Input device and mobile communication device having same

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.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile communication device shown inFIG. 1is a folder type mobile phone, and includes a main body10and a folder body20. In a front case11of the main body10, input devices100,200, and300for inputting various information to a controller (not shown) and a plurality of button keys13are provided. The folder unit20includes a display unit21for displaying various visible information. WhileFIG. 1shows a mobile communication device as a folding type phone, it is understood that the input device100,200,300are not limited to such use. For example, the input device100,200,300may 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. 2is an exploded perspective view of an input device100of a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of the input device100shown inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the input device100includes a trackball unit110(second input unit), a navigation key input unit120(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 unit110and the navigation key input unit120.

The trackball unit110includes a spherical trackball112that is configured to rotate within a housing118and a rotation detection unit114for detecting the rotation of the trackball112.

The trackball112is provided to rotate within the housing118while a part of an upper part thereof is exposed outside of the housing118.

The housing118has a cylindrical shape disposed at the center of the CSS130and defines a space for inserting and rotating the trackball112, and the rotation detection unit114for detecting a rotation direction of the trackball112is provided within the housing118. A lower end of the rotation detection unit114is electrically connected to the CSS130to transfer a rotation manipulation of the trackball112by a user to the CSS130.

The rotation detection unit114is formed to detect the rotation of the trackball112. For example, the rotation detection unit114has orthogonal X axis and Y axis that rotates due to frictional contact with the trackball112at a lower part of the trackball112, and includes a sensor for sensing a rotated degree of the X axis and the Y axis. When the trackball112is rotated in a specific direction by the user, the rotation detection unit114detects the rotation manipulation of the trackball112and transfers the corresponding signal to the CSS130as 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 trackball110is well known to those skilled in the art and can be embodied in various forms.

The trackball unit110further includes a dome switch116for performing a function corresponding to any one of a confirmation key, a selection key, a mode-switching key, or any desirable function when the trackball112is pressed downward towards the CSS. The dome switch116is disposed in the CSS130in a position corresponding to the trackball112. For example, the dome switch116may be provided in a space defined by the housing118.

The navigation key input unit120is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit110and performs at least two input operations with a press method. The navigation key input unit120includes a panel122disposed to surround the trackball112and a contact detection unit124disposed on the CSS130to detect the manipulation of the panel122.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the panel122may be a circular plate, which is supported by an upper end of the housing118, and has vertical and lateral sides to be pressed down towards the CSS130. At the center of the panel122, a central hole122ais formed to receive the trackball112and to expose the trackball112to the outside. Further, an upper surface of the panel122has a concave central portion for so as not to prevent the direction manipulation toward vertical and lateral sides of the panel122by the trackball112. In addition, arrows for indicating vertical and lateral directions are displayed on the upper surface of the panel122, as shown inFIG. 2.

Four contact detection units124are disposed on the CSS130corresponding to vertical and lateral sides of the panel122. That is, four contact detection units124are disposed on and spaced at an interval of 90° on the CSS130. When the vertical and lateral sides of the panel122are pressed down by the user, the contact detection units124perform a function of transferring the corresponding signal to the CSS130.

As seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, a general touch switch can be used as the contact detection unit124; however, any switch for detecting the movement of the panel122and transferring a direction signal to the CSS130may be used. For example, as the contact detection unit124, a dome switch may be used.

FIG. 4is a schematic view illustrating an example of using the input device100in an Internet mode.

Referring toFIG. 4, the trackball unit110disposed within the input device100performs a function of controlling a direction of a cursor displayed on web contents, and the navigation key input unit120disposed at the outside of the input device100performs a vertical and lateral scroll control function on web contents. Further, the trackball unit110enables a user to click on desired web contents.

Because the input device100is divided into two independent input means of the trackball unit110and the navigation key input unit120, the direction control of a curse displayed in the display unit can be allocated to the trackball unit110for performing an input operation in various directions including vertical, lateral, and diagonal directions. Accordingly, the input device100can 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 device100can allocate a vertical and lateral scroll function to the navigation key input unit120, thereby providing excellent manipulation response.

The input device100can 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 inFIG. 4. Furthermore, while a particular web page has been shown, it is merely illustrative of the control functions attributed to the input device100.

Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view of an input device200of a mobile communication device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the input device200shown inFIG. 5.

The configuration of the input device200is substantially identical to that of the input device100shown inFIG. 2, except that a navigation key input unit220performs 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 device200includes a trackball unit210, a navigation key input unit220that is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit210and is configured to perform an input operation using a touch method, and a CSS230for receiving a signal that is input through the trackball unit210and the navigation key input unit220.

The trackball unit210includes a spherical trackball212that is configured to rotate within a housing218and a rotation detection unit214for detecting the rotation of the trackball212. The trackball unit210further includes a dome switch216for 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 trackball212is pressed downward toward the CSS230. The dome switch216is disposed on the CSS230in a position corresponding to the trackball212.

The navigation key input unit220is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit210and is configured to perform an input operation using a press method. For this, the navigation key input unit220includes a panel222that is disposed to surround the trackball212and a sensor226that is disposed in the CSS to sense a signal changing when a user's finger contacts the panel222. That is, the navigation key input unit220performs 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 sensor226has a cylindrical shape to surround a circumference of the housing218, and uses a pressure detection sensor for sensing an input direction using the pressure change generating when the user's finger contacts with an upper surface of the panel222or uses a static electricity detection sensor for sensing an input direction using the static electricity charge generated when the user's finger contacts with the upper surface of the panel222. 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 unit220using the touch method can perform a scroll function in an Internet mode. That is, as the user's finger contacts with the upper surface of the panel222and 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 toFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view of an input device300of a mobile communication device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of the input device300shown inFIG. 7.

The configuration of the input device300is substantially identical to that of the input device100shown inFIG. 2, except that a navigation key input unit320performs 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 device300includes a trackball unit310, a navigation key input unit320that is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit310and is configured to perform at least two input operations with a pressing method and an input operation with a touching method, and a CSS330for receiving a signal that is input through the trackball unit310and the navigation key input unit320.

The trackball unit310includes a spherical trackball312that is configured to rotate within a housing318and a rotation detection unit314for detecting the rotation of the trackball312. The trackball unit310further includes a dome switch316for 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 trackball312is pressed downward towards the CSS330. The dome switch316is disposed in the CSS330of a position corresponding to the trackball312.

The navigation key input unit320is adjacently disposed to an outer circumference of the trackball unit310and can perform an input operation using both a pressing method and a touching method. For this, the navigation key input unit320includes a panel322that is disposed to surround the trackball312and that has vertical and lateral sides to be pressed down towards the CSS330, four contact detection units324that are disposed on a position of the CSS330corresponding to vertical and lateral sides of the panel322to detect the manipulation of the panel322, and a sensor326that is disposed on the CSS330to detect a signal changing when the user's finger contacts the panel322. The sensor326may be disposed between the housing318and the four contact detection units324, as shown inFIG. 7.

Because the navigation key input unit320can perform both the input operation using a pressing method according to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 2and the input operation using a touching method according to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 5, interfaces of various combinations can be embodied.

The trackball unit310can 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 unit320and a second mode (a touch mode) of performing an input operation with only a touching method in the navigation key input unit320. This can prevent the user'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 unit320with 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.