KR20120025107A - Mobile terminal and method for displaying touch guide infromation in the mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and a touch guide display method of the same are provided to display a touch sensitive area on a touch screen of the mobile terminal, thereby enhancing the utilization of a mobile terminal user. CONSTITUTION: A mobile terminal(100) includes a touch screen and a control unit(180). When a first predefined user operation is received, the control unit displays a touch area guideline which discriminates a touch sensitive area on the touch screen. When a second predefined user operation is received, the control unit controls the touch area guideline disappeared on the touch screen.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING TOUCH GUIDE INFROMATION IN THE MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a touch guide display method in the mobile terminal.

Recently, the mobile terminal has been developed into a multimedia device capable of providing various additional services such as an electronic organizer function, a game function, a schedule management function, and the like. As the mobile terminal provides various additional functions as described above, a user interface that can more conveniently manage and use various types of additional functions is essential.

GUIs are commonly used to select items such as icons or menus displayed on the display using a pointer. In order to input a command in such a GUI environment, the user uses an input device such as a mouse or a touch screen. The user can select and enjoy desired content using such an input device.

In particular, the touch screen receives a user's manipulation through an operation of directly touching a button displayed on the screen. Therefore, the user can use a more intuitive UI by using the touch screen.

However, touch screens have a wide variety of input methods. In addition, unlike a keyboard, functions performed by the input method are not displayed on the touch screen. Therefore, the user needs to remember in advance what function is performed according to the input method of the touch screen.

In addition, the input method may exist in a wide variety of environments such as a home screen, a widget, a browser, and the like of the mobile terminal.

In view of the fact that various functions are executed by a predetermined input method on various screens of the mobile terminal as described above, and the user seeks more convenience in using the interface, in the user's use of the touch screen, It is necessary to increase the utilization without the inconvenience of knowing the input method in advance.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to increase the user's touch screen utilization and the user's convenience by guiding the touch recognition area and the functions that can be performed by the user's touch to recognize the touch to perform a specific function It is to provide a mobile terminal and a touch guide display method in the mobile terminal.

Technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the technical problem may include a touch screen and a controller. The controller may display, on the touch screen, a touch area guideline for classifying a touchable area on the touch screen as a predefined user manipulation is received.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention displays a touch screen and a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch operation as a predefined user operation is received. It may include a control unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a touch guide in a mobile terminal, the method including: receiving a first predefined user operation; Displaying a touch area guideline on the touch screen to classify a touchable area on the touch screen in response to the user manipulation; And receiving a second predefined user operation and controlling the touch area guide line to disappear from the touch screen in response to the received user operation.

In another aspect of the present invention, a touch guide display method in an EKMS mobile terminal includes displaying a screen including at least one of an icon and a graphic object on a touch screen; Receiving a predefined user operation; And in response to the user manipulation, displaying a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch manipulation on the touch screen.

Each of the touch guide methods in the mobile terminal according to the embodiments of the present invention described above may be implemented by reading a recording medium storing a program for executing each of the mobile terminal touch guide methods from a computer and executing the program. have.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to the mobile terminal and the touch guide display method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the touch screen utilization of the mobile terminal user can be improved by displaying a touchable area on the touch screen of the mobile terminal.

According to the present invention, the touch screen utilization of the mobile terminal user can be improved by displaying a touchable area and a touch guide on the touch screen of the mobile terminal.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a portable terminal according to the present invention.
2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.
4 is a view for explaining the type of operation method of the touch screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a touch guide display method in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 (a) to 6 (c) are diagrams illustrating an example of a touch guide display method in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.
7A to 7C are diagrams for describing a touch guide display method in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a screen displaying a touch guide through a hovering function using a proximity touch with respect to icons arranged on a touch screen.
9 to 11 are views for explaining a touch guide display method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and similarities. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. In addition, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known function or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the numbers (eg, first, second, etc.) used in the description process of the present specification are merely identification symbols for distinguishing one component from another component.

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 audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory unit 160, An interface unit 170, a control unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. The components shown in Fig. 1 are not essential, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules 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 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems, and in particular, digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), and media forward link (MediaFLO). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as only), digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems that provide broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory unit 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 the wireless Internet module 113 can be embedded in the mobile terminal 100 or externally. 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 confirming or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. The location information module 115 may obtain location information using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Here, the Global Positioning System (GNSS) is a term used to describe the radionavigation satellite systems in which certain types of radionavigation receivers orbiting the Earth are transmitting reference signals that can determine their position near the surface or ground surface . The Global Positioning System (GNSS) includes Global Positioning System (GPS) in the United States, Galileo in Europe, GLONASS (Global Orbiting Navigational Satelite System) in Russia, COMPASS in China and Japan QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), which is operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

As a representative example of the GNSS, the location information module 115 may be a Global Position System (GPS) module. The GPS module calculates information on a distance (distance) from three or more satellites to a point (object), information on a time when the distance information is measured, and then applies a trigonometric method to the calculated distance information, Dimensional position information according to latitude, longitude, and altitude with respect to a point (object) in the three-dimensional space. Furthermore, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting the error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is also used. The GPS module continuously calculates the current position in real time, and calculates velocity information using the current position.

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 unit 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

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, it may be responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device, and the like. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory, or tactile, and may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. have.

The display unit 151 displays and 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 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display 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 a transparent LCD. 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, abbreviated as “touch screen”), the display unit 151 is an output device. It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

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

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

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

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

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

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the 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 unit 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 outputs an acoustic signal related to a function (e.g., 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. In addition, the sound output module 152 may output sound through the earphone jack 116. The user can connect the earphone to the earphone jack 116 to hear the sound output.

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 also be output through the display unit 151 or the sound output module 152.

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 the vibration, the haptic module 154 may be used for the effects of stimulation by the arrangement of pins vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, the effect of the injection force of the air through the injection or inlet or the stimulation through the suction force, and the stimulation that rubs the skin surface. Various tactile effects may be generated, such as effects by stimulation through contact of electrodes, effects by stimulation using electrostatic force, and effects of reproducing a sense of warmth and heat using an endothermic or heat generating element.

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

The memory unit 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 unit 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory unit 160 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory unit 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 or receives power from the external device to transfer the data to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or to transmit data in 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 control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

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

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

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

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

In a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that allow at least one function or operation to be performed. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. Also, the software codes may be stored in the memory unit 160 and executed by the control unit 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 additionally 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 131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132, the interface 170, and the like are disposed on the 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.

The contents input by the 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 such that they can be rotated or popped up.

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

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

In addition to the antenna for a call or the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 124 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

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

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

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

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, when a pointer such as a user's finger is close to the touch screen, the proximity sensor disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor 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").

A distance at which the proximity signal is output when the pointer approaches the touch screen is referred to as a detection distance. In short, by using a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection distances, the proximity signals output from the proximity sensors are compared, .

In FIG. 3, 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. If the pointer is located at a distance d3 or more on the touch screen, it is recognized that the proximity touch is released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 can recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity and proximity positions of the pointer to the touch screen, and perform various operation controls according to the various input signals.

In the above, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the general operation and function of the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention have been described. Hereinafter, a detailed example of a method of displaying a touch guide in the mobile terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 11.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a touch guide display method in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the controller 180 can display the current screen on the touch screen (S110). For example, a touch screen of the mobile terminal 100 may include various screens such as a standby screen (IDLE screen), a widget area on the standby screen, an indicator area, and a flickering area where the screen can be switched. Can be displayed.

In addition, the controller 180 checks whether there is a first predefined user's operation (S120). If there is an operation of the first predefined user (S120: YES), the controller 180 may display a touch area guide line on the touch screen (S130).

The touch area guide line is for distinguishing an area for detecting a touch from an area for not detecting a touch on the touch screen, and the controller 180 determines an edge of the area so as to visually distinguish the area for detecting the touch. It can be displayed on the touch screen by dividing or shading the line. Here, the area not sensing the touch may be an area for outputting various screen data on the touch screen. In addition, the touch sensing area may be an area expressed through various GUIs for controlling the functions of the various objects and the mobile terminal 100 existing in the area not sensing the touch.

Meanwhile, the first and second predefined user manipulations may include a specific movement operation of the mobile terminal 100 or a specific touch operation input to the touch screen.

The specific movement manipulation of the mobile terminal 100 may be posture information of the mobile terminal 100 detected through the sensing unit 140 (see FIG. 1), in particular, a motion sensor (not shown), and the like. It may be a signal input through the region.

The motion sensor may include at least one of a tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. Such a motion sensor may have a value greater than or equal to a predetermined slope of the mobile terminal 100, generate a specific direction event according to a motion of rotating in a predetermined direction, and transmit the direction event to the controller 180. The motion sensor may not only generate up, down, left, and right directions information of the mobile terminal 100 but also direction information according to movements in various directions, for example, 16 directions or 36 directions depending on the classification of the directions. Direction information can be generated.

When the controller 180 receives an event corresponding to a specific movement of the mobile terminal from the motion sensor, the controller 180 may display the touch area guide line on the touch screen.

In addition, the controller 180 may display the touch region guide line on the touch screen in response to a specific touch operation input to the touch screen. For example, when a specific touch operation is input to one region that does not sense a touch, the controller 180 may display the touch region guide line on the touch screen.

Meanwhile, predetermined touch operations for displaying the touch region guide line on the touch screen may be very diverse. In addition, certain touch operations for displaying the touch area guideline may be used as a condition for displaying the touch guide.

Types of touch input of the touch screen include tap, double tap, touch and hold, flicking, flick and hold, touch and move. and Move, Drag & Drop, Proximity Touch, Gesture Recognition, Character Recognition, Multi Touch, and the like.

The tap is an operation indicating an input of releasing the touch after touching the touch screen once for a short time. In general, the tap should be less than a certain time to touch the touch screen. Tabs act like a click on a regular mouse.

Double tap is an operation indicating an input of releasing the touch after touching the touch screen twice for a short time. Double tap acts like a double click on a regular mouse.

Touch and Hold refers to an input that stays in a state where a point on the touch screen is touched. This is the case where a point of the touch screen is continuously touched for more than a predetermined time. Touch and hold corresponds to the state where the mouse button is pressed in a general mouse.

Flicking is an operation of ending a touch after moving in a predetermined direction while touching the touch screen. The flicking may be expressed as a stroke.

Flick and Hold refers to an operation of moving the touch screen in a constant direction while touching the touch screen and then maintaining the touch state at a specific point. Flick and hold means moving in a constant direction while touching the touch screen, and maintaining the touch state at a specific point.

Touch and move refers to an operation of moving in various directions while touching the touch screen.

Drag & Drop means selecting an icon displayed on the touch screen, and moving the selected icon to another point by flicking a finger to another point in the touched state, and then ending the touch. This may correspond to dragging using a mouse.

As described above, the proximity touch refers to an operation of approaching the touch screen without touching the pointer and recognizing that the pointer is located on the touch screen.

Multi touch refers to an operation of allowing the touch screen to recognize multiple touch points at the same time. Various functions can be set according to the number of touch points to be monitored.

Gesture Recognition refers to an operation of receiving a pre-stored gesture on a touch screen. For example, when a user draws a triangular figure by flicking the touch screen, the touch screen transmits to the controller 180 that the "triangle" has been input.

Character Recognition refers to an operation of receiving a predefined character on a touch screen. For example, when the user flicks the touch screen and inputs the English letter “N”, the touch screen transmits to the controller 180 that the “N” is input.

In addition, since the user cannot remember which touch input induces a function with respect to an icon (including a graphic object) displayed on the touch screen, a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch operation as in the present invention. There is a need to present.

Meanwhile, when there is a second predefined user manipulation (S140: YES), the controller 180 may control the touch area guide line to disappear from the touch screen (S150). For example, when a first area that does not sense a touch is touched on the touch screen, the controller 180 displays a touch area guide line on the touch screen, and the touch area guide line is displayed on the touch screen. When the first area is touched, the touch area guide line may be controlled to disappear from the touch screen.

Here, the first and second predefined user operations may be the same, but may be differently set by the user. For example, the controller 180 may display the touch area guide line by pressing a soft key, and control the disappearance of the touch area guide line by touching the touch screen.

In the above, as a condition for displaying the touch region guide line in the touch region, a specific movement operation of the mobile terminal or a specific touch operation input to the touch screen has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may display the touch area guide line on the touch screen using various methods in addition to the above-described method.

In addition, since the user cannot remember which touch input induces a function with respect to an icon (including a graphic object) displayed on the touch screen, a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch operation as in the present invention. There is a need to present.

6 (a) to 6 (c) are diagrams illustrating an example of a touch guide display method in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a screen displayed on the touch screen before the first predefined user operation, and FIG. 6B illustrates a touch area guideline displayed after the first user operation. The screen is shown.

The first predefined user manipulation may be an operation of selecting a physical button on the mobile terminal 100, an operation of performing a predefined gesture on the touch screen display surface, or an operation of selecting a soft button.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, when a touch input for selecting the first area 10 that does not sense a touch is received on the touch screen, the controller 180 is illustrated in FIG. 6B. As described above, the touch region guide line 21 may be displayed on the region 20 for detecting a touch. For example, the touch area guide line 21 may be displayed on the edge of the icon or graphic object.

In addition, in response to the touch input, the controller 180 transparently processes the first area 10 that does not sense a touch, and visually displays the area 20 that senses a touch together with the touch area guideline 21. It can be displayed stand out.

For example, the controller 180 displays the touch area guide line 21 by shading in a specific color, or enlarges and displays the area 20 and the touch area guide line 21 for detecting the touch. It can be changed by the animated method at the current position. In particular, as shown in (b) of FIG. 6, it is necessary to display the icon 22 that is difficult to recognize as touchable by the user so as to stand out visually.

FIG. 6C illustrates a screen in which the touch area guideline 21 and the touch guides 32_1, 32_2, 32_3, and 32_4 for functions performed by the user's touch manipulation are displayed together on the touch screen.

For example, in FIG. 6C, a touch indicating that an icon or a graphic object displayed as a widget on the idle screen may be moved to the widget screen area 50 by a touch and move operation. The guide 32_1 may be displayed on the touch screen. In addition, a touch guide 32_3 indicating that the widget existing in the widget screen area 50 may be added to the standby screen by a touch and move operation may be displayed on the touch screen.

Accordingly, the controller 180 may perform a user touch operation such as touch and move, scroll, or flickung as shown in FIG. 6C, and correspondingly to the touch operation. For example, a touch guide for functions such as widget movement 32_1 and 32_2, widget movement 32_3 in the widget screen area 50, and screen switching 32_4 may be displayed on the touch screen. have.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, at least one of the touch area guide line 21 and the touch guide 33 is applied to the touch screen according to the first predefined user operation S120. After being displayed (S130), when a second predefined user operation is input (S140), the controller 180 controls the touch area guide line 21 and the touch guide 33 to disappear from the touch screen (S150). The screen may return to the screen shown in FIG.

The second predefined user operation may include an operation of selecting or deselecting a physical button on the mobile terminal 100, another predefined gesture operation on a touch screen display, or selecting a soft button or May include an operation to deselect. Meanwhile, the first and second predefined user operations may be the same.

In the above, an embodiment indicating that the touch area guide line and the touch guide may be displayed on the touch screen sequentially or simultaneously when a predefined user manipulation exists.

However, when icons related to the execution of a specific application function are arranged on the entire standby screen of the mobile terminal 100 or when a predetermined graphic object (eg, a picture) is displayed on the entire touch screen, only the touch guide may be displayed. It may be.

For example, when a specific graphic object is displayed on the touch screen, a touch scenario or a touch gesture indicating that a specific function corresponding to a touch input input to the graphic object may be performed may be displayed on the touch screen.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a touch guide display method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays a current screen on the touch screen before a user's operation is predefined (S210). A plurality of icons may be arranged on the current screen or a specific graphic object may be displayed.

When there is a predefined user manipulation (S220), the controller 180 may display a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch manipulation on the touch screen (S230).

In addition, the controller 180 may control the touch guide to disappear from the touch screen, and the description thereof is as described with reference to FIG. 4.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, embodiments of displaying a touch guide including the touch scenario or a touch gesture when a predefined user manipulation exists.

7A to 7C are diagrams for describing a touch guide display method in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7A, in a state in which a specific image is displayed on the touch screen (S210 of FIG. 6), the controller 180 may use a long touch or a double touch on a predefined user operation. An input of a double touch is received (S220 of FIG. 6).

Referring to FIG. 7B, the controller 180 displays a touch scenario usable for the image on the touch screen (S230 of FIG. 6).

For example, a zoom gesture 62, 63, a page change gesture 64, and an image delete gesture 65 may be displayed on the touch screen with respect to the image. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the controller 180 may display the touch gestures 62, 63, 64, and 65 by dividing the touch screen screen evenly.

A gesture 62 for generating a zoom in signal informs that the image can be enlarged when the distance between two fingers increases, and a gesture 63 for generating a zoom out signal has two gestures. Touch gestures that guide the image may be reduced if the distance between the fingers is reduced. In addition, the page switch gesture 64 is a touch for guiding that the previous image or the next image can be displayed on the touch screen by flicking left or right with respect to an area of the touch screen on which the image is displayed. Gesture. In addition, the image deletion gesture 65 is a touch guide guiding that it is a gesture recognition for deleting the image when the letter 'X' is recognized in one region of the touch screen on which the image is displayed.

In FIG. 7B, four touch guides (touch gestures) have been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and more touch guides available for the image may be divided and displayed on the touch screen. Of course.

Meanwhile, FIG. 7C is a screen in which the touch scenario usable for the image is displayed on the touch screen by a method different from that of FIG. 7B.

When a point on the touch screen on which the image is displayed is touched, the controller 180 may display a touch guide in the form of four-direction arrows in the up, down, left, and right directions of the touched point. Here, 'Expansion' is displayed on the up arrow, 'Reduction' is on the down arrow, 'Back' is on the left arrow, and 'Next' is displayed on the right arrow. That is, the touch guide guides the user to enlarge, reduce, display the previous image and the next image in response to the touch operation (for example, touch and move operation) in the direction of the arrow.

On the other hand, in Figure 7 (c), in order to make the touch guide visually stand out, the controller 180 can display the image in semi-transparent, or by displaying the touch guide in a specific color to visually display the touch guide stand out. have.

8 is a screen displaying a touch guide through a hovering function using a proximity touch with respect to icons arranged on a touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a touch input for selecting a specific icon 70, for example, a proximity touch input while a plurality of icons having a specific application function are displayed on a touch screen screen, In response to the touch input, the controller 180 may display the touch guide 71 of the icon 70 at the position where the proximity touch is recognized.

Therefore, when a long touch input is received for the icon 70 according to the touch guide 71 illustrated in FIG. 8, the controller 180 moves the selected icon 70 to the standby screen. Can be managed in the form of a shortcut icon.

9 to 11 are views for explaining a touch guide display method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a touch input for flicking the list on the phone book list of the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 provides a touch for guiding the number of the scrolled list. You can display the guide.

Referring to FIG. 9, when there is a user's operation defined in the phone book list, the controller 180 may scroll the list according to the length of the touch screen of the mobile terminal 100 to be flickered with respect to an operation. The touch guide 80 indicating that the number may vary may be displayed on the touch screen.

That is, the controller 180 displays the touch guide 80 to scroll 10 lists if the flicking length is 1.5 cm, scrolls 50 lists at 3 cm, and scrolls the last list at the current list position if 4.5 cm. Can be scrolled to. Accordingly, the user can recognize that the scrolled list can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the flicking.

Referring to FIG. 10, when a double touch input is received for a predetermined user operation, for example, a specific area 91 on a browser, the controller 180 enlarges and displays the touched area. The touch guide 93 may be displayed to guide a function of the operation 92.

However, the controller 180 may first display a touch area guideline zoomable in accordance with a predetermined touch operation according to a predefined user operation on the touch screen.

11 illustrates a predefined user operation. For example, when a touch input for moving the first icon 95 near the second icon 96 is received, the controller 180 controls the first icon 95 and the second icon. The touch guide 97 for guiding a folder creation function may be displayed to manage the icon 96 together in one folder.

When the first icon 95 is released while the first icon 95 is moved to the second icon 96 according to the touch guide, a window for inquiring whether a specific folder is created may be generated.

The touch guide display method in the mobile terminal according to the present invention described above may be provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium as a program for executing in a computer.

The touch guide display method in the mobile terminal according to the present invention can be executed through software. When implemented in software, the constituent means of the present invention are code segments that perform the necessary work. The program or code segments may be stored on a processor readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal coupled with a carrier on a transmission medium or network.

Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording device include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD ± ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk, optical data storage device, and the like. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed to networked computer devices so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the drawings. In addition, the embodiments described in this document can be applied to not only the present invention, but also all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications can be made.

100: mobile terminal 151: display unit
180:

Claims (10)

touch screen; And
A control unit configured to display a touch area guideline for distinguishing a touchable area of the touch screen on the touch screen as a first predefined user manipulation is received.
Mobile terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And a second predefined user operation is received so that the touch area guideline disappears from the touch screen. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch operation together with the touch region guide line on the touch screen. The method of claim 1,
The touchable area is
And at least one of an icon and a graphic object for performing a function corresponding to the touch when a specific touch is received. touch screen; And
A control unit that displays a touch guide on a function of a function performed by a user's touch operation on the touch screen as a predefined user operation is received.
Mobile terminal comprising a. The method of claim 5,
The control unit,
And a touch input for selecting at least one of an icon and a graphic object displayed on the touch screen, and displaying a touch guide for the icon or graphic object on the touch screen in response to the touch input. The method of claim 6,
The control unit,
And displaying a plurality of touch guides on the touch screen. The method according to claim 1 or 5,
The predefined user manipulation includes a specific movement manipulation of the mobile terminal or a specific touch gesture input to the touch screen.
The touch operation,
Tap, double tap, touch and hold, flicking, flick and hold, touch and move, drag and drop & Drop), proximity touch (proximity touch), gesture recognition (Gesture Recognition), Character Recognition (Character Recognition) and a multi-touch (Multi Touch). Receiving a predefined user operation; And
In response to the user manipulation, displaying a touch area guideline on the touch screen that distinguishes a touchable area of the touch screen;
Touch guide display method in a mobile terminal comprising a. Displaying a screen including at least one of an icon and a graphic object on a touch screen;
Receiving a predefined user operation; And
In response to the user manipulation, displaying a touch guide for a function performed by a user's touch manipulation on the touch screen.
Touch guide display method in a mobile terminal comprising a.

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