Abstract:
An input device includes a plurality of strip switches radially disposed on a board, and an adjusting stick movably mounted on the board at a central location of the radially disposed strip switches for selectively connecting the strip switches. Selective connection of the strip switches by the adjusting stick inputs signals. A pointer can be conveniently controlled. Fabrication costs and the size of a mobile terminal including such an input device are reduced.

Description:
[0001]     This application relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2005-0117705, filed on Dec. 5, 2005, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an input device and a mobile terminal having such an input device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an input device capable of controlling a pointer, which minimizes the size of a terminal having such an input device, and to a mobile terminal having such an input device.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a conventional mobile terminal, and  FIG. 2  is a sectional view illustrating an input device taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0006]     A conventional mobile terminal may include a first body  110  on which a display  112  is disposed to visually display various information, and a second body  120  mounted to the first body  110  to be opened and closed. The second body  120  has input devices  122  and  124  for inputting information, and a battery  126 .  
         [0007]     The input devices include key buttons  124  arranged so as to be exposed at a front surface of the second body  120  to allow a user to activate them, such as by pressing, and a four-directional input device  122  which may be operated in four directions (i.e., upper, lower, right and left directions).  
         [0008]     The four-directional input device  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , includes a button  130  having a circular shape which is configured to be pressed (entered) in four directions (i.e., upper, lower, right and left directions), a pad  132  adhered (attached) to a lower surface of the button  130 , and having four operation protrusions  138  positioned on its lower surface in a circumferential direction, and four dome switches  136  disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB)  134  mounted in the second body  120 . The dome switches  136  are switched (activated) when the respective operation protrusions  138  are pressed.  
         [0009]     The conventional four-directional input device  122  is operated such that when the button  130  is pressed in a certain direction, one of the four operation protrusions  138  presses one of the four dome switches  136  to produce an input of a signal.  
         [0010]     However, the conventional input device is only allows for input of signals with respect to the four directions. Accordingly, this limitation on the direction control causes difficulty for controlling a pointer.  
         [0011]     The conventional input device also has complicated structure and a large volume, which results in an increase in fabricating costs and difficulty in minimizing the size of the terminal.  
         [0012]     Another conventional input device includes an input device having a magnet sensor for sensing a direction the magnet is moved to move a pointer or input a signal. Another conventional input device includes an input device having a pressure sensor which recognizes a pressurized direction of a stick to move the pointer in a desired direction or input a signal.  
         [0013]     However, input devices using these types of sensors require separate components, such as separate sensors, control IC, and the like, and component mounting spaces for mounting the components are also required. This results in an increase in fabricating costs and difficulty in minimization of the terminal.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of conveniently controlling a pointer by controlling the pointer in four or more directions, and of reducing a fabricating cost and minimizing a terminal by employing a simple structure, and a mobile terminal having the same.  
         [0015]     To achieve these and other advantages, an aspect of the present invention includes an input device having a plurality of strip switches radially disposed on a board; and an adjusting stick movably mounted on the board at a central location of the radially disposed strip switches for selectively connecting the strip switches. Selective connection of the strip switches by the adjusting stick inputs signals.  
         [0016]     The strip switches may be strip lines formed on the board in patterns. The strip switches may include eight switches radially arranged on the board with the same interval therebetween. Each of the strip switches may include two pins arranged adjacent to each other so as to be electrically connected by the adjusting stick. The respective pins of each strip switch may be respectively connected to pins of respective adjacent strip switches via a respective common node.  
         [0017]     The adjusting stick may include an adjusting portion moved by a user; an operating portion mounted at a lower end of the adjusting portion for electrically connecting the strip switches by movment of the adjusting portion; and a connecting portion connected between the adjusting portion and the board for supporting the adjusting portion and returning the adjusting portion to an original position.  
         [0018]     The adjusting portion may have one of a half-spherical shape or a bar shape. The operating portion may be formed of a conductive rubber material. The operating portion may be formed as a half-spherical shape at a lower surface of the adjusting portion. The connecting portion may be formed of an elastically variable material such that one end of the connecting portion is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the adjusting portion and the other end is fixed to the upper surface of the board to return the operating stick to the original position.  
         [0019]     The input device may include an upper board and a lower board with an interval therebetween, the strip switches being disposed on an upper surface of the lower board, and the adjusting stick extending through a through hole formed in the upper board.  
         [0020]     Another aspect of the present invention includes a mobile communications terminal having such an input device.  
         [0021]     Another aspect of the present invention includes an input device having a plurality of strip switches radially disposed on a board; an operation switch disposed centrally to the strip switches; and an adjusting stick movably mounted on the board for selectively connecting the switches and pressing the operation switch. The operation switch may operate a key selected by moving a pointer.  
         [0022]     The adjusting stick may includes an adjusting portion moved by a user; an operating portion mounted at a lower end of the adjusting portion for electrically connecting the strip switches by movement of the adjusting portion; an operation protrusion formed on the operating portion for pressing the operation switch; and a connecting portion connected between the adjusting portion and the board for supporting the adjusting portion and returning the adjusting portion to an original position.  
         [0023]     The connecting portion may be formed of an elastically variable material such that one end is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the adjusting portion and the other end is fixed to the upper surface of the board. The operation protrusion may protrude from the center of the operating portion, and may be configured to press the operation switch when the adjusting portion is moved downward.  
         [0024]     Each of the strip switches may include two pins arranged adjacent to each other so as to be electrically connected by the adjusting stick. The respective pins of each strip switch may be respectively connected to pins of respective adjacent strip switches via a respective common node.  
         [0025]     Another aspect of the present invention includes a mobile communications terminal having such an input device.  
         [0026]     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a mobile terminal may include a terminal main body having a display and an input device mounted in the terminal main body for inputting signals. The input device includes a plurality of strip switches radially arranged on a board, and an adjusting stick movably mounted on the board for inputting signals by selectively connecting the plurality of strip switches.  
         [0027]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal may include a first body having a display, and a second body mounted at the first body to be opened and closed and having an input device mounted therein. The input device includes a plurality of strip switches radially arranged on a board, and an adjusting stick movably mounted on the board for inputting signals by selectively connecting the plurality of strip switches.  
         [0028]     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the following noted drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention, and in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the drawings.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional mobile terminal;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mobile terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mobile terminal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of strip switches of an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a circuit of strip switches in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8A  is a partial side view depicting an operational state of an input device;  
         [0038]      FIG. 8B  is a partial plan view depicting the operational state shown in  FIG. 8A ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 9A  is a partial side view depicting an operational state of an input device;  
         [0040]      FIG. 9B  is a partial plan view depicting the operational state shown in  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 10A  is a partial side view depicting an operational state of an input device;  
         [0042]      FIG. 10B  is a partial plan view depicting the operational state shown in  FIG. 10A ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of an input device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of an input device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]     Description will now be given in detail of a mobile terminal and an input device according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0046]     The input device of the present invention may be provided on various types of mobile terminals.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a mobile terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0047]     A mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a first body  10  having a display  12 , and a second body  20  mounted to the first body  10  in such a manner as to be opened and closed, The second body  12  includes an input device  30  for inputting information, a battery  22  mounted on its rear surface, and a printed circuit board mounted therein.  
         [0048]     The input device  30  may be provided on various types of mobile terminals, such as slide type mobile terminals in which the first and second bodies are movably connected to each other in such a manner as to be relatively slid, bar type mobile terminals in which a display and a keypad are formed on a singly body, swing type mobile terminals in which the first and second bodies are connected to each other to be relatively rotated, as well as the folder type mobile terminals shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0049]     An input device may be provided on a bar type mobile terminal, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The mobile terminal includes a terminal main body  24  having a printed circuit board therein, a display  26  mounted on a front surface of the terminal main body  24  for displaying information, and an input device  30  mounted on the terminal main body  24  for inputting information.  
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 6  is a plan view of strip switches of the input device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0051]     The input device  30  may include a board  32  provided in the second body  20  or the terminal main body  24 , a plurality of strip switches  34  radially arranged on an upper surface of the board  32 , and an adjusting stick  38  mounted on the board  32  and arranged to be exposed to the exterior through a through hole  36  formed in the second body  20  or the terminal main body  24 . The adjusting stick  38  is configured to electrically connect the strip switches to one another in order to input signals.  
         [0052]     The board  32  may be provided as a printed circuit board disposed in the second body  20  or the terminal main body  24 , and also may be provided using a separate board to electrically connected to the printed circuit board.  
         [0053]     The strip switches  34  are formed in a plurality of strip lines which are disposed as patterns on an upper surface of the board  32 . The strip switches  34  are electrically connected to one another via a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and wires. A single strip switch  44  includes two pins which are aligned to be adjacent to each other, in order to be electrically connected to each other by the adjusting stick  38 .  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , eight strip switches  34  are radially provided so as to allow a movement of a pointer in eight directions, for conveniently controlling the pointer.  
         [0055]     The strip switches  34  are formed by radially arranging eight switches in sequence with the same interval (gap) therebetween. The eight switches correspond to a first switch  44  arranged at an upper side and having two pins P 1  and P 2 , a second switch  46  having two pins P 3  and P 4 , a third switch  48  having two pins P 5  and P 6 , a fourth switch  50  having two pins P 7  and P 8 , a fifth switch  52  having two pins P 9  and P 10 , a sixth switch  54  having two pins P 11  and P 12 , a seventh switch  56  having two pins P 13  and P 14 , and an eighth switch  58  having two pins P 15  and P 16 .  
         [0056]     The strip switches  34  have the structure in which each switch is radially arranged to be adjacent to another switch. Accordingly, when the adjusting stick  38  inadvertently electrically connects the pin P 2  of the first switch  44  to the pin P 3  of the second switch  46 , the pin P 3  being arranged to be adjacent to the pin P 2 , a malfunction could potentially occur. However, in order to prevent such a malfunction of the input device  30 , the same node is used to connect the pin P 2  of the first switch  44  to the pin P 3  of the second switch  46 .  
         [0057]     That is, a common node is used to connect one of the pins of one switch to one of the pins of another switch, where the two pins of the different switches are adjacent to each other. In this manner, the same signal is inputted to the CPU, even if a pin of an adjacent switch is inadvertently connected by the adjusting stick  38 . Accordingly, the malfunction does not occur when the two pins of the adjacent switches are electrically connected by the adjusting stick  38 .  
         [0058]     A strip switch circuit is shown in  FIG. 7 , in which the eight strip switches are disposed on scan lines arranged in four rows in a horizontal direction and on data lines arranged in two rows in a vertical direction. The strip switches are arranged in a meandering array manner as represented by an arrow P, so as to prevent malfunction of the input device  30  as described above. The order of arranging the strip switches in the circuit illustrated in  FIG. 7  are the same as that of arranging the pins of each switch in the clockwise direction as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0059]     The adjusting stick  38  includes an adjusting portion moved or adjusted by a user to input signals, an operating portion  72  disposed at a lower end of the adjusting portion  70  for electrically connecting the strip switches  34  to one another by operation of the adjusting portion  70 , and a connecting portion  74  connected between the adjusting portion  70  and the board  32  for supporting the adjusting portion  70  and applying an elastic force to the adjusting portion  70  in order to return the adjusting portion  70  to its original position.  
         [0060]     The adjusting portion  70  is arranged to be exposed to the exterior through a through hole  36  formed in the terminal main body  24 . The adjusting portion may have any suitable shape, such as a half-spherical shape.  
         [0061]     The operating portion  72  is formed of a conductive material, and is disposed at the lower surface of the adjusting portion  70 . The operation portion  72  may have any suitable shape, such as a half-spherical shape. The operating portion  72  may be formed of any suitable material, such as a conductive rubber material capable of reducing a friction generated when it is in contact with the strip switches  34 .  
         [0062]     The connecting portion  74  may be formed of any suitable material, such as an elastically variable material. One end of the connecting portion  74  is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the adjusting portion  70  and the other end thereof is fixed to an upper surface of the board  32 . The connecting portion  74  is preferably formed of a non-conductive rubber material having an elastic force sufficient for returning the adjusting portion  70  to its original position.  
         [0063]     An operation of the input device according to the present invention having such a construction will now be explained.  
         [0064]      FIGS. 8A through 10B  are views illustrating operational states of an input device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0065]     First, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , in a non-operated state of the adjusting stick  38 , the adjusting portion  70  is positioned at the center by an elastic force of the connecting portion  74  and is not in contact with any of the strip switches  34 . Accordingly, the adjusting portion  70  is in a neutral condition in which a signal is not being inputted.  
         [0066]     In the state illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a user moves the adjusting portion  70  of the adjusting stick  38  to a left side in the drawing. In this condition the connecting portion  74  is elastically deformed. The operating portion  72  contacts with two pins of the seventh switch  56  to electrically connect the two pins. Accordingly, a signal of the seventh switch  56  is input and transferred to the CPU, which then converts the signal into data. The CPU permits a cursor or a pointer displayed on a display  12  to be moved toward the left side, or information to be displayed on the display  12 , based upon the converted data.  
         [0067]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , when the user moves the adjusting portion  70  of the adjusting stick  38  to a right side in the drawing, the connecting portion  74  is elastically deformed. The operating portion  72  then connects two pins of the third switch  48 , and the signal of the third switch  48  is inputted to the CPU.  
         [0068]     Thus, the cursor or pointer can be moved in the eight directions by adjusting the adjusting portion  70  in the eight directions, which makes it convenient to control the pointer.  
         [0069]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of an input device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0070]     An input device according to the second embodiment includes a first board  80  and a second board  82  stacked with a certain gap therebetween inside the second body  20  or the terminal main body  24 , a plurality of strip switches  34   2 o radially disposed at an upper surface of the second board  82 , and an adjusting stick  86  mounted on the second board  82 . The adjusting stick  86  is positioned in a through hole  36  formed in the second body  20  or the terminal main body  24 , and a through hole  84  formed in the first board  80 , for inputting signals by electrically connecting the strip switches  34 .  
         [0071]     The strip switches  34  have the same structure and function as the strip switches  34  described with regard to the first embodiment, explanation of which will not be repeated.  
         [0072]     The adjusting stick  86  has the same construction as that of the adjusting stick  38  described in the first embodiment. However, since an adjusting portion  88  extends through the through hole  84  formed in the first board  80  and the through hole  36  formed in the terminal main body  24 , the adjusting stick is formed as a long bar or arm. Accordingly, a range in which the adjusting portion  88  is movable is extended so as to enable a more convenient use of the adjusting portion  88 .  
         [0073]     An operation of the input device according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the input device described above with regard to the first embodiment.  
         [0074]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of an input device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0075]     An input device according to a third embodiment includes a plurality of strip switches  34  radially disposed on the board, an operation switch  92  formed at the center of the strip switches  34 , and an adjusting stick  38  movably mounted on the board  32  for electrically connecting the plurality of strip switches  34  and for pushing (pressing, entering) the operation switch  92 .  
         [0076]     The strip switches  34  have the same structure as that of the strip switches  34  described with regard to the first embodiment, and serve to move a cursor or pointer when the adjusting stick  38  is operated or manipulated by a user.  
         [0077]     The operation switch  92  is disposed at the center of the strip switches  34 . Accordingly, when pressing the operation switch  92  by downward movement of the adjusting stick  38 , the operation switch  92  serves to operate (activate) a menu selected by the movement of the cursor or pointer. The operation switch  92  may be of any suitable configuration, such as that of a dome switch.  
         [0078]     The operation switch  92  is positioned in a through hole  90  formed in the board  32  and is arranged at a portion lower than portions where the strip switches  34  are disposed at the upper surface of the board  32 .  
         [0079]     The adjusting stick  38  includes an adjusting portion  70  adjusted to input signals, an operating portion  72  mounted at a lower side of the adjusting portion  70  for electrically connecting the strip switches  34  by operation of the adjusting portion  70 , an operation protrusion  94  protrudingly formed on the operating portion  72  for operating the operation switch  92 , and a connecting portion  74  connected between the adjusting portion  70  and the board  34  for supporting the adjusting portion  70  and returning the adjusting portion  70  to its original position.  
         [0080]     The adjusting stick  38  has the same structure and function as that of the adjusting stick described with regard to the first embodiment, with the addition of the operation protrusion  94  protruded from the center of the operating portion  72  in for operating the operation switch  92 .  
         [0081]     The input device according to the third embodiment is operated as same as the input device according to the one embodiment is. However, in the input device according to the third embodiment, the operation switch  92  is operated by pushing (pressing, entering) the adjusting stick  38  downward.  
         [0082]     As described above, in the input device having such a construction and the mobile terminal having such an input device, the strip switches constituted with eight switches are provided to conveniently control the pointer in the eight directions, and the simple structure can reduce fabrication costs.  
         [0083]     The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0084]     One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically as described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.  
         [0085]     The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.  
         [0086]     Although the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiment is not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, Rather, the above-described embodiment should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, changes may be made within the metes and bounds of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.