I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll 111111111111111 111111111111111 IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`US007423557B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Kang
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`Sep.9,2008
`
`(54) KEY INPUT DEVICE COMBINED WITH KEY
`DISPLAY UNIT AND DIGITAL APPLIANCE
`HAVING THE SAME
`
`12/1999 Knox
`6,004,049 A
`12/2001 Inoue et al.
`6,332,024 Bl
`6,798,359 Bl * 9/2004 Ivancic ........................ 341/23
`7/2003 Mitchell
`2003/0132915 Al
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Sang-woo Kang, Seoul (KR)
`
`(73) Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.,
`Suwon-si (KR)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 72 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/347,233
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.6,2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`JP
`JP
`KP
`KR
`KR
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`1443115 A
`1575486
`2002-533840 A
`2003-303526 A
`96-38570
`10-1996-0024839 A
`10-2004-0059496 A
`01/75580
`03/019519
`03/021922
`2004/059955
`
`9/2003
`2/2005
`10/2002
`10/2003
`11/1996
`7 /1996
`7/2004
`10/2001
`3/2003
`3/2003
`7/2004
`
`US 2006/0179088 Al
`
`Aug. 10, 2006
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Feb. 4, 2005
`
`(KR)
`
`...................... 10-2005-0010595
`
`Primary Examiner-Albert K. Wong
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sughrue Mion, PLLC
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H03M 11100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 341/23; 345/170; 341/20;
`379/433.04; 379/433.07
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................... 341/20,
`341/22, 23; 345/170; 379/433.04, 433.07
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,818,361 A * 10/1998 Acevedo ...................... 341/23
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A key input device combined with a key display unit and a
`digital appliance having the same are disclosed. The key input
`device includes a key display unit for displaying a character or
`an image that identifies a key, a touch sensing unit that moves
`down and up by a pressure applied to this key, and a signal
`generation unit for generating an electric signal in accordance
`with the pressure applied to the key, wherein the character or
`the image displayed on the key display unit can be changed.
`
`22 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`250
`
`150
`
`Apple Ex. 1037
`Apple Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-01012
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`1000
`
`11
`
`12
`
`110
`
`120
`
`:c:ioo!
`: -------------------·
`CD®CD
`©CD©
`CD®®
`®®(!)
`®
`
`FIG.I
`
`Telephone Directory
`
`Young Chul Kim
`
`Hei Jin Pak
`Min Soo Lee ___ _]
`
`Hyun Mi Chang
`
`DELETE
`
`SELECT
`
`CORRECT
`
`11
`
`12
`
`I- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`110'-'7 CJ O O :
`
`I -
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`- _:
`
`(a) In the Case of Using Telephone Directory
`
`11
`
`Short Messaging Service
`
`A planning meeting is
`scheduled at 3:00 p.m.
`today. Please attend the
`meeting.
`
`12
`
`CANCEL
`
`SEND
`
`I
`110'-'7 (~
`
`,-...____ 0
`
`I -
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`RECIPIENT
`
`/- I
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`(__,,)
`
`:
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`- _I
`
`(b) In the Case of Using SMS function
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 2008
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 15
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.2A
`
`200 A
`100 A
`
`300
`
`FIG.2B
`
`200 A
`100'-" A
`
`
`
`150
`
`150
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00003
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.2C
`
`20JA ~2 50
`A
`
`100
`
`150
`
`FIG.3A
`202
`
`203
`
`X
`X
`
`2
`
`3
`
`201
`
`•
`•
`
`1
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`100
`
`FIG.3B
`
`201
`
`100_.-
`
`250
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`250
`
`201
`
`100
`
`FIG.3C
`
`X
`
`2
`5
`8
`
`1
`4
`7
`
`150
`
`3
`6
`9
`
`300
`
`310
`
`c=6
`
`300
`
`310
`
`c=6
`
`FIG.4A
`
`310
`
`, _______ ( _______________ ,
`,--------~:
`ii I
`
`330
`
`320
`
`330
`
`300
`
`FIG.4B
`
`310
`
`____________ ( _________ _
`
`1 l u Q• ___ g u 1
`
`300
`
`330
`
`320
`
`330
`
`·------------~(~-------------' :i I
`-------:
`------------- -- ----------
`
`320
`
`350
`
`I
`
`310
`, _____________ ( _____________ ,
`I ~~ t '
`ld ___ ~ LS!
`
`320
`
`350
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.4C
`
`200
`
`?
`
`200 d=,
`
`200
`
`t
`~r~
`
`320
`
`320
`
`FIG.5
`
`1000
`
`Key Display Unit
`(100)
`
`Keypad Display Output
`Unit (510)
`
`Keypad Display Set Unit rv
`
`(520)
`
`550
`
`Touch Sensing Unit
`(300)
`
`Keypad Input Processing
`Unit (530)
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.6
`
`1001
`
`1002
`
`1003
`
`1004
`
`C)@O
`CDCDCD
`CDQ~®
`CD®®
`(±)(])(:!)
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`
`Right-Left
`Change
`
`C)@O
`c::!) er:, CD
`®CDCD
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`13) ([.') (!)
`Ci)
`
`Satellite Broadcasting
`Function
`
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`®
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`(~)@@
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`@@@
`(DE,'J(!)
`®
`
`t
`
`Internet Function
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.7
`
`1010
`
`1011
`
`1012
`
`ln the case of
`enlarging the character
`
`G®CD
`©CD®
`000
`G)Q)Q)
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`
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`CB·®®
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`
`In the case of changing the font
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 2008
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.8
`FIG.8
`
`1021
`
`1022
`
`A
`~
`
`fZ'),. w
`
`‘22
`
`121
`121
`
`122
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00009
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.9
`
`902
`
`c - - - (cid:157)
`
`_J
`
`C · - - 0
`
`Server
`
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`r"' __ :" '1..
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`l
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`._ .. · "''°Gbrffrt1dliica·1iaA ··
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`2) Image Download ~ -\_, ... N'etwoflf iJ .J
`
`1025
`
`~ / _________________ /
`
`901
`
`1) Image Download
`
`Notebook Computer
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`1031
`
`•
`display key •
`
`Push down
`
`C)@O
`CDCDCD
`©CD®
`CD®®
`®®®
`
`(@
`
`FIG.IO
`
`If key "1 "
`is pusheq.
`down
`
`1032
`
`Changed
`
`•
`
`C)@O
`
`®CDCD
`©CD®
`CD®®
`®®®
`®
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.11
`
`Start
`
`Store character, or image to be displayed
`on key display unit
`
`S101
`
`No
`
`S111
`
`Select character or image to be
`displayed on key display unit
`
`Select key for outputting
`character or image
`
`S121
`
`S11
`
`Select key for representing the
`selected character or image
`
`Select character or image to be
`displayed on key display unit
`
`Store the character or image and information on
`the key
`
`S131
`
`Output the character or image and
`key to the key display unit
`
`End
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`1051
`(
`
`•
`
`FIG.12
`
`1052
`
`( •
`
`1053
`(
`
`<£0(§)@)
`(§)@)@)
`~~Q3:>
`@c~CD
`€1)
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`~~o
`~@D@'>
`~@_Q)@!)
`(@~CJD
`CDCD~
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`1$
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`®@®
`@CO)(~~)
`(V (~ )~
`~
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.13
`
`Grocery Display Case
`
`2001
`
`Detergent Display
`Case
`
`2002
`
`1101
`
`1102
`
`Product: Bean Curd
`
`11
`
`11
`
`Product: Soap
`
`~~
`~~
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 2008
`
`Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.14
`
`1201
`
`<Bookmark>
`
`To Yahoo
`To Paran.com
`To MBC
`To SBS
`To M-TV
`~CoKJO
`aran ~
`ahoo
`@!)@E)C)
`C )~C )
`(VC )~
`
`-
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.9,2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 15
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`FIG.15
`
`2005
`
`L
`
`Ll
`0
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`Q aa
`
`a Q
`
`2006 (
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`TV
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`
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`Video
`
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`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00016
`
`

`

`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`2
`Therefore, an apparatus whereby a user can freely set the
`functions of keys is required. Further, an apparatus for
`enabling the user to freely use the keys is required since the
`user cannot freely represent the character or image to identify
`the function of a key or the key itself. Accordingly, an appa(cid:173)
`ratus and method capable of displaying the information that is
`indicative of the function of the corresponding key directly on
`the key is required.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`1
`KEY INPUT DEVICE COMBINED WITH KEY
`DISPLAY UNIT AND DIGITAL APPLIANCE
`HAVING THE SAME
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`5
`
`This application claims priority from Korean Patent Appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 10-2005-0010595 filed on Feb. 4, 2005 in the
`Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is 10
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
`invention relate to a key input device combined with a key
`display unit and a digital appliance having the same.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`A keypad is an important input device in digital appliances.
`In order to efficiently provide functions of digital appliances
`such as mobile phones, remote controllers, personal digital
`assistants (PD As), handheld personal computers (HPCs ), and
`notebook computers, the configuration of the keypad and how
`to position keys on the keypad have been studied in terms of
`ergonomics.
`Although input of specified functions has been considered
`in terms of ergonomics, the position of the keypad, functional
`keys and images have not allowed for optimal arrangement.
`For example, a keypad designed for a right-handed person
`may not be useful for a left-handed person. Further, a keypad
`designed to orient a character input may not be useful for
`cases where numerals or special characters are frequently
`inputted.
`FIG.1 is an exemplary view ofa related art soft key embod(cid:173)
`ied through a display window in which characters represent(cid:173)
`ing keys are varied in accordance with functions of the keys.
`Korean Patent Unexamined Publication No. 10-2004-
`59496 discloses a soft key in which functions of some key(cid:173)
`pads are varied in accordance with specified functions. This
`soft key provides functions similar to those of the soft key of
`FIG. 1. A mobile phone 1000 includes display screens 11 and
`12 and keypads 110 and 120. The keypad 110 positioned just
`below the display screen provides a variable key function.
`The variable key function means that a key has different
`functions according to selected function modes. For example,
`FIG. la shows the case of using a telephone directory where
`"Delete", "Select", and "Correct" functions, which are suit(cid:173)
`able when using the telephone directory, are mapped on keys
`in the keypad 110. In order to display the functions mapped on
`the key, the corresponding functions are shown on the display
`screen 12. FIG. lb shows the case of using a short messaging
`system (SMS) function where "Cancel", "Send", and
`"Recipient" functions, which are required to edit messages to
`be sent, are mapped on the keys in the keypad 110. In order to
`display the functions mapped on the keys, the corresponding
`functions are shown on the display screen 12.
`The mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 includes functions
`provided by some keys and varied in accordance with a
`selected application, and uses one small window to show the
`variable functions when the corresponding applications oper(cid:173)
`ate.
`In using such a small window, however, since the functions
`are not directly marked on the keys or buttons, it is difficult for
`a user to perceive the functions. Further, the key set according
`to the applications are not changeable, which is inconvenient
`for a user.
`
`Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve
`the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and
`an aspect of the present invention is to freely change a char-
`15 acter or an image being displayed on a key.
`Another aspect of the present invention is to diversely
`select a character or an image being displayed on a key.
`Additional advantages, objects, and features of the inven(cid:173)
`tion will be set forth in part in the description which follows
`20 and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
`skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
`learned from practice of the invention.
`In order to accomplish these objects, there is provided a key
`input device combined with a key display unit and a digital
`25 appliance having the same.
`According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a key input device combined with
`a key display unit, the key input device including the key
`display unit for displaying a character or an image that iden-
`30 tifies a key, a touch sensing unit that moves down and up by a
`pressure applied to the key identified by the key display unit,
`and a signal generation unit for generating an electric signal in
`accordance with the pressure applied to the key, wherein the
`character or the image displayed on the key display unit can
`35 be changeable.
`According to another exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention, there is provided a digital appliance having
`a key input device combined with a key display unit, the
`digital appliance including the key display unit for displaying
`40 a character or an image that identifies a key, a touch sensing
`unit that moves down and up by a pressure applied to the key
`identified by the key display unit, a signal generation unit for
`generating an electric signal in accordance with the pressure
`applied to the key, and a display control unit for changing the
`45 character or the image displayed on the key display unit.
`A key or a button activates or inactivates a specified func(cid:173)
`tion in the digital appliance. For example, ifakey ( or a button)
`"1" is pressed, "1" is displayed on a display unit or a function
`related to "1" is carried out. In the case of a mobile phone, it
`50 can be easily seen that several characters are marked on one
`key because one key may carry out several different functions
`according to the circumstances.
`A key map includes the character or image to be displayed
`on the key display unit and information on a code when the
`55 corresponding key is depressed. For example, if the character
`or image to be outputted to the first key button is not the
`number "1 ", it means that the key map has the corresponding
`character or image and information matching the first key
`button. According to a key input device, the key code may be
`60 fixed, and only information indicative of the character or
`image to be outputted to the key may be included in the key
`map.
`The key map may be created and assigned by a user, or may
`be set according to the application. The key input device may
`65 receive the key map from another apparatus or network
`according to the function of a digital appliance provided by
`the key input device. In the case of a mobile phone, for
`
`IPR2019-01012 Page 00017
`
`

`

`3
`example, the key map may be set in association with a wire(cid:173)
`less communication network, and in the case of a remote
`controller, the key map information may be received from
`other home appliances.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`5
`
`20
`
`The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
`present invention will be more apparent from the following
`detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompa(cid:173)
`nying drawings, in which:
`FIG.1 is an exemplary view ofa related art soft key embod(cid:173)
`ied by a display window which changes a character represent(cid:173)
`ing a key in accordance with a function of the key according
`to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
`FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views illustrating the construc(cid:173)
`tion of a key according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are views illustrating the construc(cid:173)
`tion of a key according to another exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are views illustrating the construc(cid:173)
`tion of a touch sensing unit according to an exemplary 25
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus includ(cid:173)
`ing a key display unit according to an exemplary embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the case where a key arrange(cid:173)
`ment of a mobile phone is changed depending upon an appli(cid:173)
`cation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the case where a character or
`image displayed on a keypad is enlarged or a font displayed
`on a keypad is changed according to an exemplary embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a key display unit combined
`with some keys according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a process ofreceiving a char(cid:173)
`acter or image to be displayed on a key from an external
`source according to an exemplary embodiment of the present 45
`invention;
`FIG.10 is a view illustrating a process of setting a character
`or image to be outputted to a key according to an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting a
`character or image to be outputted to a key according to an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example in which a key is
`changed according to a network state and a present area
`according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example in which a button
`of a shopping terminal is changed according to an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example in which a link is
`displayed on a key display unit of a mobile phone according
`to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example in which keys of
`a remote controller display new button images or codes pro- 65
`vided by a home appliance according to an exemplary
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`US 7,423,557 B2
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`4
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present inven-
`tion will be described in detail with reference to the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings. The aspects and features of the present
`invention and methods for achieving the aspects and features
`will be apparent by referring to the embodiments to be
`described in detail with reference to the accompanying draw-
`10 ings. However, the present invention is not limited to the
`exemplary embodiments disclosed hereinafter, but can be
`implemented in diverse forms. The matters defined in the
`description, such as the detailed construction and elements,
`are nothing but specific details provided to assist those of
`15 ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensive understanding of
`the invention, and the present invention is only defined within
`the scope of the appended claims. In the entire description of
`the present invention, the same drawing reference numerals
`are used for the same elements across various figures.
`FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views illustrating the construc(cid:173)
`tion of a key according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention.
`The function and name of each component commonly
`shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are as follows.
`A key display unit 100 displays characters, images, or
`preset colors. A display device such as an organic electro(cid:173)
`luminescence (EL) device or a very small display device such
`as an LCD may be used as the key display unit.
`The organic EL device ( or organic light emitting diode) is
`30 a self-emissive display device that electrically exits a fluores(cid:173)
`cent organic compound to emit light, and that has advanta(cid:173)
`geously is driven at a low voltage and has a low profile. The
`organic EL device is considered a next-generation display
`device, which can solve the drawbacks of the LCD, due to a
`35 wide viewing angle and rapid response speed. It is desirable to
`use an organic EL device in the key display unit 100 due to the
`advantages oflow voltage and a low profile. However, the key
`display unit 100 is not limited to the organic EL device, but it
`can include, for example, the keypad used in a mobile phone
`40 or PDA, and a display device having a size similar to one key
`or button.
`A connector 150 controls a character or an image, or a color
`to be displayed on the key display unit 100. The connector
`150 may transmit/receive data to display preset information
`in accordance with the setting of the user or the application of
`a digital appliance.
`A touch sensing unit 300 senses if the key is depressed or
`how long the key has been depressed. The touch sensing unit
`300 may include a signal generation part 310 for generating a
`50 signal when the touch sensing unit senses the contact. The
`signal generation part 310 may be positioned under the touch
`sensing unit 300, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. When the
`user depresses the key, the signal generation part 310 gener(cid:173)
`ates an electric signal, which indicates that the corresponding
`55 key is depressed. Further, the signal generation part 310 is
`made so that the key is returned to its original position after
`the key is depressed by the user, which will be described in
`detail with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C.
`Pressure is applied to the key display unit 100 when it is
`60 directly depressed by the user, and thus the key display unit
`100 may not last long. Accordingly, there is a need for a
`transparent or translucent protector 200 for reducing the pres(cid:173)
`sure applied to the key display unit 100, and protecting the
`key display unit 100.
`As shown in FIG. 2C, a touch sensing function is added to
`the protector 200. The character or image is displayed
`through the key display unit 100, and the protector 200 is
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`US 7,423,557 B2
`
`5
`connected to an upper portion of the key display unit 100. The
`protector 200 is provided with the touch sensing function.
`Accordingly, the protector 200 is connected to a connector
`250 for reporting the key input when the contact occurs. The
`example shown in FIG. 2C senses the contact or input on the 5
`upper portion of the key display unit 100 to generate the
`signal, unlike those shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
`FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are views illustrating the construc(cid:173)
`tion of a key according to another exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention. FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show the appa- 10
`ratus where one key display unit for one key displays the
`character or image. Meanwhile, FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show
`the apparatus where one key display unit for at least two keys
`outputs images or characters, and each image or character
`represents one key. A protector for sensing the key depress is 15
`arranged on the upper portion of the key display unit.
`FIG. 3A is a perspective view, in which diverse characters
`or images are displayed on one key display unit 100. These
`characters or images represent the corresponding key indi(cid:173)
`vidually. However, since the key display unit 100 is not a 20
`touch screen, the key display unit 100 does not sense the
`input. The key display unit is provided on the upper portion
`thereof with protectors 201, 202 and 203 for sensing the input
`and for protecting the key display unit 100. A connector 150
`sends a signal for displaying character or image to the key 25
`display unit, and controls the color or brightness of the key
`display unit.
`FIG. 3B is a side view. As can be seen from the side of the
`key display unit, the protector 201 representing one key is
`disposed on the key display unit, and may sense the input or
`touch of the user. Further, the protector 201 sends the signal
`through the connector 250 to report the input or touch.
`FIG. 3C is a plan view. As can be seen from the top of the
`key display unit, the key display unit 100 displays the char(cid:173)
`acter or image corresponding to the key. The protectors 201,
`202 and 203 for sensing the input are placed on the respective
`characters or images. Since the respective protectors 201, 202
`and 203 also have the touch sensing unit, the protector is
`connected to the connector 250 for sending a signal when it is
`inputted or touched. As such, the device can know when a key
`is depressed through the protector and connector.
`The above key may be applied to diverse digital appliances
`such as a mobile phone, a PDA, an HPC, a notebook com(cid:173)
`puter, and a remote controller. In particular, in the case of the
`mobile phone or PDA, since the key is small and the number
`of the buttons is small, application of the key combined with
`the key display unit may meet various demands of the user.
`The mobile phone may be provided with a service for down(cid:173)
`loading and storing characters or images such as ring-tone
`download, which will be described in detail with reference to
`FIG. 9.
`FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are views illustrating the construc(cid:173)
`tion of the touch sensing unit according to an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention.
`The touch sensing unit will now be described in detail. If 55
`the user depresses the key, the touch sensing unit reports the
`key depress. Further, the touch sensing unit provides the user
`with feedback; that is, the user feels the down movement of
`the key, and hears the operating sound of the key. Therefore,
`the touch sensing unit may provide minute resiliency.
`FIG. 4A shows one example of the touch sensing unit
`which generates an electric signal when the user depresses the
`key.
`FIG. 4A shows the construction of the touch sensing unit
`which can be applied to the FIGS. 2A and 2B. The signal 65
`generation part 310 includes a support 330 for resiliently
`supporting the key. The support is made of a resilient member
`
`6
`such as a rubber, a spring, or the like. Further, the signal
`generation part 310 includes a pair of contact portions 3 20 for
`generating an electric signal when the key is depressed. When
`one contact portion 320 contacts the other contact portion
`320, the electric signal is inputted or interrupted, which
`reports the down movement of the corresponding key. Since
`the support 330 is made of the resilient member, the support
`330 provides the key with the resiliency so that after the key
`is depressed, it is returned to its original position.
`FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A, except that the key is
`returned to its original position by a resilient material such as
`rubber.
`FIG. 4C shows that the contact portion 320 is connected to
`the display protector 200, which can be applied to FIG. 2C or
`FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. Since a pair of contact portions 320 are
`inserted in the display protector 200, when desired pressure is
`applied to the display protector 200, one contact portion 320
`contacts the other contact portion 320 to generate an electric
`signal. The key display unit is provided on an upper surface
`thereof with a transparent material for displaying a character
`or image outwardly. The contact portions 320 are inserted in
`the display protector 200 made of transparent vinyl or rubber.
`The display protector further includes a connection 321 for
`creating an electric short when the contact portions 320 con(cid:173)
`tact each other. The contact portions 320 are provided in the
`display protector 200, and the contact portions 320 contact
`each other in the display protector 200 when the user
`depresses the display protector 200, thereby generating the
`electric signal. Further, the connection 321 is returned to its
`30 original position after a finger is taken off the display protec(cid:173)
`tor, so that the contact portions 320 are detached from each
`other and are then returned to each other. The electric signal is
`similar to that of the description of FIG. 4A.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the apparatus includ-
`35 ing the key display unit according to an exemplary embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention. The term "unit", as used herein,
`i.e., "module" or "table", means, but is not limited to, a
`software or hardware component, such as a field program(cid:173)
`mable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated
`40 circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks. A module may
`advantageously be configured to reside on the addressable
`storage medium and configured to execute on one or more
`processors. Thus, a module may include, by way of example,
`components, such as software components, object-oriented
`45 software components, class components and task compo(cid:173)
`nents, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subrou(cid:173)
`tines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, micro(cid:173)
`code, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays,
`and variables. The functionality provided for in the compo-
`50 nents and modules may be combined into fewer components
`and units or further separated into additional components and
`modules. In addition, the components and modules may be
`implemented so as to reproduce one or more CPUs in a device
`or secure multimedia card.
`The key display unit 100 is a device for outputting the
`character or image capable of identifying the keys as
`described in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, and 3C.
`A key display control unit 550 sets and changes the char(cid:173)
`acteror image to be displayedon thekeydisplayunit 100. The
`60 key display control unit 550 includes a keypad display output
`unit 510, a keypad display set unit 520, and a keypad input
`processing unit 530.
`The keypad display output unit 510 sends the character or
`image to be outputted to the key display unit 100 as a signal.
`The keypad display set unit 520 sets the type of the char(cid:173)
`acter or image, the degree of brightness, and the color of the
`character or image. The keypad display set unit 520 may be
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`US 7,423,557 B2
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`7
`freely set by the user to display a desired character or image.
`Further, the keypad display set unit 520 may display the set
`character or image according to the currently operating appli(cid:173)
`cation.
`The key display unit 100 may also be cooperating with a 5
`pivot function. If the keypad is laterally or vertically turned
`over or rotated at a right angle by rotating the mo bile phone or
`PDA, the displayed character or image is also rotated. The
`keypad display set unit 520 controls the character or image
`via the keypad display output unit 510 according to the input 10
`of the user, or via a sensor for sensing the rotation of the
`keypad. Accordingly, the key display unit 100 can output the
`rotated character or image.
`The touch sensing unit 300 senses the key input of the user.
`Since the function of the key is set differently according to the 15
`application or user, the keypad input processing unit 530 may
`process the input based on the information on whether the
`input signal is associated with any function. The information
`is based on the information set by the keypad display set unit
`520.
`FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the case where a key arrange(cid:173)
`ment of the mobile phone is changed depending upon the
`application according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention.
`Reference numeral 1001 indicates a mo bile phone having a
`common key. Reference numeral 1002 indicates a mobile
`phone having a different key arrangement that is suitable for
`a left-handed person. In this case, it should be noted that the
`character to be displayed changes depending upon the func(cid:173)
`tion provided by each key.
`Reference numeral 1003 indicates a mobile phone receiv(cid:173)
`ing satellite broadcasts. In the case of receiving the satellite
`broadcasts, a keypad capable of easily tuning a broadcasting
`channel is desireable, rather than the enumerated keypad.
`Accordingly, names of the broadcasting channels are dis(cid:173)
`played on the keypad. For example, characters such as SBS,
`MBC, KBS, Ch 1, Ch 2, and others are displaced so as to
`allow the user to easily select the charmel. In order to select a
`specified channel, a user depresses the key displaying the
`corresponding charmel to tune in the channel.
`Reference numeral 1004 indicates a mobile phone using an
`Internet function. When the mobile phone is connected to the
`Internet, it is necessary to quickly move between web pages.
`In the mobile phone 1004, web pages frequently used by the
`user are displayed on the keys. The user depresses the key to 45
`move to a desired web page.
`FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the case where a character or
`image displayed on a keypad is enlarged or a font displayed
`on a keypad is