KR20100051454A - Mobile terminal and method for setting touch sensitivity thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and a method for setting touch sensitivity of the mobile terminal are provided to measure real touch time of a user and calibrate reference sensitivity, thereby optimizing touch sensitivity suitable for a user. CONSTITUTION: A controller senses touch on a touch screen through a sensing unit(S301). If the touch is detected, the controller measures the duration time of the sensed touch(S303). If touch duration time measurement is completed, the controller checks sensitivity matched with the measured touch duration time(S305). The controller automatically controls sensitivity based on the sensitivity(S307).

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR SETTING TOUCH SENSITIVITY THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for setting a touch recognition sensitivity by measuring an actual touch time, and a touch sensitivity setting method thereof.

Terminals, such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc., have diversified functions, for example, multimedia devices having complex functions such as taking pictures or videos, playing music or video files, playing games, and receiving broadcasts. It is implemented in the form of (Multimedia player).

Terminals may be divided into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

In order to support and increase the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

In general, in order to adjust the touch sensitivity of the touch screen in a mobile terminal equipped with a touch screen, since the touch sensitivity is set according to a predetermined value through a menu operation, the touch sensitivity of the touch screen is fixed. Therefore, the mobile terminal incorrectly recognizes the touch according to the capacitance and the touch time of the user and performs a malfunction.

The present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a touch sensitivity setting method for calibrating a reference sensitivity by measuring the actual touch time.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a touch sensitivity setting method thereof that automatically adjusts the touch sensitivity upon touch recognition based on the calibrated reference sensitivity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object, the mobile terminal includes calibrating a sensitivity adjustment reference value according to a touch sensitivity setting request, sensing a touch after the calibration, and measuring a duration of the detected touch. And measuring the sensitivity to match the measured touch duration based on the calibrated reference value.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may calibrate the reference sensitivity by measuring the time the user actually touches, thereby optimizing the touch sensitivity to suit the user.

In addition, the present invention may measure the touch duration during touch recognition and automatically adjust the touch sensitivity matched to the measured touch duration based on the calibrated reference sensitivity. Therefore, as the touch duration is longer, the touch sensitivity is set in a less sensitive direction, and as the touch duration is shorter, the touch sensitivity is set in a sensitive direction.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like, except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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 A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that 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 that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a 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 a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or 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, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

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 a wireless signal with 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 according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V 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 call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may 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 according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

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

The sensing unit 140 detects the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed 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, the acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a shooting mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display The display device may include at least one of a flexible display and a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

Two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the 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 then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near 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 an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

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

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

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

The sound 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, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an 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 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

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

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

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

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), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, 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 passage with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identification module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( 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. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through a port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals 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, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented 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 include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the control unit 180 itself.

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

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

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

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

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 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 side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 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.

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

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

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed on the terminal body to be rotatable or pop-up.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output unit 152 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a 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 portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may also be disposed on the rear case 102.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

3A and 3B are front views of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

In order to input such information, at least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement so as to be implemented in the form of a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a so-called " soft key ".

3A illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the front of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate in an entire area or may be operated in a divided manner. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a soft key 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is displayed on the output window 151a. When the first manipulation unit 131 is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

3B illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the rear of the terminal body. If FIG. 3A is a portrait in which the terminal body is arranged vertically, FIG. 3B illustrates a landscape in which the terminal body is arranged horizontally. The display unit 151 may be configured to convert the output screen according to the arrangement direction of the terminal body.

3B shows that the text input mode is activated in the mobile terminal. The display unit 151 displays an output window 151a 'and an input window 151b'. A plurality of soft keys 151c 'displaying at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers may be arranged in the input window 151b'. The softkeys 151c 'may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the soft keys 151c 'are touched through the touch pad 135 (refer to FIG. 2B), letters, numbers, symbols, etc. corresponding to the touched soft keys are displayed on the output window 151a'. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 has an advantage of preventing the softkey 151c 'from being covered by the finger when touched, as compared with the touch input through the display unit 151. When the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 are transparent, the fingers located at the rear of the terminal body can be visually checked, and thus more accurate touch input is possible.

In addition to the input method disclosed in the above embodiments, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. By scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, the user may move an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, a cursor or a pointer located at an icon. Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. For example, the function may include activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135.

The proximity sensor 141 described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 4, when a pointer such as a user's finger or pen approaches the touch screen, the proximity sensor 141 disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor 141 may be configured to output different proximity signals according to a distance between the proximity touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter, referred to as “proximity depth”).

In FIG. 4, for example, a cross section of a touch screen on which three proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is disposed is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors that detect less than three or more than four proximity depths are also possible.

In detail, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d0), the pointer is recognized as a touch. When the pointer is positioned below the distance d1 on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a first proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the distance d1 or more and less than d2 on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a second proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the d2 distance by more than d3 distance on the touch screen, it is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. When the pointer is located at a distance greater than or equal to d3 on the touch screen, the proximity touch is recognized as released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 may recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity depth and the proximity position of the pointer, and perform various operation control according to the various input signals.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control method for a touch operation when a pair of display units 155 and 156 overlap.

The terminal disclosed in this drawing is a folder-type terminal in which a folder unit is foldable with respect to a main body. The first display unit 155 mounted on the folder unit may be a light transmissive type or a transparent type such as a TOLED, but the second display unit 156 mounted on the main body may have a form in which light does not transmit, such as an LCD. The first and second display units 155 and 156 may be configured as touch screens capable of touch input, respectively.

For example, when a touch (contact touch or proximity-touch) with respect to the first display unit or the TOLED 155 is detected, the controller 180 may be configured according to the type of touch and the touch time. At least one image from the list of images displayed on the TOLED 155 may be selected or run.

Hereinafter, touch, long touch, long touch, and drag (drag) are applied to a method in which information displayed on another display unit or LCD 156 is controlled when a touch is applied to the TOLED 155 exposed to the outside in an overlapped form. The description is based on the input method separated by).

In the overlapped state (the mobile terminal is closed), the TOLED 155 is disposed to overlap the lower side of the LCD 156. In this state, when a touch different from the touch for controlling the image displayed on the TOLED 155 is detected, for example, a long touch (for example, a touch lasting more than 2 seconds to 3 seconds), the controller ( 180 allows at least one image of the image list displayed on the LCD 156 to be selected according to the sensed touch input. The result of the execution of the selected image is displayed on the TOLED 155.

The long touch can also be used to selectively move a desired one of the objects displayed on the LCD 156 to the TOLED 155 (without its execution operation). That is, when the user long touches an area of the TOLED 155 corresponding to the specific object of the LCD 156, the controller 180 causes the object to be moved to the TOLED 155 for display. Meanwhile, the object displayed on the TOLED 155 may also be transferred to the LCD 156 according to a predetermined touch input, for example, flicking, swirling, or the like, on the TOLED 155. In this figure, the menu No. 2 displayed on the LCD 156 is moved to the TOLED 155 and illustrated.

If another input, for example, a drag, is additionally detected along with the long touch, the controller 180 is a function related to the image selected by the long touch, for example, a preview screen for the image is displayed on the TOLED 155. Can be displayed on. In this figure, the case where the preview (male photograph) with respect to the 2nd menu (image file) is performed is illustrated.

When the preview screen is output and the drag is made to the TOLED 155 to another image while maintaining the long touch, the controller 180 controls the selection cursor (or selection bar) of the LCD 156. And the selection cursor displays the selected image on the preview screen (woman photo). After that, when the touch (long touch and drag) is finished, the controller 180 displays the first image selected by the long touch.

The touch operation (long touch and drag) may be performed when a slide (movement of the proximity touch corresponding to the drag) is detected together with the long proximity touch (the proximity touch lasting at least 2 seconds to 3 seconds) for the TOLED 155. The same applies to.

If a touch operation other than those mentioned above is detected, the controller 180 may operate in the same manner as a general touch control method.

The control method for the touch operation in the overlapped form may be applied to a terminal having a single display. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a terminal different from a folder type having a dual display.

6A and 6B are views referred to for describing a proximity touch recognition region where a proximity signal is detected and a haptic region where a haptic effect occurs.

6A shows an object such as an icon or a menu item in a circle for convenience of description. As shown in (a) of FIG. 6A, an area where an object is displayed on the display unit 151 may be divided into a first area A in the center and a second area B surrounding the area. The first area A and the second area B may be configured to generate a tactile effect having different intensities or patterns. For example, the first vibration may be output when the second region B is touched, and the second vibration may be output when the first region A is touched.

If it is necessary to simultaneously set the proximity touch recognition area and the haptic area in the area where the object is displayed, the haptic area where the haptic effect is generated and the proximity touch recognition area where the proximity signal is detected may be set differently. That is, the haptic area may be set narrower than the proximity touch recognition area, or the haptic area may be set wider than the proximity touch recognition area. For example, in (a) of FIG. 6A, an area including the first area A and the second area B may be set as a proximity touch recognition area, and the first area A may be set as a haptic area.

As shown in Fig. 6A (b), the area in which the object is displayed is divided into three areas A, B, and C, or as shown in Fig. 6A (c), N (N> 4). It can also be divided into three areas. Each divided area may be configured to generate a tactile effect having different intensities or patterns. Even when the area in which one object is displayed is divided into three or more areas, the haptic area and the proximity touch recognition area may be set differently according to the use environment.

The display unit 151 may be configured such that the size of the proximity touch recognition area varies depending on the depth of proximity. That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6B, the corresponding proximity touch recognition area is gradually reduced to 'C', 'B', and 'A' according to the proximity depth to the display unit 151, Alternatively, the corresponding proximity touch recognition region may be gradually increased according to the depth of proximity to the display unit 151. Even in this case, the haptic region may be set to a constant size regardless of the depth of proximity to the display unit 151 as in the 'H' region illustrated in FIG. 6B.

 In the case of dividing the region where the object is displayed for setting the haptic region or the proximity touch recognition region, in addition to the concentric division as shown in FIG. Various methods, such as division, can be used.

Hereinafter, a method of automatically adjusting the touch sensitivity by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

The memory 160 stores a sensitivity look-up table. The lookup table is a sensitivity reference table used when adjusting sensitivity, and is divided into a default sensitivity reference table prepared based on a predetermined reference value and a user sensitivity reference table optimized for the user.

In addition, the memory 160 may include a sensitivity register in which a numerical value (eg, 0 to 255) representing the sensitivity is stored. The sensitivity register (not shown) may include a first register (not shown) that stores a predetermined default reference value and a second register (not shown) that stores a reference value optimized for a user through a sensitivity calibration. Can be.

The memory 160 stores the measured touch duration. The measured touch duration is used when performing sensitivity calibration.

The sensing unit 140 transmits a touch recognition interrupt signal to the controller 180 when a touch is detected on the touch screen. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a touch sensor that senses a touch of a pointer and a touch controller that generates a control signal corresponding to the detected touch.

The controller 180 measures a touch recognition interrupt duration through the sensing unit 140. That is, the controller 180 checks an actual touch time (hereinafter, referred to as a touch duration).

The controller 180 stores a value of a sensitivity register corresponding to the measured touch duration in a default sensitivity lookup table generated based on a default touch duration. Here, the controller 180 records the measured touch duration and the sensitivity stored in the sensitivity register corresponding thereto.

The controller 180 displays a touch recognition area on the touch screen for measuring the touch duration, and when the touch of the pointer is detected in the touch recognition area, measures the touch duration. In this case, the controller 180 performs at least one operation of measuring the touch duration.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically setting touch sensitivity of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 180 checks whether there is a touch sensitivity setting request (S101). The touch sensitivity setting request is made because the user selects a touch sensitivity setting item through a menu operation.

In response to the touch sensitivity setting request, the controller 180 executes the touch sensitivity setting function and displays the touch sensitivity setting screen on the display unit 151 (S103). The display unit 151 is implemented as a touch screen. On the setting screen displayed on the touch screen, a touch sensitivity adjusting method (manual / automatic) is selected, and detailed items related to the selected method are set.

In the state of setting the touch sensitivity on the touch sensitivity setting screen, the controller 180 checks whether there is a touch sensitivity calibration request (S105). That is, when a reference sensitivity calibration item is selected on the touch sensitivity setting screen, a calibration request event is generated. When the calibration request event occurs, the controller 180 switches to an operation mode for performing calibration.

If there is a calibration request in step S105, the controller 180 calibrates the reference touch sensitivity according to the request (S107). That is, when a touch is detected in a predetermined area on the touch screen, the controller 180 measures the touch duration and stores the sensitivity corresponding to the measured touch duration. The predetermined area is an area to recognize a touch and is displayed at a specific position of the touch screen in a predetermined order. In this case, the controller 180 records the value of the sensitivity register corresponding to the touch duration measured with reference to the default sensitivity lookup table along with the measured touch duration. The controller 180 performs at least one operation of recording the time (touch duration) and the sensitivity corresponding to the touch of the pointer.

Subsequently, the controller 180 calculates an average value of the stored sensitivity register (sensitivity) and the touch duration, respectively, and sets the calculated average value as a reference value. The user lookup table is generated based on the calculated average value of the sensitivity and the standard deviation of the touch duration.

When the touch sensitivity calibration is completed, the controller 180 checks whether there is a touch input through the sensing unit 140 (S109 and S111).

As a result of the check, when a touch is detected on the touch screen, the controller 180 automatically adjusts the touch sensitivity based on the calibrated reference touch sensitivity (S113). That is, when a touch is detected, the controller 180 measures the touch duration, checks the value of the sensitivity register matched with the measured touch duration, and sets the checked value as the sensitivity. Here, the controller 180 checks the sensitivity matched to the measured touch duration by referring to the user sensitivity lookup table.

8A and 8B illustrate examples of setting screens for setting touch sensitivity in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the controller 180 displays a touch sensitivity setting screen on a display screen according to a user's touch sensitivity setting request. The touch sensitivity setting method may be divided into manual and automatic. In this case, the manual setting means that any one of the sensitivity predetermined by the user is selected, and the automatic setting means that the sensitivity is automatically adjusted to suit the user and the sensitivity is automatically adjusted at the touch.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when automatic setting is selected on the touch sensitivity setting screen displayed on the display screen, the controller 180 displays detailed setting items related to the automatic setting on the touch screen. Here, if a calibration of the reference touch sensitivity is desired, the user may request calibration of the reference touch sensitivity by selecting a calibration item. According to the request, the controller 180 performs calibration of the reference touch sensitivity, and then, if a touch is detected, adjusts the touch sensitivity based on the calibrated reference touch sensitivity.

Meanwhile, when the calibration of the reference touch sensitivity is not performed, the controller 180 adjusts the touch sensitivity based on the predetermined reference touch sensitivity (default reference value).

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, when manual setting is selected on the touch sensitivity setting screen, the controller 180 displays sub-items of the manual setting on the display screen. If any one of the sub-items displayed on the display screen is selected by the user, the controller 180 adjusts the touch sensitivity according to the selected sensitivity. For example, if sensitivity is selected among sub-items of the touch sensitivity correction setting, the controller 180 adjusts the touch sensitivity to respond to a quick touch when the touch is recognized.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a touch sensitivity calibration method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment describes a process of optimizing the reference touch sensitivity to suit the user as an initialization operation for automatic touch sensitivity adjustment.

First, when the controller 180 is requested to calibrate the reference touch sensitivity, the controller 180 displays a touch recognition area on the touch screen as a standby screen for performing calibration (S201 and S203). Here, the touch recognition area is used to check the actual touch duration as a partial area on the touch screen.

When the touch of the pointer is detected in the touch recognition area, the controller 180 checks the duration of the touch (S205 and S207). When the pointer touches the touch recognition area, the sensing unit 140 detects this and transmits a touch recognition interrupt signal to the controller 180. The controller 180 measures a touch recognition interrupt duration through the interrupt signal. That is, the controller 180 measures the time when the pointer actually touches the touch recognition area.

After checking the touch duration, the controller 180 stores the sensitivity corresponding to the checked touch duration with reference to the default lookup table (S209). The default lookup table is a sensitivity lookup table created based on the reference touch duration designated by default. The controller 180 stores a value of a sensitivity register corresponding to the checked touch duration by referring to a default lookup table.

Thereafter, the controller 180 checks whether the touch duration measurement is completed (S211).

If the touch duration measurement is not completed in step S211, the controller 180 displays the next touch recognition area (S203). When a touch is detected in the displayed next touch recognition area, the touch duration is measured, and a value of a sensitivity register corresponding thereto is stored. Herein, the controller 180 measures touch duration in at least two touch recognition regions.

When the touch duration measurement is completed in step S211, the controller 180 averages the values of the stored registers and calculates the average value and the standard deviation of the measured touch durations (S213).

The controller 180 sets the calculated average value as a reference value (S215). In this case, the controller 180 determines a resolution based on the calculated standard deviation and generates a user sensitivity lookup table.

Thereafter, the controller 180 displays the set sensitivity on the display screen to inform that the touch calibration is completed. For example, a message such as 'Calibration completed' may be output in a pop-up form or an effect sound may be output without a message output. In addition, it can be implemented to output the message and sound effects together.

10A and 10B illustrate an example of a method of measuring an actual touch time in a mobile terminal according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 10A, upon receiving a request for calibration of the reference touch sensitivity, the controller 180 divides the entire screen of the touch screen into at least one area. Here, the controller 180 also displays a grid representing area division.

In addition, the controller 180 displays a specific display so that a user can recognize a touch recognition area among the divided areas. For example, the specific display includes a color or a border color of the touch recognition area, a line type, and the like.

When the touch of the pointer is recognized in the touch recognition area, the controller 180 displays a touch recognition area to receive a next touch input. At this time, the controller 180 measures the duration of the recognized touch.

Referring to FIG. 10B, when calibration of the reference touch sensitivity is requested, the controller 180 displays a touch recognition area having a predetermined size on the touch screen and waits until there is a touch input. A number may be displayed on the touch recognition area to indicate a touch order.

When a touch is recognized in the touch recognition area, the controller 180 changes the color, contrast, brightness, etc. of the touch recognition area where the touch is recognized, and displays the next touch recognition area. For example, when a touch is detected in the first touch recognition area while the first touch recognition area is displayed, the controller 180 measures the touch duration and dims the first touch recognition area where the touch is detected, The touch recognition area 2 is displayed. When a touch is recognized in the second touch recognition region, the touch is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times in order of displaying the third touch recognition region.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a touch sensitivity adjusting method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the controller 180 detects a touch on the touch screen through the sensing unit 140 (S301). That is, when the pointer is touched on the touch screen, the sensing unit 140 detects this and informs the controller 180.

When the touch is detected, the controller 180 measures the duration of the detected touch (S303).

When the touch duration measurement is completed, the controller 180 checks the sensitivity matched to the measured touch duration (S305). The controller 180 checks a value of a sensitivity register matching the measured touch duration by referring to a user sensitivity lookup table.

Subsequently, the controller 180 automatically adjusts the sensitivity based on the identified sensitivity (S307). The controller 180 adjusts the sensitivity upon touch by applying the value of the checked sensitivity register.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a malfunction caused by the user's static amount and touch time. For example, when the user lengthens the touch duration when the user inputs a touch, a malfunction of recognizing two touches may be prevented. Alternatively, the touch may be recognized even when the touch duration is short, such as a user enjoying a game.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method may be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium in 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 the controller 180 of the terminal.

The above-described terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or a part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made have.

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

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

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

3A and 3B are front views of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control method for a touch operation in a form in which a pair of display units overlap.

6A and 6B are conceptual views for explaining a proximity region in which a proximity signal is detected and a haptic region in which a haptic effect is generated.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically setting touch sensitivity of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8a and 8b are examples of setting screens for setting touch sensitivity in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a flowchart illustrating a touch sensitivity calibration method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10A and 10B illustrate an example of a method of measuring an actual touch time in a mobile terminal according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a touch sensitivity adjusting method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings]

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit

120: A / V input unit 130: user input unit

140: sensing unit 150: output unit

160: memory 170: interface unit

180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (9)

Calibrating the sensitivity adjustment reference value according to the touch sensitivity setting request; Sensing a touch after the calibration; Measuring a duration of the detected touch; And adjusting the sensitivity to match the measured touch duration based on the calibrated reference value. The method of claim 1, wherein the calibration step, Measuring a duration of actual touch on the touch screen; And updating a reference value based on the measured duration. The method of claim 2, wherein the measuring the touch duration Displaying a touch recognition area on the touch screen; Sensing a touch on the displayed touch recognition area; And measuring the duration of the detected touch. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating of the reference value comprises: Storing a sensitivity corresponding to the measured duration; Calculating an average value of the stored sensitivity when the touch duration measurement is completed; And setting the calculated average value as a reference value. The method of claim 4, wherein And if the touch duration measurement is not completed, displaying another touch recognition region and repeating an operation of measuring touch duration in the displayed touch recognition region. The method of claim 4, wherein And generating a user lookup table based on the set reference value and the measured standard deviation of the touch duration. The method of claim 6, wherein in the sensitivity adjustment step, The touch sensitivity setting method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for adjusting the sensitivity matched to the measured touch duration by referring to the user lookup table. A display unit implemented as a touch screen; A sensing unit sensing a touch on the touch screen; And a control unit for measuring the duration of the detected touch to calibrate the sensitivity adjustment reference value and adjusting the sensitivity adjustment to a sensitivity corresponding to the touch duration when the touch is recognized based on the calibrated reference value. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit, And a touch duration measured in at least two touch recognition regions during calibration of the reference value.

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