KR20120000936A - Terminal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A terminal and a method for controlling the same are provided to reduce the number of menu keys which are displayed for selecting an execution function. CONSTITUTION: A display unit(151) displays a plurality of menu keys. A user input unit(130) receives a user input selecting at least two menu keys of the multiple menu keys. A controller(180) practices a functionality coping with the combination of the selected menu key. The user input is a touch input inputted to the display unit. The user input is a multi touch which touches a tap and at least two menu keys which successively touches at leas two menu keys at the same time.

Description

Terminal and its control method {TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a terminal for displaying a menu and executing a function set according to selection of a displayed menu and a control method thereof.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. 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.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

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 terminals are diversified, the configuration of menus for the user to select them is also complicated. Accordingly, the number of menu keys to be displayed on the terminal increases, and it is inconvenient to select a menu in several steps in order to select a specific function desired by the user.

The present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a terminal and a control method for selecting two or more menu keys together.

Terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a display unit for displaying a plurality of menu keys; A user input unit configured to receive a user input of selecting at least two menu keys among the plurality of displayed menu keys; And a controller for executing a function corresponding to the combination of the selected menu key.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a terminal, the method including: displaying a plurality of menu keys; Receiving a user input of selecting at least two menu keys from the plurality of displayed menu keys; And executing a function corresponding to the combination of the menu keys selected by the user input.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can reduce the number of menu keys displayed to select a function to execute.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can reduce the number of menu selections of various steps that must be performed to execute a specific function.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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.
6 illustrates a menu displayed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a menu configuration in a tree form. FIG.
8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a combination of menu keys to be selected and a function executed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9A-9F illustrate user input for selecting one or more menu keys, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates menu keys displayed on individual regions of a display unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
11A-11F illustrate a multitasking process, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

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

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

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

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

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

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. 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 an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an 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, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

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

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

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

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

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

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

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the 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 can be implemented in a software application 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 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 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 in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

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

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

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

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be 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 be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

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.

At least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement for inputting such information, thereby being implemented as a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a so-called " soft key ".

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

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

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

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

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

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

The display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling, as well as the input method described in the above embodiments. The user can move a cursor or a pointer located on an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, an icon or the like, by scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135. [ 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. The one function may be activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, for example.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the overlapped state (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. Meanwhile, the object displayed on the TOLED 155 may also be transferred to the LCD 156 according to a predetermined touch input, for example, flicking, swirling, or the like, on the TOLED 155. In this figure, the menu No. 2 displayed on the LCD 156 is moved to the TOLED 155 and illustrated.

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

When the preview screen is output and the drag is made to the TOLED 155 to another image while maintaining the long touch, the controller 180 controls the selection cursor (or selection bar) of the LCD 156. 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.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in a terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments described later may be used alone or in combination with each other. In addition, embodiments described below may be used in combination with the above-described user interface (UI).

6 illustrates a menu displayed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In general, a menu refers to a list of commands provided to a user in a terminal. A terminal using a graphical user interface (GUI) displays objects, such as text, symbols, and icons, which symbolically and implicitly represent a command, and the user can use the keypad, touch pad, and touch screen described above. By selecting the objects using various user interfaces such as a proximity sensor and the like, commands, functions, and the like indicated by the objects are selected. Hereinafter, each of the objects constituting the menu is referred to as a "menu key". When a particular menu key is selected, a predetermined function is executed according to the command indicated by the menu key, or an application indicated by the menu key is driven, or a sub menu key of the menu key and a menu according to the executed function are executed. Key or menu keys according to the driven application can be displayed.

7 is a diagram illustrating a menu configuration expressed in a tree form. In the conventional menu configuration, each menu key is selected to execute the corresponding function. For example, if the message menu key is selected, the connected application is executed accordingly (or without executing a separate application), and sub menu keys such as message writing, message storage, and message configuration are displayed. When the user selects a desired function again, the controller 180 displays a lower menu key or executes a function corresponding thereto again. Therefore, in order to execute the desired function, the user must select the menu key displayed step by step several times.

8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a combination of a menu key to be selected and a function executed according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, suppose that three menu keys displayed as "A", "B", and "C" on one screen are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 151. If three menu keys can be selected twice, 9 (= 3 ^ 2) different functions can be set. That is, when one menu key is selected (first, fifth, and ninth functions) and when two different menu keys are selected (second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth functions) Nine different functions can be selected, including). Therefore, in the menu illustrated in FIG. 6, 256 (16 ^ 16) different functions may be selected using the menu key.

In addition, different functions may be executed even when the same two menu keys are selected according to the type of touch input for selecting a menu key (drag, multi-touch, long touch, double click, etc.). For example, 2nd function-> 2-1 function and 2-2 function). In addition, the same function (for example, second function = fourth function) may be executed or another function (for example, second function? Fourth function) may be executed regardless of the order of the selected menu key. Of course, no function may be connected to a specific menu key alone or a combination of specific menu keys (eg, the fifth function and the seventh function may not exist).

In addition, the number of menu keys that can be combined is not limited to two, but may be three or more. If three menu keys can be selected three times, 27 (3 ^ 3) different functions can be matched.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination of the selected menu keys, the order of selection of each menu key, the type of touch input for selecting the menu keys, and the corresponding functions thereof may be stored in the memory 160 in the form of a table, a matrix, or the like. When a touch input for storing and selecting a menu key is input from the user, the controller 180 identifies a selected menu key, a selection order of each menu key, a type of touch input for selecting a menu key, and stores the selected key in the memory 160. Read and execute the corresponding function using the stored table.

Hereinafter, the functions that can be selected according to the menu keys and combinations thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 by examples.

Type 1

The second function (or fourth function) executed according to the selection of the A and B menu keys may be a separate function from the first and fifth functions executed when the A and B menu keys are selected, respectively. Corresponding to the menu (or function) represented in the tree form shown in Fig. 7, A is a menu (or function) 201, B is a menu (or function) 203, and A + B is a menu (or function) 202. Corresponds to In addition, as described above, different functions may be matched according to the order in which the menu keys are selected (for example, A-> B = menu 202 and B-> A = menu 204). In this case, the number of menu keys displayed to select a desired function at the same level can be reduced (that is, the menu keys corresponding to the function 203 may not be displayed separately).

Preferably, the function (second or fourth function) set for the combination of the A and B menu keys can be intuitive to the user by combining text, symbols or images of the A and B menu keys, respectively. It can be a function. Alternatively, the function (second function) set for the combination of the A and B menu keys may be a function using all of the functions (first function and fifth function) matched to the A and B menu keys, respectively (all the following) May be applied to embodiments).

For example, the second function is a combination of the first function and the fifth function. When the "camera" menu key for executing the camera function and the "calling" menu key for executing the voice call function are selected together, A video call function using both a function and a call function is executed. In addition, a video recording function may be matched to a combination of a "camera" menu key for executing a still image shooting function and a "movie" menu key for executing a video playback function.

Type 2

The second function executed according to the selection of the A and B menu keys may be a subfunction (or submenu) of the first function (or menu) or the fourth function (or menu) to be executed when the A and B menu keys are selected, respectively. have. Corresponding to a menu (or function) represented in the tree form shown in FIG. 7, A corresponds to a menu (or function) 201, B corresponds to a menu (or function) 203, and A + B corresponds to a menu (or function). , 201) may correspond to a submenu (or function) 211. In addition, as described above, different functions may be matched according to the order in which the menu keys are selected (for example, A-> B = menu 211 and B-> A = menu 212). In this case, in order to execute a desired function, the user may select a desired function and its sub-functions (or sub-menus) at once without going through several steps in a hierarchically organized menu.

Preferably, a menu key (hereinafter referred to as an upper menu key) indicating each function and a menu key (hereinafter referred to as a lower menu key) corresponding to a submenu, a lower function, a setting condition or a search condition of another menu are displayed together, and the upper menu is displayed. As the key and submenu key are selected together, one menu is automatically selected as the search condition of the other menu to display the result. One menu key may correspond to an upper menu key or a lower menu key in some cases (depending on a menu key selected together or in a selected order).

For example, when the "calling" menu key and the "history" menu key for executing the voice call function are selected together, the "history" menu (or the "history" menu submenu "calling" submenu of the "calling" menu) is selected. "Call Menu" function is displayed. In addition, when the "message" menu key and the "history" menu key are selected together, the recent text message list display function is selected together with the "browser" menu key and the "history" menu key together. When the "setting" menu key and the "history" menu key are selected together, the recently changed mobile phone setting list display function is executed.

Also, for example, when the "setting" menu key is selected together with any one of the "calling" menu key, the "message" menu key, the "camera" menu key, or the "Wi-Fi" menu key, the call-related setting accordingly , Message-related settings, camera-related settings, and Wi-Fi settings are executed.

Also, for example, when the "browser" menu key and the "Wi-Fi" menu key are selected together, a web browser connected via Wi-Fi is executed.

In addition, when the "video camera" menu key and the "music" menu are selected together, the video recording function is executed, and the background music selection menu to be used when recording the video is displayed.

Type 3

The second function executed according to the selection of the A and B menu keys is the first function (or specific subfunction of the first function) and the fourth function (or specific subordinate of the fourth function) executed when the A and B menu keys are selected, respectively. Function) may be executed sequentially. In addition, as described above, the order of the functions to be executed may vary according to the order in which the menu keys are selected. Data or the like may be processed or selected through the first function, and then data selected or processed in the first function may be reprocessed through the fourth function.

For example, when the "memo" menu key for executing the memo function and the "message" menu key for executing the text message function are selected together, the memo function is executed first. When a specific memo is selected from a previously stored memo or a new memo is created, the message sending function is executed. The selected or newly created memo is sent according to the message sending function.

Also, for example, when the "gallery" menu key and the "browser" menu key are selected together, the gallery function of selecting and displaying contents such as photos, music, and videos is executed first, and when the user selects one of them, Information related to the selected content (eg, in the case of music content, a title, album, singer, lyrics / composition, etc.) is extracted. Next, a web browser is executed and information extracted through the executed web browser is displayed to display a search result for the selected content.

Type 4

The second function executed according to the selection of the A and B menu keys is the first function (or specific subfunction of the first function) and the fourth function (or specific subordinate of the fourth function) executed when the A and B menu keys are selected, respectively. Function) may be a multitasking function. In addition, when a specific function is not set in the menu key combination, the multitasking function may be executed at all times (or only in the case of a specific touch input such as multi-touch).

For example, when the "browser" menu key and the "DMB" menu key are selected at the same time, the web browser and the DMB viewing application are respectively driven, and the display area is divided and displayed in each area.

In the above, the function that can be executed according to the combination of the two menu keys has been described, but the present invention is not limited to two menu keys, and may be equally applied to three or more menu key combinations. For example, when three menu keys are selected, a function corresponding to one menu key may be executed, and the two menu keys may correspond to a submenu, a search condition, etc. of a function on which the other two menu keys are executed. In addition, the three or more menu key combinations may include two or more of the aforementioned types.

9A to 9G illustrate a user input for selecting one or more menu keys according to an embodiment of the present invention. Touch input for selecting one or more menu keys may include a tap (a short touch on a specific point on the touch screen), a long touch (a touch on a specific point on the touch screen for a predetermined time). , Double-tap (double-tap to touch a specific point on the touchscreen), drag (drag, to touch a specific point on the touchscreen and move to another point while maintaining contact), multi-touch (multi touch, touch two or more points on the touch screen simultaneously), flick, or a combination thereof. It will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

9A shows a drag input. When the drag input is completed through the touch screen (touch down-> drag-> touch up), the controller 180 selects the menu key selected by the drag and the order thereof, that is, the menu key corresponding to the touchdown point ("history"). And a menu key ("browser") corresponding to the touchup point.

9B illustrates a drag input for selecting three or more menu keys. The controller 180 identifies a menu key ("history") corresponding to the touchdown point, a long touched menu key ("browser") during dragging, and a menu key ("gallery") corresponding to the touchup point. For example, when the user presses down the "history" menu key and drags the "history" menu key to maintain the contact and stays in contact for more than a predetermined time (long touch), the "browser" menu key is selected. When the "browser" menu key is selected, the three menu keys are selected by dragging and touching the "gallery" menu key while maintaining contact again, or the controller 180 may form an input drag. The shape may be analyzed (e.g., analysis of turning points) to identify the selected menu key.

9C illustrates a multi-touch input for selecting two or more menu keys. The touch screen detects two or more touch inputs simultaneously input. For example, when the "message" menu key and / or the "gallery" menu key are touched down while all the "history" menu keys are touched down and all of them are touched up again, the controller 180 selects the selected menu. Identify the keys and their order and execute the function corresponding to that combination.

9D shows a plurality of consecutive tap inputs for selecting two or more menu keys. When a tap (touch down-> touch up) is input through the touch screen, the controller 180 identifies a menu key corresponding to the tap input point, for example, a "history" menu key, and is selected together with the selected menu key. It is determined whether or not there is a menu key by querying a table or the like regarding the menu key combination stored in the memory 160. If there is no menu key that can be combined, the controller 180 immediately executes a function corresponding to the selected menu key. If there is a menu key that can be combined, the controller 180 waits for the next touch input. When the next tab is entered in the touch input standby state, the "schedule" menu key corresponding to the input tab is identified, and again there is a third menu key that can be combined with the two selected menu keys ("history" and "schedule"). To judge. If there is no third menu key to be combined, the controller 180 immediately executes a function corresponding to the combination of the two selected menu keys. If there is a menu key to be combined, the controller 180 waits for the next touch input.

If other touch inputs such as double tap, long touch, or a specific menu key (for example, "homescreen") are input in addition to the tap input, corresponding one or more menu keys selected so far without waiting for the next touch input are inputted. A function (a function corresponding to a "history" menu key or a combination of "history" and "schedule" can be executed.

9E illustrates selecting two or more menu keys using a specific menu key. When the user drags the menu keys to select together, sequentially or simultaneously (multi-touch) to the "homescreen" menu key, as described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9D, the controller 180 combines the selected menu keys to execute a corresponding function. .

9F illustrates that a menu key that can be selected with a particular menu key is highlighted. When the user touches (or touches and holds) the "history" menu key, the "calling", "message" and "setting" menu keys, which can be selected together with the "history" menu key, are highlighted and displayed. The method of highlighting and displaying a menu key may be various methods such as making the menu key larger or brighter. Then, one or more of "calling", "message", and "setting" may be selected according to the above-described method.

10 is a diagram illustrating menu keys displayed on individual areas of the display unit 151 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the menu keys may be displayed in a separate area of the display unit 151 marked as "communication", "tools", "multimedia", "sub-menu", or the like. In addition, the menu keys may be divided and displayed on the two or more display units 155 and 156. For example, menu keys are displayed on the display units 155 and 156 respectively positioned in the main body and folder portions of a folder-type terminal, and menu keys displayed on different display units 155 and 156 are illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9E. May be selected together as described in FIG.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, menu keys displayed in each area may be changed according to a user input. The user can individually adjust the menu keys displayed in each area by touching a direction key such as ◀ or ▶ or by inputting a gesture such as flick. Therefore, the menu keys that can be combined are arranged separately in separate areas, and the user adjusts them using direction keys or the like so that the menu keys to be selected are displayed in each area, and then selects them in the above-described manner when all the menu keys to be selected together are displayed. Can be.

In the area marked "sub-menu", menu keys which are mainly used as submenus of other menus may be displayed. Submenus commonly included in many functions or menus, such as add ("new"), delete ("delete"), load ("open"), change settings ("setting"), and recent history (" history ") and the like can be displayed in a separate area separately from the upper menu key.

11A through 11F illustrate a multi-tasking process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user drags the "calling" menu key to the "history" menu key (FIG. 11A), the controller 180 detects this and executes a function corresponding to the two selected menu keys, that is, displaying a recent call list (FIG. 11B). . If a multitasking key (“homescreen”) is input during the execution of the function, the controller 180 does not terminate the function being executed but displays the menu keys again (FIG. 11C). As shown in FIG. 11C, the controller 180 displays that one function related to the "history" menu key is being executed ("①").

When the user drags the "message" menu key to the "history" menu key (FIG. 11C), the controller 180 detects this and executes a recent text message list display function (FIG. 11D). If the multitasking key (“homescreen”) is input again during the execution of the recent text message list display function, the controller 180 does not terminate the function being executed but displays the menu keys again (FIG. 11E). As shown in FIG. 11E, the controller 180 displays that two functions related to the "history" menu key are being executed ("2").

In a state of being displayed as shown in FIG. 11E, when a touch for selecting a "history" menu key is input, the controller 180 summarizes functions executed in relation to the "history" menu key and displays a "calling" menu key and a " message ”menu key, one screen is divided and displayed simultaneously (FIG. 11F). When any one of the summarized functions is selected in the displayed state as shown in FIG. 11F (input to touch each divided region or input to touch the displayed menu key), the function corresponding to the selected region or menu key is displayed in full screen. (FIG. 11B or FIG. 11D).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a combination of menu keys (two or more menu keys and their order), types of touch inputs, and corresponding functions may be set according to a user's selection.

When a predetermined key (command for adding a combination of menu keys) is input from the user, the controller 180 displays menu keys as shown in FIG. 6 and waits for a user to select a menu key. The user selects two or more menu keys to which the function is to be added by the method described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9E. Upon detecting a touch input, the controller 180 identifies a menu key selected according to the user's touch input and a type of the touch input (or corresponds to a user input for selecting a plurality of menu keys without inputting the predetermined key). If the function is not set, you can display a message asking whether to add the selected menu key combination). Next, the controller 180 displays a list of functions that can be set for the selected menu key combination. The list of functions that may be set may be an application stored in the terminal, a tree-type menu diagram shown in FIG. 7, and the like. When a function to be executed by the user is selected, the controller 180 stores the same in the memory 160 along with the selected menu key and the type of input touch, and then executes the function set by the user when additionally set menu keys are selected.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the 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 above-described terminal and its control method may not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, and the above embodiments may be selectively combined with all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made. It may be configured.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, the terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, which can be replaced at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be various equivalents and variations.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
120: A / V input unit 130: user input unit
140: sensing unit 150: output unit
160: memory 170: interface unit
180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (20)

Displaying a plurality of menu keys;
Receiving a user input of selecting at least two menu keys from the plurality of displayed menu keys;
Executing a function corresponding to a combination of menu keys selected by the user input. The method of claim 1,
The user input is a control method of a terminal, characterized in that the touch input is input to the touch screen on which the menu keys are displayed. The method of claim 1,
The user input may be a tap for sequentially touching at least two menu keys or a multi-touch for simultaneously touching at least two menu keys. The method of claim 1,
And the user input is a gesture for selecting the first and second menu keys by dragging from a first menu key to a second menu key. The method of claim 4, wherein
And the user input is a gesture of further selecting the third menu key by dragging from the second menu key to the third menu key. The method of claim 1,
The function corresponding to the combination of the selected menu keys is
A function separate from functions corresponding to each of the selected menu keys, a function corresponding to another menu key among lower functions of a function corresponding to one of the selected menu keys, and corresponding to each of the selected menu keys And at least one of a function of executing functions sequentially and a function of simultaneously executing each function corresponding to each of the selected menu keys. The method of claim 1,
Setting a function selected by the user for the combination of menu keys selected by the user input,
In the executing step,
The control method of the terminal, characterized in that for executing the function selected by the user. The method of claim 1,
The function corresponding to the combination of the selected menu keys is different depending on the selected menu keys, the selection order of the selected menu keys, and the type of touch input for selecting the menu keys. The method of claim 1,
In the displaying step
Menu keys are divided into at least two areas of one display unit 151 or at least two display units 155 and 156, and a predetermined number of menu keys are arranged in the corresponding area or corresponding display unit. Display on,
The menu key displayed among the arranged menu keys is changed according to a user input. The method of claim 1,
Displaying a number of functions executed on the specific menu key when a specific menu key is selected together with other menu keys to execute at least one function;
If the specific menu key is selected, summarizing all the functions being executed;
And displaying a selected function if any one of the summarized functions is selected. A display unit displaying a plurality of menu keys;
A user input unit configured to receive a user input of selecting at least two menu keys among the plurality of displayed menu keys; And
And a control unit that executes a function corresponding to the combination of the selected menu key. The method of claim 11,
The user input is a terminal, characterized in that the touch input to the display unit. The method of claim 11,
The user input may be a tap for sequentially touching at least two menu keys or a multi-touch for simultaneously touching at least two menu keys. The method of claim 11,
And the user input is a gesture for selecting the first and second menu keys by dragging from a first menu key to a second menu key. The method of claim 14,
And wherein the user input is a gesture of further selecting the third menu key by dragging from the second menu key to the third menu key. The method of claim 11,
The function corresponding to the combination of the selected menu keys is
A function separate from functions corresponding to each of the selected menu keys, a function corresponding to another menu key among lower functions of a function corresponding to one of the selected menu keys, and corresponding to each of the selected menu keys And at least one of a function of executing functions sequentially and a function of simultaneously executing each function corresponding to each of the selected menu keys. The method of claim 11,
Setting a function selected by the user for the combination of menu keys selected by the user input,
In the executing step,
And executing a function selected by the user. The method of claim 11,
The function corresponding to the combination of the selected menu keys is different depending on the selected menu keys, the selection order of the selected menu keys, and the type of touch input for selecting the menu keys. The method of claim 11,
The display unit
At least two regions or at least two display units located in one display unit in which menu keys are divided, and display a predetermined number of menu keys among the arranged menu keys in the corresponding region or display unit;
The predetermined number of menu keys displayed among the arranged menu keys is changed according to a user input. The method of claim 11,
The display unit,
If a specific menu key is selected together with another menu key to display at least one function, the number of the executed function is displayed on the specific menu key,
If the specific menu key is selected, the function being executed is summarized.
And if one of the summarized functions is selected, displaying the selected function.

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