KR101258494B1 - Mobile terminal having a scroll function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a terminal, and more particularly to a mobile communication terminal capable of mobile communication. In addition, the present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal to which a scroll function is added so that various functions can be executed continuously and quickly more conveniently and accurately.

According to the present invention, a terminal having a scroll function, comprising: a plurality of light sources for emitting light; A sensor for sensing a light emitted from the light source and outputting a signal; It includes a scroll unit for sequentially changing the light source sensed by the sensor as it moves to provide a terminal implemented a scroll function.

Terminal, Mobile Terminal, Sensor, Scroll, Scroll Key

Description

Mobile terminal having a scroll function

1 is a front view of a mobile communication terminal according to the prior art;

2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to the prior art;

3 is a front view of a terminal according to the present invention;

4 is a simplified block diagram of a first embodiment for implementing a scroll function in a terminal according to the present invention;

5 is a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment for implementing a scroll function in a terminal according to the present invention;

6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal according to the present invention;

7 to 10 are diagrams illustrating functions executed through the scroll function of the terminal according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a terminal, and more particularly to a mobile communication terminal capable of mobile communication. The present invention also relates to a mobile communication terminal to which a scroll function is added so that various functions can be executed more conveniently and accurately and continuously.

1 is a front view of a mobile communication terminal according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal according to the related art has a main body A having a keypad 10 at the front thereof, and a folder B having a screen 25 for outputting an image. )

Here, the keypad 10 is a front, rear, left, right direction keys 11 for changing the direction of the cursor when selecting a menu, a shortcut key 12 for driving a call, a phone book, a camera, and the like. , Character input keys 13 for inputting special characters.

In order to drive the mobile communication terminal, the user moves the cursor to a desired menu by using the direction key 11 and executes a function of the corresponding menu by using a confirmation key. At this time, the execution of the function is performed through the control unit 22 (see FIG. 2) of the mobile communication terminal.

2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 22 of the mobile communication terminal receives an input value of the keypad 10 through an input interface 23 configured of a general purpose input / output pin (GPIO). The control command for the corresponding key value is interpreted using the keymap data stored in the storage unit 24.

Thereafter, the control unit 22 reads the drive program corresponding to the control command from the storage unit 24 using the analyzed control command to execute a necessary function. At this time, whether the driving program is operated is displayed on the screen 25 such as an LCD.

However, the mobile communication terminal according to the related art has the following problems.

First, in order to execute a desired function, the user uses the direction keys 11 to move the cursor discretely. Therefore, there is a problem that an operation for continuous data retrieval and error recovery is difficult.

In addition, since the cursor is moved discretely according to the number of key presses, there is a problem that continuous image search, screen change, etc. cannot be performed. That is, there is a problem in that it is inconvenient to use because the scroll function is implemented discretely.

On the other hand, in order to solve the problem of implementing the scroll function by the direction key 11, a mobile communication terminal having a scroll key (not shown) is provided. Such a scroll key is implemented by the user to rotate the scroll key to the left and right and / or up and down scroll function.

Conventional scroll keys take the form of sensing using mechanical contact or magnetic flux from a magnet.

The mechanical contact scroll key has a scroll function as the position of a gear (not shown) that engages with the scroll key changes as the scroll key rotates. In this case, there is a problem that the overall size is increased by the configuration required for mechanical contact. In addition, there is a problem that the durability is lowered due to abrasion of the contact portion due to friction, as well as the operability is lowered and the reliability is lowered.

On the other hand, the scroll sensor is implemented by a magnet sensor type scroll key through a magnet (not shown) attached to the scroll key and a magnet sensor (not shown) for sensing a change in magnetic flux of the magnet. That is, magnets are provided on the left and right sides of the scroll key at different angles, and the scroll function is implemented by using the time difference sensed by the magnet sensor. In this case, there was a problem in the accuracy of the management and distribution of the magnet flux.

Accordingly, there is a need for a terminal capable of securing an accuracy of sensing capability and implementing a scroll function having enhanced durability as compared with a conventional scroll key, and a need for an easy-to-use terminal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal, in particular, a mobile communication terminal, which is easy to use, and which can implement a scroll function with enhanced durability and reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, a terminal having a scroll function, a plurality of light sources for emitting light; A sensor for sensing a light emitted from the light source and outputting a signal; It includes a scroll unit for sequentially changing the light source sensed by the sensor as it moves to provide a terminal implemented a scroll function.

Here, the plurality of light sources may have different wavelengths, and the sensor may be configured to output different signals according to the wavelength of the light source to be sensed. The up and down scroll function or the left and right scroll function may be distinguished according to the order of signals output from the sensor.

The scroll unit may include a scroll key rotatable; And a light transmitting member provided in the scroll key to sequentially change a light source sensed by the sensor according to a rotational movement of the scroll key.

On the other hand, the present invention in order to achieve the above object is also a plurality of light sources for emitting light of the same wavelength; A plurality of dummy light sources for emitting light having a wavelength different from that of the light source; A sensor for sensing light emitted from the light source and the dummy light source; And a scroll unit which sequentially changes the light source sensed by the sensor and the dummy light source as it is moved, and the sensor outputs different signals according to a sequential combination of a predetermined number of light sources and dummy light sources that are sequentially sensed. Provided is a terminal in which a scroll function is implemented.

Here, the vertical scrolling function or the horizontal scrolling function may be distinguished according to the order of the signals output from the sensor. In addition, the plurality of light sources and the dummy light source are each sequentially disposed, it is preferably disposed sequentially with each other. The dummy light source may be a light source that does not emit light.

The sensor may be configured to sense a plurality of light sources or dummy light sources at the same time, and output different signals according to a combination of the plurality of sensed light sources or dummy light sources.

According to the present invention described above, the user can easily use the scroll function, and it is possible to provide a terminal in which the accuracy of the scroll function is enhanced and the durability is enhanced.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

3 is a front view showing a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention. For reference, the terminal according to the present invention may be applied to various forms. For convenience of description, the terminal will be described as an example of a sliding type mobile communication terminal.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 3, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention has a main body 100 having a character input key 110 on the front, a display screen 210 for outputting an image, and a camera. And a cover 200 having a shortcut key 220 for driving the back, and a scroll input device 300 for implementing a scroll function.

Here, the scroll input device 300 includes a scroll unit S and direction keys 370 and 380. For example, in FIG. 3A, the scroll function in the left and right directions is implemented through the left and right direction keys 370 and 380 as in the prior art, and the scroll function in the up and down direction is achieved through the scroll unit S according to the present invention. . In addition, in FIG. 3B, the vertical scroll function is implemented through the vertical direction keys 370 and 380, and the horizontal scroll function is performed through the scroll unit S according to the present invention.

However, unlike the foregoing description, in the present invention, the scroll input device 300 may be provided with a scroll unit for implementing a left and right scroll function and a scroll unit for implementing a vertical scroll function instead of a direction key.

In addition, unlike shown, the scroll unit may be provided on the side of the main body 100 or the cover 200, in addition to it may be provided in various locations.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment for implementing the scroll function in the terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a simplified block diagram of a first embodiment for implementing a scroll function in a terminal according to the present invention.

4 and 5, the terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources 401, 402, 403, a sensor 500, and a scroll unit S.

The plurality of light sources are arranged at a predetermined angle interval on the same radius as shown in FIG. Here, it is preferable that the plurality of light sources have different wavelengths of light emitted from each other. For example, even when all of the plurality of light sources are LEDs emitting infrared rays, it is preferable that the wavelengths of the emitted light are different from each other. Of course, even if all of the plurality of light sources emit visible light, it is preferable that the wavelengths of the emitted light are different from each other. That is, if the light source emits visible rays of red, yellow, and blue, respectively, wavelengths of the emitted light are different. Here, the light sources emitting red, yellow, and blue light are indicated as 401, 402, and 403 for convenience.

In addition, the sensor 500 distinguishes wavelengths of light emitted from the light source, and outputs different signals according to light having a sensing wavelength. That is, the output signal may be an electrical output signal such as a different voltage or current value.

For example, when the sensor 500 senses the red light source 401, the sensor 500 outputs a signal of 1, and when the yellow light source 402 is sensed, outputs a signal of 2, and a blue light source. In the case of sensing, it may be configured to output a signal of 3. That is, different signals are output according to the wavelength of each light source.

Meanwhile, the scroll unit S performs a function of sequentially changing a light source sensed by the sensor as it is moved.

More specifically, the scroll unit S is provided on the scroll key 551 which is rotatable and the scroll key is configured to sequentially change the light source sensed by the sensor 500 according to the rotation movement of the scroll key Member 552.

Accordingly, as the user rotates the scroll key 551, the light transmitting member 552 sequentially changes the light source sensed by the sensor 500. The predetermined portion of the upper end of the scroll key 551 is preferably configured to protrude on the upper surface of the cover portion 200 so that the user can easily operate. Of course, although the scroll key 551 is not shown, the scroll key 551 will rotate about the central axis, and both the light sources and the sensors are preferably embedded in the cover 200.

The scroll key 551 and the light transmitting member 552 may be integrally formed with each other as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the scroll key 551 may be made of an opaque material that does not transmit light, but may be made of a transparent material that transmits light only in part. Accordingly, the transparent material portion forms the light transmitting member 552. In other words, the transparent material portion is rotated integrally as the scroll key is rotated, and the sensor 500 can sense only light emitted from a specific light source among a plurality of light sources as the transparent material portion is rotated.

Meanwhile, various mechanisms for sequentially changing the light source sensed by the sensor 500 by the light transmitting member 552 through rotation of the scroll key 551 may be implemented in various ways. It will belong to the technical spirit of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of how the scroll function is implemented through such a configuration.

First, when the sensor senses light in the order of red (401), yellow (402), and blue light source (403) by the clockwise rotation of the scroll key 501, the sensor 500 is sequentially Outputs 1, 2, and 3 signals. Then, as the scroll key rotates clockwise, signals are output from the sensor in the order of 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, ---. Therefore, when the sensor 500 outputs signals in this order, a scroll function may be implemented in an upward direction.

On the contrary, when the sensor senses light in the order of red (401), blue (403), and yellow light source (402) by counterclockwise rotation of the scroll key (501), the sensor (500) is sequentially 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, --- in order to output the signal. Therefore, when the sensor outputs signals in this order, the scroll function may be implemented in the downward direction.

Of course, the above-described example may be changed in the vertical direction, and may be implemented so that the scroll function in the left and right directions instead of the vertical direction. In addition, three or more light sources may be provided. In either case, however, when the scroll key rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, the order of signals output by the sensor should be distinguished from each other.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment for implementing a scroll function in a terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

The present embodiment is basically the same as the above-described embodiment, but the sensor 500 does not sense only one light source and outputs a signal, and simultaneously senses a plurality of light sources to output different signals.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, a plurality of light sources 404, 405, 406 emitting light of the same wavelength and a plurality of dummy light sources 407, 408 emitting light of a different wavelength from the light source. It may be made, including. The plurality of light sources and the dummy light sources are sequentially disposed, respectively, and are sequentially disposed with each other.

In this case, the sensor 500 should be able to sense light of different wavelengths. However, the dummy light sources 407 and 408 may be light sources that do not emit light. That is, the light source may be configured not to be disposed at the position of the specific light source. In this case, the sensor 500 does not need to distinguish the wavelength of light, but may be configured to distinguish only whether light is transmitted or not.

On the other hand, the light transmitting member 502 sequentially transmits only three lights of the light emitted from the light source and the dummy light source to the sensor 500 in accordance with the rotational movement of the scroll key 501. Of course, if the dummy light source does not emit light, in some cases only one or two lights are transmitted to the sensor.

For example, when the sensor senses light sources 404, 405, and 406, the sensor may be configured to output a signal of 1. When the sensor senses the light sources 405 and 406 and the dummy light sources 407 by the clockwise rotation of the scroll key, the sensor may be configured to output a signal of 2. That is, as the scroll key rotates clockwise, the sensor outputs different signals according to a combination of a light source and a dummy light source sensed by the sensor. In other words, as the scroll key rotates clockwise, the sensor sequentially outputs different signals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, ---.

On the contrary, as the scroll key 501 rotates counterclockwise, the sensor sequentially outputs different signals 1, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 5, 4, ---. Therefore, since the order of signals output from the sensor 500 is different according to the rotation direction of the scroll key, the scroll function may be implemented through this.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the sensor senses a plurality of light sources or dummy light sources and outputs different signals according to a combination thereof, thereby implementing a scroll function. Alternatively, the sensor may sense only one light source or a dummy light source and output different signals according to a combination of light sources or dummy light sources that are sequentially sensed. For example, the sensor sequentially senses light sources 404, 405, and 406, and outputs a signal of 1, and if it detects 407 light sources, it outputs a signal of 2. In the case where the 408 light source is sensed again, a signal of 3 may be output. On the contrary, it may be configured to sense the light sources 406, 405, 404 and output a signal of 1, and to sense the 408 light sources and output a signal of 5.

Similarly, in this embodiment, the combination of the plurality of light sources or the dummy light sources should be configured differently so that the sensor outputs different signals according to the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the scroll key.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of light sources are provided, and according to the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the scroll key, the sensor outputs different signals to implement the scroll function.

Such a process of executing a function desired by a user using the input device of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

First, when the user rotates the scroll key 501, different signals are generated by the sensor 500 according to the rotational movement direction. The electrical signal is transmitted to the controller 340.

At this time, the control unit 340 receives the received signal through the input interface 341 composed of a general purpose input / output pin (GPIO), etc. and then uses the corresponding key value using the keymap data stored in the storage unit 400. Interpret the control command.

Thereafter, the controller 340 reads the driving program corresponding to the control command from the storage unit 400 using the interpreted control command to execute the above-described various functions.

That is, when an electrical signal generated by the sensor 5000 is input, the controller 340 performs a function of continuously moving the cursor and enlarging / reducing an image.

Here, whether the driving program is operated is displayed on a screen 210 such as an LCD for the user's confirmation.

Meanwhile, as described above, the scroll input device 300 of the terminal according to the present invention may include a scroll S and first and second direction keys 370 and 380.

Finally, the functions executed by the scroll input device of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

7 to 11 illustrate functions executed by an input device of a terminal according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the user moves the scroll key 501 in the initial state, a shortcut menu such as receiving a message immediately is output on the screen.

That is, when the user rotates the scroll key 501, the controller 340 first outputs the shortcut menu to the screen. In this case, the position of the cursor may be positioned at the first position of the shortcut menu.

When the shortcut menu is displayed on the screen, the user rotates the scroll key 501 again to move the cursor located in the shortcut menu to a desired menu.

As such, when the shortcut menu is output on the screen simultaneously with the rotation of the scroll key 501, it is not necessary to press a separate menu key or the like to enter the shortcut menu as in the related art.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the user may not only enlarge or reduce an image output on the screen using the input device 300 but also move the screen up and down or left and right.

Since the enlargement / reduction or movement of the image is performed by the user only by rotating the scroll key 501, it is much easier and faster than the conventional method using the direction key.

In addition, the user may execute various functions such as the movement of the camera lens, the change of the lens angle, and the panorama shooting by using the input device.

Finally, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the user may use the input device 300 to flip through pages of an e-book or to move a playback position of a file played by the multimedia player.

That is, the user may find a desired page of the e-book or find a play position of a music or movie file to be listened to by a simple operation of rotating the scroll key 501.

In addition, in the case of a multimedia player, the user may rotate the scroll key 501 to play or reverse play a file to be played at a high speed or a low speed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention can be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and thus, the invention is not limited to the above detailed description, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The input device of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention as described above has the following effects.

First, the input device of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention enables continuous and rapid scrolling function by simply rotating the scroll key.

That is, in mobile communication terminals such as a PDA, a palmtop computer having a communication function, a multifunctional mobile phone, and the like, there is an advantage that a continuous and rapid menu search can be easily implemented when searching for a large data or menu.

Second, since the input function of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention executes the scroll function using a plurality of light sources, it is possible to provide a terminal that implements a scroll function with improved accuracy and reliability.

Claims (9)

In a terminal having a scroll function, A plurality of light sources for emitting light; A sensor for sensing a light emitted from the light source and outputting a signal; And a scroll unit configured to sequentially change a light source sensed by the sensor as it moves. The method of claim 1, The plurality of light sources have different wavelengths, The sensor outputs different signals according to the wavelength of the light source to be sensed. The method of claim 2, The terminal characterized in that the vertical scroll function or the left and right scroll function is distinguished according to the order of the signals output from the sensor. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The scroll unit, A rotatable scroll key; And And a light transmitting member provided in the scroll key to sequentially change a light source sensed by the sensor according to a rotational movement of the scroll key. A plurality of light sources emitting light of the same wavelength; A plurality of dummy light sources for emitting light having a wavelength different from that of the light source; A sensor for sensing light emitted from the light source and the dummy light source; It comprises a scroll unit for sequentially changing the light source and the dummy light source sensed by the sensor as it is moved, The sensor outputs a different signal according to a sequential combination of a predetermined number of light sources and dummy light sources that are continuously sensed, and the scroll function is implemented. 6. The method of claim 5, The terminal characterized in that the vertical scroll function or the left and right scroll function is distinguished according to the order of the signals output from the sensor. The method of claim 6, And the plurality of light sources and the dummy light sources are sequentially disposed, and sequentially disposed with each other. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, The dummy light source is a terminal characterized in that the light source does not emit light. 9. The method of claim 8, And the sensor senses a plurality of light sources or dummy light sources at the same time, and outputs different signals according to a combination of the plurality of sensed light sources or dummy light sources.

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