Abstract:
An input device is provided. The input device includes a first input unit configured to provide at least two directional signals, a second input unit located in the first input unit, the second input unit including a housing and a rotatable member located therein, the second input unit being configured to provide at least two directional signals different from the at least two directional signals of the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. A mobile communication device having the input device is also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 2007-0020416, filed Feb. 28, 2007, and is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an input device and to a mobile communication having the same, and more particularly, to an input device having two input units and a mobile communication device having the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In general, a mobile communication device includes a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and a mobile PC, and may be an advanced communication appliance that can perform various computer works through a network connection as well as wireless communication regardless independent of location. 
     Nowadays, the mobile communication device has various additional functions such as the capability to perform an Internet search, play a game, and send/receive E-mail in addition to a communication function for transferring a voice. Accordingly, the mobile communication device has a navigation key that functions as a direction key for enabling a user to easily use various additional functions. 
     However, in order to move a cursor to a desired position using a conventional button type navigation key, the user is required to perform many repeated operations, and it is inconvenient to use the conventional button type navigation key in an Internet mode and a game mode, which requires quick and minute direction control. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the above problems by providing an input device and a mobile communication device that can implement various user interfaces and also improve ease of manipulation. 
     According to principles of the present invention, an input device is provided. The input device includes a first input unit configured to provide at least two directional signals, a second input unit located in the first input unit, the second input unit including a housing and a rotatable member located therein, the second input unit being configured to provide at least two directional signals different from the at least two directional signals of the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. 
     In a further aspect, the rotatable member may be a trackball, and the second input unit may include a rotation detection unit configured to detect the rotation of the trackball. 
     In a different aspect, the first input unit may include a panel that surrounds the second input unit, and a contact detection unit located on the circuitry supporting substrate, the contact detection unit being arranged to detect movement of the panel in at least two directions. 
     In still another aspect, the first input unit may include a panel configured to perform an input function when touched by a user, and a sensor located adjacent the panel, the sensor being configured to detect when the panel is touched by a user. 
     According to principles of the present invention, a mobile communication device is provided. The mobile communication device includes a body, a display located on the body, and an input device configured to control the display. The input device includes a first input unit configured to provide at least two directional signals, a second input unit located in the first input unit, the second input unit including a housing and a rotatable member located therein, the second input unit being configured to provide at least two directional signals different from the at least two directional signals of the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that controls the display that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. 
     In a further aspect, the rotatable member may be a trackball, and the second input unit includes a rotation detection unit configured to detect the rotation of the trackball. The second unit may be configured to perform a function corresponding to one of a confirmation key, a selection key, and a mode-switching key when pressed toward the circuitry supporting substrate. 
     In a different aspect, the first input unit may be configured to perform at least two input operations, each input operation being associated with a different directional signal of the first input unit. The first input unit may include a panel that surrounds the second input unit, and a contact detection unit located on the circuitry supporting substrate, the contact detection unit being arranged to detect movement of the panel in at least two directions. 
     In still another aspect, the first input unit may be configured to perform an input operation when touched by a user. The first input unit may include a panel, and a sensor located adjacent the panel, the sensor being configured to detect when the panel is touched by a user. 
     In yet another aspect the first input unit may be configured to perform at least two input operations when pressed by a user and another input operation when touched by a user. The first input unit may include a panel that surrounds the second input unit, a contact detection unit located on the circuitry supporting substrate, the contact detection unit being arranged to detect movement of the panel in the at least two directions when pressed by a user, and a sensor located adjacent the panel, the sensor being configured to detect when the panel is touched by a user. 
     In a further aspect, the second input unit may be configured to switch the first input unit between a first mode for performing an input operation when pressed by a user and a second mode for performing an input operation when touched by a user. 
     According to principles of the present invention, another mobile communication device is provided. The mobile communication device includes a body, a display located on the body, and an input device configured to control the display. The input device includes a first input unit configured to move in at least two directions, a second input unit located in the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that controls the display that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. The second input unit includes a housing, a trackball located in the housing, and a rotation detection unit configured to detect the rotation of the trackball. The first input unit includes a panel that surrounds the second input unit, and a contact detection unit located on the circuitry supporting substrate, the contact detection unit being arranged to detect movement of the panel in the at least two directions. 
     In a further aspect, the first input unit includes a sensor located adjacent the panel, the sensor being configured to detect when the panel is touched by a user. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an input device of a mobile communication terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the input device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating an example of using the input device shown in  FIG. 2  in an Internet mode; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an input device of a mobile communication terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the input device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of an input device of a mobile communication terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the input device shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The mobile communication device shown in  FIG. 1  is a folder type mobile phone, and includes a main body  10  and a folder body  20 . In a front case  11  of the main body  10 , input devices  100 ,  200 , and  300  for inputting various information to a controller (not shown) and a plurality of button keys  13  are provided. The folder unit  20  includes a display unit  21  for displaying various visible information. While  FIG. 1  shows a mobile communication device as a folding type phone, it is understood that the input device  100 ,  200 ,  300  are not limited to such use. For example, the input device  100 ,  200 ,  300  may also be provided in bar type phones, sliding type phones, combination of the various type phones, as well as in other mobile phones, PDAs and mobile PCs. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an input device  100  of a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the input device  100  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the input device  100  includes a trackball unit  110  (second input unit), a navigation key input unit  120  (first input unit), and a circuitry supporting substrate (CSS)  130 , such as a printed circuit board, for receiving a signal that is input through the trackball unit  110  and the navigation key input unit  120 . 
     The trackball unit  110  includes a spherical trackball  112  that is configured to rotate within a housing  118  and a rotation detection unit  114  for detecting the rotation of the trackball  112 . 
     The trackball  112  is provided to rotate within the housing  118  while a part of an upper part thereof is exposed outside of the housing  118 . 
     The housing  118  has a cylindrical shape disposed at the center of the CSS  130  and defines a space for inserting and rotating the trackball  112 , and the rotation detection unit  114  for detecting a rotation direction of the trackball  112  is provided within the housing  118 . A lower end of the rotation detection unit  114  is electrically connected to the CSS  130  to transfer a rotation manipulation of the trackball  112  by a user to the CSS  130 . 
     The rotation detection unit  114  is formed to detect the rotation of the trackball  112 . For example, the rotation detection unit  114  has orthogonal X axis and Y axis that rotates due to frictional contact with the trackball  112  at a lower part of the trackball  112 , and includes a sensor for sensing a rotated degree of the X axis and the Y axis. When the trackball  112  is rotated in a specific direction by the user, the rotation detection unit  114  detects the rotation manipulation of the trackball  112  and transfers the corresponding signal to the CSS  130  as a direction input. 
     In general, a trackball device detects a coordinate on a monitor screen, and is a coordinate input device for inputting position information of the coordinate. The trackball device has the appearance of an inverted mouse shape and operates in a similar manner to that of a mouse, which is an auxiliary input device of a computer. The trackball is widely used in a notebook computer, a keyboard, or a remote control of electronic appliances, and is nowadays used in mobile communication devices. The trackball  110  is well known to those skilled in the art and can be embodied in various forms. 
     The trackball unit  110  further includes a dome switch  116  for performing a function corresponding to any one of a confirmation key, a selection key, a mode-switching key, or any desirable function when the trackball  112  is pressed downward towards the CSS. The dome switch  116  is disposed in the CSS  130  in a position corresponding to the trackball  112 . For example, the dome switch  116  may be provided in a space defined by the housing  118 . 
     The navigation key input unit  120  is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit  110  and performs at least two input operations with a press method. The navigation key input unit  120  includes a panel  122  disposed to surround the trackball  112  and a contact detection unit  124  disposed on the CSS  130  to detect the manipulation of the panel  122 . 
     As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the panel  122  may be a circular plate, which is supported by an upper end of the housing  118 , and has vertical and lateral sides to be pressed down towards the CSS  130 . At the center of the panel  122 , a central hole  122   a  is formed to receive the trackball  112  and to expose the trackball  112  to the outside. Further, an upper surface of the panel  122  has a concave central portion for so as not to prevent the direction manipulation toward vertical and lateral sides of the panel  122  by the trackball  112 . In addition, arrows for indicating vertical and lateral directions are displayed on the upper surface of the panel  122 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Four contact detection units  124  are disposed on the CSS  130  corresponding to vertical and lateral sides of the panel  122 . That is, four contact detection units  124  are disposed on and spaced at an interval of 90° on the CSS  130 . When the vertical and lateral sides of the panel  122  are pressed down by the user, the contact detection units  124  perform a function of transferring the corresponding signal to the CSS  130 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a general touch switch can be used as the contact detection unit  124 ; however, any switch for detecting the movement of the panel  122  and transferring a direction signal to the CSS  130  may be used. For example, as the contact detection unit  124 , a dome switch may be used. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating an example of using the input device  100  in an Internet mode. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the trackball unit  110  disposed within the input device  100  performs a function of controlling a direction of a cursor displayed on web contents, and the navigation key input unit  120  disposed at the outside of the input device  100  performs a vertical and lateral scroll control function on web contents. Further, the trackball unit  110  enables a user to click on desired web contents. 
     Because the input device  100  is divided into two independent input means of the trackball unit  110  and the navigation key input unit  120 , the direction control of a curse displayed in the display unit can be allocated to the trackball unit  110  for performing an input operation in various directions including vertical, lateral, and diagonal directions. Accordingly, the input device  100  can perform quick and convenient direction control in an Internet mode and a game mode. 
     Particularly, because the display unit of the mobile communication device has a size much smaller than a monitor of a computer, a scroll function is frequently used during an Internet search, whereby the input device  100  can allocate a vertical and lateral scroll function to the navigation key input unit  120 , thereby providing excellent manipulation response. 
     The input device  100  can be embodied with a user interface of various combinations such as an Internet mode, a game mode, and a camera mode in addition to the example shown in  FIG. 4 . Furthermore, while a particular web page has been shown, it is merely illustrative of the control functions attributed to the input device  100 . 
     Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an input device  200  of a mobile communication device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the input device  200  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The configuration of the input device  200  is substantially identical to that of the input device  100  shown in  FIG. 2 , except that a navigation key input unit  220  performs an input operation using a touch or sensing method, therefore similar reference numerals have been used to designate substantially identical elements, and descriptions thereof will be briefly described. 
     The input device  200  includes a trackball unit  210 , a navigation key input unit  220  that is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit  210  and is configured to perform an input operation using a touch method, and a CSS  230  for receiving a signal that is input through the trackball unit  210  and the navigation key input unit  220 . 
     The trackball unit  210  includes a spherical trackball  212  that is configured to rotate within a housing  218  and a rotation detection unit  214  for detecting the rotation of the trackball  212 . The trackball unit  210  further includes a dome switch  216  for performing a function corresponding to any one of a confirmation key, a selection key, a mode-switching key, or any other desirable function when the trackball  212  is pressed downward toward the CSS  230 . The dome switch  216  is disposed on the CSS  230  in a position corresponding to the trackball  212 . 
     The navigation key input unit  220  is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit  210  and is configured to perform an input operation using a press method. For this, the navigation key input unit  220  includes a panel  222  that is disposed to surround the trackball  212  and a sensor  226  that is disposed in the CSS to sense a signal changing when a user&#39;s finger contacts the panel  222 . That is, the navigation key input unit  220  performs an input operation using a touch method. Here, the touch method may include a touch screen method widely used in various terminals and a touch wheel method similar to that employed by an iPod product of the Apple company. Both methods can be used in selecting a menu with a soft touch of a finger. 
     The sensor  226  has a cylindrical shape to surround a circumference of the housing  218 , and uses a pressure detection sensor for sensing an input direction using the pressure change generating when the user&#39;s finger contacts with an upper surface of the panel  222  or uses a static electricity detection sensor for sensing an input direction using the static electricity charge generated when the user&#39;s finger contacts with the upper surface of the panel  222 . While two specific types of sensors for providing a touch method have been described, it is understood that any type sensor suitable for use in a touch method can be applied to the present invention. 
     The navigation key input unit  220  using the touch method can perform a scroll function in an Internet mode. That is, as the user&#39;s finger contacts with the upper surface of the panel  222  and rotates the upper surface in a vertical or lateral direction, a vertical or lateral scroll function can be embodied in an Internet mode. 
     Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of an input device  300  of a mobile communication device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the input device  300  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The configuration of the input device  300  is substantially identical to that of the input device  100  shown in  FIG. 2 , except that a navigation key input unit  320  performs an input operation using both a press method and a touch method, therefore similar reference numerals designation substantially identical elements have been used, and descriptions thereof will be briefly described. 
     The input device  300  includes a trackball unit  310 , a navigation key input unit  320  that is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit  310  and is configured to perform at least two input operations with a pressing method and an input operation with a touching method, and a CSS  330  for receiving a signal that is input through the trackball unit  310  and the navigation key input unit  320 . 
     The trackball unit  310  includes a spherical trackball  312  that is configured to rotate within a housing  318  and a rotation detection unit  314  for detecting the rotation of the trackball  312 . The trackball unit  310  further includes a dome switch  316  for performing a function corresponding to any one of a confirmation key, a selection key, a mode-switching key, or any other desirable function, when the trackball  312  is pressed downward towards the CSS  330 . The dome switch  316  is disposed in the CSS  330  of a position corresponding to the trackball  312 . 
     The navigation key input unit  320  is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit  310  and can perform an input operation using both a pressing method and a touching method. For this, the navigation key input unit  320  includes a panel  322  that is disposed to surround the trackball  312  and that has vertical and lateral sides to be pressed down towards the CSS  330 , four contact detection units  324  that are disposed on a position of the CSS  330  corresponding to vertical and lateral sides of the panel  322  to detect the manipulation of the panel  322 , and a sensor  326  that is disposed on the CSS  330  to detect a signal changing when the user&#39;s finger contacts the panel  322 . The sensor  326  may be disposed between the housing  318  and the four contact detection units  324 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Because the navigation key input unit  320  can perform both the input operation using a pressing method according to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  and the input operation using a touching method according to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , interfaces of various combinations can be embodied. 
     The trackball unit  310  can also be used as a mode switching key for performing the switch between a first mode (a direction key mode) of performing an input operation with only a pressing method in the navigation key input unit  320  and a second mode (a touch mode) of performing an input operation with only a touching method in the navigation key input unit  320 . This can prevent the user&#39;s confusion that may be generated by mixing a press method and a touch method in a specific mode. Particularly, a user unfamiliar with a touch method can use the navigation key input unit  320  with only a press method. 
     As described above, an input device of a mobile communication device according to the present invention includes two independent input means of a trackball unit and a navigation key input, thereby embodying various user interfaces and improving manipulation response. 
     The embodiment of the invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.