KR20080024588A - Keypad plate including non-touch sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A keypad plate including a non-touch sensor is provided to maintain reliability of a mobile terminal in spite of frequent clicks by having uniform strength. A keypad plate(200) includes a button sheet and a sensor sheet. The button sheet is made of high strength material and has button patterns(212) corresponding to button regions for key input. The button pattern is defined by at least one separation slit(214) formed around the button region. The sensor sheet is formed at a lower part of the button sheet and has a non-contact sensor(225) to generate an input signal according to access of a part of a user's body. The non-contact sensor is exposed outside through the separation slits.

Description

Keypad plate with non-contact sensor {KEYPAD PLATE INCLUDING NON-TOUCH SENSOR}

1 is a front view of a keypad plate for explaining a keypad plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a keypad plate for explaining the keypad plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a front view of a keypad plate for explaining a keypad plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a keypad plate for explaining the keypad plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a personal portable terminal for explaining the personal portable terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: personal portable terminal 110: terminal body

200: keypad plate 210: button sheet

214: Spaced slit 220: Sensor sheet

223: film 225: non-contact sensor

316: sensor hole

The present invention relates to a keypad plate of a personal portable terminal, and more particularly, to a keypad plate that may include a scroll function.

Recently, as the use of mobile phones is becoming more common, its functions are also diversified. In particular, recent mobile phones provide various functions such as schedule management, information processing and management, entertainment, Internet service, and music listening function as well as the functions of the telephone. Accordingly, there is a need for an information input function that enables the user to more easily control the implementation of the functions.

However, in the case of the conventional mobile phone, it is not suitable to use the above-described various functions due to the characteristics of the key input device. In order to solve this problem, a mobile phone using a touch screen panel, which is easy to carry, relatively easy to input information, and may include a scroll function, has been released to assist a keypad, which is a key input device used in a conventional mobile phone. In the case of such a mobile phone, a touch screen panel is attached to the panel of the LCD to assist the input function of the keypad.

However, in this case, the user may be able to increase the convenience by adding a scroll function, but attaching the touch screen panel on the LCD affects the brightness of the LCD, and the LCD may be damaged by the pressure applied to the LCD. This will seriously damage the reliability of the equipment.

In addition, in the conventional input method using the touch screen panel, since the touch screen panel is stacked on the LCD, the device may be damaged during use due to frequent clicks of the user, and the thickness of the mobile phone increases due to the thickness of the touch screen panel. There is this.

The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce the thickness of the key input module of the personal mobile terminal and a keypad plate including a separate key input device that can assist the key input module To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keypad plate which can thin a key input module in a personal portable terminal and facilitate assembly and the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a keypad plate capable of providing a function of inputting information that allows a user to more easily implement the above functions in a personal portable terminal providing various functions.

Another object of the present invention is to include a secondary input device that is easy to carry and relatively easy to input information to assist the keypad, which is the main input device, and a keypad capable of effectively assisting the input function of the keypad, which is the main input device. To provide a plate.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a keypad plate that is thin and provides a constant strength to maintain the reliability of the device even with frequent user clicks.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object of the present invention, the keypad plate of the present invention is formed of a high-strength material, includes a button pattern disposed corresponding to the button area for key input, button pattern Is positioned at the bottom of the button sheet and the button sheet defined by at least one spaced slit formed in the periphery thereof, and includes a sensor sheet having a non-contact sensor formed on a surface thereof to generate an input signal in response to a user's body part approaching.

The non-contact sensor may be arranged to be exposed upward through the spaced slit, and more specifically, the non-contact sensor may be arranged in a line along a straight line or parabola and curve along the spaced slit.

In addition, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the button sheet may form a sensor hole between the buttons and expose the non-contact sensor upward through the sensor hole. In this case, the non-contact sensor may be arranged in a line along the sensor hole in a straight line or parabolic line and curve.

The non-contact sensor according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention can detect the approach of the body by using the change in capacitance according to the position of the body part. However, when the button sheet is formed of metal, the change in capacitance may be disturbed by the button sheet, and thus, the non-contact sensor is positioned at the center of the spaced slit or the sensor hole, and the area of each non-contact sensor is slit or It can be made smaller than the size of the hole.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention; However, the following embodiments are examples for understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the following embodiments. In addition, the same reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components in the drawings.

Example 1

1 is a front view of a keypad plate for explaining a keypad plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the keypad plate for explaining the keypad plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the keypad plate 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a button sheet 210 and a sensor sheet 220.

First, the button sheet 210 is formed of a high-strength material, and includes a button pattern 212 disposed corresponding to a button area for key input, and the button pattern 212 includes at least one spaced slit formed around the button pattern 212. (214).

In more detail, the button sheet 210 is formed of a high strength material having a thickness of about 0.01 ~ 0.5mm. At least one spaced slit 214 is formed in the button sheet 210 around the button area, and the button pattern 212 may be defined by the spaced slit 214.

As shown, the spaced slits 214 may be formed in a line shape. In this embodiment, the batten patterns 212 may be formed at regular intervals from each other by the spaced slit 214. Thus, when the user presses the button pattern 212, the button pattern 212 can be moved up and down by the spaced slit 214. The spacing slit 214 allows the button pattern 212 to implement separate movements independently of other portions of the button sheet 210 within a certain range.

The sensor sheet 220 may assist a button pattern by adding a scroll function. The non-contact sensor 225 may be disposed to be exposed upward through the spaced slit 214 to generate an input signal in response to the approach of a part of the user's body, and more specifically, the non-contact sensor 225 may support the spaced slit 214. Along a straight line. Of course, the non-contact sensor 225 is provided smaller than the spaced slit 214 so that the non-contact sensor 225 can be exposed between the spaced slits 214. However, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact sensor may be arranged in a line along a parabolic or curved line in addition to the straight line.

In addition, the non-contact sensor 2255 exposed to the upper portion through the spaced slit 214 is not only arranged up and down, but further arranged to separate the non-contact sensor 226 from side to side so as to sense the left and right approach of a part of the user's body. It may be.

In addition, although not described in the present embodiment, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sensor hole may be formed between the button patterns of the button sheet and the non-contact sensor may be exposed upward through the sensor hole. In this case, the non-contact sensor may be arranged in a line along the sensor hole in a straight line or parabolic line and curve.

Therefore, using the non-contact sensor 225 exposed between the spaced slits 214, it is possible to sense the approach of the body using the change in capacitance according to the position of the body part.

For reference, in the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor 225 is attached on the film 223 to be integrally attached to the button sheet. However, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact sensor 225 may be attached directly to the button sheet without omitting the film. have.

In this embodiment, each non-contact sensor on the film 223 to detect the change in capacitance according to the position of the body part generated using the non-contact sensor 225, that is, the approach of the body by using an input signal. The input signal is transmitted to the controller 250 through an electric line 228 connected to the 225.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, a light transmitting sheet may be further provided and attached on the non-contact sensor sheet exposed through the button sheet and the spaced slit. Numbers, letters, and button designs can be printed on the light transmitting sheet so that the user can input the desired input signals separately.

In addition, a light transmitting sheet may be provided to protect the non-contact sensor exposed through the button sheet and the spaced slit from the outside.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 9, a rubber pad may be provided on the bottom surface of the button sheet 210. The rubber pad may include a push protrusion located below the button pattern 212, and the push protrusion may transmit the movement of the button pattern 212 to a dome switch or the like to generate an input signal corresponding to the button input. The pressing protrusion may be formed of rubber or the like to protect the dome switch from being broken, and the dome switch may be easily pressed by concentrating the pressing force of the button.

The keypad plate of the present invention includes a non-contact sensor including a button pattern disposed corresponding to a button area for key input and generating another input signal in response to the access of a part of the user's body from the bottom of the button sheet. Various input signals can be input. Therefore, the user can easily implement various functions provided by the terminal, the keypad plate formed of a high-strength material can be made thin, and maintain the reliability of the device even if the user frequently clicks.

Example 2

3 is a front view of a keypad plate for explaining a keypad plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the keypad plate for explaining a keypad plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 4, the keypad plate 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a button sheet 310 and a sensor sheet 320.

First, the button sheet 310 is formed of a high-strength material, and includes a button pattern 312 disposed corresponding to the button area for key input, and the button pattern 312 has at least one spaced slit formed around the button pattern 312. 314 is defined.

In more detail, the button sheet 310 is formed of a high strength material having a thickness of about 0.01 ~ 0.5mm. At least one spaced slit 314 is formed around the button area 310, and the button pattern 312 may be defined by the spaced slit 314.

As shown, the spaced slit 314 may be formed in a line shape. In the present embodiment, the baton patterns 312 may be formed at regular intervals by the spaced slits 314. Thus, when the user presses the button pattern 312, the button pattern 312 can be moved up and down by the spaced slit 314. The spacing slit 314 allows the button pattern 312 to implement a separate movement independently of other portions of the button sheet 310 within a predetermined range.

The sensor sheet 320 may assist the input function through the button pattern by adding a scroll function through the non-contact sensor.

In this embodiment, the sensor hole 316 is formed between the button pattern 312 of the button sheet 310 and the non-contact sensor 325 is exposed upward through the sensor hole 316. Therefore, an input signal may be generated in response to the approach of the user's body part. In the non-contact sensor 325, the non-contact sensor 325 is provided with a spaced slit 314 in a straight line along the sensor hole. However, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact sensor may be arranged in a line along a parabolic or curved line in addition to the straight line.

In addition, the non-contact sensor 325 exposed to the upper through the sensor hole 314 is not only arranged up and down, but further provides a separate sensor hole 327 to the right and is exposed to the sensor hole 327. The non-contact sensor 326 may be further arranged to detect left and right access of a part of the user's body.

Therefore, the non-contact sensor 325 exposed between the sensor holes 316 may be used to sense the approach of the body using a change in capacitance depending on the position of the body part. Of course, the size of the non-contact sensor 325 is provided smaller than the size of the sensor hole 316 to be exposed through the sensor hole 316.

For reference, in the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor 325 is attached on the film 323 to be integrally attached to the button sheet. However, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact sensor 325 may be attached directly to the button sheet without omitting the film. have.

In this embodiment, each non-contact sensor on the film 323 to detect the change of capacitance according to the position of the body part generated using the non-contact sensor 325, that is, the approach of the body using the input signal. The input signal is transmitted to the controller 350 through an electric line 328 connected to the 325.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, a light transmitting sheet may be further provided and attached on the non-contact sensor sheet exposed through the button sheet and the sensor hole. Numbers, letters, and button designs can be printed on the light transmitting sheet so that the user can input the desired input signals separately.

In addition, a light transmitting sheet may be provided to protect the non-contact sensor exposed through the button sheet and the sensor hole 316 from the outside.

Also, although not shown in FIG. 9, a rubber pad may be provided on the bottom of the button sheet 310. The rubber pad may include a push protrusion located below the button pattern 312, and the push protrusion may transmit the movement of the button pattern 312 to a dome switch or the like to generate an input signal corresponding to the button input. The pressing protrusion is formed of rubber or the like to protect the dome switch from being broken, and the dome switch can be easily pressed by concentrating the pressing force of the button.

The keypad plate of the present invention includes a non-contact sensor including a button pattern disposed corresponding to a button area for key input and generating another input signal in response to the access of a part of the user's body from the bottom of the button sheet. Various input signals can be input. Therefore, the user can easily implement various functions provided by the terminal, the keypad plate formed of a high-strength material can be made thin, and maintain the reliability of the device even if the user frequently clicks.

Example 3

5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a personal portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the personal mobile terminal 100 includes a terminal body 110, a keypad plate 200, and a key input sensor unit 130.

The terminal body 110 may include a case including internal terminal functions, internal and external components, and a circuit configuration. For example, in the case of a mobile phone, the terminal body 110 may include a terminal case, a key input unit, a display module, a wireless transmission / reception module, a battery, a microphone and a receiver. In addition, although the terminal main body 110 of FIG. 12 has a shape of a folding terminal, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the terminal main body has a bar type, a flip type, a slide type, and a swing. It can be formed in various kinds of styles such as swing type.

The terminal body 110 includes a front case 112 and a rear case 114, and a liquid crystal display unit is mounted on the front upper part of the front case 112, and a keypad hole 116 for mounting a key input unit under the front part. This is provided.

The keypad plate 200 is mounted on the inner surface of the front case 112, and the key input sensor unit 130 is provided inside the keypad plate 200. The keypad plate 200 is formed in substantially the same shape as the keypad hole 116, and may be provided in the keypad hole 116 to provide a key input unit forming a single wall, and the keypad hole 116 together with the key input unit. Can provide a wall to block the

The keypad plate 200 mounted on the personal portable terminal of this embodiment is the same as the keypad plate 200 described in detail in the first embodiment. Therefore, the keypad plate 200 used in the third embodiment of the present invention may refer to the description and the drawings of the keypad plate 200 of the first embodiment, and the repeated content may be omitted.

Therefore, the personal portable terminal of the present embodiment can use a keypad plate having a thin thickness, so that a thin terminal can be manufactured, and the keypad plate 200 can maintain a solid structure and excellent key feeling by using a button sheet made of high strength material. Sufficient strength can be maintained.

In addition, the keypad plate 200 may be installed in the keypad hole 116 so that a key input unit may be provided at a time. Therefore, not only can the thickness be kept thin, but the assembly can be completed simply and the cost required for manufacturing can be significantly reduced.

In addition, a position guide groove (not shown) is formed along the outer edge of the keypad plate 200, and a position guide protrusion corresponding to the position guide groove is formed on the inner surface of the keypad hole 116 in the front case 112. The button plate 200 may be fixed to the front case 112 by using a fastener such as a screw, but for the first time, the position guide protrusion and the position guide groove may be used to correctly position the keypad plate 200 in accordance with the keypad hole 116. This can be used. That is, the relative movement between the front case 112 and the keypad plate 200 can be limited by forming the position guide protrusion and the position guide groove and assembling the protrusion and the groove to engage with each other.

The key input sensor unit 130 includes a push sensor, and the push sensor has a structure using the dome switch 132 and the contact electrode 134. A button pattern 212 is provided to correspond to each button of the button plate 200, and a dome switch 132 and a contact electrode 134 of the key input sensor unit 130 are provided below each button pattern 212. do. Accordingly, when the user presses the button of the button plate 200, the pressing force is transmitted to the dome switch 132 through the button pattern 212, and the dome switch 132 is temporarily deformed to electrically contact the contact electrode 134. I can connect it. An input signal is generated in response to the connection of the contact electrode 134, and an input signal corresponding to each button may be specified and used for inputting numbers or letters.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the personal portable terminal is equipped with the keypad plate 200 described in the first embodiment, but in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the personal portable terminal is mounted with the keypad plate 300 described in the second embodiment. It can manufacture.

The personal handheld terminal equipped with the keypad plate of the present invention can reduce the thickness of the key input module and further provide a scrolling function to assist the key input module, thereby allowing the user to more easily control the functions of the recent personal handheld terminal. can do.

In addition, since the assembly and the like can be facilitated in the terminal providing process, it is possible to reduce the production cost and time required by unnecessary processes, and the keypad plate of the simple structure can reduce the malfunction of the device.

In addition, by adding a scroll function by a non-contact sensor, it is possible to provide a secondary input device which is easy to carry and relatively easy to input information, and can effectively assist the input function of the keypad.

In addition, the keypad plate of the present invention is thin and provides a constant strength to maintain the reliability of the terminal even with frequent user clicks.

The keypad plate according to the present invention includes a non-contact sensor including a button pattern disposed corresponding to a button area for key input and generating another input signal in response to the access of a part of the user's body from the bottom of the button sheet. Various input signals can be input.

In addition, the keypad plate according to the present invention, the user can easily implement a variety of functions provided by the terminal, it is formed of a high-strength material can be made thin, and can maintain the reliability of the device even during frequent clicks of the user.

In addition, since the thickness of the key input unit can be reduced to about 0.1 to 0.5 mm, the thickness of the terminal can be significantly reduced.

As described above, although described with reference to embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated.

Claims (6)

A button sheet formed of a high-strength material and including a button pattern disposed corresponding to the button area for key input, wherein the button pattern is defined by at least one spaced slit formed around the button pattern; And A sensor sheet disposed below the button sheet and having a non-contact sensor formed on a surface thereof to generate an input signal in response to an access of a part of a user's body; Keypad plate having a. The method of claim 1, The non-contact sensor is a keypad plate, characterized in that exposed through the spaced apart slit. The method of claim 2, The non-contact sensor is a keypad plate, characterized in that arranged in a line along the separation slit. The method of claim 1, The button sheet may include a sensor hole formed between the button patterns, and the non-contact sensor may be exposed upward through the sensor hole. The method of claim 4, wherein The non-contact sensor is a keypad plate, characterized in that arranged in a line along the sensor hole. The method of claim 1, The non-contact sensor is a keypad plate, characterized in that for detecting the approach of the body using a change in capacitance depending on the position of the body part.

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