KR20100031423A - Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch - Google Patents

Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch Download PDF

Info

Publication number
KR20100031423A
KR20100031423A KR1020080090540A KR20080090540A KR20100031423A KR 20100031423 A KR20100031423 A KR 20100031423A KR 1020080090540 A KR1020080090540 A KR 1020080090540A KR 20080090540 A KR20080090540 A KR 20080090540A KR 20100031423 A KR20100031423 A KR 20100031423A
Authority
KR
South Korea
Prior art keywords
input
character
unit
finger
sensing unit
Prior art date
Application number
KR1020080090540A
Other languages
Korean (ko)
Inventor
오의진
Original Assignee
오의진
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 오의진 filed Critical 오의진
Priority to KR1020080090540A priority Critical patent/KR20100031423A/en
Priority to PCT/KR2009/005153 priority patent/WO2010030134A2/en
Publication of KR20100031423A publication Critical patent/KR20100031423A/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H25/00—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
    • H01H25/04—Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
    • H01H25/041—Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/004—Larger or different actuating area
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/012—Two keys simultaneous considerations

Landscapes

  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a character input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a touch, and more particularly, a first direction indication position and a second direction in which a plurality of radial directions are formed by inserting a finger and inserting a finger into the input unit. By providing a tactile application structure that allows the inputting of the first direction indication position and the second direction indication position separately from each other in contact with the indication position, it is possible to accurately and quickly do not generate interference when inputting directions to each indication position. The present invention relates to a character input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a touchable input.

Description

Character input device that can distinguish input direction by touch {CHARACTER INPUT DEVICE TO DISCRIMINATE INPUT DIRECTION BY THE TOUCH}

The present invention relates to a character input device capable of distinguishing an input direction by a touch, and more particularly, a first direction indicating position and a second direction indicating position which are formed in a recessed manner and inserted into a plurality of radially by inserting a finger into the input unit. 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 character 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 the input of characters in various information devices is also increasingly 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. 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 to each input key and tapping or pressing with a finger to input.

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. By simultaneously or sequentially performing, a character input device capable of maximizing the number of characters that can be input in one operation in a minimum input space and simultaneously inputting one or more phonemes in one operation has been developed.

That is, as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the character input device 1 according to the prior art, the base 3, the first direction input (M) and the second direction input (P) can be performed 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 a character assigned 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 other than the desired character is input. This is particularly the case when a user inputs a character while looking at the display window 4 on which a character input from the input unit is displayed without looking at the input unit 5 while the finger is placed on the input unit 5 as shown in FIG. 3. The incidence of typos may be higher.

Moreover, since it is difficult to accurately detect each instruction position and the size of the character 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 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 character 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 character 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 character assigned 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 a second character assigned to the second direction indication position from which 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.

The fifth invention, in the third invention or the fourth invention, the first direction input and the second direction input is performed in succession, the first character corresponding to the first direction input and the first direction corresponding to the second direction input Two or more characters corresponding to the two characters are input together.

Therefore, it is possible to input two or more characters at the same time with one input operation, thereby enabling rapid character input.

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

In the sixth invention, in the sixth invention, the third character is a case where the second direction input is performed after the first direction input is performed first, and the 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 character is changed according to the execution order of the first direction input and the second direction input, the number of characters that can be input by the combination input through the first direction input and the second direction input is doubled, so This can be useful for increasing the number of possible characters.

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 a character assigned to a reference position or for converting a function or a mode.

According to the character 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 inserted 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 to be adjacent to each other, there is an advantage that a character assigned to each of the indication positions can be input accurately and quickly.

In addition, if the user is familiar with the characters 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.

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

As shown in the figure, the character input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the touch according to the present invention includes: a base 10; A plurality of first direction indicating positions M 1 , M 2 ,... Any one of the first direction input (M) pressing 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 letter or the second sensing unit 40 assigned to the first direction indicating position where the first direction input M is performed. If the second direction input (P) is detected in the control unit for extracting and executing the second character assigned to the second direction indication position where the second direction input (P) has been 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 characters assigned to the first direction indication positions M 1 , M 2 , ... are pressed 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 sensing unit 30, the controller extracts the first character allocated to the first direction indication position from the memory unit and inputs the first character.

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, the input unit 20 may be formed of an elastically deformable elastic body, as shown in FIG. 6. 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.

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 it 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 necessary, as shown in Figure 4, eight (M 1 ~ M 8 ) 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, it is assumed that the first character assigned 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 The direction 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 a second character assigned to the second direction indication position from the memory unit and inputs the second character.

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 then 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. Accordingly, in FIG. 6, when the first direction input M is performed, the second sensing unit 40 may be moved at the same time. That is, when the first direction input M is performed when the second sensing unit 40 is provided on the horizontally movable substrate 11, the second sensing unit 40 also moves in the corresponding direction so that the bottom surface of the finger is always present. The second direction input (P) may be performed at the same position of.

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 ) 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.

The first direction input M and the second direction input P as described above are successively performed so that the first character assigned to the first direction input M and the second character assigned to the second direction input P are A plurality of characters included in 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, characters allocated to two or more direction inputs may be sequentially processed.

This is useful when inputting a plurality of characters 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.

On the other hand, when the first direction input (M) and the second direction input (P) is performed in succession, as described above, the first character or the second character assigned to each direction input is not input, Alternatively, a third character different from the second character 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, it is determined as a combination input so that the third character 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). The predetermined time may be, for example, about 0.5 seconds. If the input speed is increased by becoming familiar with the character input apparatus according to the present invention, the predetermined time range set in the controller may be shortened and vice versa. It is also possible.

On the other hand, the third character input by the combination input is the first direction input (M) first and 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 characters are input in the order of the first direction input M and the second direction input P, the number of characters that can be input through the combination input is doubled. Especially useful for

In addition, the character input device according to the present embodiment can be designed to enable the central input (C). Here, the center input C is to input a character assigned 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. And the central sensing unit 50 is provided at the reference position (S) to detect that the central input (C) is performed.

A specific character is assigned to the central input C, and the central input C may be used to input the corresponding character, 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 character input apparatus 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 character input apparatus 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 character 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 character 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, 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 character 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 the touch or the press of the finger, the control unit stores the second character 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. Allow the assigned character 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, the pressure is prevented from being pushed by the second direction interference prevention jaw 27 at the finger portion placed on the second direction indicating position. The reference position is to be pressed only at the injured finger.

In the character 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 the letters assigned to the respective direction inputs may be 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 assigned to the first letter or the second direction input P assigned to the first direction input M. A third character other than the second character may be input. In this case, it is natural that the third character may be changed according to the input order of the first direction input M or the second direction input P.

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.

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

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

3 is a plan view of a character input device according to the prior art,

4 is a plan view of a character input apparatus 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 character input apparatus according to the present invention;

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

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

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

<Code Description of Main Parts of Drawing>

10 base 11 substrate

20: input portion 21: protrusion

23: elastic deformation portion 25: the first direction interference bump

27: second direction interference bumps 30: the first detection unit

40: second detection unit 50: central detection unit

S: Reference position C: Center input

M: First direction input P: Second direction input

Claims (10)

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 direction assigned 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. And a control unit which extracts and executes a second character allocated to the second direction indicating position from which the input is performed, from the memory unit. The method of claim 1, In the input unit, the first direction indication position is provided to be radially spaced apart from the side of the finger, and the second direction indication position is provided to be radially spaced apart to the bottom of the finger. Character 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. Character 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. Character 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 characters corresponding to the first character corresponding to the first direction input and the second character corresponding to the second direction input are processed together. Character input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the 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, a third character is substituted for the first character corresponding to the first direction input or the second character corresponding to the second direction input. Character input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the touch, characterized in that the input process. The method of claim 6, The third character may be set differently from the case where 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. Character input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the 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 positioned at the same position of the bottom of the finger during continuous input of the first direction input and the second direction input, and moves together with the second direction indicating position. Character input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the touch, characterized in that. The method of claim 8, And the input unit is made of 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, Character input device capable of distinguishing the input direction by the touch, characterized in that the central sensing unit provided in the reference position for detecting the central input is further provided.
KR1020080090540A 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch KR20100031423A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020080090540A KR20100031423A (en) 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch
PCT/KR2009/005153 WO2010030134A2 (en) 2008-09-12 2009-09-10 Data input device for discriminating input direction by touch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020080090540A KR20100031423A (en) 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
KR20100031423A true KR20100031423A (en) 2010-03-22

Family

ID=42005641

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
KR1020080090540A KR20100031423A (en) 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch

Country Status (2)

Country Link
KR (1) KR20100031423A (en)
WO (1) WO2010030134A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10082882B2 (en) 2013-01-08 2018-09-25 Ju Hyup Lee Data input apparatus and method therefor

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000235822A (en) * 1999-02-15 2000-08-29 Snk Corp Multi-directional switch and portable electronic apparatus using the same
JP3440868B2 (en) * 1999-04-19 2003-08-25 日本電気株式会社 Input key for portable radio
JP2005242983A (en) * 2004-01-30 2005-09-08 Ntt Docomo Inc Input key and input device
KR100651523B1 (en) * 2004-03-18 2006-11-29 삼성전자주식회사 Direction key device for terminal
KR20080010267A (en) * 2006-07-26 2008-01-30 오의진 Character input device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010030134A2 (en) 2010-03-18
WO2010030134A3 (en) 2010-07-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101136370B1 (en) Data input device
KR100856203B1 (en) User inputting apparatus and method using finger mark recognition sensor
US8390583B2 (en) Pressure sensitive user interface for mobile devices
AU2007309911B2 (en) Input device
EP2267585A2 (en) Data input device
KR20090037844A (en) Charater input device
KR20090006718A (en) Data input device by detecting finger&#39;s moving
KR20080010364A (en) Character input device
JP2008140211A (en) Control method for input part and input device using the same and electronic equipment
CN104898852B (en) Key board unit with touch controllable function
US20100245244A1 (en) Character inputting device
KR20100031423A (en) Character input device to discriminate input direction by the touch
KR100994362B1 (en) Data input device
KR20100033879A (en) Character inputting device
US20100026625A1 (en) Character input device
KR20080005021A (en) Double key and data iputting device having the same
KR100810455B1 (en) Micro-keyboard simulator
RU2450317C2 (en) Data input device
KR20080109109A (en) Data input device
RU2450318C2 (en) Apparatus for inputting symbols and method of using said apparatus
KR20080070110A (en) Character input device
KR20090125008A (en) Data input device
KR20080075669A (en) Character input device
JP2002055757A (en) Keyboard device
KR20090099423A (en) Data input device by detecting finger&#39;s moving

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WITN Withdrawal due to no request for examination