KR101475354B1 - Portable terminal having pressure sensor and method for measuring pressure thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable terminal having a built-in pressure sensor and a pressure measuring method thereof, and more particularly, to a portable terminal having a pressure sensor, a memory for storing a control function corresponding to a pressure magnitude, a pressure sensor for measuring a magnitude of pressure sensed at the time of pressure sensing, And a control unit for detecting and performing a control function corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure applied to the mobile terminal, and a control unit for performing a control function set according to the magnitude of the measured pressure, And a pressure measuring unit for measuring a pressure of the portable terminal. According to the present invention, there is an advantage that the convenience of the portable terminal user is improved.

Portable terminal, pressure, pressure sensor, pressure sensing time, pressure sensing number

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a portable terminal having a built-in pressure sensor and a pressure measuring method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal and a method for performing an additional function, and more particularly, to a portable terminal having a pressure sensor and a pressure measuring method thereof.

In other words, the present portable terminal has various convenience functions such as message transmission / reception function, wireless internet function, phone book management function, schedule management function, and navigation function in addition to the call function. . Although the portable terminal has an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse for performing various functions, it is not easy to carry. Accordingly, in order to overcome the above problem, the present portable terminal may have a touch screen instead of a keyboard or a mouse.

However, the portable terminal has the keys corresponding to the respective functions, and arranges the keys at the designated positions. Accordingly, in order to perform a specific function in the portable terminal, the user of the portable terminal has to select a key after locating the set key corresponding to the desired function. Accordingly, there is a problem that the convenience of the user of the portable terminal is deteriorated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring pressure of a portable terminal including a pressure sensor, the method comprising: setting a control function corresponding to a pressure level; And performing a control function set according to the magnitude of the measured pressure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal including a pressure sensor including a memory for storing a control function corresponding to a magnitude of a pressure, a pressure sensor for measuring a magnitude of the sensed pressure upon sensing the pressure, And a controller for detecting and performing a control function corresponding to the magnitude of the measured pressure.

Accordingly, the portable terminal with the pressure sensor according to the present invention and the pressure measuring method according to the present invention can perform a control function according to the pressure sensed by the portable terminal. That is, in order to perform a specific control function in the portable terminal, a specific control function can be selected even if the user of the portable terminal does not visually confirm the portable terminal. Accordingly, the convenience of the user of the portable terminal is improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the term "pressure" means a force directed from the outside to the inside in the portable terminal. Such pressure may be, for example, a grip force generated by a portable terminal user. The term "control function" means a function that can be performed in the portable terminal, and is a function controlled by pressure. At this time, the control function may be an additional function of the portable terminal, such as a camera function, a call connection function, a vibration generating function, an audio signal output function, and the like. The term "pressure sensing time" means a time at which the pressure sensed by the portable terminal is maintained within a certain range. The term "pressure sensing frequency" means the number of times the pressure is repeatedly detected within a predetermined range in the portable terminal.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile terminal is a mobile phone.

1, a portable terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, a key input unit 120, a pressure sensor 130, a controller 140, a memory 150, an audio processor 160, and a display unit 170. [ .

The wireless communication unit 110 performs a wireless communication function of the wireless terminal 100. The wireless communication unit 110 includes an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying the received signal and down-converting the frequency of the received signal.

The key input unit 120 includes keys for inputting numbers and character information, and function keys for setting various functions.

The pressure sensor 130 senses the pressure applied to the portable terminal 100 and measures the magnitude of the pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the pressure sensor 130 measures the magnitude of the pressure as a numerical value.

The controller 140 controls the overall operation of the portable terminal 100. The control unit 140 includes a data processing unit including a transmitter for encoding and modulating a transmitted signal, a receiver for demodulating and decoding the received signal, and the like. At this time, the data processing unit may be composed of a modem (MODEM) and a codec (CODEC). The codec includes a data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec for processing audio signals such as voice.

In particular, the controller 140 may set a control function corresponding to the magnitude of pressure when the pressure measurement function is set according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 140 controls the controller 140 to detect and perform a control function corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure when the pressure is sensed according to the embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the control unit 140 may set the control function corresponding to the pressure sensing time when the pressure measurement function is set according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the controller 140 measures the pressure sensing time when sensing the pressure according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, the control unit 140 controls to detect and perform the control function corresponding to the pressure sensing time according to the embodiment of the present invention. Or the control unit 140 can set the control function corresponding to the number of times of pressure sensing according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the controller 140 counts the number of times the pressure is sensed when the pressure is sensed according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the control unit 140 controls to detect and perform a control function corresponding to the number of times of pressure sensing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The memory 150 may be composed of a program memory and data memories. The program memory stores programs for controlling the general operation of the portable terminal 100. [ At this time, the program memory may store programs for performing a specific control function according to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data memory functions to store data generated during the execution of programs. The memory 150 stores a control function corresponding to the magnitude of pressure under the control of the controller 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Or the memory 150 stores the control function corresponding to the pressure sensing time under the control of the control unit 140 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Or the memory 150 stores the control function corresponding to the number of times of pressure sensing under the control of the control unit 140 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The memory 150 also has a data base (DB) for storing the magnitude of the pressure sensed through the pressure sensor 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The audio processing unit 160 performs a function of reproducing a received audio signal output from the audio codec of the data processing unit through the speaker SPK or transmitting a transmission audio signal generated from the microphone MIC to the audio codec of the data processing unit .

The display unit 170 displays the user data output from the control unit 140. The display unit 150 may use an LCD. In this case, the display unit 170 may include an LCD control unit, a memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD display device. When the LCD is implemented by a touch screen method, the LCD may operate as an input unit.

Meanwhile, although not shown, the portable terminal 100 may further include an external case, a support frame, a buffer device, and the like. The external case functions to protect the internal components such as the pressure sensor 130, the control unit 140, the memory 150 and the like from the outside. At this time, the outer case may be configured to have a constant clearance. The support frame is disposed inside the case, and performs a function of transmitting the pressure applied through the case to the pressure sensor (130). At this time, the support frame can further function to protect the internal structure from the outside. The buffer element is disposed at a predetermined position of the support frame and performs a function of transferring the pressure transmitted through the support frame to the support frame. That is, the buffering element allows the pressure applied through the outer casing to be concentrated to the pressure sensor 130.

2 is a flowchart showing a pressure measurement procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pressure measurement procedure of the present embodiment starts from the fact that the control unit 140 detects a request to set the pressure measurement function in step 211. FIG. That is, if a request for setting the pressure measurement function is detected in step 211, the control unit 140 sets the pressure measurement function in step 213. [ At this time, the control unit 140 sets a pressure threshold for comparing with the magnitude of the pressure to be sensed through the pressure sensor 130. The control unit 140 sets the control function corresponding to the pressure level, the pressure holding time, or the pressure sensing frequency in correspondence with each other. The procedure for setting the pressure measurement function by the controller 140 will be described in detail as follows.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of setting the pressure measurement function in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a request for setting a pressure measurement function is sensed, the controller 140 displays a setting menu in step 311. FIG. At this time, the control unit 140 may display a menu for setting a pressure threshold value and a menu for setting a control function. Thereafter, when a request for setting the pressure threshold occurs, the controller 140 detects this in step 313 and sets the pressure threshold in step 315. [ At this time, the control unit 140 may set at least one pressure threshold value.

Next, when a request for setting the control function corresponding to the pressure magnitude occurs, the control unit 140 detects this in step 317, sets a control function selected for each pressure magnitude in step 319, do. For example, if the pressure threshold value set in step 315 is one, the controller 140 corresponds the first control function to the pressure value exceeding the pressure threshold value in step 319, Can be set correspondingly.

On the other hand, if a request for setting the control function corresponding to the pressure magnitude is not detected in step 317 and a request for setting the control function corresponding to the pressure holding time occurs, the controller 140 detects , Sets the control function selected for each pressure holding time in step 323, and then returns to FIG. That is, the control unit 140 sets a time threshold for comparing with the pressure holding time of the pressure to be sensed through the pressure sensor 130. At this time, the controller 140 may set at least one time threshold. Then, the control unit 140 sets the control function for each pressure holding time using the set time threshold. For example, when one time threshold is set, the control unit 140 associates the first control function with the pressure holding time exceeding the time threshold, and corresponds to the second control function with the pressure holding time exceeding the time threshold Can be set.

On the other hand, if a request to set the control function corresponding to the pressure holding time is not detected in step 321 and a request to set the control function corresponding to the pressure sensing number occurs, the controller 140 detects In step 327, the control function selected by the number of times of pressure sensing is set, and then returns to FIG. At this time, the controller 140 sets a detection waiting period, which is the maximum period between the pressure generating points for counting the pressure sensing times of the pressure to be sensed through the pressure sensor 130. [ For example, the control unit 140 may correspond to the first control function with the number of times of the two pressure sensing operations, and the second control function may correspond to the four pressure sensing times.

Here, the first control function and the second control function are different functions, and may be an additional function of the portable terminal 100, for example, an image photographing function, a call connection function, and the like. Or the first control function and the second control function may have the same function, for example, a vibration generating function or an audio signal output function, and the occurrence time or intensity may be set to occur differently. Or the first control function may be a function for maintaining the current state. That is, the pressure lower than the specific pressure threshold may be set not to perform a specific function in the portable terminal 100 but to be regarded as occurring when the user of the portable terminal 100 carries the pressure.

On the other hand, when the pressure is generated, the controller 140 senses it in step 221 and performs the pressure measurement function set in step 223. [ At this time, if the control function is set corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure, the controller 140 measures the magnitude of the pressure and then performs the corresponding control function. Or the control function is set corresponding to the pressure holding time, the control unit 140 measures the pressure holding time and then performs the corresponding control function. Or if the control function is set corresponding to the number of pressure sensing times, the control unit 140 counts the number of times of pressure sensing and then performs the corresponding control function. The procedure for the controller 140 to perform the pressure measurement function will now be described in more detail.

4 is a flowchart showing a first example of a procedure for performing the pressure measurement function in FIG. This example assumes that a control function is set corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the pressure is sensed, the controller 140 measures the magnitude of the pressure through the pressure sensor 130 in step 411. In step 413, the controller 140 stores the magnitude of the pressure in the pressure database. In this case, the pressure database can store the magnitude of the pressure measured by the time of occurrence as a table as shown in Table 1 below.

Time of occurrence Size of pressure (N) 2007/12/27 08:27:26 100 2007/12/26 22:35:33 120 2007/12/26 20:56:27 112 -
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- -
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Next, in step 415, the controller 140 determines whether the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold. If it is determined in step 415 that the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold, the controller 140 performs the first control function in step 417 and returns to FIG. If it is determined in step 415 that the magnitude of the pressure is equal to or less than the pressure threshold value, the controller 140 performs the second control function in step 419, and then returns to FIG.

In this example, one pressure threshold is set in the portable terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if at least one pressure threshold is set and the control function is set corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure classified by the respective pressure threshold, it is possible to implement the present invention by measuring the magnitude of pressure in the portable terminal.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second example of the procedure for performing the pressure measurement function in FIG. This example assumes that the control function is set corresponding to the pressure holding time.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the pressure is sensed, the controller 140 measures the magnitude of the pressure through the pressure sensor 130 in step 511. In step 513, the controller 140 determines whether the pressure exceeds a pressure threshold. If it is determined in step 513 that the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold, the controller 140 measures the pressure sensing time in step 515. At this time, the controller 140 continuously measures the magnitude of the pressure. If the magnitude of the pressure during the pressure sensing time measurement is less than the pressure threshold, the controller 140 senses the pressure in step 517 and stores the pressure sensing time in the pressure database in step 519. At this time, the pressure database can store the pressure magnitude and the pressure sensing time measured by the generation time in a table as shown in Table 2 below. Here, the magnitude of the pressure may be the maximum magnitude sensed at the corresponding pressure sensing time.

Time of occurrence Size of pressure (N) Pressure sensing time (seconds) 2007/12/27 08:27:26 100 3 2007/12/26 22:35:33 120 5 2007/12/26 20:56:27 112 3 -
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- -
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- -
-
-

Next, in step 521, the controller 140 determines whether the pressure sensing time exceeds a time threshold. If it is determined in step 521 that the pressure sensing time exceeds the time threshold, the controller 140 performs the first control function in step 523, and then returns to FIG. If it is determined in step 521 that the pressure sensing time is less than or equal to the time threshold, the controller 140 performs the second control function in step 525, and then returns to FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 513 that the magnitude of the pressure is equal to or less than the pressure threshold value, the controller 140 returns to FIG. That is, the controller 140 regards that the sensed pressure is generated when the user of the portable terminal 100 carries the pressure.

In this example, one time threshold value is set in the portable terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if at least one time threshold value is set and a control function is set correspondingly to each pressure sensing time divided by each time threshold value, it is possible to implement the present invention by measuring the pressure sensing time in the portable terminal.

In this example, one pressure threshold is set in the portable terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if at least one pressure threshold is set and the control function is set correspondingly to the combination of the pressure sensing time divided by the magnitude of the pressure separated by the respective pressure threshold and the time threshold, It is possible to implement the present invention by measuring the pressure sensing time.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a third example of the procedure of performing the pressure measurement function in FIG. The present embodiment will be described on the assumption that a control function is set corresponding to the number of pressure sensing times.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the pressure is sensed, the controller 140 measures the magnitude of the pressure through the pressure sensor 130 in step 611. In step 613, the controller 140 determines whether the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold. If it is determined in step 613 that the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold, the controller 140 changes the number of times of pressure sensing in step 615. If it is determined in step 613 that the magnitude of the pressure is equal to or less than the pressure threshold value, the controller 140 regards that the sensed pressure is generated when the user of the portable terminal 100 carries the pressure. If the detection waiting period elapses from the time when the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold, the controller 140 senses the sensed waiting period in step 617 and stores the sensed pressure number in the pressure database in step 621.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 617 that the detection wait period has not elapsed, the controller 140 detects the pressure in step 619 and repeats steps 611 to 619. [ That is, the controller 140 increments the number of pressure sensing times by one in step 615. If it is detected in step 617 that the pressure is not sensed and the detection waiting period has elapsed, the controller 140 stores the number of pressure sensed in the pressure database in step 621.

In this case, the pressure database can store the pressure magnitude and the pressure sensing frequency measured by the generation time in a table as shown in Table 3 below. Here, the magnitude of the pressure may be the maximum magnitude sensed during the corresponding pressure sensing count count.

Time of occurrence Size of pressure (N) Pressure sensing times (times) 2007/12/27 08:27:26 100 One 2007/12/26 22:35:33 120 4 2007/12/26 20:56:27 112 2 -
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- -
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Next, the control unit 140 performs a control function set in correspondence with the number of times of pressure sensing in step 623, and then returns to FIG.

On the other hand, if the request for setting the pressure measurement function is not detected in step 211 and the pressure is not detected in step 221, the control unit 140 can perform the corresponding function in step 231. [ For example, the control unit 140 may display or transmit data stored in the pressure database.

In this example, one pressure threshold is set in the portable terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if at least one pressure threshold is set and the control function is set corresponding to the combination of the magnitude of the pressure and the number of times of pressure sensing divided by the respective pressure thresholds, the magnitude of the pressure is measured in the portable terminal, It is possible to implement the present invention.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, an example of setting and performing the control function for each pressure magnitude, pressure sensing time, or pressure sensing frequency in the portable terminal has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it is also possible to implement the present invention by setting and performing a control function according to at least one of the pressure magnitude, the pressure sensing time, or the pressure sensing times in the portable terminal. At this time, the portable terminal can set and perform the pressure measurement function by combining at least some of the pressure magnitude, the pressure sensing time, or the pressure sensing times. For example, different control functions can be set and performed according to the pressure magnitude by the pressure sensing time in the portable terminal.

According to the present invention, the control function can be performed according to the pressure sensed by the portable terminal. That is, in order to perform a specific control function in the portable terminal, the user of the portable terminal can select a specific control function without checking the portable terminal with eyes. Accordingly, the convenience of the user of the portable terminal is improved.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flowchart showing a pressure measurement procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of setting the pressure measurement function in Fig. 2,

4 is a flowchart showing a first example of a procedure for performing a pressure measurement function in FIG. 2,

5 is a flowchart showing a second example of a procedure for performing the pressure measurement function in Fig. 2, and Fig.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a third example of the procedure of performing the pressure measurement function in FIG.

Claims (10)

A pressure measuring method for a portable terminal having a pressure sensor, Setting a control function corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure, Measuring a magnitude of the sensed pressure when the pressure is sensed; Detecting and executing a control function set according to a magnitude of the measured pressure; Setting a pressure threshold for classifying the magnitude of the pressure; Setting a detection waiting period for counting the number of times of pressure sensing; Setting a different control function selected by the number of pressure sensing times; Counting the number of times of pressure sensing if the measured pressure exceeds a pressure threshold; and And performing a different control function set according to the counted number of times of pressure sensing at the lapse of the set detection waiting period. delete The method according to claim 1, Measuring a pressure sensing time from a point in time when the measured pressure exceeds the pressure threshold to a point below the pressure threshold; Further comprising the step of performing a control function set according to the measured pressure sensing time if the magnitude of the measured pressure is below the pressure threshold value. delete delete A memory for storing a control function corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure, A pressure sensor for measuring a magnitude of the sensed pressure when the pressure is sensed, And a control unit for detecting and performing a control function corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure to be measured, Wherein the memory stores a pressure threshold for comparing with a magnitude of the measured pressure and stores a different control function corresponding to the number of times of pressure sensing that the magnitude of the pressure exceeds a pressure threshold, Storing the detection wait period, Wherein the control unit counts the number of times of pressure sensing according to the detection wait period and controls the control unit to detect and perform a different control function set in accordance with the counted number of times of pressure sensing. delete The method according to claim 6, Wherein the memory stores a control function corresponding to a pressure sensing time from a time point at which the magnitude of the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold to a point at which the pressure magnitude changes below the pressure threshold value, Wherein the control unit measures the pressure sensing time and controls the control unit to detect and perform a control function set according to the measured pressure sensing time. delete The method according to claim 6, An external case for protecting the memory, the pressure sensor, and the control unit from outside, Further comprising a support frame disposed inside the outer case and adapted to transmit pressure applied through the outer case to the pressure sensor.

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