KR20110043012A - Apparatus and method for preventing malfunction of a mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and method for preventing a misoperation of a mobile terminal are provided to automatically convert a mode of the mobile terminal using a brightness sensor to detect the face of a user. CONSTITUTION: A sensor unit(40) creates illumination value by measuring the brightness of the surroundings. A hold key locks or unlocks the mobile terminal by the manual input of the user. A controller(20) compares the current brightness value with the preset brightness value. The controller determines the locking state of the user interface unit. The controller unlocks the mobile terminal using the hold key.

Description

Device for preventing malfunction of mobile terminal and its method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING MALFUNCTION OF A MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a device for preventing a malfunction of a mobile terminal which automatically changes a touch screen or a touch keypad of a mobile terminal to a locked state, and more particularly, a user can make a call using the mobile terminal even if a user does not use a lock key. The present invention relates to a malfunction prevention device and a method for preventing a malfunction of a portable terminal due to a user's face contact with a touch screen or a touch keypad during a call using an illuminance sensor.

The portable terminal refers to, for example, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc., which has a user's touch as an input device such as a touch screen or a touch keypad and has a call function. Such portable terminals are increasingly miniaturized, including various functions, and their use is rapidly increasing. In addition to the trend toward miniaturization, in recent years, a device having a touch screen or a touch keypad has been widely used according to the expansion of the smart phone for convenience.

However, such a touch screen or a touch keypad makes a user feel uncomfortable due to frequent malfunctions through face contact during a call in a situation where the user does not intend to make a call. This operation also causes a lot of inconvenience.

Conventional technology for solving this problem is a method of limiting the key input of the mobile phone using the lock key. The method of using the lock key can be used by using a long key that is pressed for a few seconds, setting a lock state using a slide-type hold key, and locking when there are two or more key inputs simultaneously. And how the state is set.

This method is cumbersome because the user has to operate manually at all times, and malfunctions may occur while the input device is turned on for the user to use the portable terminal. For example, since the input device is turned on when the user is talking through the terminal, malfunction due to face contact is not solved through the lock key.

In addition, according to a result detected using a proximity sensor that detects the presence of an object within a certain distance, if it is determined that the user is in use, the processing according to the key input is executed, if it is determined that the user is not in use, the key input is ignored. However, this method is difficult to use because the proximity sensor is not only added to the terminal but also increases power consumption.

Therefore, the present invention locks the touch screen or touch keypad when the user brings the mobile terminal close to his face to make a call using the illumination sensor of the mobile terminal, thereby preventing malfunctions caused by touching the screen with the user's face during the call. The purpose is to reduce power.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can improve the utilization without the addition of a separate sensing means by using the existing illumination sensor mounted on the portable terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for preventing malfunction of a mobile terminal including a touch input unit according to the present invention includes a user interface unit receiving a user's touch through the touch input unit and an illuminance value by measuring the brightness or the amount of light in a surrounding environment. A sensor unit for generating a sensor, a hold key for releasing and setting a lock according to a user's manual input, and a current illuminance value and a predetermined constant illuminance value based on an illuminance value provided by the sensor unit in an operation state of the portable terminal. In comparison, the control unit determines whether to lock the input through the user interface unit and includes a control unit to release the lock only by the hold key.

In this case, the sensor unit includes an illuminance sensor for measuring the amount of ambient light using a light receiving element including a photodiode.

The controller may set a lock to a user input through the user interface unit when the current illuminance value is smaller than the predetermined illuminance value, and perform a user input through the user interface unit when the current illuminance value is greater than the predetermined illuminance value. The predetermined illuminance value may be a fixed or range illuminance value set according to the contact between the user's body and the portable terminal for the user to make a call using the portable terminal.

On the other hand, the malfunction prevention device of the portable terminal further includes a wireless circuit unit for receiving an external signal to notify the control unit of the call reception, the sensor unit is usually in the sleep mode, and the call or reception through the wireless circuit unit Based on the output signal value generated by the control unit may be activated on the basis of measuring the illuminance value.

In this case, the output signal value may further include being generated based on an input for using a function provided by the control unit through the user interface unit, and the control unit may provide a function provided by the control unit after determining whether to lock the lock. When the sensor is not loaded and there is no output signal value for a preset time, the sensor unit may be converted into a sleep mode.

In addition, the control unit provides a menu for setting the function of the lock or not, and a menu for setting the function for the lock or not to be used only for a predetermined time period through the user interface to select through the menu. According to the lock can be determined.

In order to achieve the above object, a malfunction prevention apparatus of a portable terminal including a touch screen or a touch keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user interface unit for receiving a user's touch through the touch screen or touch keypad and surroundings. A sensor unit that generates an illuminance value by periodically measuring the brightness or light of an environment, a hold key that releases and sets a lock according to a user's manual input, and a current illuminance value based on a periodic illuminance value measured by the sensor unit. And a control unit configured to determine whether to lock the input through the user interface unit by comparing the difference in the illuminance value generated by calculating a difference between the previous illuminance value and a preset reference value and to release the lock only by the hold key.

In this case, the reference value may be a difference between a fixed or range illuminance value set by the user to make a call using the portable terminal according to the contact of the user's body and the portable terminal, and the control unit may have the illuminance value. When the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the input through the user interface may be set as a lock. The controller may compare the current illuminance value with a predetermined constant illuminance value when the difference in the illuminance value is less than or equal to a preset reference value and set the input through the user interface unit as a lock if the predetermined illuminance value is greater than the preset illuminance value. In the following case, the input through the user interface may be set to unlock.

In this case, the constant illuminance value may be a fixed or range illuminance value set according to a case in which the user stores the portable terminal in a bag or a pocket.

The sensor unit may be positioned at a position where the difference in illuminance value changes most greatly when the user's ear contacts the portable terminal to make a call using the portable terminal.

Malfunction prevention method of the malfunction prevention device for changing the lock setting of the input to the user interface of the portable terminal according to the change of illumination according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a call through the input or the mobile terminal for the user interface A first step of detecting an output signal value generated according to a received or an outgoing signal, a second step of activating an illuminance sensor according to the output signal value, and a third step of measuring the illuminance to generate an illuminance value And a fourth step of determining whether to lock the user interface by comparing the current illuminance value among the illuminance values with a predetermined predetermined illuminance value, and when the lock is set through the fourth step, Accordingly, a fifth step of releasing the lock.

In this case, the predetermined illuminance value may be a fixed or range illuminance value set according to the contact of the user's body and the portable terminal in order for the user to make a call using the portable terminal.

The method may further include generating a difference in illuminance value by calculating a difference between the current illuminance value and a previous illuminance value after the third step and before the fourth step, and comparing the illuminance value difference with a preset reference value. The method may further include setting an input to the user interface as a lock when the reference value is greater than the reference value and passing the fourth step when the input value is less than the reference value.

In addition, the reference value is a fixed or range illuminance value set by the user according to the contact between the user's body and the electronic device to make a call using the portable terminal, and the constant illuminance value is determined by the portable terminal in a bag or pocket. It may be characterized in that it is a fixed or range illuminance value set according to the storage case.

The method may further include a sixth step of converting the illuminance sensor into a sleep mode if the output signal value is not detected for a predetermined time after the fifth step.

The malfunction prevention device of a portable terminal according to the present invention can prevent key input unintentional by the user by converting a key input into a locked state when the user is in a call state using the portable terminal, and the user manually sets the lock key. There is an effect that can eliminate the hassle.

In addition, the malfunction prevention device of the portable terminal according to the present invention not only prevents battery consumption due to unintentional key input, but also prevents unnecessary operation by operating an illuminance sensor in response to a signal for receiving or making a call. The battery can be used efficiently.

In addition, since the illumination sensor is attached to the existing portable terminal itself, it is possible to implement a malfunction prevention according to the present invention without adding an additional means, thereby increasing the utilization at low cost.

In addition, the present invention, in setting the key input of the mobile terminal to the lock using the illuminance sensor, not only changes in the illuminance regardless of whether or not the call, but also in the dark place irrespective of changes in the illuminance regardless of the external illuminance change In response, there is an effect that the key input of the portable terminal can be set as a lock.

The malfunction prevention device of the portable terminal according to the present invention automatically changes the lock setting of the portable terminal according to the change of illumination, and when the user is busy using the portable terminal, the user's face and the touch screen or the touch keypad are in contact with each other. Unintentional keypad input that prevents calls from being interrupted or unnecessary features loaded during the call.

In addition, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption by increasing the brightness of the backlight of the display of the portable terminal due to the unnecessary keypad input.

Meanwhile, the portable terminal may include a mobile phone, a PDA, etc., which has a user's touch as an input device, such as a touch screen or a touch keypad, and has a call function, and receives user input from the touch screen or touch keypad based input device. It has a user interface for receiving.

Based on the above description, referring to the detailed configuration of the malfunction prevention apparatus of the portable terminal through FIG. 1, the malfunction prevention apparatus of the portable terminal is connected to the user interface unit 10 and an antenna as shown in the call. It may include a wireless circuit unit 30 for determining whether the reception or transmission occurs, a control unit 20 for controlling the menu function of the portable terminal, and a sensor unit 40 for measuring the external brightness or the amount of light.

The sensor unit 40 may include an illuminance sensor that outputs a value generated by generating a current according to the amount of ambient light using a photodiode as the illuminance value, and the illuminance sensor 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As described above, it is preferable to be installed at one side of the handset portion of the portable terminal 100. The reason for the installation is based on a call state of the user from the illuminance value generated by the illuminance sensor 200 by measuring external brightness or light quantity. To judge.

That is, when the user is in a call, the receiver part corresponding to the area indicated by the dotted line in the portable terminal 100 is covered by the user's ear, so that the illuminance value of the illumination sensor 200 installed at one side of the receiver is lowered. Through this, it is possible to determine the call state of the user. Therefore, the sensor unit 40 may periodically measure the illuminance value and transmit the measured illuminance value to the control unit 20.

On the other hand, since the unnecessary power consumption is generated when the illumination value measurement of the sensor unit 40 is continuously performed, the control unit 20 detects the received or transmitted signal to measure the illumination value of the sensor unit 40. By determining whether to activate the power consumption can be prevented.

That is, the wireless circuit unit 30 may transmit the received signal to the controller 20, and the controller 20 generates an output signal value based on the received signal and transmits the output signal value to the sensor unit 40. The sensor unit 40 may be activated. In addition, the controller 20 generates the output signal value based on the outgoing signal when the outgoing signal is generated through the radio circuit unit 30 according to a user input received from the user interface unit 10. The sensor unit 40 may be activated.

In addition, the control unit 20 generates the output signal value based on a user input through the user interface unit 10 for a user to use a function included in the portable terminal to activate the sensor unit 40. You can also

The sensor unit 40 may generate an illuminance value by periodically changing an external brightness or light amount by changing from a sleep mode to an active mode based on the output signal value.

After activation of the sensor unit 40, the controller 20 stores the illuminance value periodically transmitted from the sensor unit 40 in a register, and compares the currently stored illuminance value with a predetermined constant illuminance value. The controller may determine whether the current illuminance value is greater than or equal to the predetermined illuminance value.

If the current illuminance value is lower than the predetermined illuminance value through the determination, the controller 20 may switch or maintain the user interface unit 10 as a lock setting. This is because the sensor unit 40 is activated due to unintentional contact of the user interface unit 10 while a part of the user's body is in contact with the mobile terminal or in a state where the mobile terminal is stored in a pocket or bag. As the illuminance value is lower than a predetermined level in the above state, the above-described states can be easily distinguished through the illuminance value of the sensor unit 40. In addition, when the current illuminance value is lower than the predetermined illuminance value, the controller 20 locks the user interface unit 10 so as to prevent continuous further input after an unintended input, thereby unnecessary input and corresponding power. It can prevent consumption.

In addition, the controller 20 may switch or maintain the user interface 10 in the unlock setting when the current illuminance value is higher than the predetermined illuminance value. This may be regarded as the user exposed to external light in order to use the function of the portable terminal, and it may be determined that the user intentionally inputs the function through the user interface unit 10 to use the function of the portable terminal. Because there is. Therefore, when the current illuminance value is higher than a predetermined illuminance value, the controller 20 may unlock the user interface unit 10 so that the user can continuously use the function of the portable terminal.

In this case, when the user interface 10 is locked by comparing the current illuminance value with a predetermined illuminance value, the controller 20 is based on a manual input by the user through the user interface 10. The control unit 20 may be changed to a setting for unlocking, wherein the control unit 20 inputs a separate hold button input attached to the portable terminal as well as setting unlocking through the touch screen or touch keypad as the manual input. Recognition through the unit 10 can be changed to the unlock setting.

On the other hand, when the user interface 10 is locked by comparing the current illuminance value with a predetermined illuminance value, the control unit 20 outputs the signal generated by the wireless circuit unit 30 until the manual input is generated. Alternatively, the controller 20 may determine whether the communication mode is based on the control signal generated by the controller 20, and when the call is in progress, the controller 20 activates the illuminance sensor to continuously compare the current illuminance value with the constant illuminance value. By repeating the above-described process, if not in the call mode can switch the light sensor to the sleep mode.

In this case, in the locking and unlocking of the user interface unit 10 by comparing the above-described illuminance values, the constant illuminance value, which is a reference value compared with the current illuminance value, is used by the user to make a call using the portable terminal. It may be an illuminance value measured when the body contacts the portable terminal.

However, the constant illuminance value is sensitively changed according to the change of external light. In other words, when the user is located in an area directly exposed to external light and uses the portable terminal, the sensor part is exposed to some external light unless the user's body and the portable terminal are in close contact with each other. In this state, the current illuminance value may be higher than the predetermined illuminance value, so that the user interface unit 10 may be maintained in the unlock setting. Therefore, when the user interface 10 is not automatically locked in an area where external light is strong, the user may set the illumination sensor to automatically lock the user interface 10 by comparing the illumination values. In close contact with the body, there may occur a case in which the effort for lowering the illuminance value to be lower than a predetermined predetermined illuminance value must be combined.

In addition, if the predetermined illuminance value is set to match the external light exposure area in order to prevent the case described above in the area exposed to the external light, the user may operate the portable terminal in a dark place where no external light exists. When using, even if the user exposes the sensor unit 40 of the portable terminal to use the function of the portable terminal not being in a call, the illuminance value at this time is the illuminance value of the state where the user is in close contact with the body and is in a call. Since there is no difference, the control unit 20 locks the user interface unit 10 while the user continuously uses the function of the mobile terminal based on the input through the user interface unit 10. May occur.

Therefore, in consideration of the fact that it is very difficult to meet the constant illuminance value, the process of calculating the difference between the illuminance value currently stored in the register and the previous illuminance value before comparing the present illuminance value and the predetermined illuminance value. You can add more. By changing the illuminance value, it is possible to clearly understand the state of use, and further compare the illuminance value with the user's busy state, the state accommodated in the pocket or bag, and the state using the general functions of the mobile terminal. Can be distinguished.

That is, the controller 20 calculates a difference between the current illuminance value and the previous illuminance value stored in the register to generate a difference in the illuminance value, and if the difference in the illuminance value is greater than or equal to a preset reference value, the user interface unit 10. The setting of the input of the included touch screen or touch keypad may be set to lock, and the setting of the input of the user interface unit 10 may be set to unlock if the difference in the illuminance value is less than or equal to a preset reference value.

In other words, when the user initiates a call using the portable terminal, the illumination sensor attached to the receiver portion of the portable terminal may be blocked by the user's ear to detect a portion where the illumination intensity is greatly changed to determine whether the user has a call. have. To this end, the control unit sets the user interface unit 10 to the lock when the user is busy by using the difference in the illuminance value, so that the user interface unit 10 by a specific part including the user's face or ear. By preventing the occurrence of unintended input through the portable terminal it is possible to prevent the unnecessary input of the portable terminal and the resulting malfunction.

In more detail, in the case of the lock, the user is in a call state, and in the case of the unlocking, the user can be classified into a state in which the terminal is stored in a bag or a pocket, or in a state of using a general function of the portable terminal.

In this case, the state stored in the bag or pocket in the case of switching to the lock release setting corresponds to a state requiring lock setting. Therefore, to compensate for this, the above-described illuminance value comparison process is performed after the illuminance value difference comparison process to distinguish the stored state from the state in which the general function of the mobile terminal is used, and the lock setting is performed in the stored state. This can be done.

That is, when the difference in the illuminance value is smaller than a preset reference value, the controller 20 compares the current illuminance value used for the calculation of the illuminance value difference with the constant illuminance value and the current illuminance value is the constant illuminance value. It may be determined whether the value is less than or equal to a predetermined illuminance value, and the input to the user interface unit 10 may be set to a lock, and if the predetermined illuminance value or more, the input to the user interface unit 10 may be set to an unlock.

As described above, regardless of the setting criteria of the constant illuminance value, whether the call is made in a dark place or a bright place can be clearly distinguished from the call, regardless of the setting criteria of the illuminance value, and the constant illuminance value is stored. By using it to distinguish between the used state and the use state of the portable terminal, it is possible to distinguish a more subdivided state and to automatically switch to the appropriate lock or unlock setting, thereby preventing malfunction and increasing user convenience.

At this time, a detailed description of how the user's call state can be easily detected regardless of the change in external light by using the difference in illuminance will be further described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4.

On the other hand, after the lock setting, the control unit 20 may switch the lock setting to the unlock setting based on the manual input through the user interface unit 10. In addition, in the case of the unlocking setting, the control unit 20 recognizes the loading of the other functions except for the call function based on the input of the user interface unit 10, and reactivates the sensor unit 40 in the activation mode. You can change to sleep mode. In addition, in addition to loading the function, the controller 20 changes the sensor unit 40 from an active mode to a sleep mode when there is no input through the user interface unit 10 within a preset time after the call ends. Can be.

In addition, the control unit 20 provides a menu for setting the function of the lock or not, and a menu for setting the function for the lock or not to be used only for a predetermined time period through the user interface unit 10. In addition, it is possible to determine whether the lock according to the selection through the menu.

In addition, when the portable terminal is used in a dark environment, the controller 20 may adjust a display method of the display included in the portable terminal to perform a user's vision protection and manner at a place such as a movie theater.

That is, the controller 20 activates the illuminance sensor based on the input of the user interface unit 10, and when the illuminance value measured by the illuminance sensor is too small, the user uses the portable terminal in a dark environment. You can judge. Therefore, when the portable terminal is used in a dark environment, the controller 20 lowers the backlight output of the display to a predetermined value or less, or adjusts the output mode of the display to be output by black and white reversal or saturation control. Can perform protection and manner functions.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4, an additional description may be made to easily distinguish whether a user talks with a change in external light using the difference in illuminance value.

3 is a graph showing a change in illuminance value measured by a sensor according to whether a call is made. As shown in FIG. 2, the brightness is increased exponentially as the brightness is exposed to the outside, whereas the sensor is measured as the brightness is increased. By converting the illuminance value into a log, it is possible to easily determine the sensitive brightness change.

That is, as shown in the graph, the change in the range where brightness is relatively low (between B and B ') shows a large change in illuminance value (b), whereas the change in the range where brightness is large (between A and A'). The change (a) of the illuminance value is small even though the degree of change is larger than that in the low brightness range.

Therefore, even when the user makes a call in an area exposed to external light and when making a call in an area where external light is not exposed, the control unit determines whether the change in the illuminance value by the sensor unit is due to the change in external light. In order to clearly cover the sensor unit by touching the portable terminal to the user's body.

Referring to the diagram of FIG. 4 with reference to the graph of FIG. 3 to support the above contents, first, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the user is carried in an area exposed to the external light 300. When making a call using the terminal 100, the area exposed by the sensor unit to the external light 300 is wide and the brightness thereof increases exponentially, so that the change in brightness increases as the user moves away from the user's body. On the contrary, since the change in the illuminance value according to the change in brightness is calculated in terms of a logarithmic scale, the degree of change in the illuminance value is not large.

Therefore, a portion where the body of the user and the portable terminal 100 are adjacent to each other is a relatively dark area, and as shown in the graph of FIG. 3, the change in the relatively dark area is greater than the bright area. Since the degree of change in the illuminance value is large, the difference in the illuminance values of ② to ③ is greater than the difference in the illuminance values of ① to ②. Accordingly, the control unit sets the predetermined reference value to be larger than the difference in the illumination values of ① to ②, and sets it smaller than the difference in the illumination values of ② to ③ to determine whether the external light is changed or not, so that the sensor unit starts the call by the user's body. It is possible to clearly distinguish whether the illumination is changed by being obscured.

Therefore, the controller may change the user interface to the lock setting only in response to the difference in the illuminance value according to the change in the illuminance value of the ① to ②.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the user starts a call in a place where the user is not exposed to external light, a change in the amount of light due to the contact of the user's body with the portable terminal occurs in an area having a low brightness value. Therefore, as shown in the graph of FIG. 3, the lower the brightness, the smaller the amount of light changes, and thus the change in illuminance value is larger than the change in the illuminance value according to the change in light amount at a high brightness. Therefore, the brightness difference (④ to ⑤) at the portion adjacent to the portable terminal by the user's body in a place where no external light is exposed is greater than the brightness difference (⑤ to ⑥) according to the change in the external light quantity, and thus the illuminance The difference in value is much larger in ④ ~ ⑤.

Therefore, as shown in the graph of FIG. 3, even when the user changes the brightness using a portable terminal in a dark place, the controller can easily determine whether the user is in a call based on the illumination value measured by the sensor. Can be.

Referring to the above description and the bar shown in the drawings, the user may use the mobile terminal in a dark place where no external light is exposed as well as a place where the external light is affected even when the user makes a call when exposed to external light. Even when making a call, since the difference in illuminance value n due to the sensor unit is much greater than the difference in illuminance value m due to the change in the external light, the user's call status can be easily made regardless of the presence or absence of external light. I can figure it out. In addition, as shown in the graph of Fig. 3 (a) is a change in the illuminance value of the range indicating a high brightness value and (b) is a change in the illuminance value of a range indicating a low brightness value, Even though 4 (a) has a large change in brightness compared to FIG. 4 (b), the change in illuminance value is measured for each of FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) because FIG. 4 (b) is larger. The illuminance value difference n generated as the sensor part is hidden has almost no mutual difference. Therefore, the predetermined reference value can be easily set.

Therefore, when the user satisfies the difference between the current illuminance value and the previous illuminance value when the user is adjacent to use the portable terminal, the control unit may determine that the difference is greater than or equal to a preset reference value through FIGS. 4A and 4B. The user interface can be locked.

Through the above-described process, the controller compares the difference in illuminance value with a preset reference value to first distinguish whether or not the user talks regardless of the exposure level of external light, and accordingly, the difference in illuminance value is less than or equal to the preset reference value. If not, first, the user interface unit is switched to the unlocking setting, and then the controller compares the current illuminance value used for the calculation of the illuminance value and a predetermined constant illuminance value, and if it is smaller than the predetermined illuminance value, the bag or bag. The user interface may be determined to be locked, and the user interface may be set to lock. If the user interface is greater than the predetermined illuminance value, the user may determine that the user is using the portable terminal to maintain the user interface. That is, even after determining whether or not a call is made, the storage or use state of the portable terminal can be clearly distinguished to distinguish whether the activation of the sensor unit is due to an unintended input through the user interface unit.

On the other hand, when both the calculation process and the comparison of the illuminance value for the illuminance value difference, the predetermined illuminance value may be set to the illuminance value stored in the pocket or bag.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preventing a malfunction of a mobile terminal according to the present invention, wherein the controller continuously monitors whether there is a call request through a wireless circuit unit in a standby mode, and transmits a call through a user input of a user interface unit or wirelessly. When there is a call reception in which the reception of an external signal is detected through the circuit unit, an output signal value indicating the call reception or origination is generated.

The controller inputs the generated signal output signal indicating the incoming or outgoing call to the sensor unit, the sensor unit is changed from the sleep mode to the active mode to periodically measure the amount of external light.

Thereafter, the control unit stores the illuminance value periodically measured by the sensor unit in a register, calculates a difference between the previous illuminance value and the current illuminance value from the illuminance value periodically measured, and generates a illuminance value difference. It is determined whether the difference is greater than or equal to a preset reference value.

Based on the determination, when the difference in the illuminance value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the controller switches or maintains the user interface to lock setting. The controller may compare the preset constant illuminance value with the current illuminance value when the difference between the previous illuminance value and the current illuminance value among the consecutive illuminance values stored in the register is smaller than a preset value, and the current illuminance value is set to the constant value. If it is larger than the illuminance value, the user interface is switched to or maintained as a lockable setting that can be input. If the current illuminance value is smaller than a predetermined illuminance value, the user interface is switched to the lock setting.

When the user interface unit is set to lock, when the user manually generates an unlock input using the Hold button through the user interface unit, the controller may unlock the user interface unit based on the user input and release the lock. After the setting, the above-described process may be repeated.

At this time, the control unit compares the current illuminance value periodically transmitted by the sensor unit with a predetermined constant illuminance value except for comparing the difference in the illuminance value with a predetermined value in the above-described process, and the current illuminance value is determined by the control unit. When the predetermined illuminance value is greater than or equal to the lock setting, the user interface may be switched or maintained. If the current illuminance value is less than or equal to the predetermined illuminance value, the user interface may be switched or maintained by the unlock setting.

In the above-described process, when the control unit sets the setting for the input of the user interface unit to the lock based on the illuminance value of the sensor unit, the control unit manually inputs the lock release using the Hold button mounted on the portable terminal. Only when the reception is received through the user interface unit, the lock setting of the user interface unit set based on the sensor unit may be converted into an unlock setting.

In addition, when the setting of the input of the user interface unit is set to the lock based on the illuminance value of the sensor unit, the controller determines whether the communication mode is in a call mode and performs the periodic illuminance value measurement as in the above-described process when the call is in progress. The process of locking or unlocking the unit is repeated, and when not in a call, the controller switches the sensor unit to a sleep mode to prevent power consumption.

On the other hand, if the user interface unit continues to unlock setting after the sensor unit is activated, the control unit does not load a function other than a call through the user interface unit or there is no input through the user interface unit for a predetermined time period. In this case, power consumption may be reduced by changing the sensor unit to a sleep mode. That is, when a call reception or an outgoing signal related to a call is not detected, the controller may reduce the power consumption by changing the sensor unit to a sleep mode.

1 is a block diagram of a malfunction preventing apparatus of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

2 is a view showing the position of the illumination sensor attached to the portable terminal according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a graph of the illuminance value generated by the sensor unit according to the change in brightness according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exemplary view showing the distinction between the change in the amount of external light changes and the amount of light during a user call of the malfunction prevention apparatus according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a malfunction prevention method according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: user interface 20: control unit

30: wireless circuit portion 40: sensor portion

100: portable terminal 200: illuminance sensor

300: external light

Claims (22)

In the malfunction prevention device of a portable terminal including a touch input unit, A user interface unit receiving a user's touch through the touch input unit; A sensor unit configured to generate an illuminance value by measuring brightness or amount of light of the surrounding environment; Hold key for releasing and setting the lock according to the user's manual input; And Based on the illuminance value provided by the sensor unit in the operation state of the portable terminal, it is determined whether the input to the user interface unit is locked by comparing the present illuminance value with a predetermined constant illuminance value, and the lock is performed by the hold key. Control to release Malfunction prevention device of a mobile terminal comprising a. The method according to claim 1, The sensor unit is a malfunction prevention device of a mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises an illuminance sensor for measuring the amount of light in the surroundings by using a light receiving element including a photodiode. The method according to claim 1, The controller sets the user input to the user interface unit as a lock when the current illuminance value is smaller than the predetermined illuminance value, and sets a user input to the user interface unit when the current illuminance value is greater than the predetermined illuminance value. Device for preventing malfunction of the mobile terminal, characterized in that the setting to unlock. The method of claim 3, And wherein the constant illuminance value is a fixed or range illuminance value set according to the contact of the user's body with the user's body to make a call using the portable terminal. The method according to claim 1, It further comprises a wireless circuit unit for receiving an external signal to inform the control unit of the call reception, The sensor unit normally waits in a sleep mode and is activated according to an output signal value generated by the controller based on a call transmission or reception through the wireless circuit unit to measure the illuminance value. Device. The method according to claim 5, And the output signal value is generated based on an input for using a function provided by the controller through the user interface. The method according to claim 5, And the controller converts the sensor unit into a sleep mode when the function provided by the controller is not loaded after the lock is determined and there is no output signal value for a preset time. The method according to claim 1, The control unit provides a menu for setting a function for locking or not, and a menu for setting the function for locking for a predetermined time only through the user interface. Device for preventing malfunction of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for determining whether the lock according to the selection through the menu. The method according to claim 1, The controller determines whether the phone is in the call mode until the hold key input is received after the user interface is set to lock, and receives the current illuminance value periodically from the sensor unit in the call mode to determine whether to lock the lock. Repeatedly, the malfunction prevention device of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for switching the sensor unit to the sleep mode when not in the call mode. In the malfunction prevention device of a portable terminal including a touch screen or a touch keypad, A user interface configured to receive a user's touch through the touch screen or touch keypad; A sensor unit configured to periodically measure the brightness or the amount of light of the surrounding environment to generate an illuminance value; Hold key for releasing and setting the lock according to the user's manual input; And The difference of the illuminance value generated by calculating the difference between the current illuminance value and the previous illuminance value based on the periodic illuminance value measured by the sensor unit is compared with a preset reference value to determine whether to lock the input through the user interface unit. Control to release the lock by hold key Malfunction prevention device of a mobile terminal comprising a. The method according to claim 10, The reference value is a malfunction prevention device of a mobile terminal, characterized in that a fixed or range illuminance value is set according to the contact of the user's body and the mobile terminal for the user to make a call using the mobile terminal. The method according to claim 10, And the control unit sets the input through the user interface unit as a lock when the difference in illuminance value is greater than or equal to a preset reference value. The method according to claim 10, When the difference in the illuminance value is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the controller compares the current illuminance value with a predetermined constant illuminance value and sets the input through the user interface unit as a lock if the predetermined illuminance value is greater than or equal to the preset illuminance value. When the input through the user interface unit to prevent the malfunction of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for setting the lock. 14. The method of claim 13, The predetermined illuminance value is a fixed or range illuminance value set according to a case in which the user stores the portable terminal in a bag or a pocket. The method according to claim 10, The sensor unit is a malfunction prevention device of a mobile terminal, characterized in that the position where the user's ear and the mobile terminal in contact with the user's ear in the mobile terminal to change the greatest difference in the position. The method according to claim 10, The control unit receives the current illuminance value periodically from the sensor unit until the hold key input is received after the user interface unit is set to lock, and repeats the determination process on whether to lock the lock. A malfunction prevention device for a portable terminal, characterized in that the unit is switched to a sleep mode. In the malfunction preventing method of the malfunction preventing apparatus for changing the lock setting of the input to the user interface of the portable terminal in accordance with the change in the illuminance, A first step of detecting an output signal value generated according to an input to the user interface or a call reception or transmission signal through a mobile terminal; A second step of activating an illuminance sensor according to the output signal value; A third step of generating an illuminance value by measuring the illuminance of the illuminance sensor; A fourth step of determining whether to lock the user interface by comparing a current illuminance value among the illuminance values with a predetermined predetermined illuminance value; And A fifth step of releasing the lock according to a user's hold key input when the lock is set through the fourth step; Method of preventing malfunction of a mobile terminal comprising a. The method according to claim 17, And wherein the predetermined illuminance value is a fixed or range illuminance value that is set according to the contact of the user's body with the user's body to make a call using the portable terminal. The method according to claim 17, After step 3 and before step 4 Generating a difference in illuminance value by calculating a difference between the present illuminance value and a previous illuminance value; And Comparing the difference between the illuminance values with a preset reference value and setting the input to the user interface as a lock when the reference value is greater than the reference value and performing the fourth step when the input value is less than the reference value. Method for preventing malfunction of the mobile terminal, characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 19, The reference value is a fixed or ranged illuminance value that is set according to a contact between the user's body and the electronic device for the user to make a call using the portable terminal, and the constant illuminance value may be stored in the bag or pocket. A method of preventing malfunction of a portable terminal, characterized in that it is a fixed or range illuminance value set as the case. The method according to claim 17, And a sixth step of switching the illuminance sensor to a sleep mode if the output signal value is not detected for a predetermined time after the fifth step. The method according to claim 17, If the hold key input is not detected after the fifth step, it is determined whether the call mode is in the call mode. In the case of the call mode, the second to fifth steps are repeated until the hold key input is detected. And a seventh step of switching to the sleep mode.

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