KR20090060853A - Mobile terminal and method for character input - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile terminal and a method for inputting a character are provided to input a character by one key, thereby inducing interest of a user. A memory(160) stores a character pattern table. A user input unit(130) comprises a scroll key for selecting a character to be inputted. A controller(180) maps the character pattern table according to a manipulation direction of the scroll key to display a character when entering a character input mode. If one among the display characters is selected, the controller displays a corresponding character on a display device.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CHARACTER INPUT}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of inputting a character using only one key and a method of inputting the character.

The mobile terminal may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such various functions include data and voice communication functions, taking pictures or videos through a camera, storing voices, playing music files through a speaker system, and displaying images or videos. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality to play games, while others are implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent mobile terminals can receive broadcast or multicast signals to watch video or television programs.

In addition, efforts to support and increase the function of the mobile terminal continue. The above efforts include not only changes and improvements in structural components forming the mobile terminal, but also improvements in software and hardware.

In general, mobile terminals have become a trend toward miniaturization, slimness, and light weight in consideration of portability, and at the same time, various designs have been applied to mobile terminals. For example, a folder type, a slide type, a bar type, a rotation type, or a wristwatch type are applied to the design.

Miniaturized mobile terminals, such as watch phones worn on the wrist, are limited in size, and thus, use input devices such as touch screens and key pads, which are used as input devices of conventional mobile terminals. Inappropriate. In addition, even if the mobile terminal is provided with the above input device, the inconvenience of input is accompanied, and when using a wireless key pad (remote key pad), the wireless keypad must be carried separately at all times.

The present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of inputting a character using only one key and a method of inputting the character.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object has a memory for storing a character pattern table, a user input unit having a scroll key for selecting a character to be input, and the scroll when entering a character input mode. The controller is configured to display the characters by mapping the character pattern table according to the manipulation direction of the key, and when one of the displayed characters is selected, the controller displays the corresponding characters on the display device.

Preferably, the controller displays the list of characters in a specific key block when the scroll key is operated in one direction and when the scroll key is operated in the other direction.

Preferably, the controller displays an odd number when the scroll key is operated in one direction and an even number when the scroll key is operated in the other direction.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention configured as described above may input characters using one key.

In addition, the present invention provides a new character input method that can input a character with only one key can cause interest to the user.

In addition, the present invention is capable of inputting a character with only one finger and can be applied to a micro device without being limited to the size of the mobile terminal.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal can be implemented in various forms. For example, the mobile terminal described herein includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. have.

The illustrated 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, The interface unit 170 may include a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. 1 shows a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are essential components. The mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, and the mobile terminal may be implemented by fewer components.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in turn.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more components for wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or wireless communication 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 related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. 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.

Meanwhile, the broadcast related information may be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, 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 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems, and in particular, digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), and media forward (MediaFLO). Digital broadcast signals may be received using digital broadcast systems such as Link Only, Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured to be suitable for all broadcast systems providing broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcast system described above.

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

In addition, 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 the wireless internet module 113 may be internal or external.

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.

In addition, the location information module 115 is a module for checking or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. One example is the Global Position System (GPS) module. The GPS module receives location information from a plurality of satellites. Here, the location information may include coordinate information represented by latitude and longitude. For example, the GPS module can measure the exact time and distance from three or more satellites and accurately calculate the current position by triangulating three different distances. A method of obtaining distance and time information from three satellites and correcting the error with one satellite may be used. In particular, the GPS module can obtain not only the location of latitude, longitude, and altitude but also accurate time together with three-dimensional speed information from the location information received from the satellite.

Meanwhile, 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 configuration aspect of the terminal.

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. In particular, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151 described later, this may be referred to as a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 detects the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, the acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power or whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. 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, Video I / O (Input / Output) port, earphone port, etc. may be included.

Here, the identification module is a chip that stores various information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM) and a subscriber identify module (SIM). , Universal Subscriber Identity Module (“USIM”), and the like. In addition, the device equipped with the identification module (hereinafter, '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 receives data or power from an external device and transmits the data to each component inside the mobile terminal 100 or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, a sound output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and the like.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal 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, a UI, or a GUI.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display unit 13 and the touch pad form a mutual layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 151 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display unit 151 may include a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, and a three-dimensional display. 3D display) may include at least one. In addition, two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, an external display unit (not shown) and an internal display unit (not shown) may be simultaneously provided in the mobile terminal 100.

The sound output module 152 outputs 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. In addition, the sound output module 152 outputs a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include 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 occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, and key signal input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, the signal may be output in the form of vibration. When a call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm unit 153 may output a vibration to inform this. Alternatively, when a key signal is input, the alarm unit 153 may output a vibration in response to the key signal input. Through the vibration output as described above, the user can recognize the occurrence of the event. Of course, the signal for notification of event occurrence may be output through the display unit 151 or the voice output module 152.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 and may provide a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done.

The memory 160 may be 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, It may include at least one type of storage medium of the optical disk. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 150 on the Internet.

And the controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, 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 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.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable recording medium using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the 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 processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing the functions. It may be implemented by the controller 180.

In a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that allow at least one function or operation to be performed. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. In addition, the software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

 In the above, the mobile terminal related to the present invention has been described in terms of components according to functions. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described in terms of components according to appearance. In the following description, a slider type mobile terminal is described as an example among various types of mobile terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, and the like for clarity. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the slider type mobile terminal, but can be applied to all types of mobile terminals including the above-described type.

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

The mobile terminal of the present invention includes a first body 200 and a second body 205 configured to be slidable in at least one direction on the first body 200.

A state in which the first body 200 is disposed to overlap with the second body 205 may be referred to as a closed configuration, and as shown in the drawing, the first body 200 may be referred to as the second body 205. The exposed state of at least a portion of the N may be referred to as an open configuration.

The mobile terminal operates mainly in the standby mode in a closed state, but the standby mode may be released by a user's operation. In addition, the mobile terminal operates mainly in a call mode or the like in an open state, but may be switched to a standby mode by a user's manipulation or a lapse of a predetermined time.

The case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming the exterior of the first body 200 is formed by the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225.

The cases may be formed by injecting a synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output module 152, the camera 121, or the first user input unit 210 may be disposed on the first body 200, specifically, the first front case 220.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and the like, which visually express information.

In addition, since the touch pad is superimposed on the display unit 151 in a layer structure, the display unit 151 may operate as a touch screen to enable input of information by a user's touch.

The sound output module 152 may be implemented in the form of a speaker.

The camera 121 may be implemented to be suitable for capturing an image or a video of a user or the like.

Like the first body 200, the case forming the exterior of the second body 205 is formed by the second front case 230 and the second rear case 235.

The second user input unit 215 may be disposed on the second body 205, specifically, on the front face of the second front case 230.

The third user input unit 245, the microphone 122, and the interface unit 170 may be disposed in at least one of the second front case 230 or the second rear case 235.

The first to third user inputs 210, 215, and 245 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion 130, and may be any type of tactile manner in which the user operates while giving a tactile feeling. Either may be employed.

For example, the user input unit may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch pad that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a manipulation method such as a joystick. It can also be implemented as.

In the functional aspect, the first user input unit 210 is for inputting a command such as start, end, scroll, etc., and the second user input unit 215 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like.

In addition, the third user input unit 245 may operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the mobile terminal.

The microphone 122 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface unit 170 serves as a passage for allowing the mobile terminal according to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 is wired or wirelessly, a connection terminal for connecting with an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA port), a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port) (wireless Lan port) etc.}, or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal.

The interface unit 170 may be a card socket that accommodates an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) and a memory card for storing information.

The power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal is mounted on the second rear case 235 side.

The power supply unit 190 may be detachably coupled for charging, for example, as a rechargeable battery.

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

Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 121 may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the second rear case 235 of the second body 205. The camera 121 of the second body 205 has a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 of the first body 200, and the camera 121 and the camera 121 of the first body 200. And may have different pixels.

For example, the camera 121 of the first body 200 has a low pixel so that it is easy to take a picture of the user's face and transmit it to the counterpart in the case of a video call, and the camera 121 of the second body has a general structure. It is preferable to have a high pixel because the subject is often photographed and not immediately transmitted.

The flash 250 and the mirror 255 may be additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 of the second body 205. The flash 250 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 of the second body 205. The mirror 255 allows the user to see the user's face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user by using the camera 121 of the second body 205.

The sound output module 152 may be further disposed on the second rear case 235.

The sound output module 152 of the second body 205 may implement a stereo function together with the sound output module 152 of the first body 200, and may be used for a call in a speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna 260 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the second rear case 235. The antenna 260 may be installed to be pulled out of the second body 205 and 2.

A portion of the slide module 265 that slidably couples the first body 200 and the second body 205 is disposed on the first rear case 225 side of the first body 200.

The other part of the slide module 265 may be disposed on the second front case 230 side of the second body 205 and may not be exposed to the outside as shown in the drawing.

In the above description, the second camera 121 is disposed on the second body 205, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

For example, at least one or more of the components 260, 121 to 250, and 152 described as disposed in the second rear case 235, such as the camera 121 of the second body, may be the first body 200. May be mounted on the first rear case 225. If so, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) disposed in the first rear case 225 in the closed state are protected by the second body 205. Furthermore, even if the camera 121 of the second body is not provided separately, the camera 121 of the first body may be rotatably formed so that the camera 121 of the second body may be photographed up to the photographing direction of the camera 121 of the second body. .

The terminal 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be operated in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system. It can be configured to.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, a communication system capable of operating a terminal according to the present invention will be described.

The communication system may use different air interfaces and / or physical layers. For example, a radio interface usable by a communication system may include frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and code division multiple access (Code Division). Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (especially Long Term Evolution (LTE)), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. May be included. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the description will be limited to CDMA. However, it is a matter of course that the present invention is applicable to all communication systems including the CDMA wireless communication system.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CDMA wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminals 100, a plurality of base stations (BS) 270, and base station controllers (BSCs) 275. ), And a mobile switching center (MSC) 280. The MSC 280 is configured to be connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 290 and is also configured to be connected to BSCs 275. The BSCs 275 may be coupled to the BS 270 through a backhaul line. The backhaul line may be provided according to at least one of E1 / T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, or xDSL. Thus, a plurality of BSCs 275 may be included in the system shown in FIG.

Each BS 270 may include at least one sector, and each sector may include an omnidirectional antenna or an antenna pointing radially out of BS 270. In addition, each sector may include two or more antennas of various types. Each BS 270 may be configured to support a plurality of frequency assignments, each of which has a specific spectrum (eg, 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sectors and frequency assignments may be called a CDMA channel. BS 270 may be referred to as a base station transceiver subsystem ('BTSs'). In this case, the word "base station" may be called the sum of one BSC 275 and at least one BS 270. The base station may also indicate “cell site”. Alternatively, each of the plurality of sectors for a particular BS 270 may be called a plurality of cell sites.

As shown in FIG. 4, a broadcasting transmitter (BT) 295 transmits a broadcast signal to terminals 100 operating in the system. The broadcast module 111 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the terminal 100 to receive a broadcast signal transmitted by the BT 295.

In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates multiple satellite positioning systems (GPS) satellites 300. The satellites 300 help to locate the at least one terminal of the plurality of terminals 100. Although two satellites are shown in FIG. 4, useful location information may be obtained by two or less or more satellites. The GPS module 115 shown in FIG. 1 cooperates with the satellites 300 to obtain desired location information. Here, the location can be tracked using not only the GPS tracking technology but also all the technologies capable of tracking the location. In addition, at least one of the GPS satellites 300 may optionally or additionally be responsible for satellite DMB transmission.

During typical operation of a wireless communication system, BS 270 receives a reverse link signal from various terminals 100. At this time, the terminals 100 are connecting a call, transmitting or receiving a message, or performing another communication operation. Each of the reverse link signals received by a particular base station 270 is processed within by the particular base station 270. The data generated as a result of the processing is transmitted to the connected BSC 275. BSC 275 provides call resource allocation and mobility management functionality, including the organization of soft handoffs between base stations 270. In addition, the BSC 275 transmits the received data to the MSC 280, and the MSC 280 provides an additional transmission service for connection with the PSTN 290. Similarly, PSTN 290 connects with MSC 280, MSC 280 connects with BSCs 275, and BSCs 275 send BSs 270 to transmit a forward link signal to terminals 100. ).

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating a general 3 × 4 keypad, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of the mobile terminal according to FIG. 5.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention is a wireless communication unit 110 that performs wireless communication. As described above, the wireless communication unit 110 includes a mobile communication module 112 for transmitting and receiving a wireless 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 call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to a user operation. The user input unit 130 may include a scroll key 212 for selecting a character pattern and a character and a function key for executing a character input function using the scroll key 212. Here, the characters include Hangul, alphabets, numbers, Chinese characters, katakana, hiragana, punctuation, and the like.

In addition, the scroll key 212 is disposed at any one of the front, rear, and side surfaces of the mobile terminal 100. In the present invention, the use of the scroll key 212 as a key for inputting a character has been described, but it is also possible to transform it into other types of keys such as a jog and a wheel.

In addition, the user input unit 130 includes a keypad including a plurality of keys including alphabets and numbers as shown in FIG. 6.

The display unit 151 displays a state and a result according to the operation of the mobile terminal 100 under the control of the controller 180 to be described later. In addition, the display unit 151 displays characters inputted by the scroll key 212 operation.

In addition, the display unit 151 may include at least one display area. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the display unit 151 may display the state information display area 151A indicating the state information of the mobile terminal, such as reception strength, alarm setting, message reception, and the like, according to operations of the mobile terminal 100. It is divided into an information display area 151B for displaying results and input information.

The information display area is divided into a first display area A for displaying information and a second display area B for displaying a menu corresponding to a specific key according to an operation mode. In the present invention, the first display area A displays the input character, and the second display area B displays the character to be input.

The memory 160 stores various programs and various data for controlling the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the memory 180 stores a character pattern table according to the manipulation direction of the scroll key 212. Here, the character pattern table includes character pattern information according to an operation direction of a scroll key and an input character type. Here, the character type includes numbers, Korean, lowercase letters, uppercase letters, symbols, katakana, hiragana, and the like. In addition, the character pattern information is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) and even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) information in the case of numbers, key block of the general keypad shown in FIG. And character list information in a specific key block.

The controller 180 controls each of the above components to operate the mobile terminal 100. The controller 180 maps a character pattern according to an operation direction of the scroll key 212 based on the character pattern table stored in the memory 160. In addition, the controller 180 displays the mapped letter and the key block in the second display area B of the display unit 151. Thereafter, when the user selects a character displayed in the second display area B, the controller 180 displays the selected character in the first display area A. FIG.

Hereinafter, a method of inputting a character using a scroll key will be described.

If you look at the functions that require a character input can be divided into the case of inputting only numbers and the combination of Korean, English, symbols, etc. as well as numbers.

Here, the case where only numbers are input will be described as an example of making a phone call, and the case where numbers, Korean, English, symbols, etc. are combined will be described as an example of writing a text message.

First, when a text message is written, a text input method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a text input method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user wants to send a text message, the user manipulates the user input unit 130 to select a 'send message' menu, and the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 executes the menu according to the user's input.

In addition, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display a message creation screen on the first display area A, and moves the cursor to a text input window in the first display area (S101). That is, the controller 180 converts the operation mode of the mobile terminal 100 to the character input mode.

Subsequently, when an operation of the scroll key 212 is detected, the controller 180 checks an operation direction of the scroll key 212 and displays a character pattern corresponding to the operation direction on the second display area B. FIG. .

In other words, when the scroll key 212 rotates in the upward direction, the controller 180 displays a key block in which the lowercase letters and numbers are written together in the second display area B as shown in FIG. 9 (S103). , S105). In this case, at least one key block is displayed in the second display area B. FIG.

In addition, when entering the character input mode, the controller 180 displays a key block in which the corresponding language is written according to the language set as a default in the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the language used in the mobile terminal 100 is English, a key block in which the alphabet is written is displayed. When the language is set in Korean, a key block in which vowels and consonants are written in a language is displayed.

Thereafter, the user operates the scroll key 212 in the same direction, that is, the upward direction, and moves to the desired key block (S107). At this time, the controller 180 moves the selection indicator for displaying the selected key block in units of key blocks whenever the scroll key 212 is rotated at a predetermined angle. For example, each time the scroll key 212 rotates 30 ° in the upward direction, the selection indicator is moved by one block.

After the selection indicator is moved to a desired key block through manipulation of the scroll key 212, when the user manipulates the scroll key 212 downward, the controller 180 determines that the selection indicator has stopped at the last key block. It moves to the character list inside (S109, S111). For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the scroll key 212 is operated in a downward direction while the selection indicator selects the '3' key block, the controller 180 controls the list of characters 3, d, e, f are displayed in the second display area B. FIG. In this case, the controller 180 displays at least one or more characters in the character list in the second display area B. FIG.

In the present embodiment, a case in which three characters or key blocks are displayed in the second display area B is described as an example. However, the number of characters and key blocks displayed by a menu operation may be adjusted.

In a state where a character list is displayed in the second display area B, when the user operates the scroll key 212, the controller 180 selects a selection indicator in units of characters according to the operation of the scroll key 212. Move it. When the selection indicator has moved to a desired character, the user selects a character to be input by pressing the scroll key 212 (S113). In response to the input of the scroll key 212, the controller 180 displays the corresponding character in the character input window of the first display area A (S115). Here, the selection indicator is to visually display so that the user can recognize that the selection has been made. For example, the selection indicator may be displayed in a form of enlarging the selected text or displaying a border.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the input character is selected by pressing the scroll key. However, the input character may be selected by pressing the 'OK' key instead of the scroll key, or automatically selected after a predetermined time elapses. To be displayed on the first display area A. FIG.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, when the key block is displayed by rotating the scroll key 212 upward, the desired key block is selected among the key blocks, and if the scroll key 212 is rotated downward again, the corresponding key block is displayed. Display the list of characters contained in the key block. If a desired character is selected from the displayed character list, the corresponding character is displayed as an input character. Since the above operation is repeatedly performed, a text message is written.

Thereafter, when the text message is created, the text message is transmitted to the designated receiver through the wireless communication unit 110.

Next, when making a call, a method of inputting a text of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a text input method of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the user wants to make a call, when the user operates a function key for executing the text input mode to input the phone number of the other party, the controller 180 enters the text input mode according to the user input (S201). In this case, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display a text input screen on the first display area A. FIG.

In the text input screen, the controller 180 detects manipulation of the scroll key 212 (S203). In addition, the controller 180 displays one of an odd number and an even number in the second display area B according to the manipulation direction of the scroll key 212 (S205).

For example, when the scroll key 212 is operated in the upward direction, odd numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 are displayed in the second display area B, and when the scroll key 212 is operated in the downward direction. Even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are displayed in the second display area (B).

On the contrary, when the scroll key 212 is operated in the upward direction, an even number is displayed in the second display area B. When the scroll key 212 is operated in the downward direction, an odd number is displayed in the second display area B. I can display it.

If the user continues to operate the scroll key 212 in the same direction, the controller 180 selects a desired character by moving a selection indicator in a direction in which a desired character is located according to the manipulation (S207).

Subsequently, the controller 180 displays the selected character as an input character in the first display area A. FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user operates the scroll key 121 in the same direction while the selection indicator is at '2', the controller 180 moves the selection indicator to '6'. . If the user selects the 'OK' key while the selection indicator is moved to the desired character, the controller 180 displays '6' in the first display area A. FIG.

When the user manipulates the scroll key 212 in the opposite direction to input the next character, the controller 180 displays odd numbers in the second display area B. FIG. In addition, the user continuously operates the scroll key 212 in the same direction to sequentially move the selection indicator while pointing to the characters displayed on the second display area B. FIG. When the selection indicator is sequentially moved to the place where the desired character is located and the corresponding character is selected, the selected character is displayed in the first display area A. FIG.

When the other party's input of the phone number is completed as described above, the call key is operated to perform the call operation.

In the above-described embodiment, a case in which at least one character list and at least one key block is displayed in the second display area B is described as an example. However, as shown in FIG. 13A, characters are sequentially displayed each time the scroll key is rotated. It is displayed in a popup window. For example, referring to FIG. 13A, when an even number is displayed when the scroll key 212 is operated in an upward direction, a character displayed in a popup window when the scroll key is operated upward again while displaying '2' is displayed. Is changed to '4'.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13B, a character to be input may also be displayed in a display area in which an input character is displayed. For example, if the scroll key is operated to enter the next character while '01' is entered, the character '2' is displayed according to the operation direction, and if the scroll key is operated in the same direction again, the next character '4' is displayed. Display. When the user inputs the 'OK' key or a predetermined time elapses, the last displayed character is automatically input and the cursor moves to a position for inputting the next character.

In addition, the above embodiment has been described as an example applied to the slide phone, as shown in FIG. 14 can be applied to a micro device such as a watch phone that can not be provided with a keypad under the constraint of the size.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method may be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium in which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, which are also implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet). It also includes. In addition, the computer may include the controller 180 of the terminal.

The above-described mobile terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment so that various modifications can be made. It may be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system that can operate a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exemplary view showing a typical 3x4 keypad.

7 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen configuration of a mobile terminal according to FIG. 5.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen of a mobile terminal according to the embodiment of FIG. 8.

10 is an exemplary view showing a screen of a mobile terminal step by step according to the embodiment of FIG.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a text input method of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

 12 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen of a mobile terminal according to the embodiment of FIG. 11.

13A and 13B illustrate screen configurations of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

               [Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings]

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit

120: A / V input unit 130: user input unit

140: sensing unit 150: output unit

160: memory 170: interface unit

180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (10)

A memory for storing a character pattern table; A user input unit having a scroll key for selecting a character to be input; And a controller which displays a character by mapping the character pattern table according to an operation direction of the scroll key when the character input mode is entered, and displays a corresponding character on a display device when one of the displayed characters is selected. terminal. The method of claim 1, The control unit displays the scroll key in a unit of key block when operated in one direction, and displays a list of characters in a specific key block when operated in the other direction. The method of claim 1, The control unit displays an odd number when the scroll key is operated in one direction and an even number when the scroll key is operated in the other direction. The method of claim 1, And the display device comprises a first display area for displaying the selected character and a second display area for displaying the mapped character according to the scroll key manipulation. The method of claim 4, wherein the second display area, Mobile terminal, characterized in that implemented in the pop-up form. Entering a character input mode; Displaying a character by mapping a character pattern table according to a scroll key input when entering the character input mode; Character input method of a mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises the step of selecting any one of the displayed character. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying the text comprises: Displaying a key block when the scroll key is rotated in one direction; Selecting a desired key block among the displayed key blocks; After the key block is selected, if a rotation is detected in another direction of the scroll key, displaying a list of characters included in the selected key block. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying the text comprises: When the rotation of the scroll key is detected in one direction, an odd number is displayed, and when the rotation is detected in the other direction of the scroll key, an even number is input. The method of claim 6, wherein the character selection step, Moving a selection indicator in a direction in which a desired character is located by operating the scroll key; And selecting a character selected by the selection indicator as an input character. The method of claim 9, And the selection indicator is a symbol used to select and designate any one of the displayed characters.

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