KR20080075675A

KR20080075675A - Character input device

Info

Publication number: KR20080075675A
Application number: KR1020070014916A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 오의진
Original assignee: 오의진
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2007-02-13
Publication date: 2008-08-19
Also published as: CN101627616A

Abstract

A text input device is provided to minimize the space necessary to input letters and exactly input letters according to a user's intention by arranging a plurality of external input keys at the outside of a direction input part. A text input device comprises a direction input part(10), a plurality of external input keys(50), the first sensing part, the second sensing part, and a control part. The direction input part enables a user to select and input one among a plurality of direction indication locations which are radially and separately arranged with a reference location in the center. The external input keys are radially and separately arranged at the outside of the direction input part. The first sensing part detects the input of a direction. The second sensing part detects whether an external input key is selected. Based on detection results from the first sensing part and the second sensing part, the control part extracts and inputs character codes which are allocated to each of the direction indication locations and each of the external input keys.

Description

Character input device {CHARACTER INPUT DEVICE}

1 is a perspective view of a portable mobile communication terminal equipped with a character input device according to the present invention;

2 is a plan view showing a character input apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of part A-A 'of FIG. 1 as an operation diagram of a character input apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a character input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a plan view of a character input apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

6A is a perspective view of a character input device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing method of an external input key in the character input device shown in FIG. 6A.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

1: Character input device 10: Direction input unit

11: support part 30: center input key

40: elastic member 50: external input key

55: connecting portion 61: the first detection unit

65: second detection unit 67: touch detection unit

100: portable mobile communication terminal 110: case

121: Switch Key 123: Function Key

130: display unit

The present invention relates to a character input apparatus, and in particular, by providing a plurality of external input keys on the outside of the direction input unit capable of inputting directions, it is possible to accurately input each character according to a user's intention while minimizing a space required for character input. To provide a character input device.

With the development of software, software, semiconductor technology, and information processing technology, information devices are becoming smaller and smaller, and the amount and importance of character input in such information devices are increasing day by day.

However, many problems have been revealed in the input of various characters or commands in such information devices. For example, input devices such as keyboards used in personal computers (PCs) or notebooks (Notebooks) have limitations in reducing their size, which makes it difficult to miniaturize these information devices, and touch screen methods used in personal data assistants (PDAs) The keypad method used in mobile phones is inconvenient because the input speed is often slow and mistyped.

In order to input letters, numbers or symbols at a higher speed in the above-described information devices such as PCs, laptops, PDAs or mobile phones, so-called one-to-one phoneme input is performed in which one phoneme (character) is input in one input operation. In the case where the one other one phoneme input is for Korean, a button or an input key for inputting 24 or more characters needs to be arranged in the information device. If the target language is English, Japanese, or other foreign languages, more buttons or input keys may need to be added than in Korean.

However, the conventional input device used in various information apparatuses assigns a letter to each input key and taps or presses it with a finger. Therefore, a personal input information device such as a mobile phone having a narrow arrangement of input keys has a finger size input key. It is difficult to arrange more than 24.

This has been the reason why the keyboard has been difficult to miniaturize until now. In the case of a mobile phone, since only 12 buttons are used to input all 24 characters of Korean characters, it is inevitable to overlap multiple characters in one button. The repeated input phenomena frequently occur twice, three times to input the phoneme). Therefore, the input was slowed and uncomfortable.

In order to solve this problem, a character input method for inputting a combination of predetermined characters like Cheonjiin has been proposed, but the repeated input phenomenon has not been solved even by this method.

In addition, a technology such as a keyboard that can be rolled around or a virtual laser keyboard that detects the position of a finger when inputting an image of the keyboard on the floor and inputting the keyboard with a finger on it is performed. Has also been proposed.

However, this type of input device has a problem that it is always inconvenient to carry and carry, and can be input only in a state placed on the floor, there is a problem that it is not applicable to a personal portable information terminal that needs to be input by hand while moving.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a character input device capable of accurately inputting each character according to a user's intention while minimizing a space required for character input.

According to the present invention, there is provided a direction input unit capable of performing a direction input for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indicating positions radially spaced about a reference position; A plurality of external input keys radially spaced apart from the direction input unit; A first sensing unit sensing the direction input; A second sensing unit sensing a selection of the external input key; And a control unit which extracts and inputs a character code assigned to each direction indicating position and an external input key based on the detection result of the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit.

The direction input unit may perform the direction input by horizontally moving from the reference position toward any one of the plurality of direction indicating positions.

The direction input part may be provided in a stick shape having a lower end supported at the reference position, and the upper end may be inclined to any one of the plurality of direction indicating positions to perform the direction input.

The direction input unit may be provided in a disc shape, and may further include a support unit provided below the direction input unit to support the direction input unit in such a manner that the direction input unit can be tilted toward each direction indicating position.

The direction input unit may be provided with a plurality of direction pressing keys corresponding to each direction indicating position.

The center input may be provided such that the whole of the direction input unit is moved up and down or selected by the center input key provided in the direction input unit.

One or more of the direction input unit, the plurality of external input keys, or the center input may be provided to enable two or more multi-stage input.

One or more of the direction input unit, the external input key, or the center input may be added with a touch input function for detecting a contact or proximity of a finger.

Any one of the direction indication position or the external input key may be assigned a character, and the other may be assigned a function such as a symbol, a number or an enter, a space, a cancellation, a mode switch, and the like.

The plurality of central input keys may be integrally connected to each other.

The direction input unit and the plurality of central input keys may be provided in close proximity to each other to allow manipulation of the direction input and external input keys with one finger.

By using the direction input and the external input key of the direction input unit, it can be used as a mouse or a joystick.

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

Prior to the description, the various direction input units 10 shown in the drawings attached to the present specification are one embodiment for describing the present invention in detail, and Korean Patent Application No. 2006 filed on December 1, 2006 by the applicant of the present application. It is noted that the present invention can be applied to all types of direction input unit 10 disclosed in 'Character and Data Input Device and Method thereof'.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the character input device 1 according to the present invention, a direction input for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indicating positions M disposed radially spaced about a reference position Z is performed. A direction input unit 10 provided as possible; A plurality of external input keys 50 radially spaced apart from the direction input unit 10; A first sensing unit 61 sensing the direction input; A second sensing unit 65 sensing a selection of the external input key 50; And a controller for extracting and inputting a character code assigned to each direction indicating position M and the external input key 50 based on the detection result of the first sensing unit 61 and the second sensing unit 65 (not shown). );

The character input device 1 according to the present invention may be provided on one side of the case 110 of the portable mobile communication terminal 100, and various characters input by the character input device 1 on the other side of the case 110. , A display unit 130 on which numbers, symbols, or commands are displayed is provided.

2 is a plan view showing the character input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the direction input unit 10 is provided to be capable of horizontal movement toward each direction indicating position (M) at a predetermined input radius provided in the case (110).

The direction indicating position M is disposed radially about the reference position Z of the direction input unit 10 (see FIG. 3A).

Direction indication position (M) may be provided in various numbers as necessary, for example, as shown in Figure 2, may be provided in eight directions, may be provided in four directions, may be provided in 12 directions It may be. Of course, it can also be provided in various numbers.

Each direction indicating position (M) is assigned at least one or more different characters. That is, the Hangul vowel 'ㅏ' is disposed at the M1 direction indication position M, and the Hangul vowel 'ㅛ' is disposed at the M6 direction indication position M.

Here, the type of the character to be allocated is not limited, Hangul consonants may be arranged, English consonants or vowels may be arranged, in addition, functions such as numbers, symbols or enters, spaces, cancellations may be arranged. .

On the other hand, when the direction input unit 10 is provided to enable multi-stage input of two or more stages, two or more characters may be duplicated and allocated to each direction indicating position (M).

For example, when multi-stage input of two stages is possible according to the difference in the moving distance of the direction input unit 10, two different characters may be overlapped and assigned to each direction indication position (M).

Here, the multi-stage input of the direction input unit 10 refers to two first sensing units 61 and 5 sequentially by changing a distance from the reference position Z on the movement path of the direction input unit 10, for example. Can be implemented.

Alternatively, by providing the first detecting unit 61 as a conventional optical sensor used for a mouse which is an auxiliary input device, the multi-stage input can be distinguished according to the displacement amount of the direction input unit 10 moved from the reference position Z. .

On the other hand, a plurality of external input keys 50 are provided radially outside the direction input section 10.

Although the external input key 50 is not limited, as shown in FIG. 2, the external input keys 50 may be disposed radially while maintaining a predetermined distance from each other along the outer circumference of the direction input unit 10.

Of course, the external input key 50 may be provided in various numbers as necessary.

Meanwhile, the external input key 50 may be provided in various kinds. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the external input key 50 may be provided by a push button method, or may be provided by a touch method. It may be provided in a manner to sense the pressure.

In addition, in each of the above-described examples, two or more stages of multi-stage inputs may be provided, or two or more of the above-described schemes may be used.

For example, in the case where both the touch sensor and the touch contact sensor are used for the second sensing unit 65 in the external input key 50 of FIG. 2, 'a' is input by the touch of a finger, It is also possible to input the 'j' by, and in the case of providing a two-stage input according to the difference in the press distance, so that 'b' is input by the first stage and 's' by the second stage. can do.

Here, the number of the direction indicating position (M) and the number of the external input key 50 may be provided the same, or may be provided differently.

On the other hand, a letter may be assigned to each direction indicating position (M) and the external input key 50 in a variety of ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, Korean vowels are assigned to the direction indication position M, Korean consonants are assigned to the external input key 50, and Korean letters are input by the direction input unit 10. The vowel, the Korean consonants can be input by the external input key (50).

On the contrary, the Korean consonants may be assigned to the direction indicating position M, and the Korean vowels may be assigned to the external input key 50.

On the other hand, the character input device 1 according to the present invention may be provided to enable a central input.

As shown in FIG. 2, the central input includes a pumping input performed by selecting the central input key 30 provided in the center of the direction input unit 10 or by lifting the entire direction input unit 10 up and down. .

The central input may be provided to enable two or more multi-stage inputs, and various commands such as letters, numbers, symbols, or functions may be assigned to the central input.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the character input device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the character input device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the direction input part 10 is inclined toward each direction indicating position M while the direction input part 10 is fixed to the reference position Z. Direction input is performed.

That is, referring to FIG. 3B, while the direction input unit 10 is supported by the support unit 11, the direction input unit 10 is inclined to the left side (in FIG. 1, toward the direction A or the direction indicated by the direction M1) to the second detection unit 65. 'ㅏ' assigned to the M1 direction indication position (M) by contact is input.

Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings attached to the present specification, a push button may be provided at the upper end of the direction input unit 10 corresponding to each direction indicating position M. FIG.

On the other hand, the external input key 50 according to the present invention may be provided integrally connected to each other.

Therefore, in the case of inputting Korean characters in the character input apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the Korean consonant is input by selecting the external input key 50, and the direction input unit 10 is subsequently connected to the corresponding direction. Hangul vowels can be input by tilting toward the indication position M (or by selecting a push button provided at the direction indication position M).

As in the above-described first embodiment, when the push button is formed in the direction input unit 10, the push button and the external input key 50 may be provided in various kinds, for example, each touch only one stage Or press 1st stage / touch 1st stage and press 1st stage / press 1st, 2nd stage / touch 1st stage, press 1st and 2nd stage.

In this case, when the direction input unit 10 has eight direction indicating positions M, and each push button is provided to enable a total of three steps of touch, one step of pressing, and two steps of pressing, the direction input unit 10 may be provided. Since only 24 characters can be input with each other, a total of 24 characters are arranged in three at each direction indication position M of the direction input unit 10, and the external input key 50 has other numbers, symbols or enters, spaces, Functions such as cancel or mode change can be assigned.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing the character input device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Character input device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the figure, the lower end is supported by the case 110 and the upper end in a stick shape that can be tilted toward each direction indicating position (M) Prepared.

The direction input unit 10 may be provided, for example, in a rod shape, and may have various cross-sectional areas and heights.

When the direction input unit 10 is provided with a relatively large height, the volume of the character input device 1 itself may be increased, as shown in the drawing, and may be provided to protrude from the case 110. have.

Even when the direction input unit 10 is provided in an inclined manner, a touch input function may be provided at each direction indicating position M. FIG.

Therefore, the touch input function can be applied to one or more of the direction input unit, the external input key or the center input without limitation.

5 is a plan view of the character input apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The character input device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is implemented in the touch panel 69.

An input position corresponding to the direction input unit 10 is assigned to a central side of the touch panel 69, and a plurality of external input keys 50 are radially disposed outside the direction input unit 10.

In the present embodiment, the user may manipulate the direction input unit 10 and the external input key 50 by using two or more fingers.

That is, for example, the direction input may be performed using the middle finger, and the external input key 50 may be selected using the index finger or the ring finger.

Therefore, the character input device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can perform the character input more effectively when the user inputs it on a table or a stand, instead of holding by hand.

6 is a perspective view showing a character input device 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Character input device 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the input radius of the direction input section 10 and the arrangement area of the external input key 50 are provided in close proximity to each other to select with one finger. It is done.

Here, the direction input unit 10 may be provided in a stick shape, as shown in Figure 6a, the external input key 50 may be provided in a push button type or a touch sensing method.

Therefore, the user places the thumb or the middle part of the index finger on the top of the direction input unit 10 and moves in the desired radial direction, while simultaneously tilting or touching the finger toward each of the external input keys 50 to make the direction input and the external input. It can be done.

Referring to the drawings, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the character input device 1 is provided in a compact form, two or more external input keys 50 may be simultaneously selected when the external input key 50 is selected. Can be.

Therefore, in order to prevent this, by providing two or more touch sensing units 67 in each of the external input keys 50, or in the same manner as the touch pad, the external input keys 50 having the largest sensing area or the number of detections. Only characters assigned to) can be entered as valid.

The text input device 1 described above may be used as an auxiliary input device such as a mouse or a joystick as well as text input.

That is, after switching from the character input mode to the mouse mode using the function key 123 or the switch key 121 mounted on the terminal 100, the direction input unit 10 is used as a pointer of a mouse, The input key 50 may be used as left and right selection buttons of the mouse.

Alternatively, in the joystick mode, the direction input unit 10 may be used as a joystick to implement movement of a character during game play, and to input other commands using the external input key 50.

Therefore, according to the character input device according to the present invention, by providing a plurality of external input keys on the outside of the direction input unit capable of direction input, it is possible to accurately input each character according to the user's intention while minimizing the space required for character input. .

In addition, since the input space can be minimized and the product can be miniaturized and slimmed, it can be applied to various portable electronic devices such as PDAs, notebooks, and portable mobile communication terminals.

Claims

A direction input unit configured to perform a direction input for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indicating positions radially spaced from the reference position;

A plurality of external input keys radially spaced apart from the direction input unit;

A first sensing unit sensing the direction input;

A second sensing unit sensing a selection of the external input key; And

And a controller configured to extract and input a character code assigned to each of the direction indication positions and the external input key based on the detection result of the first and second detection units.

The method of claim 1,

And the direction input unit horizontally moves from the reference position toward any one of the plurality of direction indicating positions to perform the direction input.

The method of claim 1,

The direction input unit is a character input device characterized in that the lower end is provided in the shape of a stick supported at the reference position, the upper end is inclined to any one of the plurality of direction indicating positions to perform the direction input.

The method of claim 1,

The direction input unit is provided in the shape of a disc, the character input characterized in that the direction input unit further comprises a support for supporting the direction input unit to be tilted toward each direction indicating position to perform the direction input Input device.

The method of claim 1,

The direction input unit is a character input device characterized in that a plurality of direction pressing keys are provided corresponding to each direction indicating position.

The method of claim 1,

Characterized input device, characterized in that the center input is performed by any one of the method of lifting the whole direction input unit in the vertical direction or selecting the center input key provided in the direction input unit.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

At least one of the direction input unit, the plurality of external input keys or the center input is characterized in that the multi-stage input of two or more stages are provided.

The method of claim 7, wherein

And at least one of the direction input unit, an external input key, or a center input is provided with a touch input function for detecting contact or proximity of a finger.

The method of claim 8,

Characters are assigned to any one of the direction indication position or the external input key, the other is assigned a function such as symbols, numbers or enter, space, cancel, mode switching.

The method of claim 1,

Character input device, characterized in that the plurality of central input keys are connected to each other provided integrally.

The method according to claim 1 or 10,

And the direction input unit and the plurality of central input keys are provided in close proximity to each other so that the direction input and the external input key can be manipulated with one finger.

The method of claim 11,

Character input device characterized in that it is used as a mouse (Mouse) or joystick (JoyStick) by using the direction input and the external input key of the direction input unit.