WO2007145424A1

WO2007145424A1 - One body type keypad comprising window and wireless telephone having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007145424A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Wan Kim; Ki-Bae Song; Hyo-Moon Oh; Cheol-Ho Jo; Hwan-Cheol Choi
Original assignee: Mogem Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2007-12-21

Abstract

A window-integrated keypad of a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that a keypad unit is disposed, and a window unit is integrally formed with the keypad unit and disposed with a window between window frames, whereby a conventional process of coupling a window and a keypad is dispensed with to increase the manufacturing/assembly processes, and increase yield of the product so as to secure mass- production, and a light emitting device is installed not only on the keypad but also on the window frame to increase an external beauty of the product, and a reinforced glass is adhered to the window to improve the strength.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

ONE BODY TYPE KEYPAD COMPRISING WINDOW AND WIRELESS

TELEPHONE HAVINGTHE SAME

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to one body type keypad comprising window and wireless telephone having the same.

[Background Art]

Conventional portable terminals or mobile phones may be classified into various types according to their appearance, such as bar-type portable terminals, flip-type portable terminals, and folder-type portable terminals.

The bar-type portable terminals have a keypad which is data input/output means, a display screen and transmitter/receiver units mounted on a single housing.

The flip-type terminals have a body, a flip and a hinge module for connecting the body and the flip to each other. The body is provided with data input/output means and transmitter/receiver units as that of the bar-type portable terminals. The flip covers the data input means, particularly a keypad, and prevents erroneous operation during communication waiting mode.

The folder-type terminals have a body, a folder, and a hinge module for rotatably connecting the body and the folder to each other so that the folder is rotated so as to open/close the terminals. In a standby mode, the folder is folded on the body and prevents erroneous operation of the keypad. In a speech mode, the folder is unfolded from the body so as to secure a sufficient distance between the transmitter and receiver units. As such, the folder-type terminals are advantageous to compactness and, for this reason, have prevailed in the portable terminal industry.

FIGl illustrates a perspective view of a conventional portable terminal.

Referring to FIGl, mobile communication services using such portable terminals include a liquid crystal screen (120) for displaying various information required for operation such as receipt and transmission states, and a key panel (110) housing grooves into which a plurality of key buttons (130) of keypad are inserted for performing signal generation and various functions.

The key pad consists of a plurality of key buttons (130) formed with a surface printed with visible alphanumeric characters or indicia, and the key buttons (130) are jutted out of the key panel (110) of the portable terminals. A user first checks the alphanumeric characters printed on the surface of the key pad and depresses the key buttons (130) for use of the terminals. Light source formed of a luminous element is installed on an external bottom of the key buttons (130) so that the user can identify in a dark place the numerical numbers and letters printed on the key buttons (130). When the light source is turned on, light is emitted to the letters and numerical numbers printed on the key buttons (130) by the backlight effect, allowing the user to identify the key buttons (130).

However, it is practically difficult to manufacture the existing luminous LED (Light Emitting Diode) key pad in a slim structure, making the key pad relatively thick. Also using a large number of LEDs increases the power consumption due to the light emission from the LEDs, and therefore, the operating time of a battery is reduced. Furthermore, the uniformity of the light emission varies depending upon where the LEDs are located, resulting in difficulty in designing. In order to overcome the limit of slimness of the LED light emitting keypad, development of slim structured light emitting keypad applied with an EL (Electroluminescence) keypad has been demanded.

Meanwhile, mobile communication terminals (hereinafter referred to as terminals) such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are provided with a display screen, and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is commonly used for the display screen. A window is provided to cover and protect the display screen of LCD. In other words, the terminal is provided with a window and a window frame for exposing the LCD to outside of a case of the terminal, and the LCD is shown outside through and protected by the window.

However, the known art of mounting a window on the display screen of the terminal should pass through complicated stages of processes in which the window is adhered to an inner surface of a case of the terminal so as to be positioned at a periphery of an opening, a pad is mounted for reinforcing the strength of the adhered window, and a protective tape is adhered for preventing inroad of foreign objects and damage to the adhered window surface. Particularly, a process of coupling the window and the keypad is further added to increase the manufacturing cost and decrease the yield of the product. In addition, the light emitting device is provided only on the keypad to deteriorate the external beauty of the window, thereby requiring a separate light emitting device.

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide one body type keypad comprising window, in which a conventional process of coupling a window and a keypad is dispensed with to increase the manufacturing/assembly processes, and increase yield of the product so as to secure mass-production.

Another object of the present invention is to provide one body type keypad comprising window, in which a light emitting device is installed not only on the keypad but also on the window frame to increase an external beauty of the product.

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish these objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided one body type keypad comprising window (hereinafter referred to as window-integrated keypad) of wireless telephone (hereinafter referred to as terminal), which includes a keypad unit, and a window unit integrally formed with the keypad unit and disposed with a window between window frames.

Implementations of these aspects may include one or more of the following features.

The window-integrated keypad of a terminal further includes an EL

(Electroluminescence) device formed underneath the keypad unit for emitting light.

The window-integrated keypad of a terminal includes an EL (Electroluminescence) device formed underneath the window frame for emitting light.

The keypad unit and the window frame are integrally manufactured with the same material for the window-integrated keypad of a terminal according to the present invention.

The keypad unit includes a flat sheet integrally formed on the surface with keys. The window-integrated keypad of a terminal includes a reinforced glass that is adhered to a front surface or a rear surface of the window. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat sheet including a window frame, a window and a keypad unit, where a colored layer is formed at an upper surface or a predetermined lower surface of a transparent flat sheet to thereby divide the flat sheet into a window frame, a transparent window and a keypad unit.

The flat sheet includes a reinforced glass coupled to a front surface or a rear surface of the window.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal having a window-integrated keypad.

[Advantageous Effects]

The terminal is equipped with a window-integrated keypad to omit a conventional process of coupling a window unit with a keypad unit to reduce manufacturing/assembly processes, and increase yield of the product so as to secure mass-production, and a light emitting device is installed not only on the keypad but on the window frame to increase an exterior look of the product.

[Description of Drawings]

FIGl illustrates a perspective view of a conventional terminal.

FIG.2 illustrates a plan of a window-integrated keypad and a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.3 and 4 illustrate a cross-sectional view of a keypad unit of a window-integrated keypad according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a keypad unit of a window-integrated keypad according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a window unit of an integrated keypad according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS.7 and 8 illustrate a cross-sectional view of a window unit of a window-integrated keypad according to yet still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Best Mode]

Now, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.

FIG.2 illustrates a plan of a window-integrated keypad and a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG.2, the window-integrated keypad includes a keypad unit (10), and a window unit (20) integrally formed with the keypad unit (10) and disposed with a window (22) between window frames (21). Although not depicted in the drawing, the window-integrated keypad of a terminal includes, if necessary, an EL (Electroluminescence) device formed underneath the keypad unit for emitting light. The terminal is mounted with a window-integrated keypad according to one embodiment of the present invention.

First, the keypad unit (10) will be described in detail. It should be recognizable that there may be no limit in employing the construction of keypad units known in the art to the present keypad unit (10), and the present invention may include all the construction thereof.

[Mode for Invention]

FIGS.3 and 4 illustrate a cross-sectional view of a keypad unit of a window-integrated keypad according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the keypad unit may include a key plate (11), a colored layer (12) formed underneath a predetermined lower portion of the key plate for displaying visible alphanumeric characters or indicia, and a silicon pad (14) formed underneath the colored layer, and may further include an EL device (13) at an upper surface of the silicon pad, or between the silicon pads for emitting light. The present invention is not limited to the above-described construction but other constructions may be added to the present invention, all of which may be included in the present invention.

Construction of the key plate (11) is not limited to the present invention, but preferably, the key plate (11) comprises a transparent flat sheet integrally formed with keys, although it is not shown in the drawing. In other words, the key plate is made of a transparent flat sheet, an underneath of which is integrally formed with keys for distinguishing colors by way of printing or vapor deposition method. Specifically, the key plate is preferably made of a flat sheet free of the conventional keys so formed as to protrude, although the conventional protruding key plate is not excluded from the present invention. Through the above-mentioned flat sheet processing, the terminal can be slimmer to be miniaturized, and the key plate can be embodied in various colors through the printing and vapor deposit methods. The key plate may be coated with a protective coating layer (not shown) on at least an upper surface or a lower surface thereof.

Now, the method for forming the keys will be described in detail as below.

The transparent flat sheet is formed thereon or thereunder with colors by the printing or vapor deposit method, and the colored layers formed by the printing or vapor deposit method are partially removed through etching according to shapes of alphanumeric characters to allow the keys to be displayed according to background colors and colors of the keys. The portions of the characters of the keys may be left to be transparent, or may be separately coated with different colors.

Furthermore, key portions of the key plate are provided with a concave pattern (dimpled) for an easy contact with the dome switch disposed thereunder, thereby preventing malfunction of the keying operation.

The silicon pad (14) is disposed thereunder with lower protrusions (15) for generating a signal by depressing a switch of a printed circuit board. Preferably, the lower protrusions are coupled thereunder with a printed circuit board equipped with a dome switch correspondingly positioned to the lower protrusions, and the dome switch is preferably comprised of a contact terminal and a metal dome discretely disposed on and from the contact terminal.

Therefore, if the key plate of the keypad unit is depressed by a user, the metal dome of the printed circuit board provided underneath a particular key is depressed to cause the metal dome to be brought into contact with the contact terminal for switching.

There is no structural limit in the present invention in using the EL device (13) as long as light is emitted from inorganic or organic light emitting body by being applied with electromagnetic field. The EL device is well-known in the related fields so that detailed explanations thereto are also omitted for clarity and conciseness. For example, the following structure may be adequate for the EL device. In other words, preferably, the EL device is formed with an insulating layer, a front surface electrode layer, a light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, a rear surface layer and an insulating layer. The front surface electrode layer, the light emitting layer, the dielectric layer and the rear surface layer form an EL system that is a light emitting structure of the EL device. Preferably, the EL device (13) is formed by screen printing process for slimming and miniaturization.

FIG.5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a keypad unit of a window-integrated keypad according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, where the key plate (11) is formed with through holes, and the silicon pad (14) is formed thereon with penetrating protrusions (16) for being coupled to the key plate (11) through the corresponding through holes. Preferably, the through holes are formed at a periphery of each key. By this construction, a particular key may be easily and selectively depressed to improve the click feel. Furthermore, the formation of and coupling by the penetrating protrusions (16) can prevent the light from forming an intaglio that may be caused when the light emitted from the EL layer is reflected and interfered by the through holes, and can allow the light to pass through the through holes without any reflection and interference. The penetrating protrusions can emit light to provide an excellent look.

Next, a window unit comprising the window and the window frame will be described.

The keypad unit (10) and the window unit (20) are integrally formed as depicted in FIG.2. Preferably, the keypad unit (10) and the window unit (20) are integrally formed with the flat sheet whose material is the same material as that of the keypad unit. Furthermore, the window frame is further disposed thereunder with an EL device (reference numeral 30 of FIG. 6) for emitting light.

Preferably, the window unit is integrally formed on the same flat sheet as used for the key plate (11) of the key pad unit. In other words, the transparent flat sheet (23) is formed thereunder or at a predetermined upper portion thereof with a colored layer (12) to manufacture a flat sheet that is distinguishably divided by color to the key pad unit (10), the window frame (21) and the transparent window (22) for application to the key pad.

As an example of forming the colored layer (12) on the predetermined portion, the colored layer (12) may be partially formed through the printing or vapor deposit method, where the window portion is transparently formed without the colored layer but the window frame and the keypad unit are formed with the colored layers. An example of forming a colored layer on the keypad unit has been already described such that elaboration thereon will be omitted here. A background of the keypad unit and the window frame may be made of the identical color.

As depicted in FIG.6, the transparent flat sheet (23) may be formed thereon (not shown) or partially thereunder with a colored layer to thereby distinguish the window (22) from the window frame (21). The flat sheet is preferably integrated with the afore-mentioned key plate. The flat sheet is preferably a transparent film satisfying a predetermined strength and hardness.

Furthermore, although it is not restricted, the window frame is formed with a light emitting EL device (30) to beautify the exterior look and enhance the aesthetic sense. The

EL device (30) may be adhered by adhesive, or may be directly printed on to the window frame. The construction of the EL device (30) may be applied mutatis mutandis to the afore-said one such that elaboration thereon will be omitted herein. The EL device disposed underneath the window frame may be electrically connected to the EL device disposed underneath the keypad unit to emit light. The instant invention is featured with a window-integrated keypad, such that it is easy to electrically connect the EL system disposed underneath the window frame to the EL system disposed underneath the keypad unit. Preferably, the EL system is formed underneath the key plate of the keypad unit integrally formed with the window frame by the printing screen method, and more preferably, the EL systems are integrated by simultaneously printing underneath the keypad unit and the window frame.

FIGS.7 and 8 illustrate a cross-sectional view of a window unit of a window-integrated keypad according to yet still another embodiment of the present invention, where a reinforced glass is adhered to a rear surface (FIG.7) or a front surface (FIG.8) of the window. Although it is not restricted, the reinforced glass is preferably adhered to an entire area of the window unit including the window. The flat sheet employed for the window-integrated keypad is limited in preventing an internal damage caused by external shock as the flat sheet is largely made of plastic of weak strength. In order to overcome the disadvantage, the window is adhered by reinforced glass for reinforced strength to thereby protect against the internal damage that is caused by the external shock. Furthermore, the reinforced glass adhered to the flat sheet can prevent the scattering of same. The window may be adhered to the reinforced glass by UV (Ultraviolet) adhesives or by two-sided tapes, where the adhesion method of which is not restricted. Preferably, the thickness of the reinforced glass is in the range of 200-2,000 μm, although it is not restricted. Although not shown in the drawing, the EL device may be further disposed underneath the window frame, as previously mentioned.

The present invention provides a wireless terminal having a window-integrated keypad. The construction of the terminal may be limitlessly applied with that of well-known prior art and is included in the instant invention. The terminal is desirably applied with a window-integrated keypad, and is preferably of a bar-type terminal.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications of the embodiments as fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.

[Industrial Applicability]

A window-integrated keypad is provided such that a conventional process of coupling a window and a keypad is dispensed with to increase the manufacturing/assembly processes, and increase yield of the product so as to secure mass-production, and a light emitting device is installed not only on the keypad but also on the window frame to increase an external beauty of the product to the advantage of the industry.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

1. A window-integrated keypad of a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that a keypad unit is disposed, and a window unit is integrally formed with the keypad unit and disposed with a window between window frames.

2. The keypad as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that an EL (Electroluminescence) device is formed underneath the keypad unit for emitting light.

3. The keypad as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that an EL

(Electroluminescence) device is formed underneath the window frame for emitting light.

4. The keypad as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the keypad unit and the window frame are integrally manufactured with the same material.

5. The keypad as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the keypad unit includes a flat sheet integrally formed on the surface with peripheral keys.

6. The keypad as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a reinforced glass is adhered to a front surface or a rear surface of the window.

7. A flat sheet, characterized in that the flat sheet includes a window frame, a window and a keypad unit, where a colored layer is formed at an upper surface or a predetermined lower surface of the transparent flat sheet to divide the flat sheet into a window frame, a transparent window and a keypad unit.

8. The flat sheet as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the flat sheet includes a reinforced glass coupled to a front surface or a rear surface of the window.

9. A window-integrated keypad of a mobile communication terminal using the flat sheet of claim 7.

10. A mobile communication terminal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 and 9, characterized in that the terminal includes a window-integrated keypad.