Patent ID: 8115730
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An input device formed integrally with an electronic device for inputting one or more commands, comprising: a first input key provided integrally with the top surface of the electronic device, the input key movable in a radial direction within a movement radius of a user's fingers, and configured to input the one or more commands, wherein a plurality of input key guide means formed in the radial direction around an axis of the input key having a radial symmetry, wherein the guide means include a guide slit and a contact with protrusion; a plurality of sensors arranged regularly in the radial direction along with the guide slit within the movement radius of the user's fingers, and configured to send a sensing signal when an approach of the first input key to the sensor or a contact with protrusion of the first input key where the sensor is sensed, wherein each of the guide slit has at least a pair of sensors; a controller configured to receive the sensing signal from the plurality of sensors, to determine which one of the plurality of sensors has sent the sensing signal thereto, to extract an inputted command based on the received sending signal, and to instruct a corresponding execution unit to execute the extracted command; and a second input key forming a set with the first input key, wherein the second input key has a plurality of letters disposed along a same movement route of the first input key, and wherein a different letter is input depending in a movement distance of the first input key and the second input key in combination.