KR20030035740A - Keypad device of rounded key arrayment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A keypad device having a round typed key arrangement is provided to input a direction, a number, and a character to a computer or a telephone by using a thumb. CONSTITUTION: The first key array(110) comprises a plurality of keys arranged on a virtual round shape centered on a visible focus(P) according to a preset order. The second key array(120) comprises a plurality of keys arranged on the outside of the round shape of the first key arrange according to a preset order. The first key array comprises the keys of higher input frequency than the second key array. The keys of the first and the second array comprise the alphabetic keys arranged in a clockwise direction according to an alphabetic order.

Description

Keypad Device with Round Key Arrangement {KEYPAD DEVICE OF ROUNDED KEY ARRAYMENT}

The present invention relates to a keypad device, and more particularly, to a keypad having a round key arrangement for inputting directions, numbers, letters, etc. to a device such as a computer or a phone by using one or both fingers, preferably a thumb. Relates to a device.

Conventional information input means and function execution means include calculators, portable cordless phones, electronic notebooks, and the like, in addition to the keyboard of a computer.

1 is a plan view illustrating a key arrangement state of a computer keyboard used for inputting letters and numbers, symbols, and executing functions according to an embodiment of the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard of a computer system has a predetermined key arrangement, and is configured to enable a user to input necessary letters and numbers more quickly, and to execute necessary functions more quickly. have. However, the keyboard of the computer system does not become an information input means that can be used in a portable state. In other words, portable devices such as portable telephones and PDAs, which are rapidly spread in recent years, have a problem that their size is relatively large and cannot be applied to computer systems. Therefore, applying the keyboard of the computer system as an information input means of portable devices as it is, despite the convenience of input, has caused a lot of problems in terms of effectiveness.

Accordingly, portable keypad devices have been proposed as information input means that can be suitably used in portable telephones and other portable devices. A representative example thereof may be a keypad device of a portable telephone having a key arrangement form shown in FIG.

However, the keypad device of the conventional mobile phone has the advantage of allowing the user to enter the necessary information in a portable state after mounting the keypad in a small space, but the efficiency that takes a lot of input time when entering information Had a problem. That is, although the size of the external device is small, it can be applied to a portable device, but it has a problem in that information input convenience of the computer system cannot be as convenient as a keyboard.

In addition, as described below, a keypad or the like applied as a miniaturized information input device has been proposed in various forms. However, in most of these cases, only miniaturization is important, and thus it is not suitable for an operator's input convenience.

U. S. Patent No. 5,999, 827 filed by Sudo et al. Discloses a communication terminal device, which has a main body, a selection operation unit, an operation input unit, a display unit and a control unit. The operation input portion is formed on the main body, and changes the function according to the mode selected by the selection operation portion.

US Patent No. 393,262 filed by Shimatsu et al. Discloses a portable information storage / retrieval device, wherein control keys of the device are arranged in a circle around a central key.

U.S. Patent No. 413,896 filed by Frye et al. Discloses a key arrangement of a handset, the keys having different shapes.

US Pat. No. 4,211,497, filed by Montgomery, discloses a data entry system in which the keys of each keyboard are located where the operator's finger is most easily accessible.

US Patent No. 4,849,732, filed by Dolenc, discloses a one-handed key shell that can be operated with one hand, the key shell having a specific key that can be operated by a specific finger. The keys are used to calculate tests or other information with the attachment device and are operated with the thumb. The keyboard is divided into sections consisting of five keysets.

US Patent No. 5,059,048, filed by Sirkin, discloses a keyboard that can be used with one hand, the keyboard having keys arranged in a curved and straight line. The keyboard has at least four vertical columns, six horizontal key columns, 26 data input keys, 11 multiple input keys and three command keys.

US Patent No. 5,479,163, filed by Samuelwicz, discloses a circular tactile keyboard for the controller of an electrical device. The keys are arranged in a clock face pattern and have a key-finding ridge formed radially from the circle center.

US Patent No. 5,332,322, filed by Gambaro, discloses an ergonomic keyboard driven with a handheld thumb for use in electronic systems such as portable telephones. As the thumb slides, a limited number of keys on the keyboard operate.

U.S. Patent No. 5,500,643, filed by Grant, discloses a QWERTY-style one-handed keyboard, wherein the key rows of the keyboard are inclined with respect to the parallel lines between the top and bottom to prevent ulnar detachment of the working hand. have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a keypad device having a round key arrangement that can be manipulated with only one or two hand thumbs so that letters, numbers, symbols, and function inputs can be made quickly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keypad device having a round key arrangement in which key input is fast, convenient and accurate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a keypad device having a round key arrangement in which a user can easily understand and remember the key arrangement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a keypad device having a round key arrangement with an ergonomic key arrangement.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a keypad device comprising: a first key sequence consisting of a plurality of keys arranged in a predetermined order on a virtual round shape centered on a visible focus; It provides a keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that it comprises a second key sequence consisting of a plurality of keys arranged in a predetermined order outside the round shape of the first key sequence.

In addition, the present invention is a keypad device, a relatively high frequency of input, a high frequency key consisting of a plurality of keys disposed on a virtual first concentric circle located within the minimum moving radius of the operating finger around the visible focus on the keypad Fever; A round key having a relatively low frequency of input compared to the keys of the high frequency key sequence, and comprising a low frequency key sequence consisting of a plurality of keys arranged on a second concentric circle having a radius larger than the first concentric circles. Provides a keypad device with an arrangement.

1 is a plan view showing a key arrangement state of a computer keyboard used for inputting letters and numbers, symbols, and executing functions according to an embodiment of the prior art;

2 is a plan view showing a keypad key arrangement state of a portable telephone used as a character input means according to an embodiment of the prior art;

3 and 4 are a plan view showing a round key arrangement of a keypad device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5A to 5H are plan views showing round key arrangements having different shapes and arrangements of the keypad device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

6 and 7 are a plan view showing a round key arrangement of a keypad device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

8A to 8B are perspective views of a keypad device having a round key arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a plan view showing a round key arrangement of a keypad device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

10A to 10G are plan views showing round key arrangements in different modes of the keypad device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

3 to 5h.

100: keypad device 110: first key string

120: second key string 130: option key

140: Outer Key Row

6 and 7

210: first key sequence 220: second key sequence

230: third key string 232: center key

234: circumferential key

9 to 10g.

310: first key sequence 320: second key sequence

330: third key sequence 340: fourth key sequence

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The present invention relates to a keypad device having a key arrangement disposed on an imaginary round shape around a visible focal point.

3 and 4 are plan views showing a round key arrangement of the keypad device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A to 5H are different shapes and arrangements of the keypad device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Is a plan view showing a round key arrangement according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a keypad device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first key string 110 and a second key string 120 disposed on a virtual round shape.

The first key string 110 includes a plurality of keys arranged in a predetermined order on a virtual round shape centering on the visible focal point P. FIG. The visible focus P is the first recognized point when the operator looks at the keypad device for key input, and becomes the center portion of the keypad device. The arrangement centered on the visible focus as described above allows the operator to easily recognize and remember the key arrangement state and satisfies the movement characteristic of the manipulation of the finger.

The first key string 110 may be configured with high frequency keys having a relatively high frequency of input compared to the second key string 120. For example, in the consonant key and the vowel key as shown in FIG. 3, the vowel key is arranged in the first key string 110, and as shown in FIG. 4, the digit key is represented as the first key string 110 in the numeric key and the symbol / special character key. ). In the input of the English letter, the alphabet having a high frequency may include a vowel such as "A, E, I, O, U, W, Y". Other character keys than the vowel may be included in the high frequency keys. For example, in the drawing, although "J" and "R" are consonants, they are included as high frequency keys and arranged in the first key string 110. In a keypad device utilized in a financial institution such as a bank, the number input frequency is high, so that the numeric keys may be arranged in the first key string 110.

The second key sequence 120 may include a plurality of keys arranged in a predetermined order in a round shape formed outside the round shape of the first key sequence 110, that is, farther from the visible focus than the first key sequence 110. Is done.

The second key string 120 may be configured with low frequency keys having a relatively low frequency of input compared to the first key string 110. For example, in the consonant key and the vowel key as shown in FIG. 3, the consonant key is arranged in the second key string 120, and as shown in FIG. 4, the symbol / special character key is represented as the second key. It is arranged in the key row 120. The alphabet designated as the low frequency keys may be consonants such as "B, C, D, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, Q, S, T, V, X, Z" and the like. have. The consonant keys already included as high frequency keys such as "J" and "R" or "W" and "Y" in the consonants are not included in the second key string 120 formed of low frequency keys.

In addition, when the English letter keys are arranged as keys of the first key string 110 and the second key string 120 as shown in FIG. 3, the keys may be arranged in an alphabetical order in a clockwise direction. Can be arranged with keys.

The keys of the first key string 110 and the second key string 120 may be arranged as preset international language character keys. In this case, the first key string 110 may be arranged with vowel character keys having a high input frequency, and the second key string 120 may be arranged with consonant character keys having a low input frequency. When the keys of the first key string 110 and the second key string 120 are configured as letter keys, the keys may be arranged in alphabetical order in a clockwise direction.

Meanwhile, the keypad device according to an aspect of the present invention may have various types of round key arrangements as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D.

That is, it may have an elliptical key arrangement as shown in FIG. 5A, a square key arrangement as shown in FIG. 5B, a hexagonal key arrangement as shown in FIG. 5C, and a rectangular key arrangement as shown in FIG. 5D. Such various types of round key arrangements also include a first key sequence 110 located at a short distance from the visible focal point P, and a second key sequence 120 arranged outside the first key sequence 110.

Further, a keypad device in accordance with aspects of the present invention includes a plurality of option keys 130 as shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F. The option key 130 is a key that can be variously used as a special character key, a function key, a symbol key, etc. according to an application example.

In addition, the keypad device according to an aspect of the present invention narrows the distance between the first key string 110 and the second key string 120 as shown in FIG. 5G, and arranges the keys in a clockwise direction in alphabetical order.

In addition, the keypad device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first key string 110 and a second key string 120, as shown in FIG. 5H, and an outer key string arranged in a line outside the second key string 120. Further has 140.

6 and 7 are plan views illustrating a round key arrangement of the keypad apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8A to 8B illustrate a keypad device having a round key arrangement according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view.

6 to 8B, the keypad device according to the second embodiment of the present invention adds a third key string 230 in addition to the first key string 210 and the second key string 220 as in the first embodiment. It is provided with.

The third key sequence 230 is arranged at a position closer to the visible focus than the first key sequence, and is composed of keys for selectively inputting different characters and functions. The third key sequence 230 includes a central key 232 positioned at a visible focus and a plurality of circumferential keys 234 located on a virtual circle centered on the central key 232. The center key 232 may be used as a space key, and as the circumferential key 234, keys for “SHIFT”, “ENTER”, “BACK”, and “DEL” functions may be arranged.

9 is a plan view showing a round key arrangement of a keypad device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figures 10a to 10g is a round key arrangement of different modes of the keypad device according to a third embodiment of the present invention It is a top view showing.

As shown in FIG. 9, the keypad device according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a fourth key string (in addition to the first key string 310, the second key string 320, and the third key string 330 according to the second embodiment). 340 is further provided.

The fourth key sequence 340 is a key sequence arranged horizontally outside the second key sequence 320 and includes a plurality of mode selection keys and function keys. Mode selection keys and function keys of the fourth key string 340 may be arranged in parallel in a row.

The keypad device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is capable of arranging various types of keys according to modes and functions as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10G.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, the alphabet key and the symbol keys are arranged in a zigzag form, as shown in FIG. 10B, as the number and symbol keys as shown in FIG. 10B, as the special character keys as shown in FIG. As shown, the third key sequence is "SPACE", "DEL", "SHIFT", "ENTER" and direction keys, and the third key sequence is shown as "ALT", "CTRL", "ENTER" and as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10F, the third key sequence may be arranged using only the direction keys, as shown in FIG. 10G, as a letter / numerical merge key, a letter / symbol merge key, and a function / direction merge key.

As described above, the keypad device having a round key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention can be operated only by one or two-handed fingers, typically one-handed thumb, so that letters, numbers, symbols, and functions can be quickly inputted. There is.

In addition, the keypad device having a round key arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention not only has an ergonomic structure of the key arrangement, but also allows the user to easily understand and remember the key arrangement, so that the key input is quick and convenient and the typographical rate is reduced. This can reduce the number of keys and improve the accuracy of key input.

Claims (30)

In the keypad device, A first key sequence made up of a plurality of keys arranged in a preset order on a virtual round shape centered on the visible focal point; And a second key sequence including a plurality of keys arranged in a predetermined order outside the round shape of the first key sequence. The method of claim 1, The first key sequence is composed of high frequency keys having a relatively high frequency of input compared to the second key sequence, and the second key sequence is a round type comprising low frequency keys having a relatively low frequency of input compared to the first key sequence. Keypad device with key arrangement. The method of claim 1, And the keys of the first key string and the second key string are composed of alphabetic keys arranged in alphabetical order in a clockwise direction. The method of claim 1, Key pad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that the keys of the first key sequence or the second key sequence consists of numeric keys. The method of claim 1, The keypad device having a round key arrangement, wherein the keys of the first key sequence or the second key sequence consist of function keys for a preset function selection command. The method of claim 1, And said first key sequence consists of vowel character keys and said second key sequence consists of consonant character keys. The method of claim 1, And a key of the first key sequence and the second key sequence comprises a preset international language character keys. The method of claim 7, wherein And said first key sequence consists of vowel character keys and said second key sequence consists of consonant character keys. The method of claim 7, wherein And the keys of the first key sequence and the second key sequence are arranged in alphabetical order in a clockwise direction. The method of claim 1, And a third key sequence comprising keys for selectively inputting different characters and functions at a position closer to the visible focus than the first key sequence. The method of claim 1, A keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that it further has a fourth key sequence consisting of a plurality of mode selection keys and function keys on the outside of the second key sequence. The method of claim 11, And a mode selection key and function keys of the fourth key string are arranged in parallel to each other. The method of claim 10, And said third key sequence comprises a central key positioned at a visible focus and a plurality of circumferential keys positioned on a virtual circle centered on the central key. The method of claim 13, The keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that for installing the center key space key. The method of claim 1, And said first key sequence consists of numeric keys and said second key sequence consists of symbol and special character keys. The method of claim 1, And the keys of the first key sequence and the second key sequence perform at least one or more functions according to a preset mode. In the keypad device, A high frequency key sequence having a relatively high frequency of input and comprising a plurality of keys arranged on a virtual first concentric circle located within a minimum moving radius of a manipulation finger about a visible focus on the keypad; A round key having a relatively low frequency of input compared to the keys of the high frequency key sequence, and comprising a low frequency key sequence consisting of a plurality of keys arranged on a second concentric circle having a radius larger than the first concentric circles. Keypad device with arrangement. The method of claim 17, The keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that the high frequency key sequence consists of vowel keys. The method of claim 17, The keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that the low-frequency key sequence is composed of consonant keys. The method of claim 17, And a key of the high frequency key string and the low frequency key string comprises a set of alphabetic keys arranged in alphabetical order in a clockwise direction. The method of claim 17, And a key of the high frequency key string or the low frequency key string is composed of numeric keys. The method of claim 17, And a key of the high frequency key string or the low frequency key string comprises a function key for a preset function selection command. The method of claim 17, And a key of the high frequency key string and the low frequency key string comprises a preset international language character keys. The method of claim 17, And a central key sequence further comprising a central key sequence for selectively entering different characters and functions at a position closer to the visible focus than the high frequency key sequence. The method of claim 17, The outer side of the low-frequency key sequence keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that it further has an outer key sequence consisting of a plurality of mode selection keys and function keys. The method of claim 25, And the mode selection key and the function keys are arranged in parallel to each other. The method of claim 26, And said central key sequence comprises a central key positioned at a visible focus and a plurality of circumferential keys positioned on a virtual circle centered on said central key. The method of claim 27, The keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that for installing the center key space key. The method of claim 17, Wherein said high frequency key sequence is comprised of numeric keys and said low frequency key sequence is comprised of symbolic and special character keys. The method of claim 17, The keypad device having a round key arrangement, characterized in that the keys of the high frequency key sequence and the low frequency key sequence performs at least one function according to a preset mode.