KR101698096B1 - Method for searching information by using drawing and terminal thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of searching by using a drawing in a terminal, and more particularly, a terminal draws a picture other than a search through a character or an image and searches for the desired information by using a drawing.
In the present invention, a user directly draws a picture on a drawing pad, selects an object to be searched by drawing an outline of a specific object in an image (picture, or photograph) stored in the terminal; Retrieving image information and / or text information corresponding to the selected image (i.e., a picture drawn by the user or an outline of a specific object drawn by the user); And displaying the searched list on the display, thereby providing convenience to the terminal user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a searching method using a drawing of a terminal,

The present invention relates to a method of searching by using a drawing in a terminal, and more particularly, a terminal draws a picture other than a search through a character or an image and searches for the desired information by using a drawing.

A terminal such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, or a mobile phone has various functions, for example, a multimedia device having a complex function such as photographing or photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of music or a moving picture file, (Multimedia player).

A terminal can be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the terminal is movable or not. The mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether the user can directly carry the mobile terminal.

Recently, a user accesses an Internet web portal site (for example, Google, Yahoo, Naver, etc.) as a mobile terminal so that a user can use a web service and a search service is provided through a search engine provided by a web portal site .

A search engine is a software or website that helps you find materials easily on the Internet. Types of search engines include word-oriented searching, subject-oriented searching, and a meta-search engine.

However, in the conventional search method using a search engine, text search and image search are the mainstream. Therefore, when there is no information about the text or the image, it is difficult for the user to search for the information to be searched.

The present invention has been conceived to solve the problems as described above. The present invention provides a retrieval method for searching for desired information with a drawing drawn by a user through a drawing search in addition to text search and image search.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of searching for information using a drawing of a terminal,

Activating a drawing pad to retrieve information; Drawing a picture to be searched on the activated drawing pad; Determine whether to retrieve image information or text information with respect to the green figure; And analyzing the image of the green figure; Information matching with the analyzed image is searched, and the search result is displayed.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object,

A memory for storing pictures and a list of pictograms; A drawing pad, a display unit for displaying the pictures and the list of pictograms; A touch pad mounted in association with the display unit, for recognizing a touch input of a drawing drawn on the drawing pad; And a controller for searching the drawing pad for information related to the image of the drawn figure.

In particular, the controller may cause the display unit to display photographs or pictogram images stored in the memory, to sense a touch input input to the touch pad, analyze the image of the picture drawn on the drawing pad, The image information or the text information matching with the image of the analyzed picture is retrieved and displayed on the display unit, thereby providing the convenience of allowing the terminal user to retrieve the information with the figure drawn directly.

The present invention has the effect of providing the terminal user with the convenience of information retrieval by retrieving the information related to the drawing directly drawn by the terminal user.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.
3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a drawing search method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a drawing pad according to the present invention, as an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a drawing search according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an example of retrieving image information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an example of retrieving image information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows an example of retrieving text information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an example of retrieving text information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
10 is an example of retrieving image information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
11 is an example of retrieving image information of a pictogram drawn directly on a drawing pad as a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is applied to a mobile communication terminal using a touch input technology and a search engine. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and all communication systems and other technical fields to which the technical idea of the present invention can be applied can be applied.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout the several views, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. It is to be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Overall configuration of mobile terminal

The mobile terminal described in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), navigation and the like. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless the configuration is applicable only to a mobile terminal.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast center through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast center may be a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information generated by the broadcast center and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast- related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only And a Digital Broadcasting System (ISDB-T) (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. WLAN (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. It is also possible to sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The sensing unit 140 may include an electronic compass 142 for measuring the direction of the terminal and an acceleration sensor 143 for measuring the tilt of the terminal. Here, the data measured by the electronic compass 142 and the acceleration sensor 143 are used to confirm the attitude of the terminal. The present invention may be implemented by a gyro sensor instead of the electronic compass 142 and the acceleration sensor 143. [

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to the visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, and a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

(Hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen') in which a display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') form a mutual layer structure, It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch & The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch. &Quot; The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may include a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or a suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact with an electrode, And various tactile effects such as an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using an endothermic or exothermic element can be generated.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. At least two haptic modules 154 may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100, or various command signals input by the user to the cradle may be transmitted It can be a passage to be transmitted to the terminal. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The control unit 180 operates the camera 121 according to the user input and outputs the real image input through the camera 121 to the display unit 151 in real time. The controller 180 confirms whether the augmented reality is used when the camera 121 is operated. When the augmented reality is set to be used, the controller 180 determines the position (altitude, latitude, longitude, etc.) of the terminal through the position information module 115 and controls the electronic compass 142 and the acceleration sensor 143 And measures the direction and tilt of the terminal. That is, the controller 180 controls the position information module 115, the electronic compass 142, and the acceleration sensor 143 to measure the photographing position and attitude of the real image acquired through the camera 121.

The control unit 180 requests interest point information about the objects (e.g., buildings, facilities, stations, airports, terminals, hotels, etc.) included in the real world image input through the camera 121 And transmits the message to the server providing the augmented reality service. The request message may include the measured position and attitude information of the terminal.

Upon receipt of the point-of-interest information requested from the server, the controller 180 displays the received information on the real image displayed on the display. At this time, the control unit 180 displays interest point information corresponding to each of the objects included in the real image displayed on the display.

When the controller 180 receives the point of interest information, the controller 180 searches the memory 160 of the terminal for data corresponding to or related to the received point of interest information. The memory 160 stores a telephone directory, a scheduler (schedule), a memo, a message, and an e-mail. Here, the control unit 180 may set a search range according to a user's input. If the search range is set, the control unit 180 searches for data that matches (relates to) the point of interest information within the set search range.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions. In some cases, The embodiments described may be implemented by the control unit 180 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 includes a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled.

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. [ A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The cases may be formed by injection molding a synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti) or the like.

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, and the like may be disposed in the front body 101 have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 152 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The operation units 131 and 132 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates in a tactile manner.

The contents inputted by the first or second operation unit 131 or 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 'may be further mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to shoot himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 '.

An acoustic output 152 'may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 'may implement the stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used for the implementation of the speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may also be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output time information on both sides, the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. The information output on both sides may be all controlled by the touch pad 135. [ Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in correlation with the display portion 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151. Meanwhile, the touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the front of the display unit 151. [

The present invention provides a terminal having a touch pad capable of touch input, which can provide an image (including a still image and a moving image) captured by a camera of a terminal or images received by wire / wireless to a display, A description will be given on the premise of a terminal that can use an engine. It is assumed that the touch pad 135 is disposed on the display unit 151 of the front case 101 for convenience of explanation of the present invention.

The basic concept of the present invention is that a user draws a picture on a drawing pad directly or selects an object to be searched by drawing an outline of a specific object in an image (picture, or photograph) stored in the terminal; Retrieving image information and / or text information corresponding to the selected image (i.e., a picture drawn by the user or an outline of a specific object drawn by the user); And displaying the searched list on the display, thereby providing convenience to the terminal user.

drawing( drawing How to search by

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a drawing search method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 illustrates screens displayed on a display unit of the terminal. Hereinafter, a drawing retrieving method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The drawing search method according to the present invention may be provided as a drawing search widget as shown on screen 1 or a search window of a browser of a search engine (e.g., google) have.

When a user of the terminal 100 touches a drawing search (i.e., a "drawing search") widget on a screen composed of a widget (or an icon) as shown on a screen 1, a search window 10 and a drawing pad (20) are displayed together on the display unit (151). Also, when the user of the terminal 100 touches the search window of the browser as shown in the screen 2, the user moves to the screen 3 as well. On the other hand, the drawing 4 is an enlarged drawing of the drawing pad 20 in detail as an embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, the user may draw a picture related to the information to be searched on the drawing pad 20, and then select an image or text related to the drawing and search for it.

4 is a configuration diagram of a drawing pad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the drawing pad 20 provides various tools that a user can draw on a touch pad 135 using a finger or a stylus pen or the like. For example, the tool provided by the drawing pad 20 in FIG. 4 includes: a pen 21; Color (not shown); An eraser 22; Style 23; Undo 24; Redo (25); A keypad / drawing pad switching key 26 for displaying a virtual keypad (not shown) or the drawing pad 20 that can be input by touch; A drawing area 27 of an area in which a picture can be drawn; A text search button 28 for retrieving text information associated with a picture drawn by a user in the drawing area 27; An image search button 29 for searching the drawing area 27 for image information associated with a picture drawn by a user; A pictogram button 30 for activating the pictogram list, and the like.

However, the tool of the drawing pad 20 of FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention, and can be variously configured according to user's operation, firmware, or the like.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a drawing search according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user of the terminal 100 desires to draw a picture, the user touches the 'drawing search widget' or touches the browser search window to activate the drawing pad 20 (S510), as shown in FIG. Using the tool provided by the activated drawing pad 20, the user draws an image to be searched (S520). On the other hand, the user can read a photograph (or a photograph or image stored in the terminal) photographed by the camera of the terminal 100 and draw an outline of a specific object in the photograph.

In step S530, it is determined whether information related to the image to be drawn is to be searched by text or image (S530). That is, in step S530, if the user desires to search text information related to the image drawn in step S520, the user touches the text search button 28 of the drawing pad 20. If the user desires to search the image information, Touch the search button (29).

If the user touches the image search button 29 in step S540 to search for image information of the image drawn by the user in step S540, the controller 180 determines whether the shape, color, line thickness, And analyzes the factors that determine the characteristics of the other images (S550). That is, the control unit 180 includes an algorithm for analyzing an image, recognizes what the image is, and retrieves image information matched to the image. Then, the control unit 180 displays the searched result on the display unit 151 (S560).

If the text search button 28 is touched (S570), the control unit 180 analyzes the shape and color distribution of the image drawn in operation S520 (S580) ). That is, the control unit 180 includes an algorithm for analyzing an image, recognizes what the image is, and retrieves text information matched to the image. Then, the control unit 180 displays the searched result on the display unit 151 (S590).

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 11. Fig.

6 is an example of retrieving image information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, FIG. 6 corresponds to a case where the user desires to retrieve image information related to 'Bear'.

When the user directly draws a picture of 'Bear' and wants to search for an image image related to 'Bear,' he directly draws a 'Bear' with a finger or a touch pen (or stylist pen) 1 to screen 6-3).

After the user completes the drawing (screen 6-3), the user touches the image search button 29 (screen 6-4) to perform an image search in relation to the directly drawn 'Bear'. The control unit 180 analyzes the picture drawn by the user and determines 'bear', searches for image information about 'Bear', and displays the result. However, on the screen 6-5, the controller 180 determines that the 'Bear' drawn by the user is similar to 'Mickey Mouse', and displays image information related to 'Mickey Mouse' as a result.

FIG. 7 is an example of retrieving image information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a second embodiment of the present invention. However, FIG. 7 corresponds to a case where the user desires to retrieve image information related to 'A'.

When the user directly draws the picture 'A' and wants to search for the image image related to 'A', 'mickey mouse' is directly drawn by the finger or touch pen (or stylist pen) on the touch pad 20 -1 to 7-3).

After the user completes the drawing (screen 7-3), the user touches the image search button 29 (screen 7-4) to perform an image search in relation to the drawn 'A' directly. The control unit 180 analyzes the picture drawn by the user, searches for image information similar or related to 'A', and displays the result (screen 7-5). That is, as shown on the screen 7-5, image information of an Eiffel tower or the like similar to 'A' is displayed.

FIG. 8 shows an example of retrieving text information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a third embodiment of the present invention. However, FIG. 8 corresponds to a case where the user desires to retrieve image information related to 'Bear'.

When the user directly draws a picture of 'Bear' and wants to search for an image image related to 'Bear,' he or she directly draws a 'Bear' on the touch pad 20 with a finger or a stylus pen (screen 8- 1 to screen 8-3).

After the user completes the picture (screen 8-3), touch the text search button 28 (screen 8-4) to perform a text search with respect to the directly drawn 'Bear'. The control unit 180 analyzes the picture drawn by the user and determines 'bear', retrieves text information about 'Bear', and displays the result (screen 8-5).

FIG. 9 is an example of retrieving text information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. However, FIG. 9 corresponds to a case where the user desires to retrieve image information related to 'Bear'. 9, the user directly draws the 'Bear' on the touch pad 20 (screen 9-1). When the user presses the text search button 28 (screen 9 -2), a related search term associated with the green picture, or a recent search result using a pop-up window (or speech bubble).

That is, if the user touches the text search button 28 after drawing the picture as shown on the screen 9-1, the control unit 180 displays the search result (for example, Mickey, teddy bear, MP3, a bear, etc.) on a part of the display unit 151 using a pop-up window (or speech balloon) (screen 9-3). If there are a large number of related search terms displayed on the pop-up window as shown on screen 9-3, the next associated search term (i.e., 'Bear' on screen 9-4) is displayed by touch and drag input. When the user selects 'Bear' on the screen 9-4 and touches the screen, the control unit 180 searches text information about the selected related word 'Bear' and displays the retrieved result as shown on the screen 9-5.

10 is an example of retrieving image information on a drawing drawn directly on a drawing pad according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 10, a user reads a photograph taken by a terminal camera or a photograph stored in a memory, outlines a specific object selected in the photograph (i.e., 'cup' in FIG. 10) And the like.

That is, a photograph (or a photograph stored in the memory of the terminal) photographed by the camera of the terminal is displayed on the display unit 151 (screen 10-1). The user selects from the photo the object he or she wishes to search for 'cup' and draws the outline of the 'cup' with his finger or touch pen (Screens 10-2 and 10-3). When the user touches the image search button 29 to search for image information about the selected 'cup', the controller 180 analyzes the drawn outline, determines that the outline is 'cup' image, The image information is retrieved. Then, the control unit 180 displays the result of the retrieved image information as shown on screen 10-5.

11 is an example of retrieving image information of a pictogram drawn directly on a drawing pad as a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Here, pictograms are symbolic characters that represent objects, facilities, actions, and concepts with symbolized pictographs that enable an unspecified number of people to quickly and easily empathize.

When the user touches the search window and the drawing pad 20 is activated (screen 11-1), the user directly draws the pictogram to be searched using the drawing tool or selects the pictogram button 30 as shown on the screen 11-1 And receives the pictograms stored in the memory of the control unit 180. That is, when the user touches the pictogram button 30, for example, the pictograms stored in the memory of the terminal are displayed as the screen 11-2. The user selects a pictogram of the "smiley face" among the pictograms, and touches the image search button 29 to search for image information on the selected pictogram. The control unit 180 detects the touch input of the image search button 29 and searches for image information related to the selected pictogram (i.e., a smiling face), and displays the search result as shown on the screen 11-4.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a computer-readable code on a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet) . In addition, the computer may include a control unit 180 of the terminal.

The above-described terminal may be configured such that the configuration and method of the embodiments described above are not limitedly applied, but the embodiments may be configured such that all or some of the embodiments are selectively combined so that various modifications may be made. have.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
120: A / V input unit 121: camera
130: user input unit 140: sensing unit
142: electronic compass 143: acceleration sensor
150: output unit 160: memory
170: interface unit 180: control unit
190: Power supply

Claims (8)

(A) activating a drawing pad to retrieve information;
(B) drawing a picture to be searched on the activated drawing pad;
(C) determining whether to search image information or text information with respect to the green figure;
(D) analyzing the image of the green figure, searching for information matched with the analyzed image, and displaying the search result,
The step (C)
Providing a search term associated with the green figure or recent retrieved content if it is determined to retrieve text information in relation to the green figure,
The step (D)
And displaying a result of searching for the selected text information based on whether a user input for selecting text information that is one of a search word associated with the green figure or a recently searched content is applied. Information retrieval method using drawing.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (B)
Reading an image stored in the terminal;
And drawing an outline of a specific object in the read-out image.
The method of claim 1, wherein step (D)
Wherein the analysis is performed in consideration of at least one of the shape and the color of the image of the green figure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drawing pad
At least one drawing tool for drawing the picture,
An image search button for performing an image search in relation to the green figure,
A text search button for performing a text search with respect to the green picture,
A pictogram button for providing a list of pictograms stored in the terminal,
A virtual keypad, and a drawing pad switching button.
delete 2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (B)
Selecting a pictogram button to activate the pictogram list;
And selecting a specific pictogram to be searched from the activated list of pictograms.
A memory for storing pictures and a list of pictograms;
A drawing pad, a display unit for displaying the pictures and the list of pictograms;
A touch pad mounted in association with the display unit, for recognizing a touch input of a drawing drawn on the drawing pad;
Displaying the pictures or pictogram images stored in the memory on the display unit,
A touch input unit for sensing a touch input input to the touch pad, analyzing an image of a drawing drawn on the drawing pad,
And a controller for searching the image information or the text information matching the image of the analyzed figure to display the image information or the text information on the display unit,
Wherein,
Providing a search term or a recently searched content associated with the green picture when it is determined to search text information in connection with the green picture,
Wherein the display unit displays a result of searching for the selected text information based on whether a user input for selecting text information that is one of a search word associated with the green figure or a recently searched content is applied.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drawing pad
A drawing tool for drawing the picture;
An image search button for performing an image search in relation to the green figure,
A text search button for performing a text search with respect to the green picture,
A pictogram button for reading a list of pictograms stored in the memory,
A virtual keypad, and a drawing pad switching button.

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