Virtual wheel interface for mobile terminal and character input method using the same

A virtual wheel interface structure of a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit and a character input. A virtual keypad in a wheel shape is displayed on a display unit adjacent to the wheel input unit having a wheel, a selection, and navigation keys. The virtual wheel keypad includes a plurality of virtual keys disposed in the wheel rotation direction. A screen highlight and a cursor are displayed on the display unit. The screen highlight is located at a specific position on the virtual wheel keypad to select a virtual key, and the cursor indicates a character input position. If the wheel key rotates, the virtual wheel keypad rotates correspondingly and the screen highlight is located at a specific virtual key. A character allocated to the virtual key in the screen highlight is input by pressing the selection key or a navigation key, or by rotating the wheel key.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to an application entitled “Virtual Wheel Interface For Mobile Terminal And Character Input Method Using The Same” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 26, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-0057524, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a user interface and an input method for a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a virtual wheel interface structure of a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit and to a character input method using a virtual wheel interface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With recent developments in the technologies of integrated circuits for semiconductors and of information and communication, various mobile terminals such as a mobile phone, PDA (personal digital assistants), MP3 player, digital camera, and PMP (portable multimedia player), have become widely available. Most of all, mobile terminals are small in size allowing users to conveniently carry them. In the case of a mobile terminal adopting an input device such as a conventional keyboard system, there are inevitably various limitations in human engineering and design.

For this reason, some mobile terminals such as an MP3 player and a PMP omit a character input function, and optimize operational functions (for example, menu selection or musical selection) by using a navigation key and a wheel key as input units. However, according to a recent trend in the integration of specific functions of terminals, adoption of a character input function is required even for mobile terminals currently having no character input function. Further, as competition becomes more intense, mobile terminal manufacturers are endeavoring to improve the competitiveness of their products by adopting character input function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interface structure enabling convenient character input in a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit, and a character input method using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an excellent visual user interface with an appearance consistent with that of a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit.

Another object of the present invention is to improve menu extendibility and product competitiveness of a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a virtual wheel interface structure for a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit, and a character input method using a virtual wheel interface.

A virtual wheel interface structure according to the present invention includes a display unit, wheel input unit, virtual wheel keypad, highlighted area of a screen (hereinafter screen highlight), and cursor. The display unit is formed in a first area of the mobile terminal, and the wheel input unit is formed in a second area of the mobile terminal adjacent to the display unit. The wheel input unit includes a wheel key rotating in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, a selection key disposed in the center of the wheel key, and navigation keys disposed around the wheel key. The virtual wheel keypad includes a plurality of virtual keys disposed in the wheel rotation direction, and is displayed on the display unit in a wheel form corresponding to a portion of the wheel key. The screen highlight and the cursor are displayed on the display unit. The screen highlight is displayed at a specific position on the virtual wheel keypad of the display unit and indicates a selection status of a virtual key. The cursor is displayed on the display unit and indicates a character input position.

In the virtual wheel interface structure, the cursor may be located outside the virtual wheel keypad or inside the screen highlight. Preferably, the first area is larger than the second area, and the virtual wheel keypad is displayed in a partial area of the display unit adjacent to the wheel input unit.

The plurality of virtual keys may be divided into a plurality of types, wherein the type includes upper case characters, lower case characters, numbers, and symbols. The virtual wheel keypad includes a plurality of tracks, and all of the virtual keys of each type are disposed on a different track. Each character may be allocated to a different virtual key, or a plurality of characters may be allocated to each virtual key.

The virtual wheel keypad may rotate in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the wheel key, and the screen highlight may rotate in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the wheel key.

A character input method according to the present invention utilizes a virtual wheel interface in a mobile terminal having a wheel key rotating in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, a selection key disposed in the center of the wheel key, and navigation keys disposed around the wheel key.

The character input method includes displaying a virtual wheel keypad on a display unit of the mobile terminal, wherein the virtual wheel keypad is formed in a wheel shape corresponding to a portion of the wheel key and has a plurality of virtual keys disposed in the rotation direction of the wheel; displaying a screen highlight at a specific position on the virtual wheel keypad to select one of the virtual keys and displaying a cursor at a specific position on the display unit to indicate a character input position; identifying whether the wheel key rotates; rotating the virtual wheel keypad corresponding to the rotation of the wheel key; selecting a virtual key located at the screen highlight from the virtual keys; and inputting a character allocated to the selected virtual key at the position of the cursor.

In selecting a virtual key, it is identified whether the navigation key is pressed, and, if the navigation key is pressed, a virtual key located at the screen highlight is selected. Alternatively, it is identified whether a predetermined time has elapsed, and, if the predetermined time has elapsed, a virtual key located at the screen highlight is selected.

In displaying a virtual wheel keypad, the virtual wheel keypad is preferably displayed in a partial area of the display unit adjacent to the wheel input unit. Preferably, a plurality of tracks is displayed on the virtual wheel keypad, and the virtual keys sorted by types may be disposed on the tracks. Display forms of the tracks are different from each other.

In displaying a cursor, the cursor may be displayed outside the virtual wheel keypad cursor or inside the screen highlight. Inputting a character may utilize one of a single-tap system, a multi-tap system, a dictionary system, and a code system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference symbols identify the same or corresponding elements in the drawings. Some constructions or processes known in the art may be not described to avoid obscuring the invention in unnecessary detail.

Definition of Terms

Some terms used in this specification are defined as follows.1. ‘Character’ includes alphanumeric characters, and all other symbols that can be input by an input means.2. ‘Single-tap system’ is an input system in which each character is allocated to a different key, and a key is pressed once to input a character.3. ‘Multi-tap system’ is an input system in which several characters are allocated to a key, and a key is pressed several times to find and input a character.4. ‘Dictionary system’ is an input system taking advantage of the single-tap system and multi-tap system. In this system, several keys are allocated to each key as in the multi-tap system, but a character is input by pressing a key once as in the single-tap system. A user does not need to find a desired character, and a word registered in a dictionary is automatically searched according to a combination of characters allocated to a key. For example, the ‘Text on 9 keys (T9)’ system is well known.5. ‘Code system’ is not for inputting a word or a sentence, but is an input system for simply inputting a predetermined set of characters. This method is used for inputting a secret code or a password.
Virtual Wheel Interface Structure

Referring toFIG. 1, a face of the mobile terminal100is divided into a first area110and a second area120adjacent to each other. A display unit10is formed on the first area110, and a wheel input unit20is formed on the second area120. The virtual wheel interface structure according to the present invention is suitable for a mobile terminal100in which the size of the first area110is larger than that of the second area120.

The display unit10may be a conventional display unit such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), PDP (plasma display panel), or OLED (organic light emitting diodes).

The wheel input unit20includes a wheel key21, selection key (or OK key)22, and navigation keys23. The wheel key21can rotate in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The selection key22and navigation keys23are disposed, respectively, in the center and around the wheel key21, and detect a user's pressing motion. At least two navigation keys23(for example, four navigation keys) are formed, and additional functions may be set to some navigation keys23in addition to their basic function of direction change.

A virtual wheel keypad30is displayed on the screen of the display unit10. The virtual wheel keypad30is formed as a wheel corresponding to a portion of the wheel key21. Preferably, the virtual wheel keypad30is displayed at a partial area of the display unit10adjacent to the wheel input unit20. For example, in the case that the wheel input unit20is located at the right side of the display unit10as shown inFIG. 1, the virtual wheel keypad30is displayed in the right area of the display unit10located to the left of the wheel key21. If the wheel input unit is located under the display unit, the virtual wheel keypad may be displayed in the bottom area of the display unit located above the wheel key.

The virtual wheel keypad30includes a plurality of virtual keys31disposed in a sequential form in the wheel rotation directions (up and down directions inFIG. 1). The virtual key31may be classified into at least two types such as upper case characters, lower case characters, numbers, and symbols. The virtual wheel keypad30may include at least two tracks32, and the tracks32are disposed in a wheel form adjacent to each other. In the case that the number of tracks32is more than one, different types of the virtual keys31are preferably disposed on different tracks32.FIG. 1shows an example in which virtual keys of upper case characters are disposed on the left track and virtual keys of numbers are disposed on the right track.

All types of the virtual key31do not have to be displayed on the screen of the display unit10at the same time. InFIG. 1, the upper case characters and numbers may be switched to lower case characters and symbols by a predetermined method. A plurality of characters are allocated to the virtual keys31.FIG. 1shows an example in which one character is allocated to each virtual key31.

A screen highlight40and a cursor50are displayed on the screen of the display unit10. The screen highlight40is located at a specific position (for example, in the center) on the virtual wheel keypad30, and indicates that a virtual key31therein may be selected. The cursor50indicates a character input position, and is located on the screen of display unit10. As shown inFIG. 1, the cursor50may be located outside the virtual wheel keypad30. However, the cursor may be located inside the screen highlight according to another aspect, which will be described later.

The virtual wheel keypad30may rotate in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction corresponding to the rotation of the wheel key21. At this moment, the screen highlight40does not rotate but remains in a fixed position. Conversely, the screen highlight40may rotate according to the rotation of the wheel key21and the virtual wheel keypad30may remain in a fixed position. By combining these two methods, the virtual wheel keypad30may start to rotate when the screen highlight40comes to a location at the top or bottom of the screen of the display unit10while rotating.

A character input method using a virtual wheel interface according to the present invention is now described.

Character Input Method

FIG. 2is a flow chart showing a character input method using a virtual wheel interface according to the present invention.FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow an example of operation in a character input method using a virtual wheel interface according to the present invention.

Subsequently, it is identified whether a wheel key21rotates in step S13. If the wheel key21rotates as shown inFIG. 3A, the virtual wheel keypad30rotates correspondingly in step S14, alternatively, the screen highlight40may rotate instead of the virtual wheel keypad30.

After the rotation of the virtual wheel keypad30, or if the wheel key21does not rotate, it is identified whether a selection key22is pressed in step S15. If the selection key22is pressed as shown inFIG. 3B, a virtual key located at the screen highlight40is selected from virtual keys31, and a character allocated to the selected virtual key is input at the position of the cursor50in step S16. The input character is displayed at the position of the cursor50, and the cursor50moves to the next input position. In another aspect, the virtual key31may be selected by pressing a navigation key23(for example, right navigation key) instead of the selection key22, or the virtual key31may be automatically selected if a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses since rotating the virtual wheel keypad.

Hereinafter, character input methods according to the present invention are described in more detail referring to views showing operational examples.

This aspect relates to a single-tap system in which each character is allocated to a different virtual key.

Referring toFIG. 4A, the virtual wheel keypad30has two tracks32aand32b. Virtual keys31of upper case characters are disposed on the left track32a, and virtual keys31of numerals are disposed on the right track32b. The left track32ais displayed darker than the right track32b, indicating that the virtual keys31of upper case characters located on the left track32aare currently activated as input subjects. An activated track is preferably displayed in a different form (for example, color, brightness, and thickness of a character) from other tracks.

The screen highlight40is located at a specific position on the virtual wheel keypad30and indicates that the virtual key31therein is selected. The cursor50is located outside the virtual wheel keypad30, namely, in a message text, and indicates a character input position.

A virtual wheel interface structure according to the present invention has an input mode and a cursor mode. The input mode state is when screen highlight40is activated and displayed. In the input mode, a desired character may be selected or the type of the virtual keys31may be changed by rotating the virtual wheel keypad30. In the cursor mode, the screen highlight40disappears and the cursor50is activated by starting to blink. In the cursor mode, the cursor50may move to a position for inputting a character.FIG. 4Ashows an example of the input mode. A virtual navigation key60inFIG. 4Ahas the same shape as a left navigation key23a. The virtual navigation key60indicates that the mode may be changed by pressing left navigation key23a.

FIG. 4Bshows how to input a character by pressing the selection key22. IF the selection key22is pressed, a character (for example, ‘E’) allocated to the virtual key31in the screen highlight40is input. After the character is input, the cursor50moves to the next input position.

FIG. 4Cshows how to change the type of the virtual keys31by pressing a right navigation key23b. If the right navigation key23bis pressed when the current input subjects are upper case characters located on the left track32a, the input subjects are changed to numerals on the right track32b. At the same time, display types of the tracks32aand32bare changed and the right track32bis activated. There may be other types of virtual keys31not displayed on the screen of the display unit. If the navigation key23bis pressed once more when the right-most track32bis activated, a hidden type of virtual keys may be displayed.

FIG. 4Dshows how to change a mode by pressing the left navigation key23a. If the left navigation key23ais pressed when the right-most track32bis activated, the input mode changes to cursor mode, the screen highlight40located on the virtual wheel keypad30disappears, and the cursor is activated by starting to blink. A virtual navigation key60has the same shape as the right navigation key23b.

FIG. 4Eshows how to move the cursor50in the cursor mode. If the wheel key21rotates, the cursor50moves to a message text accordingly. For example, if the wheel key21rotates in the clockwise direction, the cursor50moves in the lower right direction, and if the wheel key21rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the cursor50moves in the upper left direction.

FIG. 4Fshows how to change the cursor mode back to the input mode by pressing the right navigation key23bin the cursor mode. Subsequently, if the selection key22is pressed, a character allocated to the virtual key31in the screen highlight40is input at a new position of the cursor50.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, other major functions such as ‘delete’ may be allocated to separate hard keys or to the virtual wheel keypad.

This aspect of the invention relates to a multi-tap system in which several characters are allocated to each virtual key.

Referring toFIG. 5A, the virtual wheel keypad30has one track32, and only one type of virtual key31is displayed on the virtual wheel keypad30. The display type of the virtual keys31may be changed by pressing, for example, an upper navigation key23c.

FIG. 5Bshows how to input a character by pressing the selection key22several times in the multi-tap system. Several characters are allocated to each virtual key31located at the screen highlight40, and a character to be input continuously changes whenever the selection key22is pressed. For example, if the selection key22is pressed twice when screen highlight40is located on the virtual key31allocated with ‘jkl’, ‘k’ appears at the position of the cursor50. If the selection key22is pressed once more, ‘l’ appears.

FIG. 5Cshows how to determining a character input. If a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses after inputting a character by pressing the selection key22, the cursor50moves to the next input position. Instead of waiting for the predetermined time, the cursor50may be moved by pressing a specific key (for example, the right navigation key23b) or by rotating the wheel key21in the clockwise direction.

Dictionary System

This aspect of the invention relates to a dictionary system in which a character is input by pressing a virtual key only once even though several characters are allocated to each virtual key.

Referring toFIG. 6A, a type of a virtual key and a character input method may be displayed as an option list33in an option window. The option window appears in the virtual wheel keypad30if the upper navigation key23cis pressed. If the wheel key21rotates, the screen highlight40rotates in the virtual wheel keypad30(i.e. in the option window). The type of virtual keys or character input method are selected by pressing the selection key22after locating the screen highlight40at an option to be selected from the option list.

The same virtual keys31are listed on the virtual wheel keypad30as with the multi-tap system. However, a character located at the position of the screen highlight40is input by pressing the selection key22only once. For example, a word ‘of’ is input by locating the screen highlight40at ‘mno’ and pressing selection key22. In this case, ‘m’ is displayed at the position of the cursor50.

After inputting the first character, if the cursor50moves to a second character input position, the virtual wheel keypad30is rotated by rotating the wheel key21. When the screen highlight40is located at the desired virtual key31, the second character is input by pressing the selection key22. For example, if the selection key22is pressed after locating the screen highlight40at ‘def’, among the possible combinations of the first input key ‘mno’ and second input key ‘def’, words available in a dictionary (for example, ‘of’ and ‘me’) are automatically displayed at the position of the cursor50.

When the cursor50moves to a third character input position, the screen highlight40is located at a desired position by rotating the wheel key21, and the selection key22is pressed again. For example, if the selection key22is pressed after locating the screen highlight40at ‘mno’, among the possible combinations of ‘mno’, ‘def’, and ‘mno’, words available in a dictionary (for example, ‘men’ and ‘neo’) are automatically displayed at the position of the cursor.

Code System

This aspect of the invention relates to a code system in which a predetermined set of characters are simply input by using virtual keys allocated with a character.

Referring toFIG. 7A, the cursor is located in the screen highlight40, whereas the cursor is located outside the virtual wheel keypad30as previously described. The virtual keys31may be displayed in the virtual wheel keypad30by rotating the wheel key21, and the cursor50is located at the virtual key31that is in the screen highlight40.

Subsequently, the screen highlight40is located at the desired virtual key31by rotating the wheel key21as shown inFIG. 7B. If a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses after stopping the rotation of the wheel key21, all of the virtual keys31are changed to a hidden character symbol34(for example, ‘*’) as shown inFIG. 7C. The virtual keys31are preferably displayed only while the wheel key21moves to prevent a secret code or a password from being exposed to other people.

As shown inFIG. 7D, the virtual key31in the screen highlight40is input by pressing the selection key22or right navigation key23b, and the cursor50moves to the next input position. If the wheel key21rotates again after moving the cursor50, the virtual keys31are displayed again at the second input position.

As described above, a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit according to the present invention provides a virtual keypad for inputting a character in a wheel form as a user interface. The virtual wheel interface structure is basically an interface structure having a list form. Accordingly, the present invention has an advantage that a character input function may be performed conveniently.

Additionally, the virtual wheel interface structure according to the present invention is consistent with the appearance of a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit, and may be synchronized with a wheel key by integrating visual environment. Accordingly, the present invention provides better recognition and ease of learning to a user.

Additionally, the user interface and character input methods according to the present invention may be extended to menus for message preparation and file management, and thereby extension ability and product competitiveness of a mobile terminal may be improved.

The virtual wheel interface structure and character input methods according to the present invention may be applied to various input methods such as a single-tap system, multi-tap system, dictionary system, and code system, and is more suitable for a mobile terminal having a display unit larger than a wheel input unit.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been, described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, are possible and will still fall within the spirit and scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.