WO2008140228A2

WO2008140228A2 - Character input device

Info

Publication number: WO2008140228A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002629
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eui Jin Oh
Original assignee: Eui Jin Oh
Priority date: 2007-05-09
Filing date: 2008-05-09
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Also published as: WO2008140228A3

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a character input device. The character input device includes a base provided with an input region; an input unit configured to perform directional input for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indication locations, which are arranged radially around and spaced apart from a reference location within the input region; a central input key provided at a center of the input unit and configured to perform central input in response to pressing; directional input detection units configured to detect the directional input; a central input detection unit configured to detect the central input; and a control unit configured to extract a first character, assigned to each of the direction indication locations and the central input key, from a memory unit and input the first character, based on results of detection by the directional input detection units and the central input detection unit, and extract a second character, additionally assigned to each of the direction indication locations, from the memory unit and input the second character when central combination input, in which both the central input and the directional input are performed, is performed.

Description

Description CHARACTER INPUT DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a character input device, and, more particularly, to a character input device that performs directional input and central input individually or in combination, thereby maximizing input capacity in a limited input space. Background Art

[2] With the development of software and semiconductor technology and data processing technology, information devices are gradually becoming small, and the amount and importance of characters input using such information devices is gradually increasing.

[3] Meanwhile, the input of various characters or instructions to such information devices exhibits many problems. For example, input devices, such as keyboards, used in Personal Computers (PCs) or notebook computers cause difficulty in realizing small-sized information devices because there is a limitation on the reduction in the size thereof, and touch screen schemes used in Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) and keypad schemes used in mobile phones are inconvenient because the speed of input is slow and the incidence of erroneous input is high.

[4] In order to input letters, numbers and symbols to the above-described information devices, such as PCs, notebook computers, PDAs or mobile phones, at a higher speed, it is necessary to perform a so-called one stroke-one phoneme input, in which one phoneme character is input through one input action at a higher speed. When such one stroke-one phoneme input is applied to the Korean alphabet, it is necessary to provide buttons or input keys for inputting 24 or more characters on an information device. When the target language of input is English, Japanese or some other language, a larger number of buttons or input keys is required than in the case of the Korean alphabet.

[5] However, since conventional input devices used in various types of information devices adopt a scheme of assigning characters to respective input keys and inputting the characters by striking or pressing the input keys using fingers, it is difficult to arrange 24 or more finger-sized input keys on a personal mobile information terminal having a small area for the arrangement of input keys, such as a mobile phone.

[6] This is the reason why it has been difficult to realize small-sized keyboards to date.

In the case of mobile phones, since 24 or more Korean alphabet letters are input using only 12 buttons, it is inevitable to arrange a plurality of letters on each button, with the result that a repeated input phenomenon, in which an input action is repeated twice or three times to input one letter (phoneme), oxurs frequently. Accordingly, input is slow and inconvenient.

[7] Although a character input method of inputting characters through combination, known as Cheonjiin, has been proposed in order to overcome the above problem, the repeated input phenomenon is not solved using this method.

[8] Furthermore, technologies, including a roll-up keyboard, which can be rolled up and then carried, and a virtual laser keyboard, which is configured to project an image of a keyboard onto a surface, detect the locations of fingers when actions similar to keyboard input actions are perform on the image using the fingers and receive input, have be proposed.

[9] However, such types of input devices have problems in that they are inconvenient in that they must always be carried, and in that the types of input device are not suitable for application to personal portable information terminals requiring input in the state in which the personal portable information terminals are held in the hands while moving because input can be performed only in the state in which those types of input devices are placed on support surfaces. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] In order to overcome the above problems, the present applicant proposed a character input device that performs directional movement input, directional pressing input and central input using a single input unit, thereby being capable of inputting every desired character through a single action using minimum input space.

[11] An object of the present invention is to provide a character input device that enables the addition of a new input operation in which the directional movement or pressing input and the central input are combined together, thereby maximizing input capacity in a limited input space. Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the above object s, the present invention provides a character input device including a base provided with an input region; an input unit configured to perform directional input for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indication locations, which are arranged radially around and spaced apart from a reference location within the input region; a central input key provided at a center of the input unit and configured to perform central input in response to pressing; directional input detection units configured to detect the directional input; a central input detection unit configured to detect the central input; and a control unit configured to extract a first character, assigned to each of the direction indication locations and the central input key, from a memory unit and input the first character, based on results of detection by the directional input detection units and the central input detection unit, and extract a second character, additionally assigned to each of the direction indication locations, from the memory unit and input the second character when central combination input M, in which both the central input C and the directional input D are performed, is performed.

[13] The directional input may be performed in such a way that the input unit slides toward any one of the direction indication locations.

[14] The directional input may be performed in such a way that the input unit is tilted and moved toward any one of the direction indication locations.

[15] The directional input may be performed in such a way that the input unit is tilted toward any one of the direction indication locations.

[16] The directional input may be performed in such a way that any one is selected from among push elements provided on the input unit to correspond to the direction indication locations.

[17] One or more of the directional input and the central input may be performed in two or more stages based on a moving distance, an extent of tilting and moving or a tilting angle of the input unit, a pressing distance of each of push elements, or a pressing distance of the central input key.

[18] When the directional input is provided in a single stage and the central input is provided in two stages, three different character sets, respectively corresponding to ® the directional input, © a combination of the directional input and first- stage central input, and © a combination of the directional input and second-stage central input, may be provided at the direction indication locations.

[19] When the directional input is provided in two stages and the central input is provided in a single stage, four different character sets, respectively corresponding to ® first- stage directional input, © second-stage directional input, © a combination of first- stage directional input and the central input, and ® a combination of second-stage directional input and the central input, may be provided at the direction indication locations.

[20] When both the directional input and the central input are provided in two stages, six different character sets, respectively corresponding to ® first-stage directional input, © second-stage directional input, © a combination of first-stage directional input and first-stage central input, ® a combination of first-stage directional input and second- stage central input, © a combination of second-stage directional input and first-stage central input, and © a combination of second-stage directional input and second-stage central input, may be provided at the direction indication locations.

[21] Vowel characters may be assigned to any one of the plurality of character sets.

[22] The input unit, the central input key, the directional input detection unit and the central input detection unit may be doubled within the input region, and are divided into two input sets.

[23] One or more of the directional input and the central input performed through the input unit may be each performed in two or more stages.

[24] Consonant characters may be input through one of the two input set, and vowel characters may be input through a remaining one thereof.

[25] Input of functions, such as Enter, Space and Cancel, may be performed through the central combination input.

[26] Switching between Korean character, English character, number and symbol input modes may be performed through the central combination input.

[27] One or more touch detection units for detecting approach or contact of a finger may be provided on one or more selected from among locations on the top of the input unit, corresponding to the respective direction indication locations, the respective push elements, and the central input key, thereby enabling touch input, in addition to the directional input and the central input.

[28] The character input device may further include a display unit provided on one side of the base, and configured to display an input command extracted by the control unit, and a keyboard display part for displaying characters assigned to the respective direction indication locations may be provided in the display unit.

[29] The character input device may further include character display units provided on any one of the base and the input unit to correspond to the respective direction indication locations, and configured to display characters assigned to the directional input or the central combination input for the respective direction indication locations, and, when a plurality of character sets is arranged at the respective direction indication locations, the character display unit may perform change to a character input set selected through a user's input action and displays the character input set. Advantageous Effects

[30] Accordingly, the character input device according to the present invention having the above-described construction enables directional input and central input to be performed in combination with each other, as well as individually, thereby being capable of maximizing input capacity in a limited input space.

[31] Furthermore, since characters can be distinctively arranged based on the characteristics of respective input actions, a user can easily become accustomed to the character input device, and rapid and accurate input can be performed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[32] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a character input device according to the present invention;

[33] Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing input by the character input device according to the present invention;

[34] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a mobile communication terminal in which a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted;

[35] Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the input unit shown in Fig. 3;

[36] Fig. 5 is an operation diagram showing various embodiments of directional input according to the present invention;

[37] Figs. 6 to 9 are enlarged views showing the principal portions of input units according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[38] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the state of use of a dual character input device according to the present invention;

[39] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the principal portions of input units according to an embodiment of the character input device shown in Fig. 9; and

[40] Fig. 11 is a plan and sectional view showing an example of the construction of an input unit that enables the directional input of the present invention to be performed in two stages.

Mode for the Invention

[41] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[42] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a character input device 1 according to the present invention includes a base 110 provided with an input region; an input unit 10 configured to perform directional input D for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indication locations D , D , D and D , which are arranged radially around

1 2 3 4 and spaced apart from a reference location S within the input region; a central input key 30 provided at the center of the input unit 10 and configured to perform central input C in response to pressing; directional input detection units 51 configured to detect directional input D; a central input detection unit 55 configured to detect central input C; and a control unit 60 configured to extract a first character, assigned to each of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D and the central input key 30,

1 2 3 4 from a memory unit 65 and input the first character, based on the results of detection by the directional input detection units 51 and the central input detection unit 55, and configured to extract a second character, additionally assigned to each of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D , from the memory unit 65 and input the second

1 2 3 4 character when central combination input M, in which both the central input C and the directional input D are performed, is performed. [43] The respective elements will be described in detail below.

[44] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a mobile communication terminal 100 in which the character input device 1 aαjording to the present invention is mounted. [45] Referring to this drawing, the character input device 1 is provided on one side of the base 110 of the mobile communication terminal 100, and a display unit 130 for displaying various input commands and functions performed by the character input device 1 is provided on the other side of the base 110. [46] In this case, a keyboard display part 74 for displaying characters assigned to the respective direction indication locations D , D , D and D may be provided in the

1 2 3 4 display unit 130.

[47] In the keyboard display part 74, the content of input based on a user's input action or characters assigned to a selected input mode may be displayed, all characters assigned to the respective direction indication locations D , D , D and D may be simul-

1 2 3 4 taneously displayed, or only a specific character set may be displayed. [48] Meanwhile, it is apparent that the keyboard display part 74 may be hidden in response to manipulation by a user. [49] Meanwhile, on the other side of the base 110 may be provided a plurality of function keys 123 for performing functions of Call/Cancel and mode shift keys 121 for performing mode shift, such as mode shift between a call mode and a character input mode. [50] The input unit 10 is provided to enable directional input D to be performed within the input region provided in the base 110. [51] The directional input D (see Fig. 1) refers to input that is performed by selecting any one of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D , which are arranged radially

1 2 3 4 around the reference location S.

[52] The directional input D may be performed in various ways. For example, as shown in

Figs. 4 and 5(a), the input unit 10 may slide toward any one of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D .

1 2 3 4

[53] In this case, a support 11 for movably supporting the input unit 10 when necessary may be provided under the input unit 10.

[54] In the case in which the directional input D is performed in a sliding fashion, the directional input detection units 51, which are provided in the base 110 and are configured to detect the movement of the input unit 10, may be provided.

[55] The directional input detection units 51 are provided in respective paths of the input unit 10, and transmit detection results to the control unit 60 when the movement of the input unit 10 is detected.

[56] Here, the number of direction indication locations D , D , D and D may vary. For

1 2 3 4 example, the direction indication locations may be arranged in four directions, as shown in Fig. 1, in eight directions, or in 12 directions.

[57] Alternatively, the directional input D may be performed in such a way that the input unit 10 is tilted and moved toward a specific one of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D , as shown in Fig. 5(b).

1 2 3 4

[58] Here, the 'tilting and moving' refers to the tilting and moving of the entire input unit

10 (or, along with the support 11) in a specific direction, and is different from the tilting of the input unit 10 toward the support 11, such as that shown in Fig. 5(c).

[59] The directional input D may be performed in such a way that the input unit 10 is tilted toward any one of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D , as shown

1 2 3 4 in Fig. 5(c).

[60] In this case, the support 11 is provided between the input unit 10 and the base 110, and supports the input unit 10 so that the input unit can be tilted in an arbitrary direction. Accordingly, the input unit 10 is provided to input a character assigned to any one of the direction indication locations D , D , D and D as the input unit 10 is

1 2 3 4 tilted toward the direction indication location D , D , D or D .

1 2 3 4

[61] Alternatively, the directional input D may be performed in such a way that any one is selected from among push elements 35, which are provided to correspond to the respective direction indication locations D , D , D and D in the input unit 10, as

1 2 3 4 shown in Fig. 4. [62] Referring to Fig. 3, the push elements 35 are provided on the input unit 10 and correspond to the respective direction indication locations D , D , D and D , and the

1 2 3 4 control unit 60 receives detection results from a relevant directional input detection unit 51, extracts a character assigned to a selected push element 35 from the memory unit 65, and inputs the character.

[63] In this case, the above-described directional input D may be provided to be performed in two or more stages.

[64] For example, in the case in which the directional input D is performed in a sliding fashion, two or more directional input detection units 51 may be disposed in each path of the input unit 10, and the direction input D may be performed in a multi-stage manner depending on the distance that the input unit 10 is moved.

[65] In this case, as shown in Fig. 1 l(b), a first contact element 27a and a second contact element 27b having different projection lengths corresponding to the direction indication locations D2 , D2 , D2 and D2 may be provided on an elastic member 40,

1 2 3 4 provided around the circumference of the input unit 10, or on the input unit 10 itself. In this case, depending on the distance that the input unit 10 is moved, a relatively long first contact element 27a is brought into contact with the base 110 first, and then the second contact element 27b is brought into contact with the base 110.

[66] Here, the contact elements 27a and 27b may be formed of elastic conductive members.

[67] Meanwhile, in the case in which the directional input D is performed by tilting and moving, or by tilting only, the directional input detection unit 51 can perform multistage input through the detection of the extent or pressure of tilting of the input unit 10.

[68] In this case, as shown in Fig. 1 l(a), a stepped portion may be formed along the circumference of the bottom of the input unit 10, a lower directional input detection unit 51a may be brought into contact with the base 110 by first stage tilting, and an upper directional input detection unit 51b may be brought into contact with the base 110 by second stage tilting.

[69] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 1 l(c), a first contact element 27a and a second contact element 27b having different projection lengths corresponding to the direction indication locations D2 , D2 , D2 and D2 may be provided on an elastic member 40,

1 2 3 4 provided under the input unit 10, or on the input unit 10 itself. Here, the contact elements 27a and 27b may be also formed of elastic conductive members. [70] In the case in which the directional input D is provided in the form of a second directional pressing input D3, multi-stage input may be enabled in such a way that the directional input detection units 51 provided under the respective push elements 35 detect pressing pressure or pressing distance.

[71] Here, an example of the signal processing method of the control unit 60 will be described below.

[72] For example, in the case of two-stage directional input D, first-stage input is performed first when second-stage input is performed. The control unit 60 may wait for second-stage directional input D for a predetermined standby period after the first- stage first directional input D has been performed, and then determine whether second- stage input is performed.

[73] Preferably, the control unit 60 immediately processes first- stage input without waiting for the standby period when first-stage directional input D is performed, and cancels the first-stage input and then processes second-stage input when the second- stage input is performed within the standby period. In this case, the delay of input for the standby period can be prevented.

[74] Alternatively, changing of the first-stage input may be determined depending on the cancellation of the first-stage input (for example, return to the reference location S after the directional input D, or OFF of a first-stage input detection signal), instead of the elapse of the predetermined period.

[75] That is, when first-stage input is cancelled, the determination of final input is made.

[76] In this case, when first-stage input is performed, the input is immediately performed.

Meanwhile, when first-stage input is cancelled, the determination of final input is made. However, when second-stage input is performed without cancellation of first- stage input in the state in which the first-stage input is performed, regardless of a standby period, the first-stage input is cancelled and change to the second-stage input is performed.

[77] In the above signal processing method, in the case in which first-stage input is processed due to erroneous input at the time of performing second- stage input, the first-stage input can be changed to second-stage input by performing the second-stage input immediately after the processing of the first-stage input without the need to cancel the first-stage input and then perform the second-stage input, thereby enabling rapid input processing.

[78] Alternatively, in the case in which the directional input detection units 51 are implemented using pressure sensors, the determination can be made based on the maximum pressure value that is generated in the standby period.

[79] Alternatively, first-stage input and second-stage input may be distinguished from each other based on the time period for which the directional input detection unit 51 detects the input unit 10.

[80] For example, the input in question may be determined to be first-stage input if the period of detection is equal to or less than 0.5 seconds, and may be determined to be second-stage input if the period of detection is greater than 0.5 seconds.

[81] In the case of pressure sensors, as described above, first-stage input is processed immediately when the first-stage input is performed, and the determination of input is made when the first-stage input is cancelled. When a detection value corresponding to second-stage input is additionally detected before the cancellation of first-stage input, the first- stage input is cancelled and then the second- stage input is determined to be input.

[82] Here, it is noted that the above-described signal processing of the control unit 60 related to multi-stage input can be applied to central input C and central combination input M, as well as directional input D, in the same manner.

[83] Meanwhile, in the above-described respective cases, the input unit 10 may be provided to be moved in circumferential directions, as well as in radial directions around the reference location.

[84] For example, the input unit 10 may be moved in a circumferential direction and then perform another directional input D, after being moved from the reference location and performing directional input D and before returning to the reference location.

[85] Meanwhile, the input unit 10 may be provided in various sizes. For example, the input unit 10 may be provided in a size that allows a single finger to perform each directional input D.

[86] An uneven portion or an anti-slip portion made of rubber for preventing a finger from slipping at the time of sliding movement or tilting may be provided on one side of the input unit 10.

[87] Referring to Fig. 3, the central input key 30 is provided to perform central input C when the center of the input unit 10 is pressed.

[88] The central input key 30 performs central input C while moving vertically independently of the input unit 10. The central input key 30 is assigned a character/ symbol/number. When only central input C is performed, the central input detection unit 55 detects this, and the control unit 60 extracts the assigned character/ symbol/number from the memory unit 65 and inputs it.

[89] Alternatively, it is apparent that various functional commands, such as the switching of input mode, may be performed through the central input key 30. [90] Meanwhile, the central input C may be performed through the vertical movement of the input unit 10 with respect to the base 110, as shown in Fig. 5(d).

[91] It is apparent that the central input C can be performed in a multi-stage manner on the basis of the intensity of pressing pressure imposed on the central input key 30 or the distance that the central input key 30 is pressed.

[92] Here, the directional input detection units 51 and the central input detection unit 55 may be of various types. For example, the detection units 51 and 55 may be formed of pressure sensors, optical sensors or touch sensors, or may be formed of touch pads in which sensors are distributed throughout the region around an input radius.

[93] Meanwhile, the character input device 1 according to the present invention is provided to enable the above-described directional input D and central input C to be performed independently and, at the same time, to enable central combination input M, in which the directional input D and the central input C are combined together, to be performed, as shown in Fig. 1.

[94] Here, central combination input M refers to directional input D that is performed in the state in which the central input key 30 has been selected (that is, in the state in which central input C has been performed).

[95] That is, when the directional input D is assigned both a first character and a second character, the control unit 60 causes the first character (such as D in Fig. 1) to be input if the directional input D is performed alone, and causes the second character (such as M in Fig. 1) to be input when the directional input D and the central input C are performed in combination (that is, when the central combination input M is performed).

[96] In this case, because each of the directional input D and the central input C may be performed in a single stage manner or a multi-stage manner, as described above, the number of instances of the central combination input M may vary.

[97] The central combination input M will be described in detail below with reference to

Figs. 6 to 8.

[98] Prior to the description, it is to be noted that a description of the combination of first- stage directional input D and first-stage central input C, which is the simplest form of central combination input M, is not made, but reference is to be made to the description in conjunction with Fig. 1.

[99] Next, Fig. 6 shows the case in which the directional input D is two-stage input and the central input C is single stage input.

[100] In this case, character sets that can be input through directional input D and central combination input M are a total of four character sets, respectively corresponding to:

[101] ® D(I): first-stage directional input D,

[102] © D(2): second-stage directional input D,

[103] (D M(I): the combination of first-stage directional input D(I) and central input C, and

[104] ® M(2): the combination of second-stage directional input D(2) and central input C.

[105] Referring to the drawing, character display units 15 for displaying characters input using the directional input D and the central combination input M are provided on the base 110 to correspond to the respective direction indication locations D , ..., and D .

1 8

[106] Here, the character display units 15 may be provided in various manners. For example, the character display units 15 may be formed of LCD windows capable of changing content to be displayed. In this case, when a plurality of character sets is arranged at the respective direction indication locations D , ..., and D , change to a

1 8 character set selected through a user's input action may be made, and that character set may be displayed alone.

[107] A character displayed on the lower left side of a display unit 15 indicates a character that is input through first- stage directional input D(I), a character displayed on the upper left side thereof indicates a character that is input through second-stage directional input D (2), and characters displayed on the right side thereof indicate characters that are input through central combination input M 1, which is performed through the combinations of the first- stage directional input D(I) and the central input C.

[108] Accordingly, ' π ' is input when the first-stage directional input D(I) is performed in the 12 o'clock direction using the input unit 10, ' ^ ' is input when the second-stage directional input D(2) is input, and ' } (M(I))' is input when the first-stage directional input D (I) and the central input C are combined together. It is apparent that, when the central input C is performed alone, Ok' can be input.

[109] As a result, when eight direction indication locations D , ..., and D are provided, the

1 8 character input device 1 according to the present invention can input a total of 25 characters, including 16 characters input through the first-stage and second-stage directional input D, one character input through the central input C, and eight characters input through the central combination input M.

[110] Fig. 7 shows the case in which single-stage directional input D and two- stage central input C are provided.

[I l l] In this case, character sets that can be input through directional input D and central combination input M are a total of six character sets, respectively corresponding to: [112] ® D(I): first-stage directional input D,

[115] Referring to the drawing, the vowels 'A, E, I, O, U, ...' are input through first-stage directional input D, and English consonants are input through first- stage central combination input M (that is, the combination of the first-stage directional input D and the central input C) and second-stage central combination input M (that is, the combination of second-stage directional input D and the central input C).

[116] Meanwhile, in the case of the central input C alone, 'Y' may be input through the first-stage central input C, and 'Z' may be input through the second-stage central input C.

[117] Fig. 8 shows the case in which two-stage directional input D and two-stage central input C are provided.

[118] In this case, character sets that can be input through the directional input D and central combination input M are a total of six character sets, respectively corresponding to:

[119] ® D(I): first-stage directional input D,

[122] ® M(2): the combination of first-stage directional input D(I) and second-stage central input C (2),

[125] In this case, central combination input M enables four-stage input (that is, M(I), M(2), M(3), and M(4)) because the first-stage central input C and the second-stage central input C may be combined with each stage of directional input D.

[126] That is, first-stage central combination input M(I) is performed through the combination of the first- stage directional input D(I) and the first- stage central input C(I), second-stage central combination input M(2) is performed through the combination of the first- stage directional input D(I) and the second- stage central input C(2), third-stage central combination input M(3) is performed through the combination of the second-stage directional input D(2) and the first-stage central input C(I), and fourth-stage central combination input M(4) is performed through the combination of the second-stage directional input D(2) and the second-stage central input C(2).

[127] Accordingly, in the case of the present embodiment, when 12 direction indication locations D , ... are provided, 24 characters can be input through two-stage directional input D, 48 characters can be input through four-stage central combination input M, and two characters can be input through central input C, that is, a total of 72 characters can be input.

[128] In this case, it is apparent that symbols, numbers, functions and the like may be assigned to the remaining direction indication locations D , ....

[129] Meanwhile, characters assigned to the directional input D and the central combination input M may be arranged in various manners depending on the types of characters.

[130] For example, vowel characters may be input through one of the directional input D and the central combination input M, and consonant characters may be input through the other of the directional input D and the central combination input M. In this case, various function commands, numbers and/or symbols may be assigned to positions that remain vacant after the assignment of all consonants and vowels.

[131] That is, as shown in Fig. 6, Korean consonants may be arranged for directional input D, and Korean vowels may be arranged for central combination input M, and, as shown in Fig. 7, English vowels may be arranged for directional input D and English consonants may be arranged for central combination input M.

[132] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8, Korean characters may be input through first-stage directional input D and related central combination input M, and English characters may be input through second-stage directional input D and related central combination input M.

[133] Alternatively, in each of the above-described embodiments, vowel characters may be arranged only in association with any one of the character sets.

[134] Alternatively, the input of functions, such as Enter, Space, and Cancel, may be performed through central combination input M, switching between a Korean character input mode, a English character input mode, a number input mode and a symbol input mode may be performed, and a direction designation function, such as the movement of a cursor, may be performed.

[135] In the case in which one or more consonants and one or more vowels are mixed and arranged in a disorganized manner when Korean characters, English characters or Japanese characters, composed of one or more consonants and one or more vowels, are input, it is not easy to input characters because the characters input in response to respective input actions must be memorized and then input.

[136] However, in the case in which consonant characters and vowel characters are dis- criminatively arranged based on the characteristics of respective input actions, as in the character input device 1 according to the present invention, a user can easily input characters that are assigned in association with the input actions.

[137] Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the character input device 1 according to the present invention may be divided into two input sets I and I so that two input units 10, two central input keys 30, two directional input detection unit 51 and two central input detection units 55 are provided in an input region.

[138] In this case, the respective input sets I and I may have the same directional input D and central combination input M. Alternatively, the respective input sets I and I may have different types of input, as shown in Fig. 10.

[139] That is, an input unit 10 located on one side of the character input device 1 may have four direction indication locations D , D , D and D , and an input unit 10' on the other

1 2 3 4 side thereof may have eight direction indication locations D , D , D and D .

1 2 3 4

[140] Alternatively, in each of the above-described cases, the same characters or different characters may be arranged to the input sets I and I . [141] That is, vowel characters may be input using the left one I of the two input sets I and I , and consonant characters may be input using the right one I thereof. [142] Alternatively, numbers may be arranged in association with any one of the two input sets I and I , and symbols or the like may be arranged in association with the other one thereof. [143] Alternatively, the character input device 1 according to the present invention may be used as a mouse or joystick, in which case, if two input sets are provided, one input unit 10 may perform a mouse pointer function, and the other input unit 10 may perform the input of various function commands. [144] Meanwhile, touch detection units for detecting the approach or contact of a finger are provided on one or more of locations on the top of the input unit 10, corresponding to the respective direction indication locations D , D , D and D , the respective push

1 2 3 4 elements 35, and the central input key 30, thereby being capable of performing touch input, in addition to the directional input D and the central input C. [145] Here, it is noted that the character input device 1 according to the present invention may be used in such a way that whether to use multi-stage directional input D, whether to use multi-stage central input C and the number of input sets I and I may be freely changed and combined together if necessary, besides the above-described embodiments.

Claims

[ 1 ] A character input device comprising : a base provided with an input region; an input unit configured to perform directional input for selecting any one of a plurality of direction indication locations, which are arranged radially around and spaced apart from a reference location within the input region; a central input key provided at a center of the input unit and configured to perform central input in response to pressing; directional input detection units configured to detect the directional input; a central input detection unit configured to detect the central input; and a control unit configured to extract a first character, assigned to each of the direction indication locations and the central input key, from a memory unit and input the first character, based on results of detection by the directional input detection units and the central input detection unit, and extract a second character, additionally assigned to each of the direction indication locations, from the memory unit and input the second character when central combination input, in which both the central input and the directional input are performed, is performed.

[2] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the directional input is performed in such a way that the input unit slides toward any one of the direction indication locations.

[3] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the directional input is performed in such a way that the input unit is tilted and moved toward any one of the direction indication locations.

[4] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the directional input is performed in such a way that the input unit is tilted toward any one of the direction indication locations.

[5] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the directional input is performed in such a way that any one is selected from among push elements provided on the input unit to correspond to the direction indication locations.

[6] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein one or more of the directional input and the central input are performed in two or more stages based on a moving distance, an extent of tilting and moving or a tilting angle of the input unit, a pressing distance of each of push elements, or a pressing distance of the central input key.

[7] The character input device as set forth in claim 6, wherein, when the directional input is provided in a single stage and the central input is provided in two stages, three different character sets, respectively corresponding to ® the directional input, © a combination of the directional input and first- stage central input, and © a combination of the directional input and second-stage central input, are provided at the direction indication locations.

[8] The character input device as set forth in claim 6, wherein, when the directional input is provided in two stages and the central input is provided in a single stage, four different character sets, respectively corresponding to ® first- stage directional input, © second-stage directional input, © a combination of first-stage directional input and the central input, and ® a combination of second-stage directional input and the central input, are provided at the direction indication locations.

[9] The character input device as set forth in claim 6, wherein, when both the directional input and the central input are provided in two stages, six different character sets, respectively corresponding to ® first-stage directional input, © second-stage directional input, © a combination of first-stage directional input and first- stage central input, ® a combination of first- stage directional input and second- stage central input, © a combination of second- stage directional input and first-stage central input, and © a combination of second- stage directional input and second-stage central input, are provided at the direction indication locations.

[10] The character input device as set forth in any one of claim 7 to 9, wherein vowel characters are assigned to any one of the plurality of character sets.

[11] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input unit, the central input key, the directional input detection unit and the central input detection unit are doubled within the input region, and are divided into two input sets.

[12] The character input device as set forth in claim 11, wherein one or more of the directional input and the central input performed through the input unit are each performed in two or more stages.

[13] The character input device as set forth in claim 11 or 12, wherein consonant characters are input through one of the two input set, and vowel characters are input through a remaining one thereof.

[14] The character input device as set forth in any one of claims 1, 6, 11 and 12, wherein input of functions, such as Enter, Space and Cancel, is performed through the central combination input.

[15] The character input device as set forth in any one of claims 1, 6, 11 and 12, wherein switching between Korean character, English character, number and symbol input modes is performed through the central combination input.

[16] The character input device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 6, 11 and 12, wherein one or more touch detection units for detecting approach or contact of a finger are provided on one or more selected from among locations on a top of the input unit, corresponding to the respective direction indication locations, the respective push elements, and the central input key, thereby enabling touch input, in addition to the directional input and the central input.

[17] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a display unit provided on one side of the base, and configured to display an input command extracted by the control unit, wherein a keyboard display part for displaying characters assigned to the respective direction indication locations is provided in the display unit.

[18] The character input device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising character display units provided on any one of the base and the input unit to correspond to the respective direction indication locations, and configured to display characters assigned to the directional input or the central combination input for the respective direction indication locations, wherein, when a plurality of character sets is arranged at the respective direction indication locations, the character display unit performs change to a character input set selected through a user's input action and displays the character input set.