Input device for an electronic device and electronic device having the same

An input device for an electronic device is provided that includes a base, a frame pivotally connected to the base, a roller member rotatably supported by the frame, and at least one button pivotally connected at a side of the base. An electronic device is also provided that includes a first body, a second body pivotally attached to the first body, and an input device located in the first body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to an input device for an electronic device, and the electronic device having the same. More particularly, the input device includes both a roller member and at least one button adjacent the roller member and an electronic device including the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Many electrical devices include an input device that is configured to control some aspect or function of the electrical device. These electrical devices may be mobile terminals, which in turn can take the form of cellular phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), and the like, which a user can carry with himself/herself to send/receive various kinds of information, such as images, voices, and text massages via wireless communication or to receive various services via connection to a predetermined server.

Because a mobile terminal performs a wireless communication function in addition to various other functions in correspondence with a user's demand, such as play music, videos, and take pictures, the mobile terminal often includes an input device that is configured to control one or more functions of the mobile terminal and may allow for various forms of input.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,473 to Sawada et al discloses an input device that is both rotatable and pressable to provide signals. In particular, the input device can provide five different signals (two signal based on rotation and three signals based on a downward displacement). As described in the patent, the input device includes a frame member24and two pressable switches22A and22B. The three signals generated by a downward displacement are generated by pressing switch22A individually, pressing switch22B individually, and pressing switches22A and22B simultaneously. The two rotation signals are based on the rotation direction of a knob25. As described in the patent, when either switch is pressed independently, most of the pressing force is applied to that switch, however, because of the frame configuration24, some force is applied to the opposite switch.

As such, that the switches are repeatedly exposed to more force than is necessary. In addition, because it is difficult to press both switches22A and22B simultaneously, a separate timing function has to be provided to determine whether a user desired to generate the third signal by pressing both switches22A and22B. As a result, additional power is consumed while waiting to detect the pressing of both switches22A and22B.

To address this problem, an input device, as shown inFIG. 1, can be provided that generates two rotation signals and a single pressing signal. A rotation member200is provided on a body300. Press switches400are provided to either side of the rotation member200, however due to the size of a user's fingers, the press switches have to provide a minimum spacing210to ensure that they are not pressed when the rotation member200is utilized.

Because electronic devices, and mobile terminals in particular, are becoming slimmer, spacing of components is very important. As a result, the input device shown inFIG. 1leaves wasted space.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to principles of this invention, an input device for an electronic device is provided that includes a base, a frame pivotally connected to the base, a roller member rotatably supported by the frame, and at least one button pivotally connected at a side of the base.

In another aspect, the at least one button includes a pair of buttons and each button is located on the base near opposite ends of the roller member.

In a different aspect, the roller member includes a cylindrical body and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is supported on the frame.

In a further aspect, the input device includes a circuitry supporting substrate located under the base, a rotation sensor module that senses rotation of the roller member, a portion of the rotation sensor module being located on the circuitry supporting substrate, and a plurality of switches located on the circuitry supporting substrate, wherein one of the plurality of switches is located under the frame and another of the plurality of switches is located under the at least one button. The portion of the rotation sensor module located on the circuitry supporting substrate may be a rotation sensor. The rotation sensor module may also include a ring magnet located on the shaft portion of the roller member, and the ring magnet may have a plurality of alternating North and South poles.

In still a further aspect, the input device may include a click magnet located between the ring magnet and the frame. The click magnet is configured to provide slight resistance to the rotation of the roller member.

In another aspect, the input device may include an elastic pad located between the circuitry supporting substrate and the frame.

Also in accordance with principles of the invention, an electronic device is provided that includes a first body, a second body pivotally attached to the first body, and an input device located in the first body. The input device includes a base, a frame pivotally connected to the base, a roller member rotatably supported by the frame, and at least one button pivotally connected at a side of the frame. The electronic device may be a mobile terminal.

In another aspect, the first body may include a keypad and the second body may include a display module. In addition, the circuitry supporting substrate may include a plurality of switches that correspond to the keypad and may control the display module.

In another aspect, the second body may include a recessed portion configured to cover the input device in a closed position without transmitting a force to the input device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, an input device and electronic device incorporating the input device according to the present invention will be explained in more detail. In addition, while the present invention is explained by reference to a folding type mobile terminal, it is equally suitable for other mobile terminals including bar type, swivel type, and slide type mobile terminals as well other electronic devices.

As seen inFIGS. 2-4, an input device100includes a body portion110configured to pivotally and rotatably support a roller member120and to pivotally support a pair of buttons130. Preferably an upper surface133of each button130is shaped to have the same radius of curvature as the roller member to provide a smooth and continuous appearance. It is understood that only a single button may be provided. A signal detection member140is located beneath the body110and is configured to detect rotational movement and/or a pressing force via a rotation sensor module150and a plurality of switches143, respectively, as will be described in detail below.

The body portion110includes a base113and a frame111pivotally attached to the base113such that the frame111supports the roller member120and allows the roller member120to be pressed downward with respect to the base113. In particular, the roller member120includes a cylindrical body121and shaft portions123that are supported in the frame111by support members111a. It is understood that the shaft portions123could be a single shaft with the cylindrical body121attached to the shaft or each shaft portion could be attached at the ends of or formed integral with the cylindrical body121. The frame111also includes a lower surface111bthat is shaped to allow the roller member to rotate in the frame111. A pair of cutout portions111cis formed in the lower surface111bto avoid interfering with the rotational sensor module150.

The base113defines an open region113athat allows the roller member120to partially extend through the base113while being supported by the frame111. Arched portions113bare formed on opposite sides of the base and serve to secure the shaft123of the roller member between the base113and the frame111and defines the location of the rotational axis I-I for the input device100. A base mounting portion113dis provided on one edge of the frame113so that the frame113can be mounted to the signal detection member140. More particularly, the frame113is attached to a circuitry supporting substrate141of the signal detection member140. Finally, button supports113care formed on the base113to connect the buttons130to the base via connection holes131formed in the buttons130.

The input device100generates a signal when the roller member120is rotated or pressed downwards towards the signal detection member140. Specifically, the rotation sensor module150detects the forward and reverse rotation of the roller member120within the frame113and converts that rotation to a signal. One of the switches143is arranged beneath the roller member120such that a downward displacement of the roller member120causes the frame111to contact the switch143. The depressed switch then transmits a signal.

The input device100also generates a signal when one of the switches143located underneath a corresponding button130is depressed. As mentioned above, each of the buttons130is pivotally connected to the base113via a pair of button supports113c. The button supports113ccorresponding to each button130define a pivot axis II-II about which the corresponding button130,133pivots.

An elastic pad145is located between the frame111of the body110and the signal detection member140. The elastic pad may be formed of rubber, silicone, or other elastic material and assists in protecting the signal detection member140. As shown inFIG. 2, the elastic pad includes a plurality of raised surfaces that correspond to the switches143and other elements formed on the circuitry supporting substrate141.

The circuitry supporting substrate141is preferably a thin member. Each of the plurality of switches143is preferable a dome switch.

As shown inFIG. 2, the rotation sensor module150includes a ring magnet151and a sensor153, such as a Hall IC that is configured to detect rotation of the ring magnet151. In particular, a ring magnet151is located on each of the shaft portions123. As shown inFIG. 3B, the ring magnet includes a plurality of alternating North and South poles. The Hall IC can detect the rotation of the roller member120via the rotation of the ring magnet and can output a signal based on that rotation.

The rotation sensor module150can also include a click magnet155that provides a clicking feeling to the user. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the click magnet155is supported by the frame111and is disposed underneath the ring magnet151. In the particular embodiment shown, the click magnet has a North pole arranged above the South pole and facing the ring magnet such that the rotation of the roller member alternates the poles of the ring magnet near the click magnet155. This causes the feeling of clicking for the user as the roller member120prefers to be in a state where the poles of the ring magnet151complement the poles of the click magnet. As a result, if the roller member is stopped at position where a North pole on the ring magnet is facing a North pole on the click magnet, the roller member is urged to move forward or backward until the poles of the ring magnet151complement the poles of the click magnet155.

In addition to providing a clicking feeling, the click magnet helps retard the rotation of roller member by providing a slight resistance to the rotation of the roller member120. In other words, the roller member120is not free to continue rotating after a rotational force is applied.

The assembled input device100is shown inFIG. 4. As noted above, the cylindrical member121extends through the base113, which is attached to the circuitry supporting substrate141via the base mounting portion113dand is rotatable about rotation axis I-I. Buttons130cover the ends of the base and are pivotable about the pivot axis II-II defined by the button supports113c. Both the circuitry printable substrate141and elastic pad145are partially visible. It is evident that the input device100can readily receive rotational force applied to the cylindrical body121and that the cylindrical body can rotate within the base113. In this manner, a compact input device can be provided where the amount of wasted space between components is minimized.

A pressing or rotational force can be applied to the cylindrical body121and to the buttons130such that the cylindrical body121and buttons130engage the signal detection member140. Each of the signals generated by the switches143and the rotation detection module150can be used to cause different effects in conjunction with a mobile terminal. For example, the rotational motion of the roller member120can be used as a scroll function to scroll up and down, while the pressing motion on the buttons can be used to scroll left and right. There are many different functions that can be associated with the operation of the input device100.

A folding type mobile terminal having a first body160and a second body170pivotally attached to the first body160is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. With particular reference toFIG. 5, an input device similar to the one describe above is incorporated into the first body160.

The first body160includes an upper portion161and a lower portion162. The upper portion161includes a keypad163and an opening161athrough which roller member120and buttons130can extend. The circuitry supporting substrate141has been replaced with a circuitry supporting substrate141′ and additional switches143′ that correspond to keypad163. The circuitry supporting substrate141′ provides for control of the various components of the mobile terminal as well as providing for the functionality of the input device as described above for circuitry supporting substrate141. The input device includes the base mounting portion113dand is attached to the circuitry supporting substrate141′ via a mounting hole141′a. The elastic pad145is located on the circuitry supporting substrate141′.

As shown inFIG. 6, the roller member120and buttons130are exposed through the opening161ain the first body when the second body170is in the open position. The first body161also allows information to be inputted by the keypad163. A microphone164is also provided in the first portion161. The upper portion161also includes extended portions167that cooperate with the second body170to provide the pivotability of the second body170.

The lower portion162of the may also contain a battery compartment165for energizing the mobile terminal.

The second body170includes a display module171and a speaker173. A recessed portion175is also formed in the second body170and it is arranged to cover the roller member120and buttons130without applying a pressing force thereto. The display module171cooperates with the circuitry supporting substrate141′ to allow a user to control the display via the roller member120and buttons130, as well as the keypad163. As shown inFIG. 6, menu selection can be performed by moving left and right using buttons130to select an item1to5and scrolling up and down using the roller member120within the selected item2. In addition, the roller member can be used as an enter key by pressing the roller member120downwards to select sub-item b. As noted above, there are many different functions that can be assigned to the roller member120and buttons130, and the above examples are not intended to be exhaustive.

Accordingly the present invention provides the following effects and advantages.

First, because the roller member is located on a pivotable frame, which in turn is mounted to the base, and the buttons are mounted on the base a more compact input device can be provided.

Second, because of the versatility of the input device, it can be utilized to operate many different components of a mobile terminal, such as a camera, video player, or other additional components without having separate buttons set up for each function of the various components.