KR102076510B1 - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a key module mounted to the body to enable the body and push input, the key module is made of a conductor and forms a part of the appearance of the body, and the key button to be pressed by the key button It provides a mobile terminal including a dome key disposed to overlap with a key button and a sensing sensor electrically connected to the key button to detect a microcurrent transmitted to the key button to control a signal input through the dome key. do.

Description

Mobile terminal {MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a key module capable of push input.

A mobile terminal is a portable electronic device that is portable and has one or more functions such as voice and video calling, information input and output, and data storage.

As the functions are diversified, for example, the mobile terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia player having complex functions such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or a video file, and receiving a game or a broadcast.

New attempts are being made in terms of hardware or software to implement the complex functions of multimedia devices.

The mobile terminal includes a key module for receiving an external input, and the key module includes a capacitive key for inputting a signal according to a change in current generated when a body part is touched, and a pressure-sensitive key for pressing a signal by physical force. {See Korea Patent Application 10-2006-0049594 and Korea Patent Application 10-2007-0026324, etc.}.

In the case of the electrostatic touch key, the touch panel must be attached to the inside to match the shape of the surface to form the exterior. In addition, in the case of a pressure-sensitive key, when the mobile terminal is placed on the floor or put in a pocket, the terminal may operate inadvertently pressed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a pressure sensitive key module having a high degree of design freedom and a structure that accepts key input only when the user intends to.

The present invention is to provide a mobile terminal having a key module that prevents the terminal from operating arbitrarily by pressing a button irrespective of the user's intention.

In order to solve the above problems, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body and a key module mounted to the body to enable push input, the key module is made of a conductor and the appearance of the body A key button forming a part, a dome key disposed overlapping with the key button so as to be pressed by the key button, and a microcurrent transmitted to the key button can be sensed to control signal input through the dome key. It includes a detection sensor electrically connected to the key button.

As an example related to the present invention, the key module includes a pressing member including a pressing protrusion which is in contact with a lower surface of the key button and faces the dome key.

As another example related to the present invention, the pressing member is made of an insulator.

As another example related to the present invention, the detection sensor is connected between the key button and the pressing member.

As another example related to the present invention, the key button is arranged to overlap with the first button, the second and third buttons and the first to third buttons, respectively, disposed to be symmetrical with respect to the first button. Included dome keys.

As another example related to the present invention, the sensing sensor may detect the microcurrent transmitted by contacting a part of the body with at least one of the first to third buttons to activate the dome keys.

As another example related to the present invention, the first to third buttons are separated and operate.

As another example related to the present invention, the sensing sensor may activate only a dome key overlapping with a button which a part of the body contacts first among the first to third buttons.

As another example related to the present invention, the key module may be disposed at a rear surface of the body.

According to the present invention, the pressure sensitive key and the microcurrent sensor may be organically coupled to prevent the key from being pressed arbitrarily regardless of the user's intention.

In addition, the detection sensor of the present invention can perform a key input intended by the user more accurately by activating only the first touched key among the plurality of keys.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the key module viewed through line IV-IV of FIG. 3;
5 is a conceptual view of the operation of the key module related to the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

In describing the present invention, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but other components may be present in between. . On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it means that there is no other component in between.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like, except when applicable only to the mobile terminal 100.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that the mobile terminal 100 with more or fewer components may be implemented. Hereinafter, the components will be described in turn.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, a location information module 115, and the like. .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Media Forward Link Only (FLO), and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals may be received using digital broadcast systems such as Broadcast-Handheld (ISDB-T) and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a radio signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining the location of the mobile terminal 100, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 is a mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal 100, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal 100, and the like. A sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 is generated by detecting the current state. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. Also, whether the power supply unit 190 supplies power or whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the call mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, UI, or GUI.

The display unit 151 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display (flexible) and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through them. This may be referred to as a transparent display 151. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED). The rear structure of the display unit may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. By this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit may be used as an input device as well as an output device. . The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can determine which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal 100 surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than contact sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by a change in an electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch". The position of the proximity touch on the touch screen with the pointer means a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity touch.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound or a message reception sound) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events generated in the mobile terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various haptic effects that a user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may be used for stimulation such as a pin array vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, and electrostatic force. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as the effects of the heat-absorption and the reproduction of the sense of cold using the element capable of generating heat.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but may also be implemented to allow the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data relating to various patterns of vibration and sound output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as an 'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through a port.

The interface unit 170 may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various commands input by the user from the cradle. It may be a passage through which a signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal 100. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

The various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code may be implemented in software applications written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

2 is a perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a watch type, a clip type, a glasses type, or a folder type in which two or more bodies are coupled to be movable relative to each other, a flip type, a slide type, a swing type, and a swivel type. have.

The body includes a case (frame, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In the present embodiment, the main body may be composed of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, and the battery cover 103 covering the battery 191 may be detachably attached to the rear case 102. have.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin, or may be formed of metal, for example, stainless steel (STS), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

A display unit 151, a first sound output module 153a, a first camera 121a, a first operation unit 131, and the like are disposed on the front of the terminal body, and a microphone 122 and an interface unit 170 are disposed on the side surface. ), The second operation unit 132 may be provided.

The display unit 151 is configured to display (output) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) for visually representing information, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) ), At least one of a flexible display, a 3D display, and an e-ink display.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensing means to receive a control command by a touch method. When a touch is made to any place on the display unit 151, the touch sensing means may be configured to detect the touch and input content corresponding to the touched position. The content input by the touch method may be letters or numbers or menu items that can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The touch sensing means is formed to be transparent so that the visual information output from the display unit 151 can be seen, and may include a structure for increasing the visibility of the touch screen in a bright place. According to FIG. 1, the display unit 151 occupies most of the front surface of the front case 101.

The first sound output module 153a and the first camera 121a are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the first operation unit 131 and the microphone 122 are located in an area adjacent to the other end. ) Is placed. The second manipulation unit 132 (see FIG. 2), the interface unit 170, and the like may be disposed on the side of the terminal body.

The first sound output module 153a may be implemented in the form of a receiver for transmitting a call sound to a user's ear or a loud speaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds.

Sound generated from the first sound output module 153a may be configured to be emitted along an assembly gap between the structures. In this case, the holes formed independently for the sound output may not be visible or may be hidden so that the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 may be simplified.

The first camera 121a processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The user input unit is manipulated to receive a command for controlling an operation of the mobile terminal 100 and may include first and second manipulation units 131 and 132. The first and second manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any tactile manner as long as the user operates with a tactile feeling such as touch, push, and scroll. Can be.

In the drawing, the first operation unit 131 is illustrated as a touch key, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first operation unit 131 may be a push key or a combination of a touch key and a push key.

The contents input by the first and / or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives a command such as a menu, a home key, a cancellation, a search, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the first sound output module 153a or A command such as switching to the touch recognition mode of the display unit 151 may be input.

The microphone 122 is configured to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be provided at a plurality of locations and configured to receive stereo sound.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for allowing the mobile terminal 100 to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 is a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to the earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA Port), Bluetooth port (Bluetooth Port), wireless LAN port (Wireless) LAN Port) and the like, or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 may be implemented in the form of a socket for receiving an external card, such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), a memory card for storing information.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second camera may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102 or the battery cover 103. The second camera has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a (see FIG. 2), and may be a camera having different pixels from the first camera 121a.

For example, the first camera 121a has a low pixel so that it is easy to take a picture of a user and transmit it to a counterpart in a video call, and the second camera does not immediately transmit a general subject. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The first and second cameras may be installed in the terminal body in a rotatable or pop-up manner.

Adjacent to the second camera are a flash and a mirror. The flash is directed toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera. The mirror allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the second camera.

The key module 200 may be mounted on the rear of the terminal body. The key module 200 may control an image, a volume, or a power supply displayed on the display unit. The key module 200 may be composed of a plurality of keys, and each of the keys may operate independently of each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the key module 200 is formed to be push input. That is, the key module 200 is configured to input a signal by detecting a pressure transmitted when the user presses a key.

At this time, the signal input of the key module 200 is performed through two steps.

The input of the key module 200 is limited by the minute current that is first transmitted by contacting a part of the body. That is, the push input is not made unless the user wants to input a signal by pressing a key.

When a part of the body is in contact with the key module 200, the sensor connected to the key button detects the flow of minute current to activate the push input of the key module 200. A user may input a signal by pressing the key module 200 while a part of the body is in contact with the key module 200.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the key module 200 viewed through the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the key module 200 includes a key button, a dome key, a detection sensor 232, and the like.

The key button is made of a conductor and forms part of the exterior of the body. Referring back to Figure 3, the key button is disposed on the rear of the terminal and forms a part of the rear surface of the terminal. As shown, there are side buttons in addition to the key buttons disposed on the back of the terminal, but according to another embodiment, the keys formed on the rear side without the side keys may replace the functions of the side keys. According to this embodiment, since the keys disposed on the side of the terminal can be removed, more various designs can be applied to the terminal.

The key button may be composed of a plurality of buttons. Referring to FIG. 4, the key button may include a first button 201 disposed at the center and buttons disposed at both sides of the first button 201.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second button 202a and the third button 202b are disposed on both sides of the first button 201 to be symmetrical with respect to the first button 201. The second button 202a and the third button 202b may perform functions corresponding to each other. For example, the volume may be increased when the second button 202a is pressed, and the volume may be decreased when the third button 202b is pressed.

The second button 202a and the third button 202b may be formed to be connected to each other. That is, the second button 202a and the third button 202b may be configured as one member connected to each other, such as the (+) key and the (-) key shown in FIG. 3. The first button 201 is disposed at the center of the second button 202a and the third button 202b. As shown, a hole is formed in the center of the second button 202a and the third button 202b and the first button 201 protrudes outward through the hole.

Key button according to an embodiment of the present invention is made of a pressure-sensitive. Dome keys 211, 212, and 213 pressed by the key buttons are disposed below the key button. When a force is applied to the key button, the key button moves up and down, and the dome key is pressed by the key button moving down. The dome key senses the pressure applied by the key button and transmits a signal corresponding to the key button to the controller.

The key button is connected with a detection sensor 232 for detecting a minute current generated by the body contact. The sensor 232 is mounted on the main circuit board, and the sensor and the key button are electrically connected 231 to sense current.

The detection sensor 232 may be independently connected to the first to third buttons 202b. For example, the sensor 232 may be connected to the buttons in parallel to independently sense currents transmitted through the buttons.

An inverter may be used as a kind of the detection sensor 232. The moment the body of the user touches the key button, the inverter is activated and the key button is activated. After that, press the key button with force, and the dome key is operated to input the signal.

The dome key is formed on the key substrate. Referring to FIG. 4, first to third keys 211, 212, and 213 are formed on the key substrate so as to overlap the first to third buttons 202b.

The pressing member 203 may be disposed between the dome key and the key button. The pressing member 203 applies pressure to the dome key when a force is applied to the key button. The pressing member 203 is provided with a protrusion to face the dome key. As shown, the pressing member 203 is formed with a plurality of protrusions to face the central portion of the first to third keys.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the key button is made of a conductor and the pressing member 203 is made of an insulator. The detection sensor 232 is connected between the key button and the pressing member 203 to sense the current delivered to the key button. At this time, since the lower pressing member 203 is made of an insulator, unnecessary current can be prevented from being transmitted to the sensor. In other words, only the minute current transmitted through the key button as a conductor is sensed by the sensor 232 and the currents generated by the components of the circuit board are blocked by the pressing member 203.

5 is a conceptual view illustrating an operation of the key module 200 according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the key module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Conventional capacitive touch keys have a signal input only by the user's touch of the key. However, in the present invention, by applying an inverter without using a touch panel, it is possible to prevent the key input irrelevant to the intention of the user while utilizing the structure of the protruding key (high design freedom).

Referring to FIG. 5, the key module 200 of the present invention operates by combining two input methods. That is, the key module 200 operates through a step (A) of detecting a minute current generated when a part of the body contacts, and a step (B) of detecting a pressure generated when the key module 200 is pressed.

In the drawing, for convenience of description, unlike the previous embodiment, the key button is divided into a first button 201 and a second button 202a surrounding the first button 201. However, this is for convenience of description, and the present embodiment may be applied even when the key button is composed of one button or three or more buttons.

The first button 201 is formed to be operated separately from the second button 202a at the center of the second button 202a. The second button 202a forms a symmetrical shape with respect to the first button 201, and when one side is pressed, the one side is inclined downward and the other side is inclined upward.

A detection sensor 232 is connected to the first button 201 and the second button 202a, respectively. The sensor 232 detects a microcurrent generated by contacting a part of the body with the buttons. The next step (B) proceeds only when the sensing sensor 232 detects the microcurrent. That is, the input signal of the button is not transmitted to the controller when the terminal is placed on the floor and the key button is pressed, rather than when a part of the body contacts the key button.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the minute current detection of the first button 201 and the second button 202a is performed independently. For example, when a part of the body comes into contact with the first button 201, only the signal input by pressing the first button 201 is activated, but the signal input of the second button 202a is not activated. Similarly, when a part of the body contacts the second button 202a, only the signal input of the second button 202a is activated, and the signal input of the first button 201 is not activated.

Here, being activated means that a key button signal can be input by pressure sensing. If the key button or the dome keys 211, 212, 213 are not activated, a signal corresponding to the key button is not transmitted to the controller even if the key button is pressed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only the first button 201 and the second button 202a may be activated, in which only a part of the body contacts the first button 201. For example, when a part of the body contacts the second button 202a after a part of the body contacts the first button 201, the second button 202a is not activated.

According to another embodiment, both buttons are not activated when the first button 201 and the second button 202a simultaneously touch part of the body. For example, a key button mounted on the back may be inadvertently in contact with the user's palm when the user holds the terminal in hand. In this case, when the detection sensor 232 detects the contact between the first button 201 and the second button 202a, both buttons may be deactivated to prevent an unintended input during a call.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the key module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates the operation of the key module 200 shown in FIG. 5 in a flowchart to more easily describe the operation mechanism of the present invention.

The key module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention operates by combining two input methods.

The key module 200 includes a key button made of a conductor, a dome key for detecting a pressure pressed by the key button, and a detection sensor 232 for detecting a microcurrent transmitted by contacting a part of the body with the key button.

The detection sensor 232 connected to the key button detects whether the human body is in contact with the key button (S310). If a part of the body is in contact and a microcurrent flows through the key button made of the conductor, the dome key is activated.

The dome key detects whether the key button is pressed based on the pressure applied by the key button (S320). In other words, the dome key is disposed under the key button so as to overlap the key button, and when the key button is pressed from the outside, the dome key is pressed by the key button to input a signal.

A specific signal is assigned to each of the key buttons, and when an activated dome key is pressed, a signal corresponding to the key button is input (S330).

That is, the present invention is organically coupled to the pressure-sensitive key and the micro-current detection sensor can be prevented from being pressed arbitrarily irrespective of the user's intention, the detection sensor 232 of the present invention is the first touch key of the plurality of keys By activating only the user can perform the key input exactly intended by the user.

The mobile terminal 100 described above is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. .

Claims (9)

body; And
A key module mounted to the body to enable push input;
The key module,
A key button formed of a conductor and forming part of an exterior of the body, the key button including a first button and second and third buttons disposed to be symmetrical with respect to the first button;
Dome keys disposed to overlap each of the first to third buttons so as to be pressed by the key button; And
And a sensing sensor electrically connected to the key button to sense a microcurrent transmitted by contacting at least one part of the body with at least one of the first to third buttons to activate the dome keys.
The detection sensor,
When both of the second button and the third button and the first contact with the body contact is detected, any one of the second button and the third button and both of the first button is inactive Mobile terminal. . The method of claim 1,
The key module,
And a pressing member including a pressing protrusion facing the bottom surface of the key button and facing the dome key. The method of claim 2,
The pressing member is,
A mobile terminal comprising an insulator. The method of claim 3,
The detection sensor,
Mobile terminal, characterized in that connected between the key button and the pressing member. delete delete The method of claim 1,
The first to third buttons are each separated operation. The method of claim 7, wherein
The detection sensor,
Mobile terminal, characterized in that for activating only the dome key overlapping with the first part of the body of the first to third buttons that the body contacts. The method of claim 1,
The key module,
A mobile terminal, characterized in that disposed on the back of the body.

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