WO2010030134A2

WO2010030134A2 - Data input device for discriminating input direction by touch

Info

Publication number: WO2010030134A2
Application number: PCT/KR2009/005153
Authority: WO
Inventors: 오의진
Original assignee: Oh Eui Jin
Priority date: 2008-09-12
Filing date: 2009-09-10
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: KR20100031423A; WO2010030134A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data input device that enables discrimination of input direction by the sense of touch and more specifically relates to a data input device that enables discrimination of input direction by the sense of touch, wherein an input part is formed concavely so that when fingers are inserted into the input part, contacting both the first direction indication location and the second direction indication location that are furnished radially and in a plurality, input may be made accurately and quickly without interference when a direction is input with respect to each indication location, and wherein a structure for utilizing the touch is furnished that enables the first direction indication location and the second direction indication location to be distinguished from each other.

Description

[Correction 25.11.2009 by Rule 91] (데이터) Data input device capable of distinguishing input direction by touch

The present invention relates to a data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a tactile sense, and more particularly, a first direction indication position and a second direction instruction position, which are formed in a recessed manner, a plurality of radial directions are provided by inserting a finger into an input portion. By providing a tactile application structure that can input the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position separately from each other in contact with the position, inputting accurately and quickly without interference when inputting direction for each indication position. The present invention relates to a data input device capable of distinguishing input directions by means of touch.

Recently, with the development of software, semiconductor technology, and information processing technology, information devices are becoming smaller and smaller, and as a result, character input and data input in various information devices are also becoming more important.

However, many problems have been revealed in the input of various characters or commands in such information devices.

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

In order to input letters, numbers or symbols at a higher speed in the above-described information devices such as PCs, laptops, PDAs or mobile phones, so-called 1 operation 1 phoneme input is performed in which one phoneme (character) is input in one input operation. There is a need.

In the case where the operation 1 phoneme input is for Korean, the buttons or input keys for inputting 24 or more characters need to be arranged in the information apparatus.

If the target language is English, Japanese, or other foreign languages, more buttons or input keys may need to be added than in Korean.

However, the conventional input device used in various information devices is a method of assigning a character or data to each input key and tapping or pressing with a finger.

Therefore, in a personal portable information terminal such as a mobile phone having a relatively small space for arranging the input keys, it is difficult to arrange more than 24 input keys having the size of a finger. This has been the reason why keyboards have never been miniaturized so far.

In order to solve this problem, in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0029651 (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art') previously filed by the inventor of the present application, the first direction input and the second direction input are connected to one input unit. We have developed a data input device that can be executed at the same time or sequentially to maximize the number of characters or data that can be input in one operation in the minimum input space and to input more than one phoneme in one operation quickly and accurately. have.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the data input device 1 according to the prior art may perform the base 3, the first direction input M and the second direction input P, respectively. The input unit 5, the first sensing unit 7 for sensing the movement of the input unit 5, the second sensing unit 9 for sensing the second direction input, the first sensing unit 7, And a controller (not shown) for extracting and inputting data allocated to each direction indicating position from a memory unit (not shown) based on the detection result of the second sensing unit 9.

In the prior art, when the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... And the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ , ... are provided in eight or more places, each indicating position If the interval between the two is narrowed and the correct movement or pressing is not performed to the desired indication position, there is a problem that a character or data other than the desired character or data is input. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the user does not see the input unit 5 while the user places his or her finger on the input unit 5 while viewing the display window 4 in which the character or data input from the input unit is displayed. In case of inputting, the incidence of typos may be higher.

Moreover, since it is difficult to accurately detect each instruction position and the size of the data input device 1 is narrow enough to place one finger, the two assigned to the adjacent instruction positions when performing the direction input to any one instruction position. It may also occur when two characters or data are selected at the same time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is that the first direction indicating position and the second direction in a state in which the input portion is formed to be recessed and the finger is inserted into the input portion so as to be in contact with both the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position provided in a plurality of radial directions. The present invention provides a data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a tactile sense in which interference does not occur when inputting directions to each indication position by providing a tactile utilization structure capable of inputting the indication positions separately from each other.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the first invention relates to a data input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the touch, the base; A first direction input configured to be recessed in a size such that all or a portion of the fingertips can be inserted into the base, and press any one of a plurality of first direction indicating positions provided to be in contact with the periphery of the inserted finger; An input unit configured to independently perform second direction input for pressing any one of a plurality of second direction indication positions provided to be in contact with a finger separately from the first direction indication position; A first sensing unit provided at each of the first direction indicating positions to sense the first direction input; A second sensing unit provided at each of the second direction indicating positions to sense the second direction input; And when the first direction input is detected by the first sensing unit, the first data allocated to the first direction indicating position where the first direction input is performed or when the second direction input is detected by the second sensing unit. And a controller which extracts and executes second data allocated to the second direction indicating position where the direction input is performed from the memory unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first direction indication position is provided radially spaced to the side of the finger at the input unit, and the second direction indication position is provided to be radially spaced to the bottom of the finger. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position in the input unit is characterized in that a protrusion is formed to protrude so that an input direction can be detected by touching a finger. .

In this case, the protrusion may be formed at each of the first direction indicating position and the second direction indicating position, and the first direction indicating position or the first direction indicating position which is judged to be easy to distinguish each of the first direction indicating position and the second direction indicating position. It may be formed only in the two-direction indication position. Among them, the following embodiments of the present invention illustrate a case where the first direction indicating position and the second direction indicating position are formed respectively.

In the second invention, in the second invention, the input unit is provided with an interference brace between the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position so as to prevent interference when the first direction input and the second direction input are performed. It is characterized by.

In this case, the interference preventing jaw includes a first direction interference bump provided between each of the first direction indicating positions, and a second direction interference bump respectively provided between the second direction indicating positions.

According to a fifth invention, in the third or fourth invention, the first direction input and the second direction input are continuously performed, so that the first data corresponding to the first direction input and the first direction input corresponding to the second direction input Two or more data corresponding to two data are input together.

Therefore, it is possible to input two or more pieces of data at the same time in one input operation, thereby enabling rapid data input.

The sixth invention is, in the third or fourth invention, when the first direction input and the second direction input are continuously performed within a predetermined time range, the first data or the second direction corresponding to the first direction input. The third data is input instead of the second data corresponding to the direction input.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth invention, the third data includes a case in which a second direction input is performed after the first direction input is performed first, and a first direction input after the second direction input is performed first. In this case it is characterized in that it is set differently.

Therefore, if the third data is changed according to the execution order of the first direction input and the second direction input, the number of data that can be input by the combinational input through the first direction input and the second direction input is doubled. This can be useful for increasing the number of possible data.

The eighth invention is, in the third or fourth invention, the second sensing portion is horizontal so that the second direction indication position is located at the same position of the bottom of the finger during the continuous input of the first direction input and the second direction input. It is provided on the movable substrate, characterized in that to move with the second direction indicating position.

Therefore, even when the first direction input is performed, the second direction input position disposed on the bottom of the finger and the corresponding second sensing unit always come in contact with the same position so that the second direction input is more convenient when the first direction input is performed. It can be done quickly.

A ninth invention is characterized in that in the eighth invention, the input portion is made of an elastic body that is elastically deformable at the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position.

The tenth invention, in the third invention or the fourth invention, in the input unit is provided so that the central input pressing the reference position can be performed separately from the first direction input and the second direction input, provided in the reference position the center A central sensing unit for sensing the input is further provided.

The central input may be used for inputting data allocated to a reference position or for converting a function or a mode.

According to the data input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the tactile sense according to the present invention having the above-described structure, the first direction indicating position and the second direction indicating position are formed in a recessed manner, and the plurality of radial directions are provided by inserting a finger into the input unit. By providing a tactile application structure that allows the input of the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position separately from each other in contact with the positions, there is no interference in the direction input for each indication position. Therefore, even when a plurality of first direction indicating positions and second direction indicating positions are provided adjacent to each other, there is an advantage in that data allocated to each of the indication positions can be input accurately and quickly.

In addition, if the user is familiar with the data assigned to each instruction position, there is an effect that can perform a variety of input operations quickly and accurately even without checking the input unit visually.

1 is a perspective view of a portable mobile communication terminal equipped with a data input device according to the prior art;

2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a data input device according to the prior art;

3 is a plan view of a data input device according to the prior art;

4 is a plan view of a data input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 4 showing an example of a data input device according to the present invention;

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 4 showing another example of a data input device according to the present invention;

7 is a plan view showing a data input device according to a second embodiment;

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ of FIG. 7;

9 and 10 are plan views illustrating examples in which the shape of the input unit is modified to correspond to the protrusion;

11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an installation example of a sensing unit in the example illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

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

First Embodiment

4 is a plan view of a data input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 4, showing an example of a data input device according to the present invention. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 4 showing another example of the data input device according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a tactile sense according to the present invention includes: a base 10; A plurality of first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... Which are configured to be recessed in a size such that all or a portion of the fingertips can be inserted into the base 10 and are provided to be in contact with the periphery of the finger. Any one of the first direction input (M) to press any one of the) and a plurality of second direction indicating positions (P ₁ , P ₂ , ...) provided to be in contact with the finger separately from the first direction indicating position An input unit 20 to which second direction inputs P for pressing are independently provided; A first sensing unit (30) provided at each of the first direction indicating positions to sense the first direction input (M); A second sensing unit 40 provided at each of the second direction indicating positions to sense the second direction input P; And when the first direction input M is detected by the first sensing unit 30, the first data allocated to the first direction indicating position where the first direction input M is performed or the second sensing unit 40. If the second direction input (P) is detected in the control unit for extracting and executing the second data allocated to the second direction indication position where the second direction input (P) is performed from the memory unit;

In the present specification, the first direction input M refers to a plurality of first direction indication positions M ₁ and M radially spaced apart from the reference position S from the reference position S in the input unit 20. _It is assumed that the data allocated to each of the first direction indication positions M ₁ , M ₂ , ... is input by pressing any one of ₂ , ...).

That is, in the present invention, the input unit 20 is formed to be recessed on the base 10. At this time, the size and depth of depression is such that all or part of the end of the finger can be inserted. In other words, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, an input unit 20 is configured, and a finger is inserted into the input unit 20 as indicated by a dotted line.

In this state, the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... Are arranged radially spaced apart from the portions corresponding to the side surfaces of the fingers. Therefore, the first direction input M is performed by pressing a finger toward the first direction indication positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,...

At this time, since the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... Are arranged on the side of the finger, pressing of the finger for the first direction input M is performed in the horizontal direction. In this case, since the first direction input M is performed as intended as long as the first direction input M is detected by the first sensing unit 30, the direction in which the first direction input M is performed is performed. May not be the exact horizontal direction. That is, the first direction input M may be performed not only in the horizontal direction but also in a direction inclined upward from the horizontal direction or in a direction inclined downward.

When the first direction input M is performed, the first detection unit 30 provided at the first direction indication positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... Detects the press of the finger. Based on the detection signal from the detector 30, the controller extracts first data allocated to the first direction indication position from the memory unit and inputs the first data.

At this time, the first direction indicating position (M ₁ , M ₂ , ...) is provided with a protrusion 21 to protrude as shown in FIG. The protrusion 21 is configured to avoid interference with an adjacent first direction indication position when the first direction input M is performed. The protrusion 21 is detected by a finger so that the user may designate the first direction indication position. Can be entered correctly.

When the first direction input M is performed, the protrusion 21 is pressed in the direction in which the first direction input M is performed to contact the first sensing unit 30 or to press the first sensing unit 30. do. In order to enable such an operation, the input unit 20 and the base 10 may be connected by the elastic deformation unit 23 as shown in FIG. 5. That is, when the first direction input M is performed by pressing the protrusion 21 formed at the first direction direction position, the input unit 20 is supported by the elastic deformation unit 23 and the first direction input M is performed. Move toward the first direction indication position at which is performed. In this case, when the input unit 20 contacts the first sensing unit 30 or presses the first sensing unit 30, the first sensing unit 30 may sense the press.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the input unit 20 may be formed of an elastically deformable elastic body. At this time, while the input unit 20 is supported by the first sensing unit 30, a portion supported by the first sensing unit 30 protrudes to become a protrusion 21.

In this case, when the first direction input M is performed at the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,..., The input unit 20 is pressed while being elastically deformed, and this pressing is applied to the first sensing unit. 30 can be detected.

In addition, it is obvious that the input unit 20 may be formed of an inelastic material according to the needs of those skilled in the art. Although not shown, the elastic member or the non-elastic member may be manufactured on the input unit 20 in a form in which a member made of a material such as silicon or rubber is attached to improve the feel and prevent slipping. It is noted that the non-slip or cover member of various materials or shapes may be separately provided on the input unit. In particular, it is possible to change the material or design to have a click feeling for improving the user's input experience or satisfaction.

On the other hand, the first detection unit 30 may be provided in various kinds, for example, may be provided as a pressure sensor, an optical sensor or a contact sensor. At this time, when the first sensing unit 30 is made of a pressure sensor, the input unit 20 is input processing by pressing the first sensing unit 30 by the first direction input (M), it is made of a contact sensor The input unit 20 may be input processed by contacting the first sensing unit 30 by the first direction input M. Referring to FIG. Alternatively, when the first sensing unit 30 is formed of an optical sensor, the first direction input M may be input by sensing the movement of the input unit 20 even if no contact or pressing is performed.

However, when the input unit 20 is made of an elastic body and is supported by the first sensing unit 30 as shown in FIG. 6, the first sensing unit 30 may be provided as a pressure sensor. In this case, the controller may determine that the first direction input M is performed only when the sensing signal detected by the first sensing unit 30 corresponds to the pressing of the set value or more.

In addition, even if a finger is inserted into the input unit 20 according to the size of the user's finger, a certain amount of pressure may be sensed by the first sensing unit 30. That is, the depression size of the input unit 20 is designed to fit the average finger size of the main user. However, when a finger larger than the average size is inserted into the input unit 20, the first direction indicating position is pressed and the first sensing unit 30 detects this. Therefore, in response to the pressing, a setting value for the detection signal may be provided so that when the detection signal below the setting value is detected, the control unit may be designed to ignore the detection signal so that the finger may be used even if the size of the finger is large.

Here, the first direction indicating position (M ₁ , M ₂ , ...) can be provided in various numbers as needed, as shown in Figure 4, eight (M ₁ ~ M ₈ ) to be provided May be provided, may be provided in four, may be provided in six. At this time, in the present invention, when a plurality of first direction indicating positions (M ₁ , M ₂ , ...) are arranged in close proximity, each of the first direction indicating positions can be accurately distinguished and inputted. It is especially useful when more than two are provided.

Meanwhile, in the present specification, the second direction input P refers to any one of a plurality of second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ , .. radially spaced apart from the bottom of the input unit 20. By pressing, the first data allocated to the second direction indication position is input.

That is, the first direction input M is performed by pressing the input unit 20 toward the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... Arranged on the side of the input unit 20. Two-way input (P) is performed by pressing the second direction indicating position (P ₁ , P ₂ , ..) disposed on the bottom of the input unit 20, the first direction input (M) and the second direction The input P is different from each other in the input direction.

Since the second direction input P is performed by pressing the input unit 20, the second direction input P is made perpendicular to the input unit 20, but the second direction input P is detected by the second sensing unit 40. Since it may be sufficient, the second direction input P may be performed in a slightly inclined direction.

When the second direction input P is performed, the second sensing unit 40 provided at the second direction indicating position detects the pressing of a finger, and is based on the detection signal from the second sensing unit 40. The controller extracts the second data allocated to the second direction indication position from the memory unit and inputs the second data.

In this case, the protrusions 21 protruding as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 may also be provided in the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,. The protrusion 21 is configured to avoid interference with an adjacent second direction indication position when performing the second direction input P. The protrusion 21 is detected by a finger so that the user can designate the second direction indication position. Can be entered correctly.

Meanwhile, when the second direction input P is performed, the protrusion 21 is pressed in the direction in which the second direction input P is performed and contacts the second sensing unit 40 or the second sensing unit 40. Will be pressed. This operation may be possible by the elastic deformation unit 23 connecting the input unit 20 and the base 10, as mentioned in the description of the first direction input M. That is, when the second direction input P is performed by pressing the protrusion 21 formed at the specific second direction indication position, the input part 20 is supported by the elastic deformation part 23 and the second direction input P is performed. Move toward the second direction indication position at which is performed. In this case, when the input unit 20 contacts the second sensing unit 40 or presses the second sensing unit 40, the second sensing unit 40 may detect such pressing.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the input unit 20 may be formed of an elastically deformable elastic body. In this case, when the second direction input P is performed to the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,... Which are distinguished by the protrusions 21, the input unit 20 is pressed while being elastically deformed. This pressing may be sensed by the second sensing unit 40.

At this time, the input unit 20 may be provided separately from each other the portion where the first direction input (M) is performed and the portion where the second direction input (P) is performed so that each input is performed. For example, the side and the bottom of the input unit 20 are connected to the elastic deformation unit 23 as shown in FIG. 5 so that the first direction input M to the side of the input unit 20 and the second direction input to the bottom surface. (P) may be performed separately from each other.

However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the first direction input M and the second direction input P are respectively performed while the input unit 20 is integrally formed. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the input unit 20 may be formed as an integrated dish. Therefore, when the second direction input P as well as the first direction input M is performed, the elastic deformation unit 23 contracts or expands, and the input unit 20 moves to the first direction indicating position or the second direction indicating position. The input operation can be performed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the input unit 20 is made of an elastically deformable elastic body such that the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,... And the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,. ..) may be formed to cover the respective sensing unit (30, 40) provided to correspond. In this case, when the input unit 20 is pressed at each instruction position, only the corresponding instruction position portion is pressed while being elastically deformed, so that input to other instruction positions is not performed.

In the case of FIG. 6, when the first direction input M is performed, the finger is in contact with the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,... According to M), a force in the horizontal direction acts on the input unit 20. Therefore, in FIG. 6, when the first direction input M is performed, the second sensing unit 40 may also be moved at the same time. That is, when the first direction input M is provided on the horizontally movable substrate 11, the second sensing unit 40 is also moved along the second sensing unit 40 in the corresponding direction so that the bottom of the finger is always present. The second direction input (P) may be performed at the same position as.

At this time, the second sensing unit 40 receives a horizontal force by the horizontal movement of the input unit 20 made of an elastic body, but the horizontal force is a signal in a direction different from the detection signal detected by the second sensing unit 40, This detection signal of the second detection unit 40 is ignored.

In addition, the second direction indicating position (P ₁ , P ₂ , ...) may also be provided in various numbers as necessary, as shown in Figure 4, eight (P ₁ ~ P ₈ ) to be provided May be provided, may be provided in four, may be provided in six. It may also be provided in a different number than the first direction indicating position. Even in this embodiment, since the second direction indication positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,... Can be inputted separately from each other, when the second direction indication positions are arranged adjacent to each other, that is, the second direction indication position is It is especially useful when provided with eight or more.

As described above, the first direction input M and the second direction input P are successively performed so that the first data allocated to the first direction input M and the second data allocated to the second direction input P are the same. A plurality of data included in the can be input together. That is, when the second direction input P is directly performed while the first direction input M is performed, or when the second direction input P is directly performed while the second direction input P is performed. Alternatively, when the first direction input M is directly performed while the first direction input M is performed, data allocated to two or more direction inputs may be sequentially processed.

This is useful when inputting a plurality of data consecutively in one input operation. In particular, when the second direction indicating position is provided to be movable as shown in FIG. 6, the second direction indicating position is always arranged at the same position on the bottom of the finger in the state where the first direction input M is performed. As a result, the input operation can be made more quickly, accurately and conveniently.

Meanwhile, when the first direction input M and the second direction input P are continuously performed, the first data or the second data allocated to each direction input is not inputted as described above. Third data different from the second data may be input. That is, when the first direction input M and the second direction input P are continuously performed within a predetermined time range, the first direction input M and the second direction input P are determined to be combined inputs so that the third data is input.

At this time, the predetermined time is set in the control unit to determine whether the combination input by checking the time interval between the detection signals detected by each of the detection unit (30, 40). For example, the predetermined time may be, for example, about 0.5 seconds. If the data input device according to the present invention is used and the input speed is increased, the predetermined time range set in the controller may be shortened and vice versa. It is also possible.

On the other hand, the third data input by the combinational input is the first direction input (M) first, the second direction input (P) and the second direction input (P) first, the first direction input When (M) is performed, they may be the same as or different from each other. In this case, when different third data are input in the order of the first direction input M and the second direction input P, the number of data that can be input through the combination input is doubled, so that there are many data to input. Especially useful for

In addition, the data input device according to the present embodiment can be designed to enable the central input (C). Here, the center input C is to input the data allocated to the reference position S by pressing the reference position S corresponding to the center of the input unit 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the reference position S is provided at the center of the input unit 20, and the reference position is input by pressing the reference position as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the central sensing unit 50 is provided at the reference position S to detect that the central input C is performed.

Specific data is allocated to the central input C, and the central input C may be used to input the data, or may be used for converting a function or a mode.

At this time, since the protrusion 21 is also formed in the input unit 20 corresponding to the reference position S, when the finger is inserted into the input unit 20, the reference position S and the second direction indication positions P ₁ and P _{2 are provided.} , ...) can be distinguished by touch.

However, since the reference position S is located at the center surrounded by the second direction indication positions P ₁ , P ₂ , ..., one or more of the second direction indication positions may be simultaneously pressed when the center input C is performed. Can be. However, as mentioned above, the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,... Can be accurately input to the second direction indicating positions by the protrusions 21. Therefore, if the center input C for the reference position S and the second direction input P for the second direction indication position are detected at the same time, this means that the center input C is performed by pressing the reference position S. You can judge.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the data input device according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the components corresponding to the first embodiment.

7 is a plan view illustrating a data input device according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG. 7.

As shown, in this embodiment also the input unit 20 is configured to be recessed in the base 10, a plurality of first direction indicating position (M ₁ , M ₂ , ...) to be radially spaced to the side of the finger A plurality of second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ ,... Are provided to be radially spaced from the bottom of the finger. Pressing the first direction indicating position M ₁ , M ₂ , ... is called a first direction input M, and is allocated to the first direction indicating position by the first direction input M. The first data is input processed. In addition, pressing the second direction indicating position (P ₁ , P ₂ , ...) is called a second direction input (P), and is assigned to the second direction indicating position by the second direction input (P). The second data is input processed.

In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first direction indicating positions (M ₁ , M ₂ , ...) and the second direction indicating positions (P ₁ , P ₂ , ...) are formed to protrude. The

interference preventing bumps

25 and 27 are provided between the first direction indicating positions and the second direction indicating positions. That is, in the present embodiment, each direction indicating position is divided by the

interference preventing barriers

25 and 27, and when the specific direction indicating position is pressed, the direction indicating means by the

interference preventing barriers

25 and 27 formed on both sides of the direction indicating position. Since only the position is pressed, it is possible to prevent an interference phenomenon in which adjacent direction indication positions are simultaneously pressed.

In more detail, the input unit 20 of the present embodiment is made of an elastic body capable of elastic deformation. In addition, it is obvious that the input unit 20 may be formed of an inelastic material according to the needs of those skilled in the art. Although not shown, the elastic member or the non-elastic member may be manufactured on the input unit 20 in a form in which a member made of a material such as silicon or rubber is attached to improve the feel and prevent slipping. It is noted that the non-slip portion or cover member of various materials or shapes may be separately provided on the input portion. In particular, it is possible to change the material or design to have a click feeling for improving the user's input experience or satisfaction. In addition, a first direction interference bar 25 is provided between the first direction indication positions provided on the side of the input unit 20. In addition, the first sensing unit 30 is provided in the base 10 between the first directional interference bumps 25 so as to sense the pressing by the input unit 20.

Accordingly, when a finger is pressed for a specific first direction indication position, the finger is guided by the two first direction interference prevention jaws 25 around the first direction indication position and faces the first direction indication position. Then, the input unit 20 is elastically deformed toward the first direction indicating position and contacts the first sensing unit 30 corresponding to the first direction indicating position or presses the first sensing unit 30. When the first sensing unit 30 detects the touch or the press of the finger, the control unit stores the first data allocated to the first direction indicating position from the memory based on the sensing signal of the first sensing unit 30. Extract and process input.

At this time, when pressing the first direction indicating position (M ₁ , M ₂ , ...) the back of the input unit 20 so that the input unit 20 can contact or press the first sensing unit 30 more reliably and easily Protrusions (not shown) may be formed therein.

On the other hand, between the second direction indication position provided on the bottom surface of the input unit 20 is provided with a second direction interference prevention jaw (27). In addition, a second sensing unit 40 is provided in the base 10 between the second directional interference bumps 27 so as to sense the pressing by the input unit 20. In this case, the second sensing unit 40 may be mounted on the slidable substrate 11 provided on the base 10 to allow horizontal movement by a horizontal force applied when the first direction input M is performed. . In this case, even if the finger moves to the first direction indicating position while performing the first direction input M, the second direction indicating positions P ₁ , P ₂ , ... are arranged at the same position on the bottom of the finger. As a result, the second direction input P becomes easier and faster.

And when the finger is pressed for a specific second direction indication position for the second direction input P, the finger is guided by two second direction interference bumps 27 around the second direction indication position and the second direction indication. Facing the location. Then, the input unit 20 is elastically deformed toward the second direction indicating position while contacting or pressing the second sensing unit 40 corresponding to the second direction indicating position. When the second sensing unit 40 detects a touch or a press of the finger, the control unit stores the second data allocated to the second direction indicating position from the memory based on the sensing signal of the second detecting unit 40. Extract and process input.

At this time, a projection (not shown) may protrude from the rear surface of the input unit 20 so that the input unit 20 can contact or press the second sensing unit 40 more reliably and easily when the second direction indicating position is pressed. have.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the center input C may be provided at the reference position S. FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the reference position S of the input unit 20 is pressed to perform the central input C, the central sensing unit 50 detects it and the reference position S is located at the reference position S. FIG. Allows the assigned data entry or function to be performed.

At this time, the second direction indicating position (P ₁ , P ₂ , ...) is provided around the reference position, but each of the second direction indicating position is partitioned by the second direction interference bar (27), The central input C may be input to be distinguished from the second direction input P. That is, when the center input C with respect to the reference position S is performed, pressing is prevented by the second direction interference prevention jaw 27 from the finger portion placed on the second direction indicating position, so that it is placed on the reference position. The reference position is to be pressed only at the injured finger.

Also in the data input device of the present embodiment configured as described above, the first direction input M and the second direction input P may be continuously performed so that data allocated to each direction input is sequentially input.

Alternatively, when the first direction input M and the second direction input P are continuously performed, the first direction input M and the second direction input P are judged as a combination input, and are allocated to the first data or the second direction input P assigned to the first direction input M. Third data other than the second data may be input. In this case, it is obvious that the third data may be different according to the input order of the first direction input M or the second direction input P.

Meanwhile, the example illustrated in FIG. 9 corresponds to the shape of the protrusion 21 to increase the contact sensing efficiency due to the formation of the protrusion 21 when the input unit (FIGS. 9 and 11) moves. The example of the input part formed so as to be shown is shown. That is, the concave groove inside the protrusion acts as the guide part 14, so that the guide part 14 moves in the correct direction intended by the user when the input part 11 moves, thereby interfering with the first direction input M. This does not occur and ensures that the correct input is made. The guide part 14 may be provided in various kinds. For example, the guide part 14 may have a predetermined shape from the reference position S toward the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ , ... on the base 40. It may be provided with a linear guide formed of a groove. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be provided as a concave groove corresponding to each of the first direction indicating positions M ₁ , M ₂ ,. In this case, the input unit 11 is provided in a shape corresponding to the guide portion 14, so that when the user performs the first direction input (M), as shown in FIG. Even if 11) is moved in an inaccurate direction, it can be moved along the guide portion 14 to a predetermined first direction indicating position M ₁ , M ₂ ,...

Here, the guide portion 14 may be provided with various materials, for example, may be provided with an elastic material. The guide part 40 may be adjusted to move in the correct direction when the user moves the input part 10 in an incorrect direction, but if the input part does not proceed in the correct direction with the sensing part 61 as shown in FIG. The advancing direction is forcibly changed by the unit 40, and a large amount of force is required during the input operation, so that the user may feel uncomfortable.

In this case, if the guide unit 40 can be flowed according to the operation of the input unit, the user can operate the input unit more easily and simply. Referring to FIG. 10, the guide part 40 is fixed to the base (FIGS. 10 and 110), but an elastic body such as silicon is connected to one side thereof, and the guide part flows according to the operation of the input part 10. 10) can be guided.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the input unit 10 flows in the side direction of the guide unit 40, the guide unit 40 moves in the same direction in the input direction of the input unit 10. 10 pushes the guide part 40 and proceeds in the same direction, so that the user can perform the input without any objection to the input operation. The moved guide part 40 may be automatically returned to its original state by the elastic force after the movement of the input part is completed.

In the present embodiment, when the guide part 40 flows, the sensing part 61 is also provided to be moved together along the guide part 40.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, even if the user does not exactly move the moving direction of the input unit 10 to the input direction, the movable guide unit 40 is moved according to the moving direction of the input unit 10. Since the sensing unit 61 is also moved along the guide unit 40 and sensed by the input unit 10, the user can complete the input with a soft feeling without rejection.

Meanwhile, the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices requiring input means as well as data input. For example, the controller may be applied to a controller or an office application in a game field to improve a user's input convenience.

For example, when the first direction input and the second direction input are performed together as described above, when the mouse is switched to a preset mouse or joystick mode, the first direction input moves the mouse pointer or moves the game character of the joystick. Perform a function, perform a drag or file drag by performing a left and right button of the mouse by the second direction input, or move the character by the first direction input during the game and attack command by the second direction input Can be performed. That is, the game may also perform a game character manipulation function of the joystick, such as using two or more direction inputs to move the character and using various command keys. For example, you can change your line of sight, shoot and run while running your character.

Alternatively, in the graphic work mode of a three-dimensional object implemented on a computer, the object is moved by the first direction input, and the object is rotated in the second direction input direction by the second direction input. It can also perform a function. Here, the rotation of the object means that the object rotates itself without being fixed at a predetermined position on the three-dimensional coordinates and is distinguished from the rotational movement on the two-dimensional plane.

The distinction between the combinational input and the individual input (first direction input or second direction input) is achieved when the second direction input is detected within a predetermined time value with the first direction input (or vice versa). The combination input may be determined, or the combination input may be determined based on a pressure value pressed by the first direction input or the second direction input. In addition, the input unit itself is divided into a moving unit corresponding to the first direction input and a pressing unit corresponding to the second direction input, so that the first direction input and the second direction input can be continuously inputted or inputted by a combination. You may.

In addition, the input device of the present invention may be configured as a suit, but may also be provided as a suit. In addition, each of the first direction input, the second direction input, and the center input may be provided to enable multiple inputs. In addition, when the first direction input or the second direction input is performed while the center input detection signal is input using the center input detection signal, and the first direction input or the second direction input when the central input detection signal is not input. In this case, the input processing may be distinguished from each other.

In addition, one or more of the first direction input, the second direction input, or the center input may be formed to enable two or more steps of multi-stage inputs according to the strength of the pressing force or the time interval of the pressing. For example, by further subdividing the output range of each signal value generated by the sensing unit 30, when receiving the same first, second direction input or center input signal, two or more stages may be used depending on the size of the output value. The input is divided into signals.

Therefore, since the number of data allocated to each of the first direction input or the second direction input position can be increased by the number of multi-stage inputs, the input capacity can be maximized.

As described above, the number of characters, data, and input commands that can be inputted to the input device according to the present invention can be dramatically increased by the intended number using methods such as bees, multi-stage, and a central input detection signal.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, and it is common in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be evident to those who have knowledge of.

Therefore, according to the data input device of the present invention, in the trend that the performance of the portable terminal is gradually increasing to a PC level, the input of a user's finger is reduced without being limited to the input device space of a limited area. Being able to input data quickly and accurately, not only greatly expands the utilization of the portable terminal, but also can be applied to all electronic devices requiring input functions, thereby innovating the input method and enhancing user convenience.

Claims

Base;

A first direction input configured to be recessed in a size such that all or a portion of the fingertips can be inserted into the base, and press any one of a plurality of first direction indicating positions provided to be in contact with the periphery of the inserted finger; An input unit configured to independently perform second direction input for pressing any one of a plurality of second direction indication positions provided to be in contact with a finger separately from the first direction indication position;

A first sensing unit provided at each of the first direction indicating positions to sense the first direction input;

A second sensing unit provided at each of the second direction indicating positions to sense the second direction input; And

When the direction input is detected by the first sensing unit, the first data allocated to the first direction indicating position where the first direction input is performed or when the second direction input is detected by the second sensing unit, the second direction input; And a control unit for extracting and executing second data allocated to the second direction indicating position from which a direction input has been performed, from a memory unit.
The method of claim 1,

The first direction indication position in the input unit is provided to be radially spaced apart from the side of the finger, the second direction indication position is provided to be radially spaced apart from the bottom of the finger data that can distinguish the input direction by the touch. Input device.
The method of claim 2,

In the input unit, at least one of the first direction indicating position and the second direction indicating position is provided with a protrusion which protrudes so that the input direction can be detected by contacting a finger. Data input device.
The method of claim 2,

The input unit is provided with an interference barrier between the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position so as to prevent interference when the first direction input and the second direction input are performed. Data input device that can be distinguished.
The method according to claim 3 or 4,

The first direction input and the second direction input are sequentially performed so that two or more pieces of data corresponding to the first data corresponding to the first direction input and the second data corresponding to the second direction input are processed together. A data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a touch.
The method according to claim 3 or 4,

When the first direction input and the second direction input are continuously performed within a predetermined time range, the third data is replaced with the first data corresponding to the first direction input or the second data corresponding to the second direction input. A data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a tactile sense, wherein the input process is performed.
The method of claim 6,

The third data may be set differently when the second direction input is performed after the first direction input is performed first and when the first direction input is performed after the second direction input is performed first. A data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a tactile touch.
The method according to claim 3 or 4,

The second sensing unit is provided on a horizontally movable substrate such that the second direction indicating position is located at the same position of the bottom of the finger during the continuous input of the first direction input and the second direction input. And a data input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a tactile sense, which moves with the touch.
The method of claim 8,

And the input unit comprises an elastic body that is elastically deformable at the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position.
The method according to claim 3 or 4,

The input unit is provided so that the central input for pressing the reference position can be performed separately from the first direction input and the second direction input,

And a central sensing unit provided at the reference position to sense the central input.
The method of claim 3,

And the input part may be provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion part.
The method of claim 10,

At least one of the first direction input, the second direction input, or the center input is capable of inputting two or more stages according to the strength of the pressing force or the pressing time interval.