KR20100062252A - Mobile terminal and user interface of mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A UI method of a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal using a stand-by screen are provided to simply supply various functions. CONSTITUTION: A display unit indicates a plurality of icons or a fusion icon on a stand-by screen. A user input unit(130) receives the signal designating two or more icons among the marked icons from a user. A memory(160) stores the icon or the information related to the fusion icon. A controller(180) generates the fusion icon. The controller controls the display unit in order to indicate the fusion icon.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND USER INTERFACE OF MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a user interface of a mobile terminal for easily using various functions of the mobile terminal and a mobile terminal implementing the same.

Terminal can move It may be divided into a mobile terminal (mobile / portable terminal) and a stationary terminal depending on whether or not. 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.

As the terminal functions are diversified, for example, such a terminal is a multimedia player having a complex function such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, or receiving a broadcast. Is being implemented.

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

As the functions of the mobile terminal are diversified, generally, the user has to go through several menu selection processes in order to use the functions of the mobile terminal. In order to improve user convenience, a method of simplifying a menu selection process may be considered.

The present invention is to provide a user interface of a mobile terminal for easily providing various functions of the mobile terminal and a mobile terminal using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface of a mobile terminal for efficiently using a standby screen of the mobile terminal and a mobile terminal using the same.

Mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above allows the user to use the functions of the mobile terminal by using any icon displayed on the idle screen, so that the user uses the functions of the mobile terminal. It can increase the convenience.

When the icon is displayed on the standby screen, the present invention displays the fusion icon generated by fusing the icon, thereby efficiently using the standby screen.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according 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.

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 a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, 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, when 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 photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and 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), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of 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.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form 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 one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

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 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 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 in 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 connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path 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 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 (UI). 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, 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 controller 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 portable 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 a call or the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 124 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may 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 embedded 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. 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 and the like corresponding to the touched softkey are displayed in 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 the output window 135a and the input window 135b. In the input window 135b, a plurality of softkeys 135c on which at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers are displayed may be arranged. The softkeys 135c may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the soft keys 135c are touched through the touch pad 135, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. corresponding to the touched soft keys are displayed on the output window 135a. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 has an advantage of preventing the softkey 135c from being blocked 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 methods 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.

Specifically, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d ₀ ), it is recognized as a touch touch. When the pointer is positioned below the distance d ₁ 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 d ₁ or more and less than d ₂ 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 distance d ₂ or more and less than d ₃ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. When the pointer is positioned at a distance of more than d ₃ from 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 (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 a 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 ) Causes 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, the user may select one area of the TOLED 155 corresponding to the specific object of the LCD 156. In the long touch, the controller 180 moves the object to the TOLED 155 for display. The object displayed on the TOLED 155 may also be transferred to the LCD 156 according to a predetermined touch input, for example, flickering, 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. The selected cursor is displayed 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 in which a proximity signal is detected and a haptic region in which 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 occurs and the proximity touch recognition area where the proximity signal is detected Can 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. 6A, the division in the horizontal or vertical direction, the radial division, and a combination thereof Various methods, such as division, can be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display unit 151 may display a plurality of icons related to an arbitrary function or a fusion icon generated by fusing a designated icon among the plurality of icons on an idle mode. have.

The idle screen may refer to a screen displayed for the first time when the user operates the mobile terminal 100. The standby screen may display information such as a power supply amount, a date, a time, and a radio wave reception state of the wireless communication unit 110 of the mobile terminal 100.

The icon may be associated with any function provided by the mobile terminal. The icon may be implemented in the form of a Graphic User Interface (GUI). Icons related to any of these functions may be implemented in the form of a widget.

The GUI or widget may include a time or date (including time or date of a region using a standard time different from the region where the mobile terminal is located), D-day, weather, geography, economic information (exchange rate, stock price and various economic indicators). And information related to a schedule, search information (including search frequency information for each real-time search word provided from a search portal web page located on an Internet network), and the like.

Alternatively, the GUI or widget may be a function that the mobile terminal can perform, that is, a calculator, an electronic dictionary, a notepad, an alarm, a calendar, access to a predetermined web page, a toolbar for searching the Internet, a photo album. In addition, it may serve to guide a user to execute a function related to a phone book.

The icon may be received through a network or previously stored in the mobile terminal 100.

The fusion icon may be generated by fusing the two or more icons or a fusion icon different from the icon. The fusion of an icon means displaying two or more designated icons or a fusion icon as one fusion icon on the screen, and associating a function related to the two or more fused icons to the displayed fusion icon.

Associating a function associated with two or more icons fused to the fusion icon means that the mobile terminal performs a function associated with the fusion icon when the fusion icon is selected.

The plurality of icons or the fusion icons displayed on the display unit 151 may be changed in position or size thereof displayed on the screen by the user.

The display unit 151 may display the fusion icon in an area smaller than the sum of the areas of the two or more designated icons displayed on the standby screen.

When a plurality of icons are displayed on the standby screen, a fusion icon is created by fusing low-frequency icons, and the area occupied by the fusion icon on the screen is set to be smaller than the sum of the areas of the designated icons. Since the area ratio is reduced, the standby screen can be used efficiently.

The display unit 151 may divide and display the fusion icon into two or more icons according to a user's selection. The two or more separately displayed icons may be two or more icons designated to generate a fusion icon.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the user input unit 140 may receive a signal from a user that designates two or more icons among the displayed icons.

The signal specifying two or more icons may be received through a touch input or may be received through a hard key and a soft key input.

The user input unit 140 may receive an input for selecting the plurality of icons or the fusion icon from the user.

The user input unit 140 may receive an input for generating an icon related to a function that a mobile terminal can perform from a user.

In addition to a predetermined icon or an icon received through a network when the mobile terminal 100 is manufactured, a user may generate an icon necessary for himself and display it on a standby screen.

As shown in FIG. 1, the memory 160 may store information related to the icon or the fusion icon. The information related to the icon or the fusion icon may include graphic information for displaying the icon or the fusion icon on a screen, information on a function related to the icon or the fusion icon, and the like.

The memory 160 may store information related to an icon generated through the user input unit 140 or a fusion icon generated by fusion of a plurality of icons.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the controller 180 may generate a fusion icon by fusing a plurality of icons designated by a user. The controller 180 may control the display unit 151 to display the fusion icon.

When the fusion icon is selected by the user, the controller 180 may perform two or more functions related to two or more icons designated to generate the fusion icon.

Two or more icons designated to generate the fusion icon may include different fusion icons. Thus, two or more functions associated with the two or more designated icons may include functions associated with two or more other icons designated for generating the other fused icon.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication unit 110 may receive information related to an icon through a network.

The wireless communication unit 110 may transmit data including information related to the fusion icon to another terminal or a network server.

The wireless communication unit 110 may transmit information related to the fusion icon through a wireless internet network or a mobile communication network.

7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are diagrams illustrating an icon fused and displayed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of icons W ₁ , W ₂ , W ₃ , W ₄ , and W ₅ may be displayed on the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100. The icons display the time (W ₁ ), the date (W ₂ ), activate the electronic dictionary function of the mobile terminal 100 (W ₃ ), or activate the music playback function of the mobile terminal 100 (W ₄ ), the function of guiding a subway line (W ₅ ), and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for selecting at least one icon W _{1 from} among a plurality of icons displayed on the screen from the user. The input for selecting the at least one icon W ₁ may have a form of a touch input, as shown in FIG. 7B. Alternatively, the input for selecting the at least one icon W ₁ may be received using a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. .

The user may select at least one other icon W ₂ to fuse with the selected one icon W ₁ .

In FIG. 7B, the user selects another icon W ₂ to be fused by dragging the first selected icon W ₁ to a place where another icon W ₂ is to be fused. In addition, icons may be selected to be fused by simultaneously applying a touch input to a plurality of icons to be selected.

The plurality of icons selected by the user to create the fusion icon may be selected simultaneously or sequentially as shown in FIG. 7B.

Three or more icons may be selected by the user to generate the fusion icon.

As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the mobile terminal 100 may display a state in which a plurality of icons W ₁ and W ₂ selected by the user are fused. The state in which the plurality of icons W ₁ and W ₂ are fused may be expressed by displaying the icon M ₁ being fused.

As shown in FIG. 7D, the mobile terminal 100 may display the fusion icon M _{2 on which the} fusion is completed. The fusion icon M ₂ may perform two or more functions related to two or more icons designated to generate the fusion icon.

For example, it is assumed that an icon W ₁ indicating a time and an icon W ₂ indicating a date are selected to generate the fusion icon M ₂ .

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7D, the fusion icon M ₁ may display both time and date. The shape of the fusion icon M1 may be previously stored in the memory 160 or may be displayed using data received by the wireless communication unit 110 through a network.

8A, 8B, and 8C are views illustrating a state in which an icon fused with another icon is displayed in a fusion in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The plurality of icons selected to generate the fusion icon may include a pre-fused icon.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the mobile terminal may receive an input for selecting the pre-fused icon M ₂ from the user to generate the fused icon.

The user may select the other icon W ₃ to be fused by dragging the first selected fusion icon M ₁ to the place where another icon W ₃ to be fused is located.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the mobile terminal 100 may display a state in which a plurality of icons M ₂ and W ₃ selected by the user are fused. The state in which the plurality of icons M ₂ and W ₃ are fused may be represented by displaying the icon M ₃ being fused.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the mobile terminal 100 may display the fused icon M ₄ .

9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D illustrate a state in which a pre-fused icon and another pre-fused icon are fused and displayed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the mobile terminal may select a plurality of icons W ₄ and W ₅ to generate a fusion icon.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the mobile terminal may display a fusion icon M ₅ different from the fused icon M _{2 that} is pre-fused.

As illustrated in FIG. 9C, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for selecting a pre-fused fusion icon M2 and another pre-fused fusion icon M5.

As shown in FIG. 9D, the mobile terminal 100 may fuse the pre-fused fusion icon M2 with another pre-fused fusion icon M5 to generate another fusion icon M6 and display it on the screen. have.

10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are diagrams illustrating a method of separating a fused icon in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for selecting at least one fusion icon M ₂ among fusion icons displayed on the screen. When at least one fusion icon M ₂ is selected by the user, the user may display a function applicable to the fusion icon on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for separating the selected fusion icon M ₂ from the user.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the mobile terminal 100 may display a state in which the fusion icon M ₂ selected by the user is separated. The state in which the selected fusion icon M ₂ is separated may be expressed by displaying the icon M ₁ being separated.

As shown in FIG. 10D, the mobile terminal 100 may display a plurality of separated icons W ₁ and W ₂ on the screen. When the icon is separated and displayed, functions corresponding to the fusion icon may also be separated.

11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are diagrams of storing information related to an icon in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for selecting at least one fusion icon M ₂ among the fusion icons displayed on the screen. When at least one fusion icon M ₂ is selected by the user, the user may display a function applicable to the fusion icon on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for storing the selected fusion icon M ₂ from a user.

When an input for storing the fusion icon M ₂ is received, the mobile terminal 100 may store the fusion icon M ₂ or information related to the icon in the memory 160. The information related to the icon or the fusion icon may include graphic information for displaying the icon or the fusion icon on a screen, information on a function related to the icon or the fusion icon, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 11C, the mobile terminal 100 may receive a name for identifying information related to the icon or the fusion icon. The name for identifying the information may include a file name.

As shown in FIG. 11D, the mobile terminal 100 may display on the screen that information related to the icon or the fusion icon is stored in the memory 160.

12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are diagrams of transmitting information associated with an icon in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for selecting at least one fusion icon M ₂ among fusion icons displayed on the screen. When at least one fusion icon M ₂ is selected by the user, the user may display a function applicable to the fusion icon on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for selecting to transmit information related to the selected fusion icon M ₂ from the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 12C, the mobile terminal 100 may receive an input for designating a terminal to transmit information related to the selected icon or the fusion icon from the user.

As shown in FIG. 12D, the mobile terminal 100 may display on the screen that information related to the icon or the fusion icon has been transmitted to the designated other terminal.

13 is a flow chart illustrating a user interface method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 may display a plurality of icons related to an arbitrary function on the idle screen (S101). The user may select two or more icons to be fused among a plurality of icons displayed on the idle screen, and receive an input for selecting the two or more icons from the mobile terminal (S102).

The mobile terminal 100 may generate a fusion icon in which the designated icon is fused (S103).

When the mobile terminal 100 generates the fusion icon, the mobile terminal can display the generated fusion icon on the standby screen (S104).

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method may be implemented as code that can be read by a processor in a medium in which a program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The mobile terminal having the above-described user interface is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments are all or part of each of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. It may be configured in combination.

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 touch recognition region where a proximity signal is detected and a haptic region that generates a tactile effect, respectively.

7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are views showing a state in which icons are fused and displayed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A, 8B, and 8C are views illustrating a state in which an icon fused with another icon is displayed in a fusion in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D illustrate a state in which a pre-fused icon and another pre-fused icon are fused and displayed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are views showing a state in which a fused icon is separated in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D illustrate storing information associated with an icon in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are diagrams illustrating how information associated with an icon is transmitted by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a user interface method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (20)

A display unit displaying a plurality of icons related to an arbitrary function or a fusion icon generated by fusing a designated icon among the plurality of icons on a standby screen; A user input unit configured to receive a signal from a user, the signal specifying two or more icons among the displayed icons; A memory unit for storing information related to the icon or the fusion icon; and And a controller configured to fuse the designated icon to generate a fusion icon and to cause the display to display the fusion icon. According to claim 1, A mobile terminal further comprising a wireless communication unit for receiving information associated with the icon over a network. According to claim 1, The memory, A mobile terminal that stores information related to an icon related to a preset function that the mobile terminal can perform. According to claim 1, The user input unit, Receiving an input for generating an icon related to a preset function that a mobile terminal can perform from a user, The memory, A mobile terminal for storing information related to the generated icon. According to claim 1, The user input unit, Receive an input from a user to select the fusion icon, The control unit, A mobile terminal that performs two or more functions associated with two or more icons designated to generate the fusion icon. According to claim 1, The display unit, And displaying the converged icon on an area smaller than the total sum of the areas of the two or more designated icons displayed on the idle screen. According to claim 1, The wireless communication unit, A mobile terminal for transmitting data including information related to the fusion icon to another terminal or a network server. The method of claim 7, wherein The wireless communication unit, A mobile terminal for transmitting the fusion icon or information associated with the icon over a wireless Internet network or a mobile communication network. According to claim 1, The display unit, A mobile terminal for separating and displaying the fusion icon into two or more icons. According to claim 1, The user input unit, Receive an input from a user to select the icon or fusion icon, The memory, A mobile terminal for storing information associated with the selected icon or fusion icon. Displaying a plurality of icons related to an arbitrary function on an idle screen; Receiving a signal from a user, the signal specifying at least two of the displayed icons; and Fusing specified icons to create a fusion icon, and displaying the generated fusion icon on a standby screen. The method of claim 11, wherein The icon is A user interface method of a mobile terminal comprising an icon received over a network. The method of claim 11, wherein The icon is A user interface method of a mobile terminal which is an icon related to a preset function that a mobile terminal can perform. The method of claim 13, The icon is A user interface method of a mobile terminal which is an icon related to a preset function that a mobile terminal created by a user can perform. The method of claim 11, wherein The fusion icon, The user interface method of the mobile terminal to perform two or more functions associated with two or more icons specified to generate the fusion icon. The method of claim 11, wherein The fusion icon, The user interface method of the mobile terminal, wherein the two or more designated icons are displayed in an area smaller than the total sum of the areas displayed on the idle screen. The method of claim 11, wherein And transmitting data including information related to the fusion icon to another terminal or a network server. 18. The method of claim 17, Information related to the fusion icon, A user interface method of a mobile terminal transmitted through a wireless internet network or a mobile communication network. The method of claim 11, wherein And separating and displaying the fusion icon into two or more icons. The method of claim 11, wherein Receiving an input for selecting the icon or the fusion icon from a user; And performing one or more functions related to the selected icon or fusion icon.

Images