KR101694281B1 - Multi direction input device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device capable of independently performing two or more multi-directional push inputs and multi-directional move inputs and performing simultaneous operations, and includes a push button portion for performing a direction touch input and a direction push input And a central axis coupled to the push button unit to prevent rotation and disengagement of the push button unit when the direction button is pressed, the apparatus comprising: an operation unit for performing a direction movement input; A touch sensing unit for sensing an input and transmitting a sensed direction touch input signal to the control unit; a multi-directional pushing unit for sensing a direction pressing input performed by pressing the operation unit and transmitting the sensed direction pressing input signal to the control unit; And a controller for sensing a direction movement input of the operation unit and transmitting the sensed direction movement input signal to the control unit A memory unit for storing data corresponding to the direction touch input, the direction pressing input, and the direction movement input; And a control unit for extracting data corresponding to the direction touch input signal, the direction pressing input signal, and the direction movement input signal received from the multi-directional pressing unit and the multi-direction moving unit from the memory unit, Directional input device.

Description

[0001] MULTI DIRECTION INPUT DEVICE [0002]

The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device capable of independently performing a multi-directional touch input, a multi-directional push input, and a multi-directional movement input, and simultaneously performing two or more inputs.

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the development of scientific technology and development of information processing technology, a variety of information devices have become high-performance, multifunctional, and miniaturized, and input devices used for various information devices are also becoming high-performance, multifunctional, and miniaturized.

However, input devices used in various information devices are equipped with input means such as a large number of buttons or keys for performing various data and various functions, which makes it difficult to miniaturize them.

However, input devices used in various information devices are equipped with a large number of buttons or keys for inputting various functions, which makes it difficult to miniaturize them.

In addition, input devices used in various information devices are limited in the number of data that can be input in one operation and one phoneme, so that various functions can not be performed and repeated input operation is required for one phoneme character input.

In addition, input devices used in various information devices are limited to character input and simple cursor movement, so that it is impossible to integrate various functions, and a separate input device suited to a desired function must be additionally mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the conventional problems described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-directional touch input device, a multi-directional push- And it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-directional input device capable of simultaneously performing two or more inputs and performing various inputs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-directional input device capable of performing two or more directional pressing inputs in accordance with the magnitude of a force with respect to a directional pressing input.

Also, there is provided a multi-direction input device capable of promptly inputting accurate data by means for preventing input errors due to rotation and departure which may unintentionally occur in multi-directional push input and multi-directional movement input .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-directional input device that can be incorporated in a portable terminal or detachably attached to a portable terminal such as an accessory, so that the multi-directional input device can be used regardless of the type of the portable terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-directional input device including a push button unit for performing a directional touch input and a directional push input, and a control unit for controlling rotation of the push button unit A touch sensing unit for sensing a direction touch input performed by touching or touching the operation unit and transmitting the detected direction touch input signal to the control unit, The multi-directional pushing unit senses a direction pushing input performed by pushing the operation unit and transmits the detected direction pushing input signal to the control unit. The multi-direction pushing unit detects a direction movement input of the operation unit and transmits the detected direction movement input signal to the control unit A direction push input, a direction push input, and a direction movement input, A memory unit for storing corresponding data; And a control unit for extracting data corresponding to the direction touch input signal, the direction pressing input signal, and the direction movement input signal received from the multi-directional pressing unit and the multi-direction moving unit from the memory unit, Directional input device.

The multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention may independently perform the multi-directional touch input, the multi-directional push input, and the multi-directional movement input, and may simultaneously perform two or more inputs. A large amount of data that can not be realized can be input in one operation one character method.

Also, it is possible to perform the multi-step direction pushing input of two or more stages according to the magnitude of the force for performing the direction pushing input.

In addition, a center axis which can prevent an input error due to rotation and departure of a push button portion that may unintentionally occur when a direction touch input and a direction push input are performed, a rotation of the object which may unintentionally occur at the time of direction movement input, The first movement guide and the second movement guide that can prevent an input error due to the departure can be provided, so that accurate data can be promptly input.

In addition, it can be incorporated in a portable terminal, detached and attached to a portable terminal like an accessory, and can be applied to various types of terminals.

1 and 2 are exploded views of a multi-directional input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a plan view of the multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a direction movement input operation of the multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are application examples of the multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exploded view of a multi-directional input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
9 and 10 are application examples of the multi-directional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are denoted by like reference characters throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as including an element, it is understood that it may include other elements as well, without departing from the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the term " part " described in the specification means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

≪ Embodiment 1 >

Hereinafter, a multi-directional input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are exploded views of a multi-directional input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-directional input apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an operating unit 10, a multi-directional pushing unit 30, a multi-directional moving unit 60, a memory unit (not shown) (Not shown).

The operation unit 10 includes a push button unit 11 for performing a center touch input, a center push input, a direction touch input and a direction push input by a user's input operation, and a push button unit (not shown) 11 to prevent an input error due to the rotation and the departure of the center axis 15. [

And the center shaft 15 is engaged with the push button portion 11. [ The center shaft 15 is provided with a pushing button 11 for preventing an input error which may be caused by unintentional rotation and disengagement of the push button unit 11 when the direction touch input and direction push input are combined with the push button unit 11. [ And the push button portion 11 is formed with a first engagement groove 13 for engagement with the pushing error preventing portion 17 of the center shaft 17. The push button portion 11 is formed with a protrusion 17 protruding downward. The pushing error preventing portion 17 formed on the central shaft 17 is engaged with the first engaging groove 13 formed in the push button portion 11. [ At this time, the number of the pushing-error preventing portions 17 formed on the center shaft 15 and the first engaging groove 13 formed in the push button portion 11 are formed in the same number, It is preferable to form two or more of them in order to prevent rotation and disengagement of the main body 11.

As described above, the operating portion 10 is formed by coupling the center shaft 15 to the push button portion 11.

The operation unit 10 performs a central touch input by the user touching or touching the center of the push button unit 11 and controls the operation unit 10 so that any one of the outlines of the push button unit 11 The central touch input is performed by pressing the center of the push button portion 11 and the center push input is performed by pushing the center of the push button portion 11 to any one of the outer portions of the push button portion 11 And the direction pressing input is performed. In addition, the operation unit 10 performs a direction movement input by moving the operation unit 10 in a state in which the user puts his / her hands on the operation unit 10. The center touch input, the center touch input, the direction touch input, the second direction press input, and the direction movement input are operated by using the user's finger. However, the central touch input, The operation of the input, direction touch input, direction pressing input, and direction movement input is not limited to the user's finger, and various auxiliary means may be contacted to the operation unit 10 to operate the direction inputs listed above.

The constituent elements of the operating section 10 are not limited to the above-described constituent elements, and may further include various constituent elements, or may be omitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 10 can perform direction touch input and direction push input on the upper portion of the push button unit 11 so that the user can easily perform direction touch input and direction push input And a pushing direction indicator 19 for indicating a direction in which the pushing direction is displayed. The pushing direction display section 19 is constituted by a combination of a concave shape, a convex shape, a picture, a color, data (letter, number, symbol, etc.) inputted by the first and second direction pressing input and direction movement input, And the like. When the direction pressing display section 19 is formed by a light emitting portion such as an LED, an electronic circuit for supplying power to the light emitting portion and the light emitting portion may be formed in the push button portion 11, The push button unit 11 may be formed of a material that allows light emitted from the light emitting unit to pass therethrough and may indicate a direction in which push input can be performed. The direction pushing display portion 19 may be formed by various methods other than the above-described one, and a detailed description will be omitted because it can be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

The multi-directional pushing portion 30 is configured to press a center touch input performed by touching or touching the center of the push button portion 11 of the operation portion 10 and an outer edge of the push button portion 11, A touch sensing unit 35 for sensing a direction touch input performed by touching and touching and transmitting the detected center touch input signal and direction touch input signal to a control unit (not shown) A touch sensing part support plate 36 for holding and supporting the touch sensing part 35 in a horizontal direction so as to perform the pressing operation and returning the operation part 10 to its original position when the force for the center pressing input and direction pressing input is released A return member 39 and a pressing member pressing the center pushing input performed by pressing the center of the push button unit 11 of the operating unit 10 and the outer frame of the push button unit 11 A pressing detection unit 45 for detecting a direction pressing input performed and transmitting the detected central pressing input signal and direction pressing input signal to a control unit (not shown), and a pressing detection unit 45 for accurately performing a center pressing input and a direction pressing input, And a multi-directional pressing body 47 for fixing and supporting the pressing member 45.

The touch sensing unit 35 includes a center touch sensing sensor 31 for sensing a center touch input, a direction touch sensing sensor 32 for sensing a direction touch input, a center touch sensing sensor 31, And a first printed circuit board (FPCB) 33 for transmitting an input signal sensed by the first printed circuit board 32 to a control unit (not shown). One or more of the central touch detection sensor 31 and the directional touch detection sensor 32 may be formed separately from the first printed circuit board (FPCB) 33 and the first printed circuit board (FPCB) As shown in Fig.

The center touch sensing sensor 31 and the direction touch sensing sensor 32 may be formed of one of a touch sensor and a touch sensor. The central touch detection sensor 31 and the directional touch detection sensor 32 may be any sensors other than the above-described sensors, as long as the user can sense touching or touching the center and outer edges of the push button portion 11 . The central touch detection sensor 31 and the directional touch detection sensor 32 may be formed of the same type of sensor or may be formed of different kinds of sensors.

The first printed circuit board (FPCB) 33 is formed with a second fastening groove 34 for coupling with the pushing prevention portion 17 of the central shaft 15.

The touch sensing part support plate 36 supports the touch sensing part 35 and maintains the horizontal position so that the touch sensing part 35 can accurately sense the center touch input and the direction touch input.

The protrusion 37 is formed at the lower portion of the touch sensing part support plate 36 to help the center press or the direction press input to be accurately performed when the user presses the center or outer edge of the push button part 11. That is, when the user presses the center of the push button portion 11, the projection 37 formed at the lower center of the touch sensing portion support plate 36 contacts the center push sensor 42 of the push detection portion 45 When the user presses the outer frame of the push button unit 11, the protrusion 37 formed on the lower outer periphery of the touch sensing unit support plate 36 contacts the direction pushing sensor 43 The direction pressing input is performed. The protrusions 37 formed at the center and the outer periphery of the lower portion of the touch sensing part support plate 36 are provided at positions corresponding to the center pushing detection sensor 42 and the direction pushing detection sensor 43 of the pushing detection part 45, .

A third coupling groove 38 is formed in the support plate 36 for coupling with the pushing prevention portion 17 of the center shaft 15.

The push return member 39 is configured such that when the user releases the force for pressing the center or outer edge of the push button portion 11 of the operation portion 10, the operation return portion 39, the touch detection portion 35, ) To its original position.

The pressing return member 39 is formed with the same number of grooves 40 at positions corresponding to the protrusions 37 formed at the lower center and the outer periphery of the touch sensing part support plate 36. The protrusion 37 formed at the lower center and the outer periphery of the touch sensing part support plate 36 is engaged with the groove 40 formed in the push return member 39.

The push return member 39 is formed with a fourth engagement groove 41 for engagement with the pushing prevention portion 17 of the central shaft 15.

The press detection unit 45 includes a center press detection sensor 42 for detecting a center press input performed by a user pressing the center of the push button unit 11, (Not shown) for transmitting an input signal sensed by the center push-button sensor 42 and the direction push-button sensor 43 to a control unit (not shown) And a printed circuit board (FPCB) 44. One or more of the central push sensor 42 and the push sensor 43 may be formed separately from the second printed circuit board (FPCB) 44 and the second printed circuit board (FPCB) 44 and / Or may be integrally formed.

The center pressing sensor 42 and the direction pressing sensor 43 may be formed as one of a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, a tactile sensor, or the like, which measures the intensity of the pressing force. In addition to the sensors described above, the center push sensor 42 and the direction push sensor 43 also detect a center push input and a direction push input, which are performed by the user pressing the center and outer edges of the push button portion 11 Any sensor can be used. The center push sensor 42 and the direction push sensor 43 may be formed of the same sensor or may be formed of different sensors, respectively. The multi-directional input device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is capable of performing two or more pressing inputs according to the magnitude of the force for performing the pressing input. Therefore, And a tactile sensor which can be used. In addition to the tactile sensor, any sensor capable of inputting two or more data depending on the magnitude of the pressing force can be used as the center push sensor 42 and the direction push sensor 43.

A fifth fastening groove 46 is formed in the second printed circuit board (FPCB) 44 for engagement with the pushing prevention portion 17 of the center shaft 15.

The multi-directional pressing body 47 includes a protrusion 37 formed at a lower center and an outer periphery of the touch sensing part support plate 36 and a center pushing sensor 42 or a direction pushing sensor 43 of the pushing sensing part 45, And supports and supports the pushing sensing part 45 so that the contact of the pushing sensing part 45 can be smoothly performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-directional pushing part body 47 is coupled to the multi-directional moving part case 61 of the multi-directional moving part 60, A protrusion 48 for limiting the range of movement of the movable member 100 is formed. The method for limiting the range of movement of the multi-directional input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a method in which the lower multi-directional moving part 60, In the description of FIG.

2, a protrusion 49 for engaging with the second movement guide 67 of the multi-direction moving part 60 may be formed at the lower center of the multi-direction pressing part 47, 49 are formed in various shapes such as a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, and a polygon.

The multi-directional pressing body 47 is formed with a sixth coupling groove 50 for coupling with the pushing prevention portion 17 of the central shaft 15.

The constituent elements of the multi-directional pressing part 30 are not limited to the above-described constituent elements, and may further include various constituent elements, or may be omitted. For example, the multi-directional pushing unit 30 includes a center pushing sensor 42 and a direction pushing sensor (not shown) for discriminating the center touch input, the direction touch input, the center push input, 43, respectively. The click means (not shown) generates a clicking feeling when the central push input or the direction push input is performed, thereby helping the user to easily know that the center push input or direction push input has been performed. The click means (not shown) formed on the upper portion of the center push sensor 42 and the direction push sensor 43 may be formed of either a metal dome or a ring dome. The click means is not limited to the above-described example. The click means generates click feeling when the center push input or the direction push input is performed. If the click is any material capable of notifying the user that the center push input or direction push input is performed, Lt; / RTI > The clicking means (not shown) formed on the upper portion of the center pushing sensor 42 and the direction pushing sensor 43 may be formed of the same material or different materials. The height of the click means formed on the upper portion of the center push sensor 42 and the direction push sensor 43 may be the same height or may be different from each other.

For example, the multi-directional pressing unit 30 may omit one or more of the center touch detection sensor 31 for sensing the center touch input and the center press detection sensor 42 for sensing the center press input.

The multidirectional moving unit 60 includes a multidirectional moving unit case 61 for protecting the multidirectional moving unit 60 and an operation unit 10 and a multi directional pressing unit 30, A first movement guide 65 coupled to a lower portion of the multi-directional pressing portion case 61 and moving only in one of the vertical direction and the left and right direction, A second movement guide 67 which is coupled to the first movement guide 65 and moves only in one of the right and left or upper and lower directions and the second movement guide 67 which is coupled to the lower part of the second movement guide 67, A direction movement detection sensor 71 for sensing a direction movement input of the test object 69 and a direction movement detecting sensor 71 for detecting the direction movement of the inspected object 69 detected by the direction movement detection sensor 71 A third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 for transferring an input signal to the direction movement input to a control unit (not shown) .

A groove 62 for limiting the moving radius of the multi-directional input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is formed on the upper portion of the multi-directional moving part case 61. The projection 48 formed at the lower portion of the multi-directional pressing body is engaged with the groove 62 and the movement radius of the multi-direction input device 100 is limited by allowing the projection 48 to move only within the groove 62 . The grooves 62 formed in the upper portion of the multi-direction moving part case 61 may be formed in various shapes such as a circular shape and a square shape. Since the multi-directional input apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention differs from the multi-directional input apparatus 100 in moving directions in the forward, backward, left, and right directions and in the diagonal direction, Preferably, the groove 62 is formed in a square shape for input.

The movement return member 63 serves to return the operation unit 10 and the multi-directional pressing unit 30 to their original positions when the force for the direction movement input is released. The movable return member 63 may be made of various materials. For example, the movable return member 63 may be made of a magnetic material having a polarity like a magnet. Magnetic bodies having different polarities are respectively coupled to the grooves 51 formed in the upper portion of the multi-directional pressing body 47 and the grooves 65 formed in the upper portion of the multi-directional moving case 61, When the force is released, the operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 are returned to their original positions by the force of attracting different polarities. The movable return member 63 having the N polarity is coupled to the groove 51 formed in the upper portion of the multi-directional pressing member body 47 and the groove 65 formed in the lower portion of the multi- The movable return member 63 'having the S polarity is coupled to the multi-directional pushing member body 47. When the force for the directional movement input is released, the movable return member 63 having the N polarity coupled to the multi- The operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 are returned to their original positions by the attractive force of the moving return member 63 'having the S polarity coupled to the secondary case 61. The moving return member 63 coupled to the multi-directional pressing body 47 and the moving return member 63 'coupled to the multi-direction moving case 61 are provided in the same number in positions corresponding to each other.

For example, the movable return member 63 may be made of a flexible material such as a spring, a rubber or the like, and a person skilled in the art can easily understand the joining method.

A first movement guide (65) is coupled to a lower portion of the multi-direction moving part case (61). As shown in FIG. 2, a first guide line 75 for supporting the first movement guide 65 to be moved in only one of the vertical direction and the left and right direction is provided at the lower portion of the multi- And the first movement guide 65 is coupled to the lower portion of the multi-direction moving part case 61 and moves in the direction of only one of the up, down, left, and right directions along the first guide line 75. 2 Refer to the red line under the multi-directional moving case (61)

The second movement guide (67) is engaged with the first movement guide (65). As shown in FIG. 2, the first movement guide 65 is coupled with the second movement guide 67 so that the second guide line 77 can be moved in only one direction of the left, right, up and down directions. And the second movement guide 67 is coupled to the first movement guide 65 and moves in the direction of only one of left, right, up and down directions along the second guide line 77. At this time, the direction in which the second movement guide 67 moves is different from the direction in which the first movement guide 65 moves. For example, when the first movement guide 65 is moved in the vertical direction along the first guide line 75, the second movement guide 67 moves in the left and right directions along the second guide line 77. The red line in the first movement guide 65 in Fig. 2)

The multi-directional pressing body 47 and the second moving guide 67 are engaged so that the multi-direction moving part case 61 and the first moving guide 65 are sequentially positioned therebetween. The multidirectional pressing body 47 is formed with a groove 79 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the projection 49 formed at the lower center of the multidirectional pressing body 47, And the groove 79 formed on the upper portion of the second movement guide 67 are engaged with each other.

The second movement guide 67 is formed with a seventh engagement groove 81 for engagement with the push-in error preventing portion 17 formed on the central axis 15. [

The push button portion 11, the touch sensing portion 35, the touch sensing portion support plate 36, the push return member 39, the push sensing portion 45, the multi-directional movement portion case 61, And the second movement guide 67 is engaged with the pushing error preventing portion 17 of the center shaft 15. [ The operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 are engaged with each other by engaging the pressing error preventing portion 17 and the second moving guide 67 together. That is, the pushing-error preventing portion 8 of the center shaft 7 and the first fastening groove 13, the second fastening groove 34, the third fastening groove 38, the fourth fastening groove 41, The operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 are engaged by engaging the engaging groove 46, the sixth engaging groove 50, and the seventh engaging groove 81. The operation unit 10 and the multi-direction input unit 30 can be combined by various methods.

For example, the operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 can be coupled by a screw 83. 2, a screw groove 18 is formed in a lower portion of the pushing error preventing portion 17 of the center shaft 15, and the first fastening groove 13, the second fastening groove 34, The first engaging groove 38, the fourth engaging groove 41, the fifth engaging groove 46, the sixth engaging groove 50, the multiple direction moving portion case 61, the first moving guide 65, The operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 are engaged by placing the grooves 81 in order and engaging the screw grooves 18 and the screws 83. At this time, the multi-directional moving part case 61 and the first moving guide 65 are positioned and the screw groove 18 and the seventh fastening groove 81 formed at the lower portion of the pushing- 83 is to prevent the multi-directional pushing portion 30 and the multi-directional moving portion 60 from being separated after the multi-directional input device 100 is coupled.

In another example, the operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 may be coupled by bolts (not shown), and the joining method is the same as that using the screws 83. [

As another example, the operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 can be coupled by the interference fit method. At this time, protrusions (not shown) are formed in the lower portion of the pushing-prevention member 17 in place of the screw grooves 18, and protrusions (not shown) formed at the lower portion of the push- The second fastening groove 13, the second fastening groove 34, the third fastening groove 38, the fourth fastening groove 41, the fifth fastening groove 46, the sixth fastening groove 50 and the seventh fastening groove 81 The operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 are engaged with each other.

The method of joining the operation portion 10 and the multi-directional pressing portion 30 is not limited to the above-described method, and can be combined by various methods such as hook fastening or fusion, and a detailed description will be omitted because those skilled in the art can easily understand it. do.

The pushing error preventing portion 17 of the center shaft 15 and the first and second fastening grooves 34 and 34 and the third fastening groove 38 and the fourth fastening groove 41, The multi-directional pushing portion 30 and the multi-directional moving portion 60 are separated from each other by engaging the fifth fastening groove 46, the sixth fastening groove 50 and the seventh fastening groove 81, .

And the body 69 is coupled to the lower portion of the second movement guide 67. [ 2, a groove 85 having the same shape as that of the inspected object 69 for coupling the inspected object 69 is formed in the lower portion of the second moving guide 67, (69).

When the user places a finger on the operation unit 10 and performs a direction movement operation, the test object 69 is moved in the same direction as the operation unit 10. [ At this time, the subject 69 is accurately moved in the direction desired by the user by the first movement guide 65 and the second movement guide 67. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user places a finger on the operation unit 10 and performs a direction movement operation of the operation unit 10 in the direction of 9 o'clock, The second guide line 67 is moved in the direction of 9 o'clock along the second guide line 77. At this time, the second guide line 77 prevents the second movement guide 67 from moving in the vertical direction (12 direction and 6:00 direction). The second movement guide 67 can not move in the vertical direction, so that the direction movement input to the 9 o'clock direction is correctly performed.

The first movement guide 65 is moved in the 6 o'clock direction through the first guide line 75 when the operation unit 10 is moved in the direction of 5 o'clock (not shown) The second movement guide 67 moves through the second guide line 77 in the direction of 3 o'clock. The first guide line 75 prevents the first movement guide 65 from moving in the left and right direction and the second guide line 77 prevents the second movement guide 67 from moving up and down, The direction movement input to the direction is performed correctly. As described above, the first movement guide 65, the first guide line 75, the second movement guide 67, and the second guide line 77 allow accurate movement of movement without undue misalignment or erroneous movement Is performed, accurate data is input.

The first movement guide 65 is coupled and fixed to the first guide line 75 formed at the lower portion of the multidirectional movement case 61. The second movement guide 67 is connected to the first movement guide 65, Direction input device 100 itself is prevented from being unintentionally rotated when the direction-pressing input and the direction-moving input are performed. This is accomplished by coupling the first movement guide 65 and the second movement guide 67, which are formed in polygons rather than circles, to the first guide line 75 and the second guide line 77, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, a direction movement detection sensor 71 is coupled to the PCB 73.

The type of the sensor used as the direction movement detection sensor 71 is determined by the type and material of the body 69. For example, when the subject 69 is made of a magnetic material such as a magnet, the direction movement detection sensor 71 may be a hall sensor capable of sensing the direction movement of the magnetic material.

When the subject 69 is a plate for reflecting light, for example, the direction movement sensor 71 emits light to the subject 69 and detects the amount of light reflected from the subject 69 And an optical sensor capable of sensing a direction movement input of the subject 69. The method of detecting the direction movement input of the test object 69 by the optical sensor is the same as that of the conventional optical mouse, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

And combines the multi-directional moving part case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 together. The multi-directional moving case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 may be combined by various methods. For example, the multi-directional moving case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 may be coupled by screws or bolts 87 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. At this time, grooves 88 and 89 for coupling with screws or bolts 87 are formed on the lower portion of the multi-directional moving case 61 and on the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73, 89 are combined with screws or bolts 87, whereby the multi-directional moving case 61 and the PCB 73 are engaged.

As another example, the multi-directional moving part case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 may be coupled by the interference fit method. A groove (not shown) for coupling is formed on one of the multi-direction moving part case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73, and a protrusion (not shown) for coupling is formed on the other The multidirectional moving unit case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 are engaged with each other as the projections (not shown) are forced into the grooves (not shown).

The method of joining the multi-directional moving part case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, but may be combined by various methods such as fusion, hook fastening, Detailed explanation is omitted because it can be easily understood.

The first movement guide 65 is fixed so as not to be separated from the first guide line 75 by engaging the multi-direction moving part case 61 and the third printed circuit board (PCB) 73, The multi-directional input device 100 according to the first embodiment is formed.

The center touch input signal, the center touch input signal, the direction touch input signal, and the direction push input signal received from the multi-directional pushing unit 30 and the direction movement input signal received from the multi-direction movement unit 60 (not shown) From the memory unit (not shown) and inputs the data.

When a user places a finger on the center of the operation unit 10 and moves the operation unit 10 in the direction of the user, the control unit (not shown) The touch input unit 11 ignores the direction touch input signal input by touching or touching the outer edge of the touch input unit 11 and extracts data corresponding to the direction movement input signal from a memory unit (not shown) and inputs the data.

If a center push input signal is received within a predetermined time after receiving the center touch input signal, or when a direction push input signal for the same direction is received after receiving the direction touch input signal, the controller (not shown) The central touch input signal or the direction push input signal is ignored and data corresponding to the received central push input signal or direction push input signal is extracted from the memory unit (not shown) and input. At this time, the predetermined time may be changed according to the manufacturing environment or the setting of the user.

In addition, the control unit (not shown) determines whether the center push input and the direction movement input are concurrently performed. If the center push input and the direction movement input are concurrently performed, new data other than data corresponding to the center push input and direction movement input is extracted from the memory unit . At this time, not only the center push input and the direction movement input are simultaneously performed but also the center push input is performed while the center push input is performed or the center push input is performed in the state where the direction movement input is performed . In addition, data input by performing the center push input and the direction movement input at the same time differ depending on whether the center push input is performed simultaneously with the direction movement input to the direction. In addition, the input data may be different depending on which of the center push input and the direction movement input is performed first.

In addition, the control unit (not shown) determines whether any one of the directional touch input or the directional push input and the directional movement input are simultaneously performed. If the directional touch input or the directional push input is performed simultaneously, data corresponding to the directional touch input, (Not shown) and inputs the new data. At this time, the simultaneous execution means that any one of the direction touch input or the direction pressing input and the direction movement input are performed at the same time, as well as the direction movement input is performed in the state where any one of the direction touch input or direction pressing input is performed , One of the directional touch input or the directional push input is performed while the direction movement input is performed. The data input by any one of the directional touch input or the directional push input and the directional movement input are simultaneously performed to determine whether any one of the directional touch input or directional push input is performed simultaneously with the directional movement input, Data to be inputted is different depending on whether the directional touch or direction pressing input and the directional movement input to which direction are different. In addition, the input data may be different depending on which one of the direction touch input or direction push input and the direction movement input is performed first.

In addition, the control unit (not shown) may be a combination input in which two or more inputs among any one of a center touch input or a center press input, a direction touch input, or a direction push input, And if it is a combination input, extracts new data from the memory unit (not shown) and inputs it instead of data corresponding to each input. At this time, when two or more inputs are successively input, when two or more inputs are consecutively performed within a predetermined time, new data is input, and when each input is not performed consecutively within a predetermined time Is input. At this time, the predetermined time may be changed according to the manufacturing environment or the setting of the user.

The control unit (not shown) grasps the magnitude of the force with respect to the direction pressing input and, when the magnitude of the force for performing the direction pressing input is larger than the magnitude of the set force, (Not shown). At this time, the control unit (not shown) may perform multi-stage input of two or more stages according to the magnitude of the force with respect to the direction pressing input. For example, when performing character input, a control unit (not shown) can input two or more characters by determining the magnitude of the force with respect to the direction pressing input. In addition, when performing the mouse function, the control unit (not shown) can adjust the moving speed of the mouse cursor by determining the magnitude of the force with respect to the direction pressing input.

The multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted on various electronic devices such as a multifunctional controller, a smart phone, and a portable terminal, as shown in FIGS.

≪ Embodiment 2 >

Hereinafter, a multi-directional input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

8 is an exploded view of a detachable multi-directional input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a description of the same components as those of the multi-directional input apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be omitted, Only the other parts are described in detail.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is separately formed and is detachably attachable to various kinds of electronic devices.

A multi-directional input apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes an operating unit 10, a multi-directional pushing unit 30, a multi-directional moving unit 60, a housing 90, a power unit, a data transmitting / (Not shown) and a memory unit (not shown).

The details of the operation unit 10, the multi-directional depressing unit 30, and the multi-directional moving unit 60 among the components of the multi-directional input apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of the first embodiment The detailed description is omitted.

The housing 90 serves to protect the multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention and to prevent foreign matter from entering the multi-directional input device 100. The housing 90 is formed by an upper housing 91 and a lower housing 93. An opening 92 is formed in the upper housing 91 so that the operating portion 10 and the multi-directional pushing portion 30 or the operating portion 10, the multi-directional pushing portion 30 and the multi-directional moving portion 60 can be exposed. And the central push input, direction push input, and direction movement input are performed by the user operating the operating portion 10 exposed through the opening 92 of the upper housing 91. The shape of the opening 92 formed in the upper housing 91 may be variously formed according to the shape of the multi-direction input device. The upper housing 91 and the lower housing 93 can be coupled by various methods and will not be described in detail since they can be easily understood by those skilled in the art. The shape of the housing 90 is not limited to a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 8, and any shape can be used as long as it is detachable to various portable information devices.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be combined with an electronic device that transmits and receives data to and from the multi-directional input device 100 by using coupling means 95 coupled to the lower housing 93 . For example, the multi-directional input device 100 may be coupled to the electronic device using the coupling means 95 in the form of a forceps. The multi-directional input device 100 and the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be combined by various methods and will not be described in detail since they can be easily understood by those skilled in the art. The direction input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be used in combination with an electronic device that transmits and receives data using the coupling means 95 formed in the lower housing 93 as described above, And may transmit and receive data. However, for convenience of input, it is preferable to attach it so as to be fixed to an electronic device.

The power unit includes a battery 96 for applying power to the multi-direction input device 100 and a power button (or a power switch) 97 for turning on / off the multi-direction input device 100. The position where the battery 96 and the power button 97 are formed is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 8, but may be formed at various positions to supply power to the multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Can supply. In addition, the method of charging the battery 96 of the power supply unit is the same as that of the conventional method, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The data transmitting and receiving unit includes a data transmitting and receiving module 98 for transmitting and receiving data in cooperation with various types of electronic devices, and an interlock button (or interlocking switch) 99 for interlocking the multi-direction input device 100 and the electronic device. The multi-directional input device 100 and the various kinds of electronic devices are interlocked so that data can be transmitted and received to each other by the interlocking button 99. [ In addition, the multi-direction input device 100 transmits a direction-push input signal and a direction movement input signal generated by the multi-direction push input and the multi-direction movement input through the data transmission / reception module 98 to the electronic device, Direction input signal and a processing result signal for the direction movement input signal. It is further preferable that the multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a dedicated application for compatibility with various information devices. The user can download the dedicated application via the Internet or use a multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention after installing a dedicated application separately provided to the user's information device. The multi-directional input device 100 and the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can transmit and receive data through various methods such as Bluetooth and infrared rays.

In addition, the multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes various modules such as a Bluetooth communication module and an infrared communication module to transmit / receive data to / from various electronic devices.

The components of the multi-directional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and may further include various components or may be omitted. For example, the multi-directional input device 100 may further include an output unit (not shown). An output unit (not shown) is composed of at least one of a speaker, a vibration motor, and a display device. The output unit (not shown) outputs at least one of the state of the multi-direction input device 100, the signal received from the electronic device, and the like, voice, vibration, and image.

The multidirectional input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is separately formed as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and is connected to various kinds of electronic devices wirelessly or wired to input data. A user can perform various functions by using an input device connected to a wireless or wired connection separately from an input device mounted on the electronic device, and can input a large number of data. A multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to all electronic devices requiring an input device for inputting data wirelessly or by wire, and may input data.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

A multi-direction input device capable of multi-directional push input and multi-directional movement input,
A push button unit for performing a direction touch input and a direction push input, and a center axis for preventing rotation and departure of the push button unit when the direction touch input and the direction push input are made, and performs a direction movement input;
A touch sensing unit for sensing the direction touch input and transmitting the sensed direction touch input signal to the control unit, and a multi-directional pushing unit including a touch sensing unit for sensing the direction pressing input and transmitting the sensed direction pressing input signal to the control unit. part;
A multi-direction moving unit sensing the direction movement input and transmitting the sensed direction movement input signal to the control unit;
A memory unit for storing data corresponding to the direction touch input, the direction push input, and the direction movement input; And
And a control unit for extracting data corresponding to the direction touch input signal, the direction pressing input signal, and the direction movement input signal received from the multi-directional pressing unit and the multi-direction moving unit from the memory unit and performing input processing , ≪ / RTI >
The multi-
A touch sensing part supporting plate for supporting the touch sensing part so that a horizontal direction of the touch sensing part is maintained between the touch sensing part and the pressing sensing part, And
And a push return member for returning the operating portion, the touch sensing portion, and the touch sensing portion supporting plate to their original positions when the force for the direction pressing input is released,
The touch-
A direction touch sensor for sensing the direction touch input; And
And a first electronic circuit board for transmitting a direction touch input signal detected by the direction touch sensor to the control unit.
The touch-
And a center touch sensing sensor capable of sensing a center touch input performed by touching or contacting a center of the push button unit.
Wherein the controller ignores the center touch input and the direction touch input when the direction movement input is performed while the center touch input is performed, extracts data corresponding to the direction movement input from the memory unit, Directional input device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
Further comprising a direction pushing display portion for indicating a direction in which a direction touch input and a direction push input can be performed on the upper portion of the push button portion. delete delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
The push-
A direction pressing sensor for sensing the direction pressing input; And
And a second electronic circuit board for transmitting a direction pressing input signal sensed by the direction pressing sensor to the control unit. 8. The method of claim 7,
The push-
Further comprising a center push sensor for sensing a center push input performed by pressing the center of the push button portion. 9. The method of claim 8,
The center touch input, the center touch input, the direction pressing input, the center touch input, the center touch input, and the direction pressing input, Wherein a new data other than data corresponding to a touch input and the direction pressing input is extracted from the memory unit and input. 9. The method of claim 8,
And a click means for generating a clicking feeling when the direction pressing input and the center pressing input are performed on the direction pressing sensor and the center pressing sensor are provided. delete 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the control unit performs multi-stage input of two or more stages according to the magnitude of the force of the center push input or the direction push input. The method according to claim 1,
The multi-
A multi-direction moving part for protecting the multi-direction moving part;
A first moving guide coupled to a first guide line formed at a lower portion of the multi-direction moving part case and being moved only in one of upward, downward, and leftward and rightward directions;
A second moving guide coupled to a second guide line formed in the first moving guide and being moved only in one of left, right, up and down directions;
A body coupled to a lower portion of the second moving guide;
A direction movement sensor for sensing a direction movement input of the subject; And
And a third electronic circuit board for transmitting a direction movement input signal sensed by the direction movement sensor to the control unit. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the center shaft and the second movement guide are positioned and coupled between the push button portion, the multi-directional push portion, the multi-direction moving portion case, and the first movement guide in order, And the multi-directional movement portion is coupled to the multi-directional input device. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the first movement guide formed in a square or rectangular shape is coupled to the first guide line and the second movement guide formed in a square or rectangular shape is coupled to the second guide line, And the multi-directional input device itself is prevented from rotating by engaging the shaft. 14. The method of claim 13,
The multi-
Further comprising a movement return member for returning the operating portion and the multi-directional pressing portion to their original positions when the force for the direction movement input is released. 14. The method of claim 13,
The push-
A direction pressing sensor for sensing the direction pressing input;
A second electronic circuit board for transmitting a direction pressing input signal detected by the direction pressing sensor to the control unit; And
And a center pushing sensor capable of sensing a center pushing input performed by pressing the center of the push button portion,
Wherein,
When the center push input and the direction movement input are concurrently performed, new data other than data corresponding to the center push input and the direction movement input are extracted from the memory unit and inputted. Directional input device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether any one of the directional touch input and the directional touch input is performed simultaneously with the directional movement input, and if the directional touch input or the directional touch input is simultaneously performed, Wherein the input unit extracts new data from the memory unit and inputs the new data instead of the data corresponding to the direction movement input. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 7 to 10, and 12 to 18,
The multi-
A housing configured to be detachably attached to the electronic device;
A power unit for applying power to the multi-direction input device; And
Further comprising a data transmission / reception unit for interlocking the multi-directional input device and the electronic device and for transmitting / receiving data.

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