KR100664263B1 - Mobile terminal and method for inputting key thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal and a key input method thereof are provided to adjust image/music playback speed, screen scrolling, or volume levels without installing a jog shuttle or another module additionally, by consecutively inputting keys of a keypad. A control part runs a specific mode according to a user's key operation for a keypad(301). If the input of the first key is generated and detected(303), the control part measures the input time of the first key(305). After measuring the input time of the first key, the control part checks whether the second key is inputted(307). In case that the input of the second key is detected, the control part measures the input time of the second key(311). The control part judges whether the time difference between the input of the first key and the input of the second key is smaller than a reference key consecutive input time(313). If so, the control part judges whether the first key neighbors with the second key(315). If so, the control part executes direction detection and speed detection according to the inputted keys(317). The control part controls the specific mode according to the detected direction and speed(319).

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING KEY THEREOF}

1 is an exemplary view showing the configuration of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an exemplary view for explaining a key continuous input through the keypad in FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a key input method of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

*** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing ***

11: wireless communication unit 12: audio processing unit

13: keypad 14: memory

15: control unit 16: display unit

ANT: antenna MIC: microphone

SPK: Speaker

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a portable terminal and a key input method thereof capable of adjusting a playback speed, a position and a volume of a screen by continuously inputting a key provided in a keypad.

The keypad of a general telephone is basically provided with '0' to '9' number keys and special function keys of '*' and '#', and the configuration and layout of the keypad is applied to a portable terminal in the same way. .

However, in order to perform additional functions such as SMS (Short Message Service), chat, web surfing, schedule, memo, and other information, the portable terminal has duplicated Korean, English, and special characters for each button of the keypad. It is arranged and can be configured to selectively input numbers or letters depending on the mode.

On the other hand, when it is not possible to display all the screen data on one screen such as web surfing using a portable terminal, the page is changed by using the direction keys. However, a touch pad having a scroll function is provided in the terminal to solve the inconvenience of continuously inputting direction keys for page movement. The touch pad is equipped with a dedicated touch pad that detects the movement of a finger to more conveniently use the functions of the terminal.

In addition, the terminal is provided with a jog shuttle for controlling the playback speed during music playback, video playback, and volume control, and can conveniently adjust the playback speed and volume according to the operation of the jog shuttle.

However, since the touch pad and jog shuttle of the scroll function provided in the conventional portable terminal should be more than a certain size for the user to use conveniently, the volume and weight of the terminal are increased. In addition, since the unit price is high, there is a problem that increases the production cost of the terminal.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a portable terminal and a key input method thereof to continuously adjust the playback speed, the position of the screen, the volume level, etc. by continuously inputting the keys provided on the keypad. Has its purpose.

The present invention for achieving the above object, and a wireless communication unit for processing voice signals for incoming and outgoing calls and messages and data signals of the wireless Internet;

A keypad with keys for entering numeric and character information;

A memory for storing programs for controlling an operation of a specific mode of a terminal according to an input direction of a key that is continuously keyed when the key is continuously recognized through the keypad;

A control unit for controlling the operation of the specific mode according to the direction in which the key is continuously inputted, and determining whether the data inputted through the keypad is continuous and directional;

And a display unit for displaying screen data according to the operation of the specific mode.

In addition, the present invention provides a process for determining whether the key input is continuous and directional during key input during execution of a specific mode to achieve the above object;

As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the direction is continuous, it is characterized in that the process of controlling the specific mode according to the direction and key input speed that is continuously key input.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that in the following description, only parts necessary for understanding the operation and operation according to the present invention will be described, and descriptions of other parts will be omitted so as not to distract from the gist of the present invention.

In the following description, specific details of the portable terminal of the present invention and a key input method thereof are shown to provide a more general understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be readily practiced without these specific details and also by their modifications.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, when it is recognized that another adjacent key is continuously input within a predetermined time while the key of the keypad is pressed, screen scrolling, image playback speed and volume level control and music are continuously performed according to the direction of key input continuously. It is suggested to adjust the playback speed. Here, the predetermined time means a time before pressing a specific key button and continuously pressing another adjacent key with a finger. At this time, in consideration of the case that the key cannot be continuously inputted by the finger as if it slides according to the key arrangement of the keypad, the key consecutive input is recognized using the time interval in which the key is input or the key continuous input mode is executed to execute The key continuous input can be performed under the continuous input mode.

In the following description, continuous key input means a case where one key is pressed and an adjacent key is input within a predetermined time. In addition, in the following description, the specific mode will be used immediately to mean a mode in which screen scrolling, volume level adjustment, and video and music playback speed can be controlled according to the key continuous input direction and speed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless communication unit 11 processes a voice signal, a transmission / reception message, and a data signal of the wireless Internet for call origination and reception. The wireless communication unit 21 is an RF transmitter for upconverting and amplifying a frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver for low noise amplifying and downconverting a received signal, and encoding and modulating the transmitted signal. And a codec for demodulating and decoding the signal. The codec includes a data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec for processing an audio signal such as voice.

The audio processor 12 reproduces the received audio signal output from the wireless communication unit 11 and outputs the audio signal to the speaker SPK or transmits the transmission audio signal generated from the microphone MIC to the wireless communication unit 11. Do this. In addition, the audio processor 12 outputs an audio signal according to a volume level that varies according to a key continuous input to the speaker SPK.

The keypad 13 has keys for inputting numeric and text information and function keys for setting various functions.

The memory 14 may be composed of a program memory and a data memory. The program memory stores programs for controlling general operations of the portable terminal. In addition, when it is recognized that the key is continuously input to the program memory through the keypad 13, it is possible to control the operation of a specific mode, i.e., screen scrolling, volume level adjustment, music playback speed, etc., according to the direction in which the key is continuously input. The programs that make it possible are stored. The program memory stores user setting information of an operation performed corresponding to a key continuous input direction and an input speed. In addition, the data memory temporarily stores data generated during the execution of the programs. In addition, the data memory may store video and music data.

The controller 15 performs a function of controlling the overall operation of the portable terminal. In addition, the controller 15 determines whether the data inputted through the keypad 13 is continuous and has directionality. Control the overall operation to control the direction of the screen scroll, volume level, or music playback. At this time, the speed of screen scrolling, volume level control, music playback, etc. is controlled according to the continuously input key input speed.

The display unit 16 displays messages generated during program execution under the control of the controller 15. In addition, the display unit 16 displays screen data according to the operation of the specific mode. In addition, the display unit 16 may include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD display device. When the LCD is implemented by using a touch screen method, the keypad 13 and the LCD may be input units.

Looking at the key continuous input through the keypad 13 in more detail as follows.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram for describing a key continuous input through a keypad in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the keypad 13 includes numeric keys '0' through '9' and special function keys '*, #'. For example, when the key continuous input is performed from the numeric keys '1' to '3', fast forwarding or fast forwarding is performed depending on whether music or an image is played back. You can also increase the volume level. In the continuous key input method that performs the same function, keys are continuously input in the direction of '#' to '3', or keys are continuously input in the direction of '*' to '1' or '*' to '#'. There may be methods of continuously inputting a key in a direction.

Accordingly, when the key is continuously input in the opposite direction to the above-described direction, the reverse operation is performed. That is, reverse play or fast reverse is performed according to whether music or video is played. You can also decrease the volume level.

For example, in order to sequentially input keys of '3', '6'. '9', '#' provided in the keypad 13 to adjust the volume level, the controller 15 uses the key continuous input. Since the key input direction is the downward direction of the numeric key '3' to '9', the volume level is decreased. In addition, the controller 15 controls the speed of screen scrolling, volume level, music playback, etc. according to the key continuous input speed.

The operation performed corresponding to the key continuous input direction can be changed according to the user's convenience.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the operation of the portable terminal according to the continuous key input is performed. The controller 15 performs an operation according to the wireless Internet, image playback, music playback, etc. according to a user's request. Subsequently, when the user performs a continuous key input by operating a key provided in the keypad 13, the controller 15 recognizes the continuous key input and performs an operation according to the continuous key input. Here, the controller 15 displays an image being played on the display unit 16 and outputs an audio signal to the speaker SPK through the audio processor 12. At this time, when the user performs a continuous key input by operating a key of the keypad 13, the control unit 15 detects this, and according to the key input direction and speed according to the continuous key input, the screen scroll, image playback or music playback speed Or control the operation according to the volume level.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a key input method of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 301, the controller 15 executes a specific mode according to a key operation of the keypad 15.

Thereafter, in step 303, the controller 15 detects whether a first key input occurs, and when the first key input occurs, the controller 15 proceeds to step 305 to measure an input time of the first key.

After measuring the first key input time, the controller 15 detects whether a second key input occurs in step 307 and if the second key input does not occur, proceeds to step 309 to process as a general key input. .

However, if the second key input occurs as a result of the sensing, in step 311, the controller 15 measures the input time of the second key.

Next, in step 313, the controller 15 determines whether the input time difference between the time required for inputting the second key after the first key input according to the measured first and second key input time is smaller than the reference key continuous input time. To judge.

As a result of the determination, if the input time difference is greater than the reference key consecutive input time difference, the controller 15 recognizes the normal key input in step 309 and performs an operation according to the second key input.

However, if the input time difference is smaller than the reference key consecutive input time difference, the controller 15 proceeds to step 315 to determine whether the first and second keys are adjacent to each other.

As a result of the determination, if the first and second keys are not adjacent to each other, the controller 15 processes the general key input as in step 309 described above.

However, if the first and second keys are adjacent keys, in step 317, the controller 15 detects direction detection and speed according to the inputted first and second keys. *** Here the direction detection

In step 319, the controller 15 controls the specific mode according to the detected direction and speed. That is, according to the specific mode being executed, the screen scroll, image playback or music playback speed or volume level control operation.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

As described in detail above, the present invention allows screen scrolling, image playback speed, and volume level according to the direction in which keys are continuously input by key input such that other adjacent keys are continuously input within a predetermined time while pressing a key of a keypad of the portable terminal. By allowing adjustment and adjustment of music playback speed, it is not necessary to add a jog shuttle or other module with scrolling function. Therefore, it does not increase the volume and weight of the terminal, and also prevents an increase in the production cost of the terminal. It works.

Claims (12)

A wireless communication unit for processing voice signals, incoming and outgoing messages, and data signals of a wireless Internet for incoming and outgoing calls; A keypad with keys for entering numeric and character information; A memory for storing programs for controlling an operation of a specific mode of a terminal according to an input direction of a key that is continuously keyed when the key is continuously recognized through the keypad; A control unit for controlling the operation of the specific mode according to the direction in which the key is continuously inputted, and determining whether the data inputted through the keypad is continuous and directional; And a display unit for displaying screen data according to the operation of the specific mode. The portable terminal of claim 1, further comprising an audio processor for outputting an audio signal according to a volume level that varies according to a key continuous input to a speaker. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, A portable terminal characterized by controlling the direction and speed of screen scrolling, volume level, and music playback speed according to the direction and speed of key continuous input and a specific mode being executed. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, If the direction of key sequence input is from left to right, or from bottom to top, scrolls the screen upward when scrolling the screen, controls to play fast forward or fast forward depending on whether music and video are played, and adjust volume level. A portable terminal, characterized by controlling to increase the volume level. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, If the direction of key sequence input is right to left or top to bottom, scrolls the screen downward when scrolling the screen, controls to perform reverse playback or fast reverse depending on whether music and video are played, and adjust the volume level. And controlling to reduce the Z volume level. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a key continuous input recognizes that another adjacent key is continuously input within a predetermined time while pressing a key of a keypad. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific mode, A portable terminal, characterized in that the screen can be scrolled, volume level control and video and music playback speed can be controlled according to the continuous input direction and speed. Determining whether the key input is continuous and directional when the key is input during execution of the specific mode; If it is determined that the determination result is continuous and directional, the key input method of the portable terminal, characterized in that the step of controlling the specific mode according to the direction and key input speed continuously key input. 9. The key input method of claim 8, wherein the key consecutively recognizes that another adjacent key is continuously input within a predetermined time while the key is pressed. The method of claim 8, wherein the specific mode, A key input method of a portable terminal, characterized in that the screen scrolling, volume level adjustment and video and music playback speed can be controlled according to the key continuous input direction and speed. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlling of the specific mode comprises: If the direction of key sequence input is left to right or bottom to top, Scrolling the screen in an upward direction when the screen is scrolled; Fast forwarding or fast forwarding according to whether music and an image are played back; When adjusting the volume level, the key input method of the portable terminal, characterized in that it comprises the step of increasing the volume level. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlling of the specific mode comprises: If the direction of key sequence input is right to left or top to bottom, Scrolling the screen downward when the screen is scrolled; Performing reverse play or fast reverse according to whether music and video are played; When adjusting the volume level, key input method of a portable terminal, characterized in that it comprises the step of reducing the volume level.

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