Abstract:
A key interface apparatus is provided in a limited space of a compact device for entering numerals, characters, and signs so that a desired key can be correctly selected in an easier manner. The apparatus includes at least one key which is recognized as at least one identical key value according to a key input mode. A portable terminal comprises a key interface apparatus provided in a limited space for entering numerals, characters, and signs and a control unit adapted to recognize a key selection signal, which is inputted from at least one key, as an identical key value according to the key input mode of the key interface apparatus.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to an application entitled “Key Interface Apparatus for Easy Key Input and Electronic Device Adapting the Same” filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 22, 2004 and assigned Serial No. 2004-46782, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and more particularly to a key interface apparatus having a QWERTY keyboard for easy input of numerals or any arbitrarily-set characters, and a portable terminal adapting the same.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In general, a portable terminal refers to a portable apparatus capable of providing a user with a wireless communication service while performing wireless communication with a base station. Such a portable terminal is now commonly used by all kinds of people throughout the world, and is recognized by some people as a nearly indispensable commodity which must always be carried. The portable terminal includes a transceiver unit, data input/output units, and an antenna device to transmit/receive audio or video data signals to/from a partner.  
         [0006]     Some recent portable terminals have a small QWERTY keyboard installed thereon for easier input of characters. The keys of the QWERTY keyboard are used to input characters in a character input mode and numerals in a numeral input mode, respectively. The QWERTY keyboard replaces a conventional 3×4 key interface for numeral and character input, and is typically positioned on a surface of the portable terminal.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional portable terminal having a QWERTY keyboard.  
         [0008]     As shown in the drawing, the portable terminal includes a screen  12  for displaying the operation status of the terminal, a speech key  14  for entering an operation command on speech and related services, an end key  16  for entering a command to end speech and a power on/off command, and a QWERTY keyboard  20  for entering numerals, characters, and signs.  
         [0009]     Although not shown in the drawing, the portable terminal may include keys for entering a command to adjust the volume of inputted/outputted sound, a command to move a cursor to indicate a specific character, numeral, sign, or icon from the information displayed on the screen  12 , and a command to scroll a page of the displayed information.  
         [0010]     As shown in the drawing, the QWERTY keyboard  20  of the portable terminal has a small overall size, compact keys are positioned with a narrow spacing among them, considering the portability of the terminal. Accordingly, when a specific key of the QWERTY keyboard  20  is to be pressed, other adjacent keys may be pressed together, or one of the adjacent keys may be pressed erroneously.  
         [0011]     In addition, the QWERTY keyboard  20  of a conventional portable terminal is configured in such a manner that a key can be used to input either a character or a numeral, according to a chosen input mode, in consideration of the limitation in the number of keys.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  shows in more detail the key structure of the QWERTY keyboard  20  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]     As shown in the drawing, each key of the QWERTY keyboard  20  can be used to input at least one numeral, character, or sign. The QWERTY keyboard  20  includes a space key for entering a command to move the cursor displayed on the screen  12 , a telephone mode selection key           for making a call, and a direction key          .  
         [0014]     Each numeral/character combination key  30  of the keyboard is associated with a numeral, as well as with a character, and performs different functions according to the input mode. Particularly, the numeral/character combination keys  30  are used to input numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and signs (*, #) in a numeral input mode and are used to input characters (W, E, R, S, D, F, Z, X, C) and to perform shift function, tab function, and caps lock function in a character input mode.  
         [0015]     However, the numeral/character combination keys  30  of the QWERTY keyboard  20  have a compact size, as mentioned above, and it is difficult to correctly press a specific key as desired. In particular, if a user uses his finger, instead of a pointed device, to press a key, it may not be pressed correctly. Accordingly, key input errors occur frequently.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key interface apparatus making it easier to choose a desired key correctly and a portable terminal adaptable to use the same.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a key interface apparatus having key values associated with input signals so that, in a numeral input mode, a desired numeral can be chosen correctly in an easier manner.  
         [0018]     In order to accomplish this object, there is provided a key interface apparatus provided in a limited space of a compact device for entering numerals, characters, and signs, the apparatus including at least one key which is recognized as at least one identical key value according to a key input mode.  
         [0019]     The keys, which are recognized as at least one identical key value, are preferably disposed adjacently to each other. When the key input mode is a mode for entering numerals, at least one key is recognized as a single numeral. The key interface apparatus is a QWERTY keyboard.  
         [0020]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal including a key interface apparatus provided in a limited space for entering numerals, characters, and signs and a control unit adapted to recognize a key selection signal, which is inputted from at least one key, as an identical key value according to the key input mode of the key interface apparatus.  
         [0021]     The portable terminal preferably further includes a storage unit having a mapping table which associated key values in such a manner that at least one key is recognized as an identical key value. The control unit then determines which key value corresponds to an inputted key selection signal with reference to the mapping table. The keys, which are recognized as an identical key value, are preferably disposed adjacently to each other.  
         [0022]     According to the present invention, a plurality of adjacent keys are recognized as a single numeral, except for numeral keys which are not used in a conventional numeral input mode. This increases the input area for a specific numeral. Consequently, numerals can be easily entered even with keys arranged with a narrow spacing among them. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional portable terminal having a QWERTY keyboard;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows in more detail the key structure of the QWERTY keyboard of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a key interface apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the arrangement structure of keys which are recognized as an identical numeral value in a numeral input mode;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a QWERTY keyboard for recognizing numerals by means of corresponding blocks composed of a plurality of keys;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows in more detail a mapping table belonging to a storage unit shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing a preferred embodiment of a key recognition method of a portable terminal using a key interface apparatus for easier key input according to the present invention; and  
         [0030]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are flow charts showing in more detail a step of  FIG. 6  for deciding which preset recognition value corresponds to an inputted key signal. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals throughout different drawings. Although specific features, e.g., circuit components, are provided in the following description of the present invention, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that such features are only intended to help the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention can be realized without them. In addition, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention unclear.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a key interface apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the arrangement structure of keys which are recognized as an identical numeral value in a numeral input mode. The present embodiment adopts a QWERTY keyboard as a key interface. As shown in the drawing, character and sign keys may be grouped into a block, which correspond to each numeral, and printed, so that numeral recognition values, which correspond to respective numerals, can be identified more easily.  
         [0033]     In the present embodiment, a function key Fn, a delete key DEL for deleting entered characters or numerals, a confirmation key OK for entering a specific operation command or a dialing command using entered numbers, and the like, are used to perform existing functions, as mentioned above, separate from the keys associated with numeral recognition values.  
         [0034]     When any key belonging to the same block is pressed in a numeral input mode, e.g., in a speech mode, the key interface apparatus always recognizes the same numeral, which is associated with the block, as an input. For example, when any key of Q, W, E, and R is pressed, numeral “1” is recognized as an input, and when any key of J, K, and L is pressed, numeral “2” is recognized as an input.  
         [0035]     As such, a plurality of adjacent keys are recognized as a single numeral, except for numeral keys which are not used in a conventional numeral input mode. This increases the input area for a specific numeral. Consequently, numerals can be easily entered even with keys arranged with a narrow spacing among them.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a QWERTY keyboard for recognizing numerals by means of corresponding blocks having a plurality of keys.  
         [0037]     As shown in the drawing, a portable terminal includes a QWERTY keyboard  100  configured as shown in  FIG. 3 , a control unit  110 , a data processing unit  120 , a communication unit  123 , an audio processing unit  125 , a speaker  126 , a microphone  127 , a display unit  130 , and a storage unit  140 .  
         [0038]     The control unit  110  takes the overall control of the portable terminal. If a signal regarding the selection of a key is inputted from the QWERTY keyboard  100 , which is configured as an input interface of the portable terminal in the present embodiment, the control unit  110  performs preset operations in response to the inputted selection signal. The data processing unit  120  modulates or demodulates transmitted/received data under the control of the control unit  110 . The communication unit  123  converts data, which is received via an antenna, into a predetermined frequency band and outputs it to the data processing unit  120 . The communication unit  123  also converts data, which is entered from the data processing unit  120 , into a frequency band for radio transmission via the antenna.  
         [0039]     The audio processing unit  125  converts audio data, which is output from the data processing unit  120 , into audible sound and outputs it via the speaker  126  under the control of the control unit  110 . The audio processing unit  125  also converts audio signals, which are inputted from the microphone  127 , into data and outputs it to the control unit  110 .  
         [0040]     The display unit  130  displays various messages and information on the operation status of the portable terminal, under the control of the control unit  110 . Particularly, the display unit  130  displays numerals, characters, and signs, which correspond to the respective numeral, character, and sign keys in the QWERTY keyboard  100 , under the control of the control unit  110 .  
         [0041]     The QWERTY keyboard  100  has a key arrangement structure as shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein a plurality of keys are recognized as a single numeral for easier selection of numerals.  
         [0042]     The storage unit  140  stores program data  142  necessary for controlling the operation of the portable terminal, as well as data  144  created when the control is performed or when a user uses the portable terminal. In particular, the storage unit  140  has a mapping table  150  so that at least one key of the QWERTY keyboard  100  is grouped into a block, and, when any key belonging to the same block is pressed in a numeral input mode (e.g., a speech mode), the same numeral or sign (*, #), which is associated with the block, is recognized as an input.  
         [0043]     Accordingly, when a user wants to input a numeral, any key belonging to the same block, which corresponds to the desired numeral, causes that numeral to be displayed as the key is pressed. This makes it easier to select desired numerals.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows in more detail a mapping table  150  belonging to the storage unit  140  of  FIG. 4 . As shown in the drawing, the mapping table  150  includes preset block recognition values  180  and character keys  170  corresponding to them. In other words, the character keys  170  are grouped according to corresponding blocks.  
         [0045]     More specifically, Q, W, E, and R keys are grouped into a block and, when any key of Q, W, E, and R are pressed, numeral “1” is determined as an input. The block recognition values and corresponding keys will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing a preferred embodiment of a key recognition method of a portable terminal using a key interface apparatus for easier key input according to the present invention.  
         [0047]     Firstly, a control unit  110  determines whether a command to switch the portable terminal to a telephone mode is entered from a QWERTY keyboard  100  at step S 110 . If it is determined that no command was entered, the control unit  110  performs operations which have been performed, or which is to be performed, according to a preset mode at step S 120 .  
         [0048]     If it is determined that a command to switch to a telephone mode is entered, the control unit  110  switches the operation mode of the portable terminal to a telephone mode and groups the keys of the QWERTY keyboard  110  into groups with reference to a mapping table  150 , according to preset recognition values at step S 130 .  
         [0049]     The control unit  110  determines, as keys are pressed, whether a key signal is inputted from the QWERTY keyboard  100  at step S 140 . If it is determined that no key signal is entered, the control unit  110  maintains the existing telephone mode and detects later input of a key signal from the QWERTY keyboard  100  at step S 150 .  
         [0050]     If it is determined that a key signal is inputted, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is a signal value corresponding to a key included in the mapping table  150  at step S 160 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not a signal value included and preset in the mapping table  150 , the control unit  110  performs operations corresponding to the inputted key signal and detects later input of a key signal at step S 170 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is a signal value included and preset in the mapping table  150 , the control unit  110  decides which preset block recognition value corresponds to the inputted key signal at step S 200 . The control unit  110  then displays the decided recognition value through a display unit  130  at step S 420 . After displaying the recognition value, the control unit  110  determines whether a command to end the telephone mode is entered at step S 440 .  
         [0051]     If it is determined that a command to end the telephone mode is not entered, the control unit  110  repeats the steps S 140  to S 420 . If it is determined that a command to end the telephone mode is entered, the control unit  110  undoes the blocking of keys and switches the operation mode of the portable terminal to a normal mode at step S 460 .  
         [0052]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are flow charts showing in more detail a step S 200  of  FIG. 6  for deciding which preset recognition value corresponds to an inputted key signal.  
         [0053]     Firstly, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from any one of Q, W, E, and R keys at step S 210 . If it is determined that the inputted signal is from any one of Q, W, E, and R keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “1” at step S 212 . If it is determined that the inputted signal is not from at least one of Q, W, E, and R keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from any one of A, S, D, and F keys at step S 220 . If it is determined that the inputted signal is from any one of A, S, D, and F keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “4” at step S 222 .  
         [0054]     If it is determined that the inputted signal is not from at least one of A, S, D, and F keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is any one from Z, X, and C keys at step S 230 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of Z, X, and C keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “7” at step S 232 .  
         [0055]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from at least one of Z, X, and C keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is any one from shift, tab, and cap lock keys at step S 240 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of shift, tab, and cap lock keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “*” at step S 242 .  
         [0056]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from at least one of shift, tab, and cap lock keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is any one from T and Y keys at step S 250 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of T and Y keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “2” at step S 252 .  
         [0057]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from at least one of T and Y keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is any one from G and H keys at step S 260 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of G and H keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “5” at step S 262 .  
         [0058]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from at least one of G and H keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is any one from V and B keys at step S 310 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of V and B keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “8” at step S 312 .  
         [0059]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from at least one of V and B keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from space key at step S 320 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from space key, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “0” at step S 322 .  
         [0060]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from space key, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from any one of U, I, O, and P keys at step S 330 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of U, I, O, and P keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “3” at step S 332 .  
         [0061]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from any one of U, I, O, and P keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from any one of J, K, and L keys at step S 340 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of J, K, and L keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “6” at step S 342 .  
         [0062]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from any one of J, K, and L keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from any one of N and M at step S 350 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of N and M keys, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “9” at step S 352 .  
         [0063]     If it is determined that the inputted key signal is not from any one of N and M keys, the control unit  110  determines whether the inputted key signal is from any one of telephone mode key, direction key, and dot (.) key at step S 360 . If it is determined that the inputted key signal is from any one of telephone mode key, direction key, and dot key, the control unit  110  decides that the inputted key signal is “#” at step S 362 .  
         [0064]     According to the present invention, a plurality of adjacent keys are recognized as a single numeral, except for numeral keys which are not used in a conventional numeral input mode. This increases the input area for a specific numeral. Consequently, numerals can be entered easily even with keys arranged with a narrow spacing among them.  
         [0065]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.