the light emitting lamp below the key display corresponding to the mode not selected by the mode key The lamp is not operated so that only the key display corresponding to the mode selected by the mode key is visually recognized.

The luminescent lamps disposed below the independent selection keys emit different colors depending on the mode selected by the mode key.

The independent key display displayed on the independent keys in the alphabet mode and the Hangul mode is displayed in a manner that the independent key display of the alphabet mode and the independent key display of the Hangul mode are displayed at different positions on the independent keys on the independent keys And the combined key display displayed between independent keys adjacent to each other in the alphabet mode and the Hangul mode includes a combination key display of the alphabet mode and a combination key display of the Hangul mode, And a direct-current LED light emitting lamp which emits different colors is disposed under the combination key display, and it is preferable to emit different colors according to the alphabet mode and the Hangul mode Do.

In the number mode and the multimedia mode, it is preferable that there is no combination key displayed between the independent selection keys.

Specifically, in the alphabet mode, the selection key group is composed of the independent selection keys of the first row in order, the independent selection keys of the second row in turn, I, K and M, And three independent select keys are sequentially composed of Q, S, and U, independent select keys of the fourth row are sequentially composed of Y, Caps Lock, and Z, and when the adjacent independent select keys among the independent select keys are simultaneously pressed, The virtual combination selection key, which is a virtual key for generating a key code corresponding to the combination key indication, is generated by a combination of the independent selection keys A and C, the virtual combination selection key B, D, the virtual combination selection key F by the combination of the independent selection keys A and I, the virtual combination selection key G by the combination of the independent selection keys C and K, and the virtual combination selection keys H, By the combination of the independent selection keys I and K, the virtual combination selection key J, A virtual combination selection key K, a virtual combination selection key K, and an independent selection key M by a combination of a virtual combination selection key L and independent selection keys I and Q by a combination of keys K and M, The virtual combination key K, the virtual combination key K, the virtual combination key K, the virtual combination key K, the virtual combination key K, A virtual combination selection key V, a combination of independent selection keys S and CapsLock by a combination of virtual combination selection keys W and independent selection keys U and Z by a combination of virtual combination selection keys V, (A dot or a period) by a combination key, and a virtual combination selection key (question mark) by a combination of the independent selection keys CapsLock and Z. [

When the independent selection key A is displayed together with ang, and when the independent selection key A is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the displayed ang is input all at once; Eng is displayed together with the independent selection key E, and when the independent selection key E is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the displayed eng is input all at once. If the independent selection key I is displayed together with ing and the independent selection key I is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, it is preferable that the displayed ing is input at a time.

In particular, in the Hangul mode, the selection key group is composed of the independent selection keys of the first row, the independent selection keys of the second row in turn, the letters d, And independent select keys of the third row are sequentially made up of a plurality of independent select keys, the independent select keys of the fourth row are sequentially made up of a plurality of independent select keys, The virtual combination selection key, which is a virtual key that is combined and generates a key code corresponding to the combination key indication, is generated by a combination of the independent selection keys a and b by a combination of virtual combination selection keys and independent selection keys c, A virtual combination selection key by a combination of a selection key and an independent selection key a and a virtual combination selection key by a combination of independent selection keys b and k, , The independent selection key , A virtual combination selection key ㅓ, a combination of independent selection keys ㅁ and 조합 by a combination of a virtual combination selection key ㅕ, independent selection keys 과 and ㅅ by a combination of a virtual combination selection key ㅓ, By a combination of the virtual combination selection key, and the independent selection key 과 and the combination of the virtual combination selection key ㅔ and the independent selection key 과 by a combination of the independent selection key 렁 By combining the virtual combination selection key, the independent selection key, and the combination of the virtual combination selection key and the independent selection key and the combination of the virtual combination selection key (question mark) and the independent selection key, By combining the virtual combination selection key, the independent selection key and the virtual combination key, the virtual combination selection key by the combination of the independent selection key and the hot key, and the independent selection key and the Virtual combination selected by the combination of independent key common key (point or period) is preferably to be arranged in such a way to be formed or arranged in position and the bar position is changed form of a collection of l sul above.

When the independent selection key is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state where the shift key is pressed, Is input; When the independent selection key c is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key c is input in a state in which the shift key is pushed, Is input; If the independent selection key is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state where the shift key is pressed, Is input; When the independent selection key is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state in which the shift key is pressed, Is input; When the independent selection key i is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key i is input in a state where the shift key is pushed, Is input.

Preferably, the small keyboard is operated by a Bluetooth slave keyboard capable of being connected to a plurality of master devices by Bluetooth communication. The Bluetooth module of the keyboard includes an EEPROM or a flash memory, a controller, a RAM, and a Bluetooth communication unit. The EEPROM or the flash memory stores the pairing information required to perform pairing between the slave keyboard and a plurality of master devices Wherein the controller resides the pairing information in the RAM when the keyboard is powered on and uses the pairing information between a slave keyboard and a master device preset by a program or selected by a user Pairing is performed to enter the connection mode and, for other master devices not previously selected by the program or not selected by the user, the slave keyboard is in a forced hold mode regardless of the state of such master device camp It is desirable to import.

The pairing information is stored in the EEPROM or the flash memory when the first pairing is established between the slave keyboard and a master device. The pairing information includes a Bluetooth device address of the master device, An active member address assigned to the keyboard, a random number to be sent from the master device at the time of connection, and a user-specified number that allows the user to select the keyboard-master device pairing by the user .

The slave keyboard has a plurality of pairing information having a plurality of user-specified numbers, and the user inputs the user-designated number corresponding to the master device desired by the slave keyboard, so that the connection between the slave keyboard and the desired master device At this time, the master device connected to the slave keyboard preferably disconnects from the slave keyboard and enters the forced hold mode.

Wherein the keyboard has an independent pairing key in the common key group, and when the independent pairing key is pressed on the slave keyboard, a numeric key corresponding to a user- ) Keys are sequentially input, a connection between the keyboard and the corresponding master device is preferably formed.

Wherein the keyboard has an independent Bluetooth communication setup key in the common key group, wherein, in a state in which the master keyboard is in proximity to the slave keyboard and the independent Bluetooth communication setup key is pressed for a user to pair with the independent paired key, When a numeric key corresponding to a number and an enter key are sequentially input, a pairing procedure between the slave keyboard and the corresponding master device is performed and the pairing information is stored in the EEPROM or the flash memory.

When receiving an acknowledgment signal from the master device in the Bluetooth communicable area paired with the keyboard, transmits a response signal to the master device even in the forced hold mode.

The compact keyboard according to the present invention can realize many key inputs by setting a key code at the simultaneous input of neighboring keys, and by implementing a numeric mode, an alphabet mode, a Hangul mode and a multimedia mode on a keyboard having a physical entity Almost all keystrokes can be implemented on a standard keyboard with a physical entity at a small size that is sufficiently mobile. Thus, the present invention provides a small keyboard as a physical entity having satisfactory mobility and fast input. The compact keyboard of the present invention can be connected to a wired or wireless electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a TV, or the like that requires input of a number or a character, and is also an input device for a wearable computer As shown in FIG.

The small keyboard of the present invention operates as a Bluetooth slave keyboard. If a pairing procedure is performed only once for a plurality of master devices at first, then a master device and a master device can be operated by a simple operation without performing a complicated procedure for pairing The connection to the other master device can be performed while maintaining the connected state. That is, it is convenient that a user can easily and conveniently select and connect a desired master device among a plurality of, for example, nine master devices. In addition, since a single keyboard can be used for a plurality of smart phones, smart TVs, etc., it is economical to users because there is no need to purchase multiple keyboards.

FIG. 1 illustrates a compact keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which power is not applied.
Figure 2 illustrates a small keyboard according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is implemented in number mode.
FIG. 3 illustrates a compact keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is not operated in a numeric mode are displayed.
FIG. 4 illustrates a compact keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is operated in the number mode are displayed.
FIG. 5 illustrates a small keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is implemented in an alphabetic mode.
FIG. 6 illustrates a small keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is not operated in the alphabet mode are displayed.
FIG. 7 illustrates a small keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is operated in the alphabet mode are displayed.
FIG. 8 illustrates a small keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is implemented in the Hangul mode.
FIG. 9 illustrates a small keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is not operated in the Hangul mode are displayed.
FIG. 10 illustrates a compact keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is operated in the Hangul mode are displayed.
FIG. 11 illustrates a small keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is implemented in a multimedia mode.
FIG. 12 illustrates a compact keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is not operated in the multimedia mode are displayed.
FIG. 13 illustrates a compact keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which keys implemented when the shift key is operated in the multimedia mode are displayed.
14 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a small keyboard of the present invention.
15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a Bluetooth module applied to a small keyboard of the present invention.
16 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the small keyboard of the present invention is multiplexed with a plurality of master devices by Bluetooth communication.
17 is a remaining flowchart following the flowchart of Fig.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 13 show a keyboard part of a small keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. The small keyboard of the present invention has a shift key and a mode key on the side.

The shift key is used to assign two key codes to one key as applied to an ordinary keyboard. For example, if the alphabet letter A is pressed while the shift key is not pressed, a key code of a lowercase a is generated, and when the shift key is pressed, a key code of the uppercase letter A is generated. In Figure 1, the shift key is shown on the left side and the mode key on the right side, which is a convenient arrangement for right-handers. In the case of configuring the small keyboard of the present invention for left-handed use, the shift key may be arranged on the right side and the mode key on the left side.

For example, when the mode key is pressed once in the numeric mode, the mode is changed to the alphabet mode. In the alphabet mode, the mode key is changed to the Hangul mode. In the Hangul mode, the mode key is changed to the multimedia mode. The number mode is changed to the number mode, and the number mode is changed to the number mode. Also, a multi-switch mode in which a specific mode is realized according to the position of the mode key can be configured. The mode that can be selected by the mode key is up to four because of limitations that can be expressed in a key having a physical entity as described below, Therefore, the implementation is not appropriate. In the present invention, two modes of the numeric mode and the alphabet mode, two modes of the numeric mode and the Hangul mode, the numeric mode, the alphabet mode and the Hangul mode, and the numerical mode, the alphabetic mode, the Hangul mode and the multimedia mode 4 It is possible to implement in the open mode. In reality, for Korean keyboards, three modes, number mode, alphabet mode and Hangul mode, will be required.

The small keyboard of the present invention is a small keyboard having an operation of simultaneously pressing the shift key and the mode key when the power is on and the power is turned on when the operation of simultaneously pressing the shift key and the mode key is continued for 2 seconds or more while the power is off, For more than 2 seconds. When the power is turned on, the luminescent lamp corresponding to the activated mode is turned on as described below, so that the user can visually recognize the key display corresponding to the activated mode.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 13, on the upper surface of the small keyboard according to the present invention, a selection key group having different key codes according to the selection of the mode key and a common key group having the same key code Are provided. As shown in the figure, the selection key group is preferably arranged above and the common key group below, but it may be implemented in the opposite order.

In the small keyboard of the present invention, the selection key group has 12 independent selection keys arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns. Here, the independent selection key is a key belonging to the selection key group, which is generated by a corresponding key code when the key is pressed and released independently as described below.

In the present specification, a combination selection key is a virtual key belonging to a selection key group. When the two independent selection keys are released and then sequentially released within a predetermined time, A combination key code corresponding to the combination of the key codes is generated, which is a virtual key for generating such a combination key code. Thus, in the present specification, the independent selection key is the actual key, but the combination selection key is not so real, but is so named for the virtual key to represent that corresponding to generating the combination key code. It is possible to assume that two independent selection keys adjacent to each other are pressed with two fingers, but normally, when two fingers are pressed between two adjacent independent selection keys with one finger, such two independent selection keys are simultaneously depressed and released The pressing is released almost simultaneously. Accordingly, since the user is recognized as one combination selection key among neighboring independent selection keys, the combination selection key can be defined as a virtual key.

There are a maximum of 17 combination select keys that can be implemented by 12 independent select keys arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns, and when 3 independent independent keys of 3 rows are arranged below or above the independent select keys, If a combination of independent common keys is included, a maximum of 20 combinations can be selected.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 13, a separate key display of characters, symbols, or numbers corresponding to the independent key code is displayed on the independent selection key, and a combination key A combination key display of letters, symbols or numbers corresponding to the code is displayed. Such a combination key display is a display of a combination selection key.

In particular, the independent selection keys have a rectangular shape on the upper surface thereof, and have independent keys of letters, numbers, or symbols corresponding to the independent key codes corresponding to the modes at each corner or corner of the square top surface of the independent selection keys Is displayed. In the small keyboard of the present invention, it is needless to say that the keys may be formed in other shapes such as a circle or a hexagon instead of a square shape.

For example, when the small keyboard of the present invention employs all four modes of the numeric mode, the alphabetic mode, the Hangul mode, and the multimedia mode, all the corner portions or corner portions are provided with letters, numerals Or symbol is displayed. These key displays are implemented as transparent windows. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1, the small keyboard of the present invention does not show any indication on the keys when the power is not applied, as described below.

Inside each independent selection key, the number of the direct-acting LED light-emitting lamps is arranged at least in the applicable mode. Since the light emitting lamp has a linearity, for example, a light emitting lamp that emits light in a numeric mode only emits a key display corresponding to the number mode, and does not illuminate a key display of another mode. In order for the luminescent lamp to have straightness, a convex lens can be applied to the light output portion. Since the distance between the light emitting portion of the luminescent lamp and the transparent window key display provided on the upper surface of the key is short in the respective keys, only the key display of the desired mode is emitted from the light emitting lamp As shown in FIG. The light emission lamps disposed under the independent selection keys may emit light in a single color, but preferably emit different colors depending on the selected mode.

Similar to the above for the combination selection key, however, it is not preferable to display all of the key displays corresponding to the four modes in the combination selection key, which is rather disconcerting to the user's recognition, and the numeric mode and the multimedia mode are described below Likewise, the corresponding key code can be implemented without using the combination selection key. Therefore, it is preferable that only the key display corresponding to the alphabet mode and the key display corresponding to the Hangul mode are displayed for the combination selection key. In such a case, only two LED luminescent lamps placed under the combination selection key suffice.

Next, in the small keyboard of the present invention, the common key group has nine independent common keys arranged in a matrix of three rows and three columns. Here, the independent common key refers to a key belonging to the common key group, which is generated by the corresponding key code when the key is pressed and released independently.

On the other hand, in the same manner as the combination selection key, when two adjacent independent common keys are pressed and then released simultaneously or sequentially within a predetermined time, a combination key code corresponding to a combination of two adjacent independent common keys is generated And a virtual key for generating such a combination key code may be called a combination common key. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, almost all the key codes provided by a standard keyboard can be implemented without setting such a combination common key have. However, in some cases, the combination common key may be set to extend the function even in the small-sized keyboard of the present invention.

In the case of an independent common key, the arrangement of one or two LED light emitting lamps for one independent common key is sufficient as described below.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 1, in the compact keyboard of the present invention, no indicator is displayed on the keys because the light emitting lamp disposed under the keys does not operate in a state in which no power is applied. Of course, since the key display is displayed in the form of a transparent window, even if the light emitting lamp does not operate, it can be recognized that the key is displayed by looking at the naked eye, but it is difficult to recognize with the normal attention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the compact keyboard of the present invention does not set a combination selection key and a combination common key in the number mode.

As the independent selection keys, 1, 2 and 3 are arranged in the first row, 4, 5 and 6 are arranged in the second row, 7, 8 and 9 are arranged in the third row, 0 and # are arranged. This arrangement is consistent with the button layout of the phone, which not only is familiar to the user, but also matches the characteristics of the number, thus allowing the user to recognize it well. On the other hand, it is common practice to assign two key codes to one key by the shift key. In the present invention, the shift key is applied in the numeric mode. When pressing the independent select key while holding down the shift key,!, @, # Are placed on the first line, $,% and ^ are placed on the second line, and &, And +, - and + are arranged in the fourth row. This key display in numeric mode is shown on the top right corner of the independent select key in the upper right corner.

As the independent common key, the space key, the enter key, and the backspace key are arranged in the first row, the Bluetooth pairing key, the up direction key, and the Bluetooth communication setting key are arranged in the second row, And a right direction key are disposed. On the other hand, when the independent selection key is pressed while the shift key is being pressed, the backspace key operates as the Del key, the up direction key is the Pg Up key, the left direction key is the Home key, the down direction key is the Pg Dn key, Respectively.

Therefore, the arrangement in the numerical mode shown in Fig. 2 is displayed as shown in Fig. 3 when the shift key is not pressed, and is displayed as shown in Fig. 4 when the shift key is pressed. In order to implement the numeric mode displayed in this manner, there must be two independent LED selection lamps for the numeric mode and two LED emission lamps below the independent common key. However, in the case of the independent common key, there is no problem since the key display to be displayed when the shift key is not pressed and the key display to be displayed when the shift key is pressed can be displayed at a sufficient distance apart. However, The key display to be displayed when the shift key is not pressed due to the key displays of the mode other than the numeric mode and the key display to be displayed when the shift key is pressed are displayed at a sufficient distance It is possible to display them in close proximity and only one LED luminescent lamp below them to display, for example, the number 1 and the exclamation point! In the numeric mode, by one LED luminescent lamp.

Next, referring to Figs. 5 to 7, the selection key group in the alphabet mode is arranged as follows. That is, the independent selection keys of the first row are sequentially composed of A, C, and E, the independent selection keys of the second row are sequentially composed of I, K, and M, , And U, and the independent selection keys in the fourth row are sequentially made up of Y, Caps Lock, and Z. These key displays in the alphabet mode are shown on the top left corner of the top of the independent select key. The independent key code is generated by this independent selection key.

The virtual combination selection key, which is a virtual key that is combined when the independent selection keys of the independent selection keys are simultaneously pressed and generates a key code corresponding to the combination key indication, is selected by a combination of the independent selection keys A and C, The virtual combination selection key D is selected by the combination of the key B, the independent selection keys C and E, the virtual combination selection key F by the combination of the independent selection keys A and I, and the virtual combination selection key G A virtual combination selection key L by a combination of the virtual combination selection key J and the independent selection keys K and M by a combination of the virtual combination selection key H and independent selection keys I and K by the combination of the independent selection keys E and M, By the combination of the selection keys I and Q, by the combination of the virtual combination selection key N, the independent selection keys K and S, the virtual combination selection key P, the independent selection key P, By the combination of Q and S A virtual combination selection key V by a combination of a virtual combination selection key T, independent selection keys Q and Y by a combination of a phase combination selection key R, independent selection keys S and U, and a virtual combination Selection key W, combination of independent selection keys U and Z, combination of virtual combination selection key X, independent selection key Y and CapsLock combination of virtual combination selection keys (dot or period), independent selection keys CapsLock and Z Are arranged in such a way that a virtual combination selection key (question mark) is formed. Such a virtual combination selection key is a virtual key input by pressing two adjacent independent selection keys with one finger or two fingers at the same time, and a combination key code is generated by such key input. For example, the concurrent input of the A key and the C key corresponds to the input of the hypothetical B key.

Thus, the letters A to Z are arranged in order, except that. (Dot or period) and CapsLock are placed between Y and Z. The key indication for this virtual combination selection key in the alphabet mode is shown at the top among the neighboring independent selection keys. It goes without saying that such an indication may be displayed at the lower part between adjacent independent selection keys. However, in order to provide consistency with the user's recognition, it is preferable that the independent selection keys are disposed at positions corresponding to the positions where the independent selection keys are arranged. In the example of the drawing, since the key display for the independent selection key in the alphabet mode is displayed at the upper left corner, the key display for the virtual combination selection key is correspondingly displayed at the upper part.

This alphabet arrangement is different from the standard QWERTY arrangement of a standard keyboard. In general, a person who is familiar with a standard keyboard may think that a keyboard can perform a quick input by using a keyboard layout of a standard keyboard. However, In other words, it is developed by exercise ability, so that when using one finger or two fingers on a smaller keyboard, the keyboard layout of the standard keyboard is not familiar or convenient to the user. Rather, the natural arrangement of the alphabet is easier to recognize than the keyboard layout of a standard keyboard, so you can quickly find it.

In addition, the compact keyboard of the present invention has a structure that can not implement a QWERTY arrangement of a standard keyboard, and rather a structure suitable for mobility can be obtained by abandoning the keyboard layout of such a standard keyboard. The structure of the small keyboard of the present invention is simple in the end, but it was born out of a solid, fossilized recognition of the layout of a keyboard of a standard keyboard, and it has been remarkable in that a compact keyboard of this simple structure has not been presented so far .

6 and 7, the same key display is implemented regardless of whether or not the shift key is pressed. However, when the shift key is not pressed, for example, When A is inputted, a key code of a lowercase letter a is generated. When an independent selection key A is inputted when a shift key is pressed, a key code of an uppercase letter A is generated.

The common key is the same as described above.

On the other hand, when the independent selection key A is displayed together with ang, and the independent selection key A is continuously input twice within a predetermined time, the displayed ang is input all at once. In the case where the independent selection key E is displayed together with the eng selection key E and the independent selection key E is continuously input twice within a predetermined time, the displayed eng is input all at once. When the independent selection key I is displayed together with the independent selection key I and the independent selection key I is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the displayed ing is input all at once. This function is particularly useful for fast input in China. Here, the predetermined time may be set to, for example, 0.5 seconds.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the selection key groups in the Hangul mode are arranged as follows. That is, the independent selection keys of the first row are sequentially made of a, b, and c, the independent selection keys of the second row are sequentially composed of d, k, and f, and the independent selection keys of the third row are sequentially , And the independent selection keys of the fourth row are configured in turn, in order. The key display for the independent selection key of the Hangul mode is shown on the upper right side of the independent selection key in the lower right corner because the key indication for the independent selection key of the alphabet mode described above is displayed on the upper Correspondingly, it is appropriate in comparison with that arranged at the corner, especially at the upper left corner.

A virtual combination selection key, which is a virtual key that is combined when a neighboring independent selection key among the independent selection keys is pressed at the same time and generates a key code corresponding to the combination key display, is selected by a combination of independent selection keys a and b, , A virtual combination key by combination of independent selection keys c and d, a virtual combination key by a combination of independent selection keys a and d, a virtual combination key by a combination of independent selection keys b and k, A virtual combination selection key by a combination of the selection keys c and f, a virtual combination selection key by a combination of the independent selection keys and k, a virtual combination selection key by a combination of the independent selection keys kl and k, A virtual combination selection key by a combination of d and ㅅ, a virtual combination selection key by a combination of independent selection keys ㅁ and,, a virtual combination selection key , A virtual combination selection key 에 by a combination of independent selection keys ㅇ and ㅇ, a virtual combination selection key 독립 by a combination of a virtual combination selection key ㅛ, an independent selection key 과, A virtual combination selection key by combining a virtual combination selection key and an independent selection key by combining a virtual combination selection key (question mark) and an independent selection key by a combination of a selection key and a key, A virtual combination selection key (dot or period) is formed by a combination of the independent selection key and the virtual selection key by a combination of the independent selection key and the independent common key below the independent selection key .

Therefore, Hangul consonants are arranged in the order of the Hangul dictionary on the independent selection keys, except for the consonants (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ), ㅋ and ㅌ, The double consonants are implemented when the shift key and the keys a, c, f, g, and c are pressed on a normal standard keyboard. Since this method is also compatible with the principle of generating Korean consonants, Rather, it is preferable to display them together with the independent selection keys a, c, f, g, and c and process them as described below. In addition, according to the principle of generating Korean consonants, k and l are derived from a and d, respectively. Therefore, placing them under a and c corresponds to the principle of generating Korean consonants, It is also more convenient. Accordingly, such consonant arrangement is convenient because it can be easily recognized and used by the user since it conforms to the principle of generating Korean consonants and order of Korean consonants.

In addition, the compact keyboard of the present invention arranges the arrangement of Korean vowels according to the characteristics of Korean vowels. In other words, a, ㅓ, ㅗ, and 를 are arranged in one column (hereinafter referred to as a row) and ㅑ, ㅕ, ㅛ, Respectively. Thus, the two arrays are arranged in the order of a, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ and the arrangement is not only in accordance with the arrangement order of the Hangul vowels, The characteristics of the diphthong are in accord with the characteristics of Hangul vowels, so that the user can easily recognize them. In the left column of the a row, ㅐ and ㅒ are arranged in one column, and in the right column of the ㅑ column, ㅔ and ㅖ are arranged in a single column. Placing ㅐ and ㅒ in one column and placing ㅔ and ㅖ in a single column match the characteristics of Hangul vowels.

In the column between a row and a column, I and I are arranged in a row. Here, in the order of Hangul vowels, ㅡ comes next, but in Hangul input, the use of ㅡ is more frequent. However, it is more desirable to allow the user to recognize more quickly by setting the position of a high frequency of use at the center, thereby enabling quick input. In some cases, it is possible to change the position of ㅡ and the position of ㅣ.

In the Hangul mode, a key indication for such a virtual combination selection key is shown below among neighboring independent selection keys. An example of such a drawing is that the key display for the independent selection key in the Hangul mode is displayed at the lower right corner, so that the key display for the virtual combination selection key is correspondingly displayed below.

In the case where the independent selection keys are displayed together, and when the independent selection keys are input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection keys are input in a state in which the shift key is pressed, do. Also, when the independent selection key c is displayed together, and when the independent selection key c is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key c is input in a state in which the shift key is pushed, do. When the independent selection key is input twice continuously within a predetermined period of time or when the independent selection key is input in a state where the shift key is pressed, do. When the independent selection key is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state where the shift key is pressed, do. Also, when the independent selection key i is displayed together with the independent selection key i, and when the independent selection key i is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key i is input in a state where the shift key is pushed, do.

According to the above example of the mini keyboard of the present invention, characters or symbols placed on a standard keyboard include `, _ (underbar), = (equals sign),: (colon),; (semicolon) , "(Double quotation mark),, (comma), <,>, /, {,}, [,] are not placed in. These symbols are necessary for authoring documents, It is possible to say that there is no substantial inconvenience even if these symbols are not arranged in the small keyboard of the present invention. However, in the small keyboard of the present invention, And the combination key is not set, and only one combination key formed by combining the independent independent selection key and the independent common key is set in the Hangul mode. If the above symbols are required, Symbols can be assigned.

Referring to FIG. 14, the compact keyboard of the present invention includes a key 10, a key signal generator 20, a control unit 30, a memory unit 40 ), A light emitting portion 50, and a communication portion 60.

The key 10 has a physical entity having a structure as described above. Here, the physical entity means that the small keyboard of the present invention is not a virtual keyboard implemented on a touch screen by software but a keyboard having a physical entity normally applied to a notebook computer or the like.

The key signal generator 20 generates a key signal according to a key input, and preferably generates a key signal corresponding to the key pressed when the user depresses the keys 10 and then releases the key. The controller 30 receives the key signal generated by the key signal generator 20 and generates a key code.

A conventional keyboard transmits a key code to a computer body immediately after generating a corresponding key signal and key code when a key is pressed, whereas in the small keyboard of the present invention, a key code is a key code when a user presses and releases the key 10 And is generated by the control unit 30. In the small keyboard of the present invention, it is preferable that the key signal generator 20 generates a key signal corresponding to the pressed key when the user presses and releases the keys 10, but in some cases, 20 may generate both a key press signal and a key signal to the control unit 30, and the control unit 30 may generate a corresponding key code only when the key signal is present. Therefore, it can be understood that the above two configurations are equivalent to the small keyboard of the present invention.

The memory unit 40 stores a combination key code corresponding to a combination of two adjacent independent selection keys in the selection key group. In some cases, a combination key code corresponding to a combination of a neighboring independent selection key and an independent common key and a combination of two neighboring independent common keys may be stored.

The control unit 30 refers to the memory unit 40 when the two independent independent selection keys in the selection key group are pressed and then released simultaneously or within a predetermined time within a predetermined time, Is determined. When a single independent selection key is pressed and released, an independent key code corresponding to the corresponding key is determined. When a combination key code corresponding to a combination of a neighboring independent selection key and an independent common key and a combination of two adjacent independent common keys is allocated, it is needless to say that such a combination key code can be determined when there is a corresponding input .

As described above, the light emitting unit 50 is provided as a direct-current LED light emitting lamp below each key, and emits light or releases light according to the control of the control unit.

The communication unit 60 may be a wired or wireless communication unit. When the wired communication unit is a wired communication unit, it is preferably a USB port. In the case of a wireless communication unit, the communication unit 60 is preferably a Bluetooth communication unit. It may be preferable to have both the wire communication unit and the wireless communication unit.

Meanwhile, the miniature keyboard of the present invention can be used in connection with an electronic device, for example, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a smart TV, or the like, which requires input of letters, numbers or symbols by Bluetooth communication. It is possible to perform a multiple connection in which a master device can be switched to a connection with another master device by a simple operation without performing a complex procedure for pairing Possible to work with a Bluetooth slave keyboard. To enable such multiple connections, the miniature keyboard of the present invention includes a Bluetooth module specifically described below.

15, the Bluetooth module of the small keyboard according to the present invention includes an EEPROM 100 or a flash memory, a controller 200, a RAM 300, and a Bluetooth communication unit 400. Here, it is preferable that the control unit 200 is the same as the control unit 30 described above in terms of simplifying the configuration. However, in some cases, it may be constituted by a separate microprocessor. The EEPROM 100 and the RAM 300 are the same as those of the memory unit 40 described above. However, the EEPROM 100 and the RAM 300 may be configured separately. The Bluetooth communication unit 400 may be the same as the communication unit 60 described above or may correspond to the wireless communication unit when the communication unit 60 has both a wired communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) is a nonvolatile memory that can be written and erased by an electrical method. Flash memory is a nonvolatile memory and has properties similar to EEPROM. The nature of such EEPROM and flash memory is useful for the small keyboard of the present invention to operate as a Bluetooth keyboard. Hereinafter, only the EEPROM will be described as an example of the EEPROM and the flash memory. The EEPROM 100 stores the pairing information required to perform a pairing between the keyboard and a plurality of master devices by the control unit 200, as will be described in detail below. EEPROM 100 has a capacity of 256K, of which 1K stores application programs. Of course, as described below, the application program may be stored in a ROM in the MCU IC itself. Typical application programs currently being applied are stored in the EEPROM 100 at a size of 1K or less, and so are embeded application programs used in the present invention.

The control unit 200 resets the pairing information between the plurality of master devices and the keyboard stored in the EEPROM 100 in the RAM 300 when the keyboard is powered on.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile memory. When the power is turned off, the stored information is lost. However, since the data is read and written at a very high speed, it is used for temporary storage of the main memory of the computer, temporary loading of application programs, and temporary storage of data. Accordingly, the RAM 300 is utilized as a place where application programs and data necessary for Bluetooth communication are loaded in the compact keyboard of the present invention. The application program and data loaded in the RAM 300 can be quickly accessed by the control unit 200. [

In the present invention, the RAM applied to the Bluetooth module typically has a size of 256 kilobytes. The size of an application program used for Bluetooth communication is approximately 1 kilobyte, and the remaining 255 kilobytes can be used as a storage space for data. In the present invention, the pairing information between the plurality of master devices and the keyboard includes at least one of a Bluetooth device address of the master device, an active member address assigned to the keyboard by the master device at the time of pairing, a random access connection number random number) and a user-assigned number that allows the user to select a keyboard-master device pairing. This pairing information does not exceed 1 kilobyte for one master device. Therefore, at least 255 pieces of pairing information may reside in the RAM. If memory management of RAM is made more precise, more pairing information can be resident than that, but since storing 255 pieces of pairing information is sufficient, it is not necessary to perform more precise programming in order to reside a larger number of pieces of pairing information.

As described above, the compact keyboard of the present invention stores the combination key code in the memory 40, and when the keyboard is operated, the data stored in the memory 40 must be loaded into the RAM 300, It can only store much less pairing information than it does. Specifically, the number of pieces of pairing information that can be stored will be affected by the size of the RAM and the sophistication of the memory management, but it is enough to store about 9 to about 10 pairs of pairing information. This means that the mini keyboard of the present invention can be connected to 9 to 10 external electronic devices by Bluetooth communication.

The Bluetooth communication unit 400 is a unit for transmitting a Bluetooth signal to a corresponding master device and receiving a wireless signal from the master device in response to a command from the controller 200. [

An application program for Bluetooth communication may be stored in the EEPROM 100 if the application program is subsequently updated. However, since updating of the application program is not necessary, it is preferable to store the application program in the ROM in consideration of economy. Therefore, it is preferable that the Bluetooth keyboard of the present invention includes a ROM 500 separately from the EEPROM 100 in order to store an application program.

16 and 17, the manner in which the compact keyboard of the present invention operates is defined by an application program stored in the ROM 500, which will be described as follows. First, when power is supplied to the mini-keyboard of the present invention, the pairing information stored in the EEPROM 100 is stored in the RAM 300 (step S100). The pairing information residing in the RAM 300 is stored in the RAM 300 and used by the control unit 200 as long as power is supplied, unless the user deletes or changes the information. When the Bluetooth keyboard is used for the first time, there is no pairing information stored in the EEPROM 100. Here, it is assumed that the pairing information is stored in the EEPROM 100 in advance.

When the user presses the Bluetooth communication setting key (common key group, independent common key in row 2, row 3), the control unit 30 starts performing Bluetooth communication when the control unit 30 is the same as the control unit 200 The control unit 30 may notify the control unit 200 to start performing the Bluetooth communication when the control unit 30 is configured differently from the control unit 200. [ It is preferable that the Bluetooth communication setting key is continuously lit or blinked so that the user can visually recognize that the Bluetooth communication is being performed. Since the Bluetooth communication is enabled, the independent pairing key (common key group, independent common key in row 2 and column 1) also becomes a light emitting state.

The controller 200 requests the user to select a pair of master devices corresponding to a plurality of pairing information residing in the RAM 300 and to perform a connection with the master device (step S110). For example, the bluetooth keyboard can be turned on continuously when the connection is established, and blink when the user is requesting the bluetooth communication, in order to recognize that the user must select the desired master device. Then, the user can see that the blinking of the Bluetooth communication setting key blinks, and input the user-designated number corresponding to the master device to be connected to the keyboard of the keyboard illustrated in Figs. 2 to 13. One example of such an input is sequentially inputting a user-specified number and an Enter key corresponding to the master device to which the user wants to connect while depressing the independent pairing key provided on the Bluetooth keyboard. For example, when the user wants to connect the corresponding master device to the keyboard by using the pairing information designated by the user designated number 3, the user presses the independent pairing key and sequentially inputs the number 3 and the enter key.

Meanwhile, this step may be omitted and the connection may be performed using the pairing information preset by the application program, for example, the pairing information corresponding to the user-specified number 1 or the pairing information for the master device connected when the power is shut off . Especially, it is preferable to automatically connect to the master device that was being used before the power is turned off.

Since no pairing information is included in the EEPROM 100 at the time of first use, automatic connection by the application program can not be performed and step S110 should be performed. Also, even if the wireless connection with the master device corresponding to the pairing information preset by the application program can not be made, the step S110 should be performed together with the transmission of the error message. One example of an error message expression is to allow the user to recognize that an error has occurred by rapidly blinking the blinking of the Bluetooth communication setting key. Here, the rapid blinking means blinking faster than blinking, which means waiting for user input for Bluetooth pairing, as described above.

Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has the pairing information for the master device corresponding to the user-specified number, that is, whether the information can be found in the RAM (step S120). When confirming the pairing information, a connection procedure with the selected master device is performed (step S130), and if the data is not transferred or there is no data transmission, it may enter a hold mode to reduce battery power consumption (step S140 ). The connection procedure normally follows the connection procedure between the Bluetooth master device and the slave device. On the other hand, although not shown in the drawing, the RAM may have pairing information, but the control unit may not be able to perform pairing. In such a case, the master device may be outside the Bluetooth communication area or the power may not be turned on. In this case, the Bluetooth keyboard can not connect because it can not receive any signal for connection from the master device. In this case, the Bluetooth keyboard sends an error message and returns to step 110 to select another master device.

Meanwhile, the controller 200 determines whether the master 200 has pairing information corresponding to the master number input by the user (step S120). In this case, the master 200 performs the connection procedure Apart from this, the other master devices enter the forced hold mode (step S150).

Here, the forced hold mode is a term used herein to distinguish it from the hold mode defined in the Bluetooth protocol in general. A commonly defined hold mode is taken to reduce power consumption when there is no data transmission for a set period of time with the Bluetooth devices connected.

On the other hand, the park mode is possible to maintain synchronization with the channel without participating in the channel. In this state, AM_ADDR (Active Member Address) is lost, and instead, PM_ADDR (Parked Member Address) and AR_ADDR (Access Request Address) are given. PM_ADDR is used by the master to change the slave device in the park mode to the active mode, and AR_ADDR is used when the slave device intends to enter the active mode by itself.

On the other hand, the forced hold mode applied in the present invention is similar to the hold mode in that the Bluetooth keyboard responds to a page signal and an acknowledgment signal transmitted from the corresponding master device although the Bluetooth keyboard is not in a connection mode with the master devices, Is defined by the Bluetooth communication protocol and is applied simultaneously to the master device and the slave device. However, the forced hold mode is a mode in which the control part is forced by the application program embeded in the small keyboard of the present invention operating as a Bluetooth slave keyboard And is applied only to the small keyboard according to the present invention regardless of the state of the corresponding master device.

When the compact keyboard of the present invention is in the forced hold mode with respect to a master device, the corresponding master device is in a state where the power is turned off, the power is on but outside the Bluetooth communication area, the power is on and the Bluetooth communication area, It can be in various states such as being connected to the slave keyboard, powered on and in the Bluetooth communication area and not being connected to other Bluetooth slave keyboards. Whichever state the master device is in, the small keyboard of the present invention operates in a hold mode, which is called a forced hold mode to distinguish it from the hold mode defined in the Bluetooth communication protocol. On the other hand, when the master device is in the Bluetooth communication area and is connected to another Bluetooth slave keyboard, the mini-keyboard of the present invention is in a hold mode, and when the master device is not connected to another Bluetooth slave keyboard, And is recognized as being in a connected state.

On the other hand, the connection mode is different from the hold mode and the forced hold mode in that it can transmit data as well as respond to the confirmation signal of the master device.

Normally, the Bluetooth master devices check whether there are other Bluetooth devices, especially slave devices, in their communication area every predetermined cycle. At this time, the user must turn on the power again or press the pairing button in order to connect the slave device with the master device, so that the slave device can respond to the master device query and page signal or page signal. Only one connection is allowed for one Bluetooth profile in terms of communication security, so that using one Bluetooth keyboard for a plurality of master devices requires a plurality of pairing operations including power off And the connection with the master device desired by the user was not easy even by such an operation. It is a matter that the user can not decide which master device to pair with when two or more master devices simultaneously perform the pairing procedure. Therefore, user setting method should be selected by selecting one master and turning off the power of the remaining master device or by operating only the master device to be selected. For this reason, there has not yet been a case in which a Bluetooth slave device using one Bluetooth profile is connected to a plurality of Bluetooth master devices.

The miniature keyboard of the present invention is multi-connected with a plurality of master devices, for example, nine master devices while using one profile, i.e., the HID profile. In order to enable such multiple connection, the controller 200 responds to a page signal for pairing with the master device selected by the user, and establishes a connection with the master device selected by the user. In this connection mode, the small keyboard of the present invention transmits data such as characters input by the user to the corresponding master device. On the other hand, the remaining master devices respond to the page signal for pairing and then enter the forced hold mode. After that, the master device responds only to the confirmation signal and does not transmit data.

Next, the control unit 200 determines whether the user has made a request to change the master device (step S160). For example, if the user wants to connect with the master device of the user number 1 and use it by connecting with the master device of the user number 2, for example, while holding the independent pairing key, press the number 2 and enter key in sequence Can be input. Then, the control unit returns to step S120 and confirms that it has the pairing information for the user specified number 2, and if it has the pairing information, performs the connection procedure with the master device of the user specified number 2 (step S130). At this time, other master devices including the master device of the user number 1 are in the forced hold mode (step S150). In this process, the small keyboard of the present invention changes from the forced hold mode to the connected mode for the master device of user designation No. 2 and changes from the connection mode to the forced hold mode for the master device of user designation No. 1, Does not transmit any input data to the master device of user designation No. 1 and enters the connection mode for the master device of user designation No. 2 to transmit the input data.

Therefore, the small keyboard of the present invention transmits data such as characters input by the user to only one master device selected by the user, and selection of the desired master device is performed by simply inputting the key by the user, It is very convenient for. If the input data of the Bluetooth slave keyboard to which one profile is applied is simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of master devices, that is, if inputted, it interferes with the operation of the master devices other than the master device selected by the user . Also, if a third party receives it, communication security problems may arise and there is a risk of hacking important data such as bank accounts and passwords, which is undesirable.

Meanwhile, the controller 200 determines whether the user requests to change the master device (step S160). If there is no change, the controller 200 maintains the previous state (step S180).

Meanwhile, the controller 200 determines whether or not the user has the pairing information for the master device corresponding to the user-specified number input by the user (step S120). If the pairing information does not exist, (Step S190). If the pairing is successful due to such an attempt (step S200), the corresponding pairing information is stored in the EEPROM (step S210). The newly obtained pairing information naturally resides in the RAM. Then, the connection procedure with the paired master device is performed (step S130), and data can be transferred or entered into the hold mode in the connection mode (step S140).

If the pairing is unsuccessful (step S200), the control unit sends out an error message (step S220) and returns to step S110.

On the other hand, if the user does not have the pairing information for the master device corresponding to the user-specified number input by the user (step S120), then the control unit means that the master device selected by the user has not been previously paired An error message informing the user may be transmitted. An example of the expression of the error message is as described above. The user who has confirmed such an error message can proceed with a procedure for pairing the desired master device with the keyboard. Such a pairing procedure may be to sequentially input the independent pairing key, the user-specified number, and the enter key while holding the Bluetooth communication setting key. By such a procedure, the registration of the first pairing information and the change of the pairing information can be performed on any user specified number. Therefore, if any pairing information is stored in the user-designated number and the pairing information is stored, the previous pairing information is deleted and the new pairing information is registered.

On the other hand, the Bluetooth communication setting key is a kind of toggle key. When the Bluetooth communication setting key is pressed once, the Bluetooth communication is enabled. When the Bluetooth communication setting key is pressed again, the Bluetooth communication setting key is pressed. If the independent pairing key is pressed The controller recognizes that the above function is performed without recognizing that the Bluetooth communication is released.

As described above, the compact keyboard of the present invention stores a plurality of pieces of pairing information in an EEPROM and resides the same in the RAM. By implementing a specific application program as described above, the controller can realize a single profile Thereby enabling point-to-multipoint Bluetooth communication. Therefore, the user can conveniently use one Bluetooth keyboard in a simple manner by connecting with a master device selected by a user among a plurality of master devices such as a smart phone, a tablet PC, a smart TV, and the like. This method is a remarkable thing that can not be expected until now because the slave device which is dependent on the master device freely selects the master device.

In addition, the compact keyboard of the present invention is expected to be highly utilized because it overcomes the recognition limitations of the QWERTY arrangement of a standard keyboard, achieves satisfactory mobility and fast input.

10: Key 20: Key signal generator
30: control unit 40: memory unit
50: light emitting portion 60:
100: EEPROM 200:
300: RAM 400:
500: ROM

Claims (18)

A selection key group arranged in a matrix of 4 rows and 3 columns on the upper surface and including 12 independent selection keys having different key codes according to the selection of the mode key, Keys having a physical entity constituted by a common key group which is arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns above or below a selection key group and comprises nine independent common keys always having the same key code regardless of the selection of the mode key; A key signal generator for generating a key signal corresponding to the pressed key when the keys are pressed and released; When one of the two independent select keys in the selected key group is pressed or an independent select key selected in the select key group and an independent common key neighboring the independent select key are pressed and released simultaneously or within a predetermined time A memory unit for storing a combination of the two independent selection keys to be applied when sequentially released or a combination key code corresponding to a combination of the independent selection keys and the independent common keys; When one of the two independent select keys in the selected key group is pressed or an independent select key selected in the select key group and an independent common key neighboring the independent select key are pressed and released simultaneously or within a predetermined time Determines a combination key code corresponding to a combination of the neighboring two independent selection keys or a combination of the neighboring independent selection keys and an independent common key when the memory unit is sequentially released, A control unit for determining an independent key code corresponding to the key when the key is released; And a communication unit for transmitting the key code determined by the control unit to an external device by wire or wireless according to an instruction of the control unit,
Wherein an independent key display in the form of a letter, symbol or number corresponding to the corresponding independent key code is displayed on the keys, and between the selected key group and two adjacent independent keys in the common key group, A combination key display in which letters, symbols or numerals corresponding to the key code are displayed,
The mode key can select one of a numerical mode and an alphabet mode, or a numeric mode, a Hangul mode, or a numeric mode, an alphabetic mode and a Hangul mode. Or one of a number mode, an alphabet mode, a Korean mode and a multimedia mode can be selected,
When the alphabet mode is selected by the mode key, 26 alphabets are assigned to the virtual combination selection keys corresponding to the combination key code defined by the independent selection keys in the selection key group and two adjacent independent selection keys, Wherein when the shift key and the independent selection key or the virtual combination selection key are input, capital letters of the alphabet are assigned, and the independent selection key or the virtual When a combination selection key is input, a lower case letter of the alphabet is assigned,
When the Hangul mode is selected by the mode key, the combination key code and one independent selection key defined by the independent selection keys and the two independent selection keys in the selection key group, The virtual combination selection keys corresponding to the combination key code defined by the neighboring independent common key are composed of?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,? , A period (.), And a question mark (?) Which are composed of a Korean consonant, a, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅡ,,,,,
When the number mode is selected by the mode key, numbers of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0 are assigned to the independent selection keys in the selection key group,
Wherein a space key, an enter key, a backspace key, four direction keys, and a key for wireless communication setting are assigned to the independent common keys of the common key group. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the alphabet mode is selected by the mode key, a Caps Lock key is assigned to one independent selection key in the selection key group. The method according to claim 1,
When the Hangul mode is selected by the mode key, when the shift key and the 'A' key are input, or when the 'A' key is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the Hangul consonant ' When the shift key and the 'c' key are input, or when the 'c' key is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the consonant 'ㄸ' is input, and when the shift key and the ' When the key is input or when the 'F' key is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the Korean consonant 'ㅃ' is input and when the shift key and the ' When the key is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time within a predetermined time, a Korean consonant 'ㅆ' is input, and when the shift key and the 'K' key are input, or when the 'K' And the Korean consonant 'ㅉ' is input when the input is continuously performed twice within a predetermined time. The method according to claim 1,
And the independent selection keys in the selection key group are additionally assigned when the numeric mode is selected by the mode key, and when the shift key and the independent selection key are input, $,%, ^, &, (,), ~, - and + are respectively input. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein independent keys of letters, numbers or symbols corresponding to the independent key codes corresponding to the modes are displayed in each part of the top surface of the independent selection keys, and in the independent selection keys, A light emitting lamp is disposed on the key display, the light emitting lamp below the key display corresponding to the mode selected by the mode key operates, and the light emitting lamp below the key display corresponding to the mode not selected by the mode key Wherein the lamp is not operated so that only the key display corresponding to the mode selected by the mode key is visually recognized. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the light emission lamps disposed below the independent selection keys emit light of different colors according to a mode selected by the mode key. The method according to claim 6,
The independent key display displayed on the independent keys in the alphabet mode and the Hangul mode is displayed in a manner that the independent key display of the alphabet mode and the independent key display of the Hangul mode are displayed at different positions on the independent keys on the independent keys And the combination key display displayed between the independent keys adjacent to each other in the alphabetic mode and the Hangul mode includes a combination key display of the alphabet mode and a combination key display of the Hangul mode, And a direct-current LED lamp which emits light of different colors is disposed under the combination key display, and the LEDs emit different colors according to the alphabet mode and the Hangul mode. Small keyboard. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the numeric mode and the multimedia mode do not have a combination key display displayed between the independent selection keys. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the selection key group comprises alphabetical mode in which the independent selection keys of the first row are successively composed of A, C and E, the independent selection keys of the second row are in turn composed of I, K and M, And the selection keys are sequentially composed of Q, S and U, the independent selection keys of the fourth row are sequentially composed of Y, Caps Lock and Z, and when the adjacent independent selection keys among the independent selection keys are simultaneously pressed, The virtual combination selection key, which is a virtual key for generating a key code corresponding to the virtual combination key K, is selected by a combination of the independent selection keys A and C by a virtual combination selection key B, a virtual combination selection key D by a combination of the independent selection keys C and E, By the combination of the keys A and I, the virtual combination selection key F and the independent selection keys C and K are combined to combine the virtual combination selection key G and the independent selection keys E and M, And K, the virtual combination selection key J, the independent selection keys K and M The virtual combination selection key K, the virtual combination selection key K, and the independent selection keys M and U by a combination of the virtual combination selection key L and the independent selection keys I and Q A virtual combination selection key P, a virtual combination selection key T by a combination of the independent selection keys S and U by a combination of the independent selection keys Q and S, A combination selection key V, a virtual combination selection key W by a combination of the independent selection keys S and CapsLock, a virtual combination selection key X by a combination of the independent selection keys U and Z, and a virtual combination by a combination of the independent selection keys Y and CapsLock Keys are arranged in such a way that a virtual combination selection key is formed by a combination of the independent selection keys, CapsLock and Z. 10. The method of claim 9,
When the independent selection key A is displayed together with ang, and when the independent selection key A is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the displayed ang is input all at once; Eng is displayed together with the independent selection key E, and when the independent selection key E is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time, the displayed eng is input all at once. Wherein the independent selection key I is displayed together with ing, and when the independent selection key I is continuously input twice within a predetermined time, the displayed ing is input at a time. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the selection key group is constituted by a plurality of independent selection keys of the first row in order in the Hangul mode and the independent selection keys of the second row are sequentially composed of d, A plurality of independent selection keys in the fourth row, and a plurality of independent selection keys in the fourth row, and when a neighboring independent selection key among the independent selection keys is pressed simultaneously, The virtual combination selection key, which is a virtual key for generating a key code corresponding to the virtual combination key, is selected by a combination of the independent selection keys a and b, a virtual combination selection key by a combination of the independent selection keys c and c, A virtual combination selection key by a combination of keys a and d, a virtual combination selection key by a combination of independent selection keys c and k, a virtual combination selection key by a combination of independent selection keys c and d, By the combination of A virtual combination key K, a virtual combination key K, an independent selection key K, and a combination of a virtual combination key K, an independent selection key K and a combination of a virtual combination key K, The virtual combination selection key ㅗ and the virtual combination selection key 과 by combining the virtual combination selection key ㅔ and the independent selection key 에 by the combination of the selection key, and the independent selection key 棺 and 棺, ㅛ, ㅛ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, ㅖ, The combination of the virtual combination selection key and the independent selection key by the combination of the independent selection key and the combination of the independent selection key and the independent common key below it W virtual access key combination. It is arranged in such a manner that forming, or a small keyboard, characterized in that the position of the location and collection of the collection l sul above may be arranged to change shape. 12. The method of claim 11,
When the independent selection key is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state where the shift key is pressed, Is input; When the independent selection key c is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key c is input in a state in which the shift key is pushed, Is input; If the independent selection key is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state where the shift key is pressed, Is input; When the independent selection key is input twice continuously within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key is input in a state in which the shift key is pressed, Is input; When the independent selection key i is input twice consecutively within a predetermined time or when the independent selection key i is input in a state where the shift key is pushed, Is input. The method according to claim 1,
The compact keyboard is operated as a Bluetooth slave keyboard capable of being connected to a plurality of master devices by Bluetooth communication. The Bluetooth module of the keyboard includes an EEPROM or a flash memory, a controller, a RAM, and a Bluetooth communication unit. The EEPROM or flash The memory stores the pairing information necessary for performing the pairing between the slave keyboard and the plurality of master devices by the controller, and the controller resides the pairing information in the RAM when the keyboard is powered on , Pairing is performed by using the pairing information between one master device selected in advance by the program or selected by the user and the slave keyboard to enter the connection mode and is not preset by the program, For the non-selected other master device the slave keyboard is a compact keyboard, characterized in that gain entry to forcibly hold (Hold) mode, regardless of the state of that master device. 14. The method of claim 13,
The pairing information is stored in the EEPROM or the flash memory when the first pairing is established between the slave keyboard and a master device. The pairing information includes a Bluetooth device address of the master device, An active member address assigned to the keyboard, a random number to be sent from the master device at the time of connection, and a user-specified number that allows the user to select the keyboard-master device pairing by the user . 15. The method of claim 14,
The slave keyboard has 255 pieces of pairing information having a user-designated number from 1 to 255, and the user inputs the user-designated number corresponding to the master device desired by the slave keyboard, Wherein the master device connected to the slave keyboard disconnects from the slave keyboard and enters a forced hold mode. 16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
Wherein the keyboard has an independent pairing key in the common key group, and when the independent pairing key is pressed on the slave keyboard, a numeric key corresponding to a user- ) Key is sequentially inputted, a connection is established between the keyboard and the corresponding master device. 17. The method of claim 16,
The keyboard having an independent bluetooth key in the common key group, wherein the user is in proximity to the slave keyboard and any master device for pairing and, while holding the independent bluetooth communication setup key, Wherein a pairing procedure between the slave keyboard and the corresponding master device is performed and the pairing information is stored in the EEPROM or the flash memory when the corresponding numeric keys and the enter key are sequentially input. 16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
And transmits a response signal to the master device when the confirmation signal is received from the master device in the area where the Bluetooth communication is paired with the keyboard and is in the forced hold mode.

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