Data input device

• US 9,141,214 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2011
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ju Hyup Lee
• Original Assignee: Ju Hyup Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Ju Hyup
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahi, Towfiq
• Application Number:
  US13/805,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20130100062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 345/161, 463 37- 38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A data input device and method are provided. The data input device provides an input module, which may be applied to electronic devices or portable terminals, consisting of a number of separation pairs, and the input module includes a number of A separated indication positions and a number of B separated indication positions which are disposed as each A-B type based on a predetermined separation reference line, in two sides, that is, an A separated segment and a B separated segment which are ambilaterally divided based on the separation reference line, so that a data input may be individually or continuously performed by means of an input selection to the one or more separated indication positions.

Claims

1. Data input device comprising:

at least one input module which is used to allow data to be inputted and provided to a base;

a memory which stores data assigned to a signal of an input made in the input module; and

a controller which extracts the data assigned to the input from the memory when the input signal is made in the input module and then allows the extracted data to be inputted,

characterized in that the input module is provided to comprise an input reference block within a selection area formed by one finger, wherein the input reference block is formed in such a manner that three A separated indication positions and three other B separated indication positions in A and B sides, which are separated from each other from a separation reference line, are arranged to face each other as only three A-B type separation pairs that are spaced from each other along the separation reference line, thereby being disposed in a rectangular form,

on the input reference block, the three A-B type separation pairs are disposed within a contact area of a fingerprint region on a distal end of one thumb, that is,

when the one thumb is placed on the input reference block, selection positions of the three A-B type separation pairs are recognized as left, central, and right positions of the fingerprint region on the distal end of the one thumb as well as a front and a rear of each of the left, central, and right positions,

on the input reference block, a selection is made by a single input click performed with one finger, wherein

one of the A and B separated indication positions in the A and B sides is individually selected by the single input click, and thus one data assigned to one input signal generated through the individual selection is inputted, or

the separation reference line disposed between the A and B separated indication positions forming one A-B type separation pair is selected by the single input click, and thus one data assigned to two input signals generated through the selection of the A and B separated indication positions is inputted,

wherein each of the single input clicks is made in a downward direction, and

wherein the two input signals made on the input reference block through the selection is processed as one pair input, and

when A and B separated indication positions selected together to make the pair input fail to come into contact with a predetermined sensor simultaneously, two signals corresponding to the A and B separated indication positions are sequentially generated and the controller determines the two signals as the pair input, based on a pre-set time value.

2. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the input module comprises a separation sensing unit which senses the input and generates an input signal corresponding to the input.

3. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the input module comprises an inputtable panel which is formed so that each of the separated indication positions forming the separation pairs is selected at the time of the input, and is provided as a detachable type.

4. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein, in the input module, at least one A-B type separation pair is further arranged to the left or right of the input reference block along the separation reference line, and

the selection position of the further A-B type separation pair is recognized as a position to the left or right of the input reference block as well as the front and the rear of the position to the left or right of the input reference block.

5. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the input module is provided so that two or more continuous signals are generated according to a difference between applied pressures at the time of the input.

6. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the one input signal made on the input reference block through the selection is processed as one separation input,

the selection allows the separation and the pair input to be sequentially performed, and

the controller determines input signals sequentially made through the separation input and the pair input, and then allows data corresponding to the determined input signals to be inputted.

7. Data input device according to claim 6, wherein, when one input signal corresponding to the separation input and other two input signals corresponding to the pair input are made together,

the controller allows data assigned to the separation input after the pair input or another data assigned to the pair input after the separation input to be inputted, based on a generation order of the one input signal and the other two inputs signals.

8. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the input module further comprises one or more input selecting segment which is formed at an upper portion of the input module so that the positions corresponding to the corresponding separated indication positions of the separation pairs is selected at the time of the input.

9. Data input device according to claim 8, wherein one or more separating groove or separating line of a protrusion type is formed in the input selecting segment, and the input selecting segment is divided into left, middle, and right input selecting segments through the separating groove or separating line with the middle segment considered as the center of the input selecting segment.

10. Data, input device according to claim 9, wherein, in the input selecting segment, the separating groove or separating, line is wholly or partially formed in any one or more shapes of a straight line, a curve, and a wavy pattern, and is wholly or partially provided in a symmetric or asymmetric shape.

11. Data input device according to claim 8, wherein the input selecting segment is provided in a separated projection or a protruding frame shape.

12. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the input module is provided in one of the followings:

a holding type interface which is provided to a holder attachable to and detachable from the base;

a detachable type interface which is provided in a form attachable to and detachable from the base;

a wired type interface which is wiredly connected to the base; and

a wireless type interface which is wirelessly connected to the base providing a display unit, or in a form that is installed in one of the interfaces.

13. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the two or more input modules are provided at a predetermined position in the base.

14. Data input device according to claim 6, wherein two input modules are provided to predetermined positions of the base, and

one or more of the separation input and the pair input are performed on the two input modules differently from or identically to each other.

15. Data input device according to claim 14, wherein the input modules are provided to allow one or more among characters, numbers, symbols, enter, mode change, and various function commands to be performed through the separation input or the pair input.

16. Data input device according to claim 1, wherein the input modules are provided to further comprise at least one of a separating groove, a separating line, a separated protrusion, and a protruding frame.

17. Data input device comprising:

an input unit which is provided to a base to allow data to be inputted;

an input module which comprises a separation sensing unit for sensing the input and generating an input signal corresponding to the input;

a memory which stores data assigned to the signal of the input made in the input module; and

a controller which extracts data assigned to the input from the memory when the input signal is made in the input module, and then allows the extracted data to be inputted,

characterized in that the input module is provided to comprise an input reference block within a selection area formed by one finger, wherein the input reference block is formed in such a manner that three A separated indication positions and three other B separated indication positions in A and B sides, which are separated from each other from a separation reference line, are arranged to face each other as only three A-B type separation pairs that are spaced from each other along the separation reference line, thereby being disposed in a rectangular form,

on the input reference block, the three A-B type separation pairs are disposed within a contact area of a fingerprint region on a distal end of one thumb, that is,

when the one thumb is placed on the input reference block, selection positions of the three A-B type separation pairs are recognized as left, central, and right positions of the fingerprint region on the distal end of the one thumb as well as a front and a rear of each of the left, central, and right positions,

on the input reference block, a selection is made by a single input click performed with one finger, wherein

one of the A and B separated indication positions in the A and B sides is individually selected by the single input click, and thus one data assigned to one input signal generated through the individual selection is inputted, or

the separation reference line disposed between the A and B separated indication positions forming one A-B type separation pair is selected by the single input click, and thus one data assigned to two input signals generated through the selection of the A and B separated indication positions is inputted,

wherein each of the single input clicks is made in a downward direction, and

wherein the two input signals made on the input reference block through the selection is processed as one pair input, and

when A and B separated indication positions selected together to make the pair input fail to come into contact with a predetermined sensor simultaneously, two signals corresponding to the A and B separated indication positions are sequentially generated and the controller determines the two signals as the pair input, based on a pre-set time value.

18. Data input device comprising:

two input modules which are provided to a base to allow data to be inputted;

a memory which stores data assigned to signals of the inputs made in the input modules; and

a controller which extracts data assigned to the inputs from the memory when the input signals are made in the input modules, and then allows the extracted data to be inputted,

characterized in that each of the input modules is provided to comprise an input reference block within a selection area formed by one finger, wherein the input reference block is formed in such a manner that three A separated indication positions and three other B separated indication positions in A and B sides, which are separated from each other from a separation reference line, are arranged to face each other as only three A-B type separation pairs that are spaced from each other along the separation reference line, thereby being disposed in a rectangular form,

on the input reference block, the three A-B type separation pairs are disposed within a contact area of a fingerprint region on a distal end of one thumb, that is,

when the one thumb is placed on the input reference block, selection positions of the three A-B type separation pairs are recognized as left, central, and right positions of the fingerprint region on the distal end of the one thumb as well as a front and a rear of each of the left, central, and right positions,

on the input reference block, a selection is made by a single input click performed with one finger, wherein

one of the A and B separated indication positions in the A and B sides is individually selected by the single input click, and thus one data assigned to one input signal generated through the individual selection is inputted, or

the separation reference line disposed between the A and B separated indication positions forming one A-B type separation pair is selected by the single input click, and thus one data assigned to two input signals generated through the selection of the A and B separated indication positions is inputted,

wherein each of the single input clicks is made in a downward direction, and

wherein the two input signals made on the input reference block through the selection is processed as one pair input, and

when A and B separated indication positions selected together to make the pair input fail to come into contact with a predetermined sensor simultaneously, two signals corresponding to the A and B separated indication positions are sequentially generated and the controller determines the two signals as the pair input, based on a pre-set time value.