Key data input device and mobile communication terminal using the same

• US 7,068,259 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Ki-Hyun, Song, Hyun-Myung
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US10/207,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20030020694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/160, 345/161, 345/168, 345/169
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

A mobile communication terminal with a one-keyed data input device is disclosed. The one-keyed data input device includes a recess portion formed on the top surface of a main body of the terminal and a center key positioned in the recess portion. The center key is arranged to be movable in the uppermost or lowermost direction or in the leftmost or rightmost direction from the center of the recess portion and movable in the radial direction from the center. The device includes a data input assembly having a signal generation guide assembly for generating an electrical signal for selected data, said signal generation guide assembly being movable together with the center key coupled thereto, a vertically moving conductive material disposed below and in contact with the signal generation guide assembly, against which the signal generation guide assembly may move, a first elastic body disposed below the vertically moving conductive material, for providing the vertically moving conductive material with a physical force to get contact with the signal generation guide assembly, and a base supporting the first elastic body and the signal generation guide assembly, for transferring generated electrical signal to a main printed circuit board.

Claims

1. A one-keyed data input device for a mobile communication terminal, comprising:

a recess portion formed on a top surface of a main body of a terminal;

a center key positioned in the recess portion, said center key being arranged to be movable in an uppermost or lowermost direction or in a leftmost or rightmost direction from the center of the recess portion and movable in a radial direction from the center; and

a data input assembly having a signal generation guide assembly for generating, after moving the signal generation guide assembly to a desired location and depressing the the center key, an electrical signal for selected data, said signal generation guide assembly being moveable together with the center key coupled thereto, a vertically moving conductive material disposed below and in contact with the signal generation guide assembly, a first elastic guide body disposed below the vertically moving conductive material for providing the vertically moving conductive material with a force to make contact with the signal generation guide assembly, a base supporting the first elastic body and the signal generation guide assembly, the base for transferring an electrical signal to a main printed circuit board,

wherein the electrical signal inputs different data depending upon the desired location of the center key.

2. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 1, wherein the signal generation guide assembly further comprises a plurality of guides for guiding the direction of movement of the center key.

3. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said plurality of guides are arranged to respectively extend in at least one radial direction from the center of the signal generation guide assembly.

4. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said plurality of guides are arranged to extend in a circumferential direction from the center of the signal generation guide assembly.

5. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 2, wherein at least two of said plurality of guides are arranged to extend in at least one radial and circumferential directions respectively from the center of the signal generation guide assembly, and the radial extending guide and the circumferential extending guide are connected to each other.

6. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of guides each have a wavelike cross-section.

7. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of guides each have at least one protrusion part and at least one recessed part arranged adjacent to the at least one protrusion part.

8. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 7, wherein said recessed part further comprises a signal generation part, and the signal generation part is positioned in the bottom area of the recessed part so as to produce an electrical signal when in contact with the vertically moving conductive material.

9. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 1, further comprising a second elastic body arranged between said vertically moving conductive material and said base.

10. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 9, wherein said second elastic body is constructed of a metal dome.

11. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 2, further comprising a third elastic body arranged to support the plurality of guides in the side direction for providing a restoration force coming back to its original position.

12. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of the third elastic bodies are provided, with each third elastic body comprising a fixed end arranged in a respective corner of the data input assembly and two free ends each extending from the fixed end at a predetermined angle, said free ends having a tension urging the free ends closer to each other and for making contact with a sidewall of the signal generation guide assembly.

13. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 11, wherein more than two third elastic bodies are arranged in symmetry.

14. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 12, wherein said two free ends each have a curvature formed in a direction of its distal end from each other.

15. The one-keyed data input device according to claim 12, wherein said third elastic body is configured in such a way that a fixed end is positioned in a diagonal direction with respect to the signal generation guide assembly and the free ends are respectively positioned on a first side and an adjacent side of the signal generation guide assembly.