# US 12,225,257 B2 · Input device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,225,257 B2 - Document ID: US12225257B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/255,579 - Filed: 2021-11-03 - Published: 2024-03-28 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-03 - Assignees: Kyung In Electronics Co., Ltd - Applicants: Kyung In Electronics Co., Ltd - Inventors: Bum Seok Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12225257B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/42206: {characterized by hardware details} - G06F 3/02: Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials - G06F 3/0362: with detection of one-dimensional [1D] translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts - H04N 21/422: Input-only peripherals {, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices}, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] {(input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104)} - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract Provided is an input device which allows a user to select desired contents more quickly and intuitively in selection of contents. The input device includes: a navigation key manipulated to select one direction among a plurality of directions; a dial unit including a rotating dial wheel; and a control unit which controls movement on a user interface screen of a target device based on one or more direction inputs corresponding to the navigation key and a rotation operation input of the dial wheel, wherein the navigation key and the dial wheel are coupled with each other in a stacked structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An input device comprising: a navigation key manipulated to select one direction among a plurality of directions; a dial unit including a rotating dial wheel; and a control unit which controls movement on a user interface screen of a target device based on one or more direction inputs corresponding to the navigation key and a rotation operation input of the dial wheel, wherein the navigation key and the dial wheel are coupled with each other in a stacked structure, and wherein the control unit further controls a row movement or a column movement of media contents in a matrix structure on the user interface screen based solely on the direction selected by the navigation key, independently from the rotation operation input of the dial wheel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls selection movement between media contents aligned in rows or columns on the user interface screen based on at least one among one or more direction inputs corresponding to the navigation key and the rotation operation input of the dial wheel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The input device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit transmits remote control signals to the target device in an input cycle corresponding to the rotational speed of the dial wheel, and scrolls media contents aligned in rows or columns on the user interface screen at a speed corresponding to the input cycle with respect to the rotational direction of the dial wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The input device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit transmits remote control signals to the target device in an input cycle corresponding to the rotational speed of the dial wheel, and moves a playback position of a video frame at a speed corresponding to the input cycle with respect to the rotational direction of the dial wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the dial unit comprises: a dial tooth wheel which is installed on one side of the main PCB assembly where a plurality of first switches for direction detection are installed around a first hole, and which has a second hole and a plurality of gear teeth formed on the outer surface thereof; a dial body which has a third hole and a first insertion hole formed around the third hole; and the dial wheel which has a fourth hole and which is coupled with the navigation key through a first coupling member, wherein the dial body, the navigation key, and the dial wheel are stacked on a cover body installed on the other side of the main PCB assembly by the medium of a key pad having a plurality of actuators formed around a fifth hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The input device according to claim 5, wherein the cover body includes a storage space in which the dial body, the navigation key, and the dial wheel are stacked, and wherein the storage space has a sixth hole formed in the center, and a seating portion formed adjacent to the edge of the sixth hole, and a second insertion hole which is formed around the seating portion for inserting the actuators thereinto, wherein the seating portion is stepped so as to be located lower than the portion where the second insertion hole is formed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The input device according to claim 6, wherein the dial body is seated on the seating portion, wherein the navigation key is stored in the portion where the second insertion hole is formed, and wherein the dial wheel is stacked on the upper portion of the navigation key. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The input device according to claim 6, wherein the navigation key includes a seventh hole formed, an eighth hole formed around the seventh hole for coupling with the first coupling member of the dial wheel, a second coupling member formed on one side to be coupled to the first insertion hole of the dial body, and a rail formed on the one side to get in contact with the actuator exposed through the second insertion hole of the cover body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The input device according to claim 8, wherein when a portion representing a specific direction on the dial wheel is pressed, the rail operates the actuator corresponding to the pressed portion, and the operated actuator actuates the switch responsible for the corresponding direction among the plurality of first switches. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The input device according to claim 8, wherein the rail protrudes in a ring shape, and rotates along with the actuator exposed through the second insertion hole depending on the rotation of the dial wheel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The input device according to claim 8, further comprising: a subsidiary PCB assembly which is coupled to one side of the main PCB assembly through the dial tooth wheel, and has a second switch formed on one side and a third insertion hole formed around the second switch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The input device according to claim 11, further comprising: an OK key, wherein the OK key is coupled to the third insertion hole of the subsidiary PCB assembly through the first to seventh holes, and is installed to get in contact with the second switch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The input device according to claim 6, wherein the first switch is a plurality of switches formed around the ninth hole of the main PCB assembly to be spaced apart from each other, and wherein the plurality of switches and the plurality of actuators face each other one to one to get in mutual contact with each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The input device according to claim 13, wherein the dial tooth wheel is coupled to the dial body through the ninth hole, the sixth hole, and the fifth hole. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) The input device according to claim 5, further comprising: a detection switch which detects the rotational speed of the dial wheel by performing continuous contact and contact release with the plurality of gear teeth depending on the rotation of the dial tooth wheel. ### Claim 16 An input device comprising: a navigation key manipulated to select one direction among a plurality of directions; and a dial unit including a rotating dial wheel, wherein the dial unit comprises: a dial tooth wheel which is installed on one side of the main PCB assembly where a plurality of first switches for direction detection are installed around a first hole, and which has a second hole and a plurality of gear teeth formed on the outer surface thereof; a dial body which has a third hole and a first insertion hole formed around the third hole; and the dial wheel which has a fourth hole and which is coupled with the navigation key through a first coupling member, and wherein the dial body, the navigation key, and the dial wheel are stacked on a cover body installed on the other side of the main PCB assembly by the medium of a key pad having a plurality of actuators formed around a fifth hole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The input device according to claim 16, wherein the cover body includes a storage space in which the dial body, the navigation key, and the dial wheel are stacked, and wherein the storage space has a sixth hole formed in the center, and a seating portion formed adjacent to the edge of the sixth hole, and a second insertion hole which is formed around the seating portion for inserting the actuators thereinto, wherein the seating portion is stepped so as to be located lower than the portion where the second insertion hole is formed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The input device according to claim 17, wherein the dial body is seated on the seating portion, wherein the navigation key is stored in the portion where the second insertion hole is formed, and wherein the dial wheel is stacked on the upper portion of the navigation key. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The input device according to claim 17, wherein the navigation key includes a seventh hole formed, an eighth hole formed around the seventh hole for coupling with the first coupling member of the dial wheel, a second coupling member formed on one side to be coupled to the first insertion hole of the dial body, and a rail formed on the one side to get in contact with the actuator exposed through the second insertion hole of the cover body.