WO2006118431A1

WO2006118431A1 - Input device for electronic equipment requiring input and output of letters/numerals/symbols

Info

Publication number: WO2006118431A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/001693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ji Ho Kim
Original assignee: Ji Ho Kim
Priority date: 2005-05-04
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2006-11-09
Also published as: KR100765218B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein an input device for electronic equipment requiring input and output of letters/numbers/symbols. The input device of the present invention includes at least one input means (10), a processor (20), a mode switching key (30), and monitoring means (40). The input means (10) has a handle for pointing in respective locations, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location of the circle, and a handle sensor for sensing a moving course of the handle. The processor (20) processes a handle moving course sensing signal through programs and logic circuits and transmits the processed signal to monitoring means. The mode switching key (30) performs mode switching to allow the processor to identify selection of the input means as letters/numerals/symbols. The monitoring means (40) separately displays the processed signal, pre-stored letters/numerals/symbols, and a movement map of the handle corresponding to the letters/numerals/symbols.

Description

INPUT DEVICE FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT REQUIRING INPUT AND OUTPUT OF LETTERS/NUMERALS/SYMBOLS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to an input device for electronic equipment requiring the input and output of letters/numerals/symbols, in particular, various types of portable terminals, including mobile phones or remote controls. Background Art

[2] Recently, as the convergence of a plurality of functions added to various types of portable devices, including mobile phones, has progressed, the convergence and combination of technologies have rapidly progressed.

[3] However, the addition of functions inevitably causes an increase in the size and weight of devices, which is contrary to the basic purpose of portable devices. Accordingly, the realization of lightweight and small mobile devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, or game consoles, has been considered a very significant factor in order to easily and conveniently carry mobile devices.

[4] However, when such mobile devices are designed to have a small size, there are complicated technical limitations, which are related to the usability of a keypad.

[5] In particular, because of the popularity of short Message Service (SMS), the production of a keypad enabling the easy and convenient use thereof is becoming more and more significant, so that manufacturers have been requested by various consumers to decrease the size of a device so as to improve the portability thereof and to increase the size of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) so as to comfortably play diverse content.

[6] However, in order to provide a wider display region, the area occupied by a keypad must be reduced. In this case, if the size of a keypad is reduced, there is a high probability that, when a finger comes into contact with a key on the keypad, other keys may be erroneously pressed together with the desired key.

[7] Therefore, very important subjects in designing portable devices are to prevent users from encountering difficulty in inputting or outputting data and to provide a means for performing faster input/output operations, as the core function of keypads, while minimizing a probability of causing such erroneous pressing incidents.

[8] Keypads for mobile phones typically have the basic construction of FlG. 1.

[9] Keys used to dial numbers as well as to perform functions, such as data input/ output, are typically provided in the form of a 4x3 matrix.

[10] The matrix includes the numerals "1", "2" and "3" in a first row, the numerals "4",

"5" and "6" in a second row, the numerals "7", "8" and "9" in a third row, and first and second function keys and a numeral "0" in a fourth row.

[11] Further, as other keys arranged in addition to this arrangement, various keys may be arranged to perform initiation and termination of calls and access various other functional menu items, or perform a scrolling function for searching the Internet or a screen.

[12] One measure typically taken by manufacturers is to decrease the size of each individual key in a keypad.

[13] Through the decrease of key size, the entire base area or entire size of the keypad is decreased.

[14] However, there is a limitation in decreasing the size of the keypad, so that, if a keypad is produced to be excessively small, it is difficult for a user to press a desired key without pressing adjacent keys.

[15] Another measure taken by manufacturers is to design a keypad in such a way to hide the keypad at normal times and open and use the keypad at need, but, even in this case, it is still inconvenient to use the keypad.

[16] The prior art, which attempted to achieve such an object is described below.

[17] First, the prior art of FIG. 1 shows a compromised design implementing a keypad, large enough to be conveniently used, in a slidable manner while following a typical key input method, taking into account the fact that users frequently manually input information in spite of the latest additional functions, such as voice recognition. However, the above prior art is problematic in that, since the weight of the product is increased or the input keys inevitably tend to be concentrated on a lower portion of a device, it is inconvenient to use the device using only one hand.

[18] Further, when the arrangement of menu items or characters having a matrix layer structure using a kind of multi-directional switch is utilized as shown in FIG. 2, a user can perform a desired function or input desired information through combinations of the above keys while continuously viewing a screen. However, the most serious problem with such a scheme is that, since the user can view only a single layer on a display, it is difficult to remember places at which key buttons or objects for operating certain functions are located, so that the user not only repeatedly loses sight of all of a menu structure, but also requires a lot of time when inputting or outputting data due to an increase in the number of key presses.

[19] Actually, if there is no spatial limitation in portable devices, a structure in which a single key is assigned to each numeral or letter, as in the case of a keyboard of a computer, is most preferable in order to increase the speed of a manual input operation.

[20] However, as described above, all mobile devices have spatial limitations on keypad arrangements, and thus the number and size of assignable keys are inevitably restricted. [21] Therefore, a method of assigning several letters or functions to each key in parallel or in a sub-directory having a tree structure is frequently used.

[22] Accordingly, when the user desires to input specific data using a portable device, such a method requires a number of key presses that is greater than that required in a method of inputting data using the keyboard of a computer.

[23] In particular, of the above-described prior arts, in an input scheme having a matrix- type layer structure, as shown in FlG. 2, it is very difficult to intuitively remember the entire structure, so that the user must input information while viewing shapes printed on a keypad, or must sequentially input information along a selection path designated by a manufacturer while viewing items displayed on the screen. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that the input speed is greatly decreased, or in that it is inconvenient to input information in a dark environment or while traveling.

[24] Further, there is a method of providing control using a joystick, when a scroll-type input means is intended to be provided in a portable device.

[25] As a sensing method using a typical joystick, the case where an axial sensor or switch is a four-directional or eight-directional structure is known.

[26] In a conventional embodiment corresponding to the case where, for example, the eight-directional sensor or switch is utilized, a method of assigning each key to a keypad is described below.

[27] Eight directions are classified, for convenience of description, into north, south, east, west, northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest. Keys are assigned in such a way that the keys corresponding to the input of '1', '2', '3', '4', '5', '6', ¹T, '8', '9' and '0' are assigned to the north, the northeast, the east, the southeast, the south, the southwest, the north again, and the northeast again, respectively. On the basis of the key assignment, the user inputs data in such a way to move a key in each defined direction to correspond to that direction and operate the sensor or the switch so as to input numerals.

[28] However, even in this case, since the arrangement of keys is arbitrarily designated by a manufacturer, the user cannot logically or intuitively remember such key arrangement. Therefore, the user must visually observe the location of each key whenever pressing the key, in order to input a desired word.

[29] Furthermore, such a conventional scheme is also disadvantageous in that an operation of pressing a corresponding key twice or more is used to perform an input or control operation required to input or output various types of data, thus causing problems in using an input device by, for example, significantly decreasing an input speed or increasing an input error. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[30] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device, which allows a usage method to be intuitively remembered in spite of combinations of a reduced number of keys, so as to accommodate the reduction of a space for arranging a keypad resulting from increasing the size of a display, with respect to electronic equipment requiring the input/output of letters and numerals, in particular, various types of portable terminals, including mobile phones, or remote controls, so that a user can perform a data input operation quickly using one hand or both hands without viewing a keypad or display, thus providing the usability and convenience of a device for performing input/output operations.

Technical Solution

[31] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an input device for electronic equipment requiring input and output of letters/numerals/symbols, comprising at least one input means placed at a predetermined location outside a display unit of the electronic equipment, the input means having a handle for pointing in respective locations, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location of the circle, and a handle sensor for sensing a moving course of the handle; a processor for processing a handle moving course sensing signal, received from the handle sensor, through preset and stored programs and logic circuits and transmitting the processed signal to monitoring means; a mode switching key for performing mode switching to allow the processor to identify selection of the input means as letters/ numerals/symbols; and the monitoring means for separately displaying the processed signal from the processor, which has processed the handle moving course sensing signal received from the input means, pre-stored letters/numerals/symbols, and a movement map of the handle corresponding to the letters/numerals/symbols, thus allowing the displayed information to be monitored. Advantageous Effects

[32] Accordingly, the present invention, having the above construction, is advantageous in that it provides a means for identifying the locations of keys based on intuitive remembrance through a key input process corresponding to the arrangement of the numbers of a typical analog clock, and provides a means enabling the input of keys using only a simple operation of pulling or pushing a finger in upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions, and enabling the input of information without viewing a key matrix, so that the present invention can be used regardless of brightness, thus not only providing a dialing method useful for a visually impaired person, but also improving usability by enabling the input of a phone number or the transmission/reception of data without opening a folder or slidable cover in the case of a folder type or slide type mobile phone.

Brief Description of the Drawings [33] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [34] FlG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional input device

(key button type); [35] FlG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of another conventional input device (joystick type); [36] FlG. 3 is a plan view showing the external shape of an input device according to the present invention; [37] FlG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the input device according to the present invention; [38] FlG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed construction of the input device according to the present invention; [39] FlG. 6 is a plan view briefly showing the moving point of the input means of the present invention; [40] FlG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which numerals are input using the input means of the present invention; [41] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing examples of a state in which Korean alphabet letters are input using the input means of the present invention; [42] FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views showing a state in which English alphabet letters are input using the input means of the present invention; [43] FlG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which directions are input using the input means of the present invention; [44] FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views showing another embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; [45] FIGS. 15 and 16 are plan views showing a further embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; [46] FlG. 17 is a plan view showing yet another embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; [47] FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 are plan views showing still another embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; and [48] FlG. 21 is a plan view showing still another embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [49] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[50] Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

[51] An input device according to the present invention includes at least one input means placed at a predetermined location outside a display unit of the electronic equipment, the input means having a handle for pointing in respective locations, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location of the circle, and a handle sensor for sensing a moving course of the handle, a processor for processing a handle moving course sensing signal, received from the handle sensor, through preset and stored programs and logic circuits and transmitting the processed signal to monitoring means, a mode switching key for performing mode switching to allow the processor to identify selection of the input means as letters/numerals/symbols, and the monitoring means for separately displaying the processed signal from the processor, which has processed the handle moving course sensing signal received from the input means, pre- stored letters/numerals/symbols, and a movement map of the handle corresponding to the letters/numerals/symbols, thus allowing the displayed information to be monitored.

[52] The present invention having the above construction is operated so that, if the handle is manipulated in directions corresponding to 12 equal divisions of a clock face familiar to a user, the moving course of the handle, that is, the path through which the handle passes, is sensed by the handle sensor, and is input to the processor.

[53] If the manipulation state of the handle is input to the processor in this way, the processor outputs a signal corresponding to a letter, numeral or symbol to a display unit depending on a preset and stored program and an electrical logic circuit.

[54] In this case, the above-described monitoring means is similar to a typical display unit, for example, the screen display unit of a mobile phone, and is operated to separately display letters/numerals/symbols that have been previously stored in the processor and the movement map of the handle corresponding to the letters/ numerals/symbols, and to indicate whether the displayed letters, numerals or symbols are correctly input by the user through the manipulation of the input means, thus allowing proficiency in input manipulation when the input device is initially used.

[55] The above-described input means can be implemented using a tact switch that is connected depending on, for example, the operation of pressing or moving the handle, and inputs a variation value, in a state in which the tact switch is electrified, to the processor.

[56] In this case, the handle of the input means is a tact button capable of selecting directions, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location in an initial non-contact state, and returning to the non-contact state after the selection.

[57] Further, the handle sensor of the input means includes contact points in a tact button path for 12 directions in which an electrical signal is electrified through the selection of the tact button.

[58] For example, the input means may be a joystick for switching location signals for

12 directions using an internal variable resistance value that varies according to the manipulation of the handle, and for inputting the switched location signals to the processor. In addition, the input means can be implemented with any input means for inputting each corresponding signal to the processor at the time of selecting locations for 12 directions.

[59] Further, the input means may be installed on one side or both sides of the display unit of the electric device, or may be installed in predetermined locations on opposite side surfaces of the electronic equipment. In addition, the input means may be installed at any location enabling the user to easily manipulate the input means while holding the electronic equipment in his or her hand.

[60] For example, when the electronic equipment is a mobile phone, the input means can be installed on opposite portions beside a hinge for rotatably opening or closing a folder-type mobile phone divided into first and second bodies.

[61] Meanwhile, for example, the processor of the present invention can be set in advance and store the setting so that, if the mode switching key is switched to select a numeral in the initial non-contact state of the handle, the processor recognizes that the current mode has been switched to a numeral input mode, and numerals are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face, if the mode switching key is switched to select the Korean alphabet, the processor recognizes that the current mode has been switched to a Korean alphabet input mode, and Korean alphabet letters are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face, and if the mode switching key is switched to select the English alphabet, the processor recognizes that the current mode has been switched to an English alphabet input mode, and English alphabet letters are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face.

[62] In this case, when the mode switching key is switched to select the numeral input mode, the processor can recognize that the contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "0" to "9", "#", and "*", are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on the clock face.

[63] Further, when the mode switching key is switched to select the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor can recognize that the contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of the input means and contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ" and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[64] In this case, the processor can recognize that, if a soft touch is performed on the

"space", "period(.)", "commaQ" or "question mark(?)", the handle has been moved to a subsequent symbol, whereas, if a hard touch is performed, the corresponding symbol has been selected.

[65] Further, if the mode switching key is selected once more in the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor can recognize that the contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of the input means, and contact points corresponding to "space", "periodQ", "commaQ" and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[66] Further, when the mode switching key is switched to select the English alphabet input mode, the processor can recognize that the contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "a" to "1", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of the input means, and contact points corresponding to "m", "space", and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[67] Further, if the mode switching key is selected once more in the English alphabet input mode, the processor can recognize that the contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "n" to "y", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "z", "space" and "period(.)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[68] Meanwhile, when there are two inputs means in the present invention, the processor can recognize that, if, for example, the mode switching key is switched to select the Korean alphabet input mode, the contact points of a first handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of a first input means, contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the first input means, the contact points of a second handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of a second input means, and contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the second input means.

[69] Further, when there are two input means in the present invention, the processor can recognize that, if the mode switching key is switched to select the English alphabet input mode, the contact points of a first handle sensor, corresponding to "a" to "1", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of a first input means, contact points corresponding to "m", "space", and "question mark (?)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the first input means, the contact points of a second handle sensor, corresponding to "n" to "y", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of a second input means, and contact points corresponding to "z", "space" and "period(.)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the second input means.

[70] As described above, when there are two input means, the processor can recognize a signal input from the first input means as an input signal corresponding to a letter/ numeral/symbol, and a signal input from the second input means as a mode switching signal.

[71] In this case, the second input means can be used to select a 12 o'clock direction as an initial state, a 3 o'clock direction as the numeral input mode, 6 and 7 o'clock directions as the Korean alphabet input mode, 9 and 10 o'clock directions as the English alphabet input mode, and an 11 o'clock direction as a capital letter mode. The processor can recognize the mode switching signal of the input means.

[72] Meanwhile, when there are three input means, one may be a numeral input means, another may be a Korean alphabet input means, and the other may be an English alphabet input means. Alternatively, one may be a numeral input/mode switching means, and the remaining ones may be letter input means.

[73] Furthermore, when there are five input means, one may be a numeral input means, two of the input means may be a Korean alphabet input means, and the remaining two of the input means may be means for inputting the English alphabet or other foreign languages, for example, Chinese or Japanese.

[74] In this case, the recognition of the processor based on the selection of the input means for 12 directions and the center location can be variously applied depending on preset states. For example, in addition to the above-described input modes, a letter input mode for other foreign languages, other functional modes, an editing mode, a user setting mode, etc. can be extended according to the circumstances or according to setting and storage.

[75] Further, as the mode switching key of the present invention, for example, any one of the input keys of the electronic equipment can be selectively used, or a separate key can be provided and used.

[76] Further, the monitoring means of the present invention displays the selection location of the input means and the recognition structure of the processor corresponding to the selection location, and separately displays the selection location and the recognition structure to allow the user to identify the recognition structure of the processor or practice input manipulation so as to master the input manipulation.

[77] For example, the monitoring means may be displayed on a display unit, basically included in the electronic equipment, or may be displayed on a separate auxiliary display unit.

Mode for the Invention

[78] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the present invention provides an input device for electronic equipment requiring the input/output of letters/numerals/symbols. The input device includes at least one input means 10 placed at a predetermined location outside a display unit 2 of electronic equipment 1, the input means 10 having a handle 11 for pointing in respective locations, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and the center location of the circle, and a handle sensor 12 for sensing the moving course of the handle 11 ; a processor 20 for processing a handle moving course sensing signal, received from the handle sensor 12, through preset and stored programs and logic circuits and transmitting the processed signal to a monitoring means 40, which will be described later; a mode switching key 30 for performing mode switching to allow the processor 20 to identify the selection of the input means 10 as letters/ numerals/symbols; and the monitoring means 40 for separately displaying the processed signal from the processor 20, which has processed the handle moving course sensing signal received from the input means 10, pre-stored letters/numerals/symbols, and the movement map of the handle 11 corresponding to the letters/ numerals/symbols, thus allowing the displayed information to be monitored.

[79] The input means 10 of the present invention having the above construction is a tact switch that is connected depending on the operation of pressing or moving the handle 11, and inputs a variation value, in a state in which the tact switch is electrified, to the processor 20.

[80] In this case, the handle 11 of the tact switch, which is the input means 10, is a tact button capable of selecting directions, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location in an initial non-contact state, and returning to the non-contact state after the selection. The handle sensor 12 includes contact points in a tact button path for 12 directions in which an electrical signal is passed through the selection of the tact button.

[81] Further, the input means 10 is installed on one side or both sides of the display unit

2 of the electronic equipment 1.

[82] Meanwhile, the processor 20 is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key 30 is switched to a numeral input mode in the initial non-contact state of the handle 11 of the input means 10, the processor 20 recognizes that numerals are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face, if the mode switching key 30 is switched to select the Korean alphabet, the processor 20 recognizes that a current mode is switched to a Korean alphabet input mode and the consonants and vowels of the Korean alphabet are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face, and, if the mode switching key 30 is switched to select the English alphabet, the processor 20 recognizes that a current mode is switched to an English alphabet input mode, and English alphabet letters are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face.

[83] For example, when the mode switching key 30 is switched to select the numeral input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of the handle sensor 12, corresponding to "0" to "9", "#" and "*", are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of the characters on the clock face, and contact points corresponding to "end input" and "send" are arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[84] Further, when the mode switching key 30 is switched to select the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of the handle sensor 12, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of the characters on the clock face, and contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[85] In this case, the processor 20 recognizes that, if a soft touch is performed on the

"space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)" or "exclamation mark(!)", the handle has been moved to a subsequent symbol, whereas, if a hard touch is performed, the corresponding symbol has been selected.

[86] The term "soft touch" means a short contact state, whereas the term "hard touch" means a contact state which is longer than the soft touch.

[87] Further, if the mode switching key 30 is selected once more in the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of the handle sensor 12, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of the characters on the clock face, and contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[88] Meanwhile, when the mode switching key 30 is switched to select the English alphabet input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of the handle sensor 12, corresponding to "a" to "1", are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of the characters on the clock face, and contact points corresponding to "m", "space", and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[89] Further, when the mode switching key 30 is selected once more in the English alphabet input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of the handle sensor 12 corresponding to "n" to "y", are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of the characters on the clock face, and contact points corresponding to "z", "space" and "period(.)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[90] As the mode switching key 30, any one of the input keys of the electronic equipment 1 can be selectively used, or an additional key can be provided and used.

[91] Further, the monitoring means 40 may be displayed on the display unit 2, basically included in the electronic equipment 1, or may be displayed on a separate auxiliary display unit.

[92] Before the operation of the input device according to the construction of the embodiment of the present invention is described, description is made for reference below on the assumption that the present invention is applied to a mobile phone. In a typical mobile phone, a keypad is composed of 12 keys required to input data.

[93] For example, in order to input a phone number, a total of 12 keys corresponding to the 10 numerals O', '1', ¹A, '9', and 2 special characters of "#" and "*" are required.

[94] Further, when letters for a text message are desired to be input, as when using a short message service (SMS), an input means for inputting a total of 26 letters ranging from "a" to "z" is required for the English alphabet, and an input means for inputting a total of 24 letters, including 14 consonants and 10 vowels, is required for the Korean alphabet.

[95] Accordingly, if the manufacturer of a portable device provides a means capable of inputting 36 or more individual characters through convenient combinations of specific keys, the data input speed of the portable device can also be increased to be equal to the speed at which data is input using the keyboard of a computer.

[96] Therefore, as described above, if sensing is performed using a method of moving and switching a key to 4 or 8 directions, the input device is designed to allocate a total of 13 direct input means, including vertical sensing of a center point, to a single keypad module.

[97] Therefore, when two keypad modules, each having the above construction, are installed, character keys or function keys can be allocated through a total of 169 combinations, corresponding to 13 * 13.

[98] Next, the operation of the input device having the above construction according to the embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[99] First, as shown in FIG. 6, if the handle 11 of the input means 10 of the present invention points to and selects respective directions, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location, the handle sensor 12 senses a contact state, and transmits a corresponding sensing signal to the processor 20. Then, the processor 20 outputs a letter, numeral or symbol corresponding to the signal through the display unit.

[100] In this case, if the mode switching key 30 is switched to select a numeral input m ode for inputting numerals, the selection of the input means 10 and the recognition state of the processor 20 are shown in FlG. 7.

[101] That is, the numerals "0" to "9" are sequentially arranged to correspond to respective times from a 12 o'clock direction, and the symbols "#" and "*" are arranged in 10 and 11 o'clock directions, respectively.

[102] Therefore, the user intuitively associates corresponding numerals with times, thus easily selecting corresponding numerals without viewing the screen.

[103] This operation is described in detail. For example, if the input means has a sensor divided into 4 or 8 directions, numeral keys 0, 3, 6 and 9 corresponding to the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock directions of an analog clock are arranged, and numeral keys 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 and symbol keys # and * are arranged between corresponding numeral keys in the same method.

[104] The sensing and operation of the input means 10 are described below. For example, if the handle 11 is moved upwards, the handle sensor 12 inputs a corresponding signal to the processor 20, and, if the handle 11 is released, the input means 10 completes the input of a numeral "0" while the handle 11 automatically returns to a center location. The processor 20 recognizes the numeral "0" corresponding to the 12 o'clock direction of the handle 11, and outputs the numeral "0" through the display unit 2.

[105] Similar to this, when numerals 3, 6 and 9 are desired to be input, the handle 11 is moved rightwards, downwards, and leftwards to perform sensing, and the input means completes the input of the numerals while the handle 11 returns to the center location.

[106] Next, when 1, 4, 7, and # are desired to be input, the handle 11 is primarily moved upwards, rightwards, downwards and leftwards, sequentially, using an operation similar to the manipulation of a gear shift lever of a vehicle, and is rotated clockwise, so that the handle 11 seems to be finally moved in an upper far right direction, a lower near right direction, a lower far left direction and an upper near left direction, sequentially, to enable sensing, and the input means 10 completes the input of the numerals while the handle 11 automatically returns to the center location.

[107] Further, when 2, 5, 8 and * are desired to be input, the handle 11 is primarily moved rightwards, downwards, leftwards and upwards, sequentially, and is rotated counterclockwise, so that the handle 11 seems to be finally moved in an upper near right direction, a lower far right direction, a lower near left direction and an upper far left direction, sequentially, to enable sensing, and the input means completes the input of the numerals while the handle 11 automatically returns to the center location.

[108] Further, for a sensing operation through pressing the center location of the input means, an input end function and a send function are performed using a soft touch and a hard touch, respectively.

[109] In the structure for recognizing the locations of numerals and inputting the numerals through the above method, numerals or corresponding letters are arranged based on the arrangement of the characters on the very familiar analog clock face, thus allowing the user to easily recognize the locations of keys. Accordingly, even if the user does not look at the keys, the user can sufficiently input desired numerals or letters using only a simple operation of moving a finger upwards, downwards, leftwards or rightwards at angles of about 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.

[110] Of course, even when the Korean or English alphabet is input, the same method as the above-described method can be used, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and 10 and 11. However, there is a difference only in that letters are arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the characters on an analog clock face and need only be input through the above procedure. Furthermore, when only directions are desired to be selected and input, as in the case of a game, only the directions need be input, as shown in FIG. 12.

[Ill] Another embodiment of an input device according to the present invention is described below.

[112] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when there are two input means 10 in the present invention, the processor 20 is set in advance and stores the setting so that, if the mode switching key 30 is switched to select a Korean alphabet input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of a first handle sensor 12, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of a first input means, contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the first input means, the contact points of a second handle sensor 12, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of a second input means, and contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the second input means.

[113] Further, the processor 20 is set in advance and stores the setting so that, if the mode switching key 30 is switched to select an English alphabet input mode, the processor 20 recognizes that the contact points of the first handle sensor 12, corresponding to "a" to "1", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of the first input means, contact points corresponding to "m", "space" and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the first input means, the contact points of the second handle sensor 12, corresponding to "n" to "y", are sequentially arranged clockwise in the outer portion of the second input means, and contact points corresponding to "z", "space" and "period(.)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the second input means.

[114] This embodiment of the present invention greatly improves the usability of an input device in such a way that it enables very prompt and easy input of initial consonants, vowels, and final consonants in the Korean alphabet input mode, and does not require an operation of switching a matrix layer to another alphabet group in the English alphabet input mode.

[115] A further embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[116] As shown in FIG. 15 and 16, when there are two input means 10, the processor 20 can recognize a signal received from a first input means 10 as an input signal corresponding to a letter/numeral/symbol, and recognize a signal received from a second input means 10 as a mode switching signal.

[117] For example, the second input means 10 can select a 12 o'clock direction as an initial state, a 3 o'clock direction as a numeral input mode, 6 and 7 o'clock directions as a Korean alphabet input mode, 9 and 10 o'clock directions as an English alphabet input mode, and an 11 o'clock direction as a capital letter mode. If the processor 20 recognizes the mode switching signal from the input means 10, the inconvenience of switching from the Korean alphabet input mode to the English alphabet input mode and switching from the English alphabet input mode to the numeral input mode so as to switch from the numeral input mode to the Korean alphabet input mode during the input of a numeral in the numeral input mode, input a Korean alphabet letter, and switch from the Korean alphabet input mode again to the numeral input mode, can be eliminated.

[118] Further, as yet another embodiment of the present invention, if there are three input means 10, as shown in FIG. 17, one of the three input means 10 is a numeral input means 10, another is a Korean alphabet input means 10, and the other is an English alphabet input means 10.

[119] The present invention having the above construction can input letters/ numerals/symbols without requiring mode switching, thus reducing the input time associated with the mode switching, and enabling more intuitive input of letters/ numerals/symbols.

[120] In addition, the present invention can be constructed so that the input means 10 can be placed on one side of the display unit 2, as shown in FIG. 18, can be placed on both sides of the display unit 2, as shown in FIG. 19, or can be installed on opposite side surfaces of the electronic equipment 1, for example, portions beside a hinge, as shown in FIG. 20.

[121] In this case, the recognition of the processor 20 based on the selection of the input means 10 for 12 directions and the center location can be variously applied depending on preset states. For example, in addition to the above-described input modes, other functional modes, an editing mode, a user setting mode, etc. can be extended according to the circumstances or according to setting and storage.

[122] Further, as shown in FIG. 21, five input means 10 may be used, and operated so that one of the input means is used to execute a numeral input mode, including the numerals "0" to "9", and the symbols "#" and "*", a second one is used to execute a Korean alphabet input mode, including Korean alphabet letters "D" to "D", "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)", a third one is used to execute a Korean alphabet input mode, including Korean alphabet letters "D" to "D", "D", and "D", and "space", "period(.)", "comma(,)", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)", a fourth one is used to execute an English alphabet input mode, including English alphabet letters "a" to "m", and "space" and "question mark(?)", and a fifth one is used to execute an English alphabet input mode, including English alphabet letters "n" to "z", and "space", and "periodQ".

[123] In this case, the English alphabet input mode can be used to input other foreign languages, such as Japanese or Chinese.

[124] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[125] Therefore, the above embodiments should be considered to be exemplary, without being limiting.

[126] Therefore, it should be noted that the possibility of implementing and utilizing the present invention is only limited by the accompanying claims, and different alternative implementations of the present invention, including equivalent implementations defined by the accompanying claims, fall within the scope of the present invention. Industrial Applicability

[127] The present invention, having the above construction, is advantageous in that it provides a means for identifying the locations of keys based on intuitive remembrance through a key input process corresponding to the arrangement of the numbers of a typical analog clock, and provides a means enabling the input of keys using only a simple operation of pulling or pushing a finger in upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions, and enabling the input of information without viewing a key matrix, so that the present invention can be used regardless of brightness, thus not only providing a dialing method useful for a visually impaired person, but also improving usability by enabling the input of a phone number or the transmission/reception of data without opening a folder or slidable cover in the case of a folder type or slide type mobile phone.

[128] Further, the present invention is advantageous in that a single finger can be assigned to an allocated key module, so that the movement distance of a finger can be reduced at the time of inputting data, thereby increasing an input speed, and reducing fatigue of the hand. [129] The advantages of the present invention are compared to the prior arts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in detail, and described as follows.

[130] First, as a precondition, it is assumed that 0.5 seconds are taken to press a key once, and the movement distance of a finger is 1 cm for each key movement in the prior art of FlG. 1 due to the structure in which respective keys are separately installed, and is 0.5 cm for each key movement in the prior art of FlG. 2 and the present invention due to the shape of a module in which keys are combined.

[131] On the above assumption, the three cases are input. [132] 1) "011-754-7583" [133] 2) "DDDDD" [134] 3) "Hello my friend" [135] In this case, the times required to input the three examples are shown in the following table.

[136] Table 1

[137] [138] [139] [140]

Claims

[1] An input device for electronic equipment requiring input and output of letters/ numerals/symbols, comprising: at least one input means placed at a predetermined location outside a display unit of the electronic equipment, the input means having a handle for pointing in respective locations, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location of the circle, and a handle sensor for sensing a moving course of the handle; a processor for processing a handle moving course sensing signal, received from the handle sensor, through preset and stored programs and logic circuits and transmitting the processed signal to monitoring means; a mode switching key for performing mode switching to allow the processor to identify selection of the input means as letters/numerals/symbols; and the monitoring means for separately displaying the processed signal from the processor, which has processed the handle moving course sensing signal received from the input means, pre-stored letters/numerals/symbols, and a movement map of the handle corresponding to the letters/numerals/symbols, thus allowing the displayed information to be monitored.

[2] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is implemented using a tact switch that is connected depending on an operation of pressing or moving the handle, and inputs a variation value, in a state in which the tact switch is electrified, to the processor.

[3] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the handle of the tact switch is implemented using a tact button capable of selecting directions, obtained by dividing a circle into 12 sections, and a center location in an initial non-contact state, and returning to the non-contact state after selection.

[4] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the handle sensor is implemented with contact points in a tact button path for 12 directions in which an electrical signal is passed through selection of the tact button.

[5] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is switched to a numeral input mode in an initial non-contact state of the handle of the input means, the processor recognizes that numerals are sequentially arranged based on arrangement of characters on a clock face, if the mode switching key is switched to select the Korean alphabet, the processor recognizes that an input mode is switched to a Korean alphabet input mode and consonants and vowels of the Korean alphabet are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face, and if the mode switching key is switched to select the English alphabet, the processor recognizes that an input mode is switched to an English alphabet input mode and English alphabet letters are sequentially arranged based on the arrangement of characters on a clock face.

[6] The input device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is switched to select the numeral input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "0" to "9", "#" and "*", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "end input" and "send" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of the input means.

[7] The input device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if a soft touch is performed on the "end input" and the "send" in the center portion, the processor recognizes that an input end function is performed, whereas, if a hard touch is performed, the processor recognizes that a send function is selected.

[8] The input device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is switched to select the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise and contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)" and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of the input means.

[9] The input device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is selected once more in the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "space", "periodQ", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in the center portion of the input means.

[10] The input device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if a soft touch is performed on the "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)" and "exclamation mark(!)" in the center portion, the processor recognizes that the handle has been moved to a subsequent symbol, whereas, if a hard touch is performed, the processor recognizes that a corresponding symbol has been selected.

[11] The input device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is switched to select the English alphabet input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of the handle sensor, cor- responding to "a" to "1", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "m", "space", and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of the input means.

[12] The input device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is selected once more in the English alphabet input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of the handle sensor, corresponding to "n" to "y", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "z", "space", and "period(.)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of the input means.

[13] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is constructed to display locations of letters/numerals/symbols based on selection of the input means on a display unit of the electronic equipment.

[14] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is constructed to display locations of letters/numerals/symbols based on selection of the input means on a separate auxiliary display unit of the electronic equipment.

[15] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is displayed on the display unit included in the electronic equipment.

[16] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means comprises two input means that are provided on one side of the display unit, and is constructed to input direction signals, selected using the handle, to the processor.

[17] The input device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is switched to select the Korean alphabet input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of a first handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise, contact points corresponding to "space", "period(.)", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of first input means, contact points of a second handle sensor, corresponding to "D" to "D", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "space", "periodQ", "commaQ", "question mark(?)", and "exclamation mark(!)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of second input means.

[18] The input device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is set in advance so that, if the mode switching key is switched to select the English alphabet input mode, the processor recognizes that contact points of a first handle sensor, corresponding to "a" to "1", are sequentially arranged clockwise, contact points corresponding to "m", "space", and "question mark(?)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of first input means, contact points of a second handle sensor, corresponding to "n" to "y", are sequentially arranged clockwise, and contact points corresponding to "z", "space", and "period(.)" are sequentially arranged in a center portion of second input means.

[19] The input device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is constructed to recognize a signal received from first input means as an input signal corresponding to a letter/numeral/symbol, and to recognize a signal received from second input means as a mode switching signal.

[20] The input device according to claim 19, wherein the second input means is constructed so that a 12 o'clock direction of a clock designates an initial state, a 3 o'clock direction designates a numeral input mode, 6 and 7 o'clock directions designate a Korean alphabet input mode, 9 and 10 o'clock directions designate an English alphabet input mode, and an 11 o'clock direction designates a capital letter mode.

[21] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means comprises three input means.

[22] The input device according to claim 21, wherein one of the input means is numeral input means, another is Korean alphabet input means, and a remaining one is an English alphabet input means.

[23] The input device according to claim 21, wherein one of the input means is numeral input means, and remaining ones are Korean alphabet input means or English alphabet input means.

[24] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means is placed on both sides of the electronic equipment.

[25] The input device according to claim 24, wherein the input means is placed beside a hinge part of the electronic equipment.

[26] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means comprises five input means.

[27] The input device according to claim 26, wherein one of the input means is numeral input means, two of the input means are Korean alphabet input means, and the remaining two of the input means are English alphabet input means.

[28] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input means comprises five input means and is constructed so that one of the input means is used to execute a numeral input mode, two of the input means are used to execute a Korean alphabet input mode, and the remaining two of the input means are used to execute a foreign language input mode, including the English alphabet.