KR20110135284A - Portable appliance and thereof subminiature pointing key - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A subminiature pointing key of a portable appliance is provided to simply and accurately embody the manipulation of the pointing key. CONSTITUTION: A subminiature pointing key comprises a tactile sensor unit(60) and a capacitance sensor unit(70). The tactile sensor unit transfers the cruising signal which controls the movement of the pointer to a microcomputer. The capacitance sensor unit is placed on the tactile sensor unit. The capacitance sensor unit transfers the selecting signal and the acting signal to the microcomputer which controls both selecting and executing of the pointer.

Description

PORTABLE APPLIANCE AND THEREOF SUBMINIATURE POINTING KEY}

The present invention relates to a portable terminal and an ultra-small pointing key for a portable terminal, and more particularly, a one-key type for controlling the movement of the pointer of the display unit, controlling the selection and execution of the pointer, and the dragging and dropping. A micro pointing key is proposed and a portable terminal using the same.

In general, mobile terminals are used as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs (Portable Media Players), navigation, MP3 players, iPhones, smartphones, or cellular phones. Most of these terminals are connected to a dome switch on a circuit board. It is developed to execute the operating program by various input means such as mechanical touch driven by pressing pressure of the keypad, capacitance, electromagnetic induction, resistance, NFI (Near Field Imaging), screen touch using sound wave or infrared light. have.

A representative example of a portable terminal executing an operating program by a mechanical touch may be illustrated as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a general portable terminal, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a keypad 10 applied to a general portable terminal. The key top 11 is exposed to the outside through the hole F1 of the front housing F and the front. The base member 13 seated into the housing F is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the keypad 10 is protruded to touch the contact 15a of the circuit board 15 while interlocking with the elasticity of the dome switch 14 at the center of the bottom of the key top 11. The boss 12 is provided.

At this time, the base member 13 and the key top 11 is formed integrally by the connecting portion 16, the connecting portion 16 is provided in a thin thickness to ensure the shandong of the key top 11, the key top ( The upper surface of 11) includes a printing surface 17 on which letters or numbers are printed.

When the key top 11 of the key module having such a configuration is pressed, the boss 12 formed on the bottom of the key module overcomes the elastic force of the dome switch 14 and contacts the contact 15a of the circuit board 15 to generate a signal. do.

Then, when the signal is generated and the hand is released from the key top 11, the key top 11 is returned to its original position by the elasticity of the dome switch 14 and the connecting portion 16.

Next, a representative example of a portable terminal executing an operating program by a screen touch may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 3.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a mobile terminal to which a screen touch is applied.

Recently, as the types of mobile terminals have been diversified, a technology for miniaturizing the main body and increasing the size of the display unit has been proposed. As a part of the method, capacitance, electromagnetic induction, resistance, NFI (Near Field Imaging), sound waves, or infrared light are used. Screen touch is booming.

As an example, the portable terminal illustrated in FIG. 3 is designed to have a simple and slim structure, such as a display unit 100 on which a touch screen panel is mounted and a housing 200 forming an appearance.

The display unit 100 is a module for outputting a screen to a user, and may be implemented as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting device (OLED), or the like. A touch screen panel (not shown) is attached to the upper surface of the display unit 100 to generate a key signal as an input means through a user's finger (capacitive) or a stylus pen (electromagnetic induction).

The present applicant intends to develop a one-key type ultra-small pointing key that can more effectively control the screen and the pointer displayed on the display unit in accordance with the development trend of the portable terminal as described above, and propose as the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to arrange the tactile sensor unit in one-key type to control the movement of the pointer of the display unit, and then mount the capacitive sensor unit for controlling the selection and execution of the pointer on the tactile sensor unit. In addition, the present invention provides a portable terminal and a small pointing key for a portable terminal, which can be accurately and simply implemented as a small pointing key.

An object of the present invention is to select a pointer as a selecting signal through the capacitive sensor unit as a small pointing key, and then move or drag the pointer to the cruising signal through the tactile sensor unit and drop the pointer with the dropping signal through the capacitive sensor unit again. It is to provide a portable terminal and a small pointing key for the portable terminal that can send a drag and drop signal accurately and easily to the microcomputer.

An object of the present invention is a one-key type ultra-small pointing key, which enables not only movement, selection, and execution of pointers, but also dragging and dropping to select icons on the screen, freely moving blocks, or freely moving block areas, It is possible to freely implement operations such as copying or deleting, and to provide a portable terminal and an ultra-small pointing key for the portable terminal, which can achieve slimming or productivity of the portable terminal.

The present invention for achieving the above object,

In the portable terminal comprising a microcomputer for controlling to display the screen and the pointer on the display unit while reading and operating the memory storing the operating program and data, and input means for sending a key signal to the micom to drive the screen and the pointer of the display unit ,

A capacitive sensor for sending a cruising signal to the microcomputer to control the movement of the pointer; and a capacitive sensor to the microcomputer to send a selection signal and an acting signal to the microcomputer to control the selection and execution of the pointer, respectively. The inclusion of a microminiature pointing key is a fundamental feature of its technical construction.

Miniature pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

A tactile sensor unit having a strain structure for expressing a piezoresistance, a tactile sensor mounted on the strain structure for sensing a piezoresistance, and a top key mounted on the tactile sensor to transfer external pressing pressure to the strain structure;

And a capacitive sensor unit mounted on the tactile sensor and having a capacitive sensor sensing a capacitance touched by the top key.

The present invention arranges the tactile sensor unit in the one-key type to control the movement of the pointer of the display unit, and then mounts the capacitive sensor unit for controlling the selection and execution of the pointer on the tactile sensor unit. Can be implemented accurately and simply as a small pointing key.

The present invention selects a pointer as a selecting signal through the capacitive sensor unit as an ultra-small pointing key, and then drags and drops the pointer with a cruising signal through the tactile sensor unit and then drops the pointer with a dropping signal through the capacitive sensor unit. It is effective to send a simple and accurate to micom.

The present invention is a one-key type ultra-small pointing key, which enables not only movement, selection and execution of pointers, but also dragging and dropping to select icons on the screen, freely moving, copying, or specifying block areas. Operations such as deletion can be freely implemented, and the portable terminal can be made thinner or more productive.

The present invention is provided with a projection toward the upper side of the cantilever to more accurately express the pressing pressure of the top key as a piezoresistance, and furthermore, the tactile sensor and the capacitive sensor are mounted on the base between the projections to enable safer operation. It can be effective.

According to the present invention, an ultra-small pointing key consisting of a tactile sensor unit and a capacitive sensor unit can be housed in a case, which can be easily assembled in the portable terminal, and the tactile sensor and the capacitive sensor are connected to the microcomputer by the FPCB to make the portable terminal slim. This has the effect of being possible.

1 is a perspective view showing a general portable terminal.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a keypad applied to a general portable terminal.
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a mobile terminal to which a screen touch is applied.
4 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
5 is a block diagram showing a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
6 is a perspective view showing a small pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
7 is a plan view showing a small pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
8 is a sectional view showing the principal parts of a micro-pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
9 is a front sectional view showing the ultra-small pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
10 is an exploded perspective view showing a small pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation [selection and execution] of the ultra-small pointing key for a portable terminal according to the present invention;
12 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a finger and a ground for explaining the operation of a small pointing key for a portable terminal according to the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation (dragging and dropping) of the ultra-small pointing key for a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
14 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation (dragging and dropping) of the ultra-small pointing key for a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a portable terminal and an ultra-small pointing key for a portable terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, and a plurality of such embodiments may exist. You will be able to better understand these advantages.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the portable terminal controls to display the screen 21 and the pointer 22 on the display unit 20 while reading and operating the memory 10 in which the operating program and data are stored. A microcomputer 30 and an input unit 40 which sends a key signal to the microcomputer 30 to drive the screen 21 and the pointer 22 of the display unit 20.

The input means 40 may drive the screen 21 and the pointer 22 of the display unit 20 by sending a key signal to the microcomputer 30 from the mechanical touch to the screen touch as described in the related art. If so, it can be applied in various ways.

More specifically, the present invention provides a pointer 22 of the display unit 20 in addition to an input means 40 such as a mechanical touch or a screen touch to drive the screen 21 and the pointer 22 of the display unit 20. The key component is a one-key type ultra-small pointing key 50 for moving, selecting, or executing), and the micro-pointing key 50 controls a cruising signal for controlling the movement of the pointer 22. A tactile sensor unit 60 which sends a signal to the microcomputer 30, and a selecting signal and an acting signal mounted on the tactile sensor unit 60 to control selection and execution of the pointer 22, respectively. And a capacitive sensor unit 70 for sending an acting signal to the microcomputer 30.

That is, the tactile sensor 60 is disposed in the one-key type to control the movement of the pointer 22, and then the capacitive sensor is configured to control the selection and execution of the pointer 22 on the tactile sensor 60. The unit 70 is mounted so that the movement, selection, and execution of the pointer 22 can be accurately implemented as the small pointing key 50.

On the other hand, it can be considered as a mechanical touch using a dome switch for the selection and execution of the pointer 22, in this case, for pressing the circuit board, the contacts, the dome switch, and the dome switch as shown in FIG. The physical configuration such as a keypad with a boss is required, and its configuration is complicated, and the space occupancy is large, so that it has a disadvantage of reversing the light and small size of the portable terminal. Furthermore, the tactile sensor unit 60 is provided. It can be pointed out that it is not preferable because the dome switch is malfunctioned together by the pressing pressure for activating the operation, which also lowers the accuracy.

On the contrary, the ultra-small pointing key 50 according to the present invention selects the pointer 22 as the selecting signal through the capacitive sensor unit 70 and then moves the pointer 22 to the cruising signal through the tactile sensor unit 60. Drag and drop signal (Drag & Drop Signal) for dragging the pointer 22 with the dragging signal and the dropping signal (Dropping Signal) through the capacitive sensor unit 70 can be sent to the microcomputer 30. You can also do that.

In this way, as the one-key type ultra-small pointing key 50, the pointer 22 can be moved, selected, and executed, as well as dragging and dropping to select, block, or designate an icon on the screen 21. To freely implement operations such as freely moving, copying, or deleting a block area.

The ultra-small pointing key 50 according to the present invention is composed of a tactile sensor 60 and a capacitive sensor 70, and more specifically, the tactile sensor 60 is pressurized as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10. A strain structure 91 expressing a resistance, a tactile sensor 81 mounted on the strain structure 91, and a tactile sensor 81 sensing a piezoresistive force, and a strain structure mounted on the tactile sensor 81 to exert an external pressing pressure. A top key 95 to be transmitted to the 91, the capacitive sensor unit 70 is mounted on the tactile sensor 81 includes a capacitive sensor 82 for sensing the capacitance touched by the top key 95. do.

The strain structure 91 is provided with a flat base 92 and cantilevers provided on four sides of the base 92 (which may be provided in other portions) to express the piezoresistive resistance according to the pressing pressure applied to the top key 95. Cantilever 93, the microcomputer 30 calculates the piezoresistive resistance of the cantilever 93 sensed by the tactile sensor 81 as a coordinate value and recognizes it as a cruising signal to determine the position of the pointer 22. Done.

As shown in FIG. 11, the tactile sensor unit 60 maintains a non-operation state when there is no pressing pressure of the top key 95, but when the pressing pressure is applied to the top key 95, the tactile sensor 81 reacts to the strain structure. The piezoelectric resistance is sensed from the cantilever 93 of 91, that is, the piezoelectric resistance is sensed from the strain structure 91 which is linked to the pressing pressure applied to the top key 95, and this piezoresistive is coordinate value in the microcomputer 30. The position of the pointer 22 is determined on the screen 21 of the display unit 20 by recognizing it as a cruising signal, that is, the position of the pointer 22 can be moved up, down, left, and right, and the top key again. When the pressing pressure of (95) disappears, it switches to the inoperative state.

On the other hand, the capacitive sensor 82 generates a selecting signal when detecting the one-touch capacitance within the reference touch time (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 seconds), and detects the capacitance of the two-touch within the reference touch time. Generates an acting signal and sets standby when it detects capacitance over the reference touch time.

As shown in FIG. 12, the finger has a capacitance of about several pF, and when the top key 95 is touched with the finger, the capacitance sensor 82 responds to the capacitance of the finger (voltage drop ) To generate a selection signal or an acting signal.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the finger does not touch the top key 95, the capacitive sensor 82 remains in an inoperative state, so that the user moves the pointer 22 of the screen 21. When the top key 95 is pressed in the up, down, left, and right directions (when sensing a capacitance of a reference touch time (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 seconds) or more; When operating the tactile sensor 81] When the standby state is maintained, and when the capacitance of the one-touch is sensed again within the reference touch time (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 seconds), the user may touch the top key 95 with his / her finger. Case] Selecting the pointer 22 by generating a selection signal, and further detecting an capacitance of the two-touch within the reference touch time [when the user two-touchs the top key 95 with a finger] The pointer 22 is executed.

The ultra-small pointing key 50 for the portable terminal according to the present invention generates a selecting signal as one-touch within the reference touch time by the capacitive sensor 82 as shown in FIG. 13 and simultaneously selects the pointer 22. In the state of maintaining the touch state again by dragging the pointer 22 with the cruising signal by the tactile sensor 81, the touch state is released again to cause the capacitive sensor 82 to generate a dropping signal. It is also possible to drop the pointer 22.

By dragging and dropping the pointer 22 as described above, one-key selection of icon selection, block designation, moving, deleting, copying, and execution of the icon on the screen 21 implemented in the display unit 20 is performed. ) Can be implemented as a more convenient and simple to use.

Preferably, the cantilever 93 has a protrusion 94 protruding upward, the tactile sensor 81 and the capacitive sensor 82 are mounted on the base 92 except for the protrusion 94, and the top key ( The 95 is mounted on the protrusion 94, and further, the adhesive sheet 96 may be bonded between the capacitive sensor 82 and the top key 95.

By providing the projection 94 in the upper direction of the cantilever 93, the pressing pressure of the top key 95 can be more precisely expressed by the pressure resistance, and the tactile sensor 81 and the capacitive sensor 82 are projected. It is mounted on the base 92 between the 94 to ensure a safer operation.

At this time, the ultra-small pointing key 50 consisting of the tactile sensor unit 60 and the capacitive sensor unit 70 may be accommodated in a case so as to be easily assembled in the portable terminal, and the tactile sensor 81 and the capacitance The sensor 82 is connected to the microcomputer 30 by the FPCB to enable the slimming of the mobile terminal.

On the other hand, the ultra-small pointing key 50 for a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention generates a selection signal as one-touch of 1 to 2 seconds or more by the capacitive sensor 82 as shown in FIG. While selecting the pointer 22 and dragging the pointer 22 with a cruising signal by the tactile sensor 81 while maintaining the touch state, the touch state is released again to cause the capacitive sensor 82 to draw. It is also possible to drop the pointer 22 to generate a ping signal.

The operation of the portable terminal and the ultra-small pointing key 50 according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described below.

Usually, the user operates the input means 40 such as a touch screen or a separate key module to drive the operating program and data of the memory 10 through the microcomputer 30 as a key signal, and then displays the screen ( 21) or the pointer 22 is displayed.

On the other hand, it is also possible to simply operate the ultra-small pointing key 50 of the present invention in the one-key type in addition to the input means 40 to select, execute or drag and drop the pointer 22.

First, referring to the operation of the tactile sensor unit 60, as shown in FIG. 11, when there is no pressing pressure of the top key 95, the tactile sensor 81 is maintained when the pressing pressure is applied to the top key 95. Reacts to sense the piezoresistor from the cantilever 93 of the strain structure 91, and the piezoresistor is calculated as a coordinate value in the microcomputer 30 and is recognized as a cruising signal to display the screen 21 of the display unit 20. The pointer 22 can be moved up, down, left, and right, and if the top key 95 is not pressed again, the pointer 22 is switched to an inoperative state.

Next, referring to the operation of the capacitive sensor unit 70, as shown in FIG. 11, when the finger does not touch the top key 95, the capacitive sensor 82 maintains a non-operation state. When the capacitance of the reference touch time (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 seconds) or more is given to move the pointer 22 of the sensor, that is, when the tactile sensor 81 is operated, the standby state is maintained, and the reference touch time ( For example, when the capacitance is given as a one-touch within 0.1 to 0.5 seconds (when the user one-touchs the top key 95 with a finger), a pointer 22 is selected by generating a selecting signal through the microcomputer 30. Further, when sensing the capacitance twice as a two-touch within the reference touch time (for example, 0.1 to 0.5 seconds) [when the user two-touchs the top key 95 with a finger] through the microcomputer 30 Generated an acting signal to execute the pointer 22 .

In order to drag and drop the pointer 22, the capacitive sensor unit 70 and the tactile sensor unit 60 are driven together. As shown in FIG. 13, the reference touch time is performed by the capacitive sensor 82. As a one-touch inside, the microcomputer 30 generates a selection signal, selects the pointer 22, and simultaneously touches again to maintain a cruising signal of the microcomputer 30 by the tactile sensor 81 while maintaining the touch state. After dragging the pointer 22, the touch state may be released again to allow the capacitive sensor 82 to drop the pointer 22 by generating a dropping signal through the microcomputer 30.

In this way, the pointer 22 is dragged and dropped to select an icon on the screen 21 implemented in the display unit 20, to designate a block, to move or delete a file, to copy, and to execute the one-key. ) Can be implemented as a more convenient and simple to use.

The present invention can be utilized in the industrial field in which the ultra-small pointing key 50 of one-key type is applied to PDA, PMP, navigation, MP3 player, iPhone, smart phone or cellular phone.

10: memory 20: display unit
21: Screen 22: pointer
30: micom 40: input means
50: ultra-small pointing key 60: tactile sensor
70: capacitive sensor 81: tactile sensor
82 capacitive sensor 91 strain structure
92: base 93: cantilever
94: protrusion 95: top key
96: adhesive sheet 97: case
98: FPCB

Claims (15)

The microcomputer 30 controls to display the screen 21 and the pointer 22 on the display unit 20 while reading and operating the memory 10 storing the operating program and data, and sends a key signal to the microcomputer 30. In the portable terminal comprising an input means 40 for driving the screen 21 and the pointer 22 of the display unit 20,
It is mounted on the tactile sensor unit 60 and the tactile sensor unit 60 which sends a cruising signal for controlling the movement of the pointer 22 to the microcomputer 30, and controls the selection and execution of the pointer 22, respectively. And a micro pointing key (50) comprising a capacitive sensor unit (70) for transmitting a selecting signal and an acting signal to the microcomputer (30). The method of claim 1,
The micro pointing key 50 selects the pointer 22 as a selecting signal through the capacitive sensor unit 70, and then drags the pointer 22 with a cruising signal through the tactile sensor unit 60. And a drag and drop signal for dropping the pointer (22) as a dropping signal through the capacitive sensor unit (70) to the microcomputer (30). The method of claim 2,
The tactile sensor unit 60 is mounted on a strain structure 91 for expressing a piezoresistance, a tactile sensor 81 mounted on the strain structure 91 to sense piezoelectric resistance, and on the tactile sensor 81. A top key 95 for transmitting an external pressing pressure to the strain structure 91,
The capacitive sensor unit (70) is mounted on the tactile sensor (81), characterized in that it comprises a capacitive sensor (82) for sensing the capacitance touched by the top key (95). The method of claim 3, wherein
The capacitive sensor 82 generates a selecting signal when detecting the capacitance of the one touch within the reference touch time, and generates an acting signal when detecting the capacitance of the two touch within the reference touch time. The portable terminal, characterized in that the standby state when detecting the capacitance. The method of claim 4, wherein
The reference touch time is a mobile terminal, characterized in that 0.1 to 0.5 seconds. The method of claim 4, wherein
The strain structure 91 includes a flat base 92 and cantilevers 93 provided on four sides of the base 92 to express a piezoresistive resistance according to the pressing pressure applied to the top key 95.
The microcomputer 30 determines the position of the pointer 22 by calculating the piezoresistive resistance of the cantilever 93 sensed by the tactile sensor 81 as a coordinate value and simultaneously recognizing it as a cruising signal. Mobile terminal. The method according to claim 6,
The capacitive sensor 82 generates a selecting signal as a one-touch within a reference touch time, selects the pointer 22 and touches it again to maintain the touch state by the tactile sensor 81. And dragging the pointer (22) with a cruising signal and releasing the touch again to drop the pointer (22) by causing the capacitive sensor (82) to generate a dropping signal. The method according to claim 6,
The capacitive sensor 82 generates a selecting signal as a one-touch of 1 to 2 seconds or more, selects the pointer 22 and at the same time maintains the touch state, the pointer is a cruising signal by the tactile sensor 81. And dragging (22) and then releasing the touch again to drop the pointer (22) by causing the capacitive sensor (82) to generate a dropping signal. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 8,
The cantilever 93 has a protrusion 94 protruding upward,
The tactile sensor 81 and the capacitive sensor 82 are mounted on the base 92 except for the protrusion 94.
The top key 95 is mounted on the protrusion 94,
The mobile terminal, characterized in that the adhesive sheet 96 is bonded between the capacitive sensor 82 and the top key (95). The method of claim 9,
The ultra-small pointing key (50) consisting of the tactile sensor (60) and the capacitive sensor (70) is housed in a case (97) and protected. The method of claim 9,
The haptic sensor (81) and the capacitive sensor (82) is characterized in that the mobile terminal is connected to the microcomputer (30) by the FPCB (98). A strain structure 91 expressing a piezoresistance, a tactile sensor 81 mounted on the strain structure 91, and mounted on the tactile sensor 81 to sense a piezoelectric resistance, and pressurize an external pressing pressure to the strain structure 91. Tactile sensor unit 60 having a top key 95 to transmit to),
And a capacitive sensor unit 70 mounted on the tactile sensor 81 and having a capacitive sensor 82 for sensing a capacitance touched by the top key 95. Key 50. The method of claim 12,
The strain structure 91 includes a flat base 92 and a cantilever 93 provided on four sides of the base 92 to express a piezoresistive resistance according to the pressing pressure applied to the top key 95. Ultra-small pointing key 50 for portable terminals. The method of claim 13,
The cantilever 93 has a protrusion 94 protruding upward,
The tactile sensor 81 and the capacitive sensor 82 are mounted on the base 92 except for the protrusion 94.
The top key 95 is mounted on the protrusion 94,
Miniature pointing key 50 for a mobile terminal, characterized in that the adhesive sheet 96 is bonded between the capacitive sensor 82 and the top key (95). The method of claim 14,
The tactile sensor unit 60 and the capacitive sensor unit 70 are housed in a case 97 and are protected by a small pointing key 50 for a portable terminal.

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