KR20140044614A - Mobile terminal and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An operation method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes the steps of: saving call volume previously set through a hearing examination; connecting a call to a terminal of an opponent in response to a call transmission request or a call reception request; determining the call pattern of the user when the call is connected; and detecting the call volume corresponding the determined call pattern and outputting the voice of the opponent based on the detected call volume. [Reference numerals] (AA) Start; (BB,DD,GG) Yes; (CC,EE,FF) No; (HH) End; (S501) Set the volume of a call customized to a user; (S503) Connect a call to a terminal of an opponent; (S505) Call through an earphone?; (S507) Extract optimized call volume to the earphone; (S509) Call by using a left ear?; (S511) Extract optimized call volume to the left ear; (S513) Extract optimized call volume to the right ear; (S515) Noise equal to and greater than a threshold is detected?; (S517) Reflect a correction value; (S519) Output the voice of the opponent

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method of operating the same, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal for providing a user-customized call volume and a method of operating the same.

A mobile terminal is a portable device having one or more functions capable of carrying out voice and video communication, capable of inputting and outputting information, and storing data, while being portable. As the function of the mobile terminal has diversified, it has been equipped with complicated functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music file or a moving picture file, reception of a game, broadcasting, wireless Internet, transmission and reception of a message, multimedia player).

On the other hand, with the increase in the use of such multimedia devices, due to the increase in the elderly population and noise environment, the hearing loss population is increasing every year. Accordingly, a range of audible ranges for listening to a voice call or a video call through the terminal is different for each user.

However, the conventional terminal outputs the voice of the other party based on the volume of the previous call within a predetermined audible frequency range without considering the hearing difference for each user. Accordingly, it is inconvenient for the user to adjust the volume of the call through the manipulation of the volume key every time the call is made with the third party.

In addition, when the call is connected, when the volume of the call is required to be adjusted according to the change in the external noise environment, the user is inconvenient to adjust the volume of the call through the manipulation of the volume key. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method for providing a call volume in consideration of the user's hearing and the ambient noise level.

The present invention proposes a mobile terminal for providing a user-customized call volume based on a hearing test and a method of operating the same.

In addition, the present invention proposes a mobile terminal and a method of operating the same, which provide an optimized call volume to a user when a call is made through a speaker.

In addition, the present invention proposes a mobile terminal and a method of operating the same, which provide an optimized call volume for a user when a call is made through an earphone (or a headphone).

In addition, the present invention proposes a mobile terminal for providing a user-customized call volume in consideration of the effect of the detected noise when the noise of the threshold value is detected when talking with the other party and its operation method.

The present invention includes the steps of storing the preset call volume through the hearing test; In response to a call origination request or a call reception request, connecting a call with a counterpart terminal; Determining a call pattern of a user when the call is connected; And detecting a call volume corresponding to the determined call pattern and outputting a voice of the other party based on the detected call volume.

In addition, the present invention includes a memory for storing a preset call volume through a hearing test; A wireless communication unit for connecting a call with a counterpart terminal in response to a call origination request or a call reception request; And a controller configured to determine a call pattern of a user when the call is connected, read out a call volume corresponding to the determined call pattern from the memory, and output a voice of the other party based on the read call volume. To provide.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal detects which of the user's ears listening to the call through the speaker, and then outputs the voice of the other party at the call volume optimized for the detected ear. In addition, even when listening to a call through an earphone instead of a speaker, when using the earphone, the other party's voice may be output at a call volume optimized for the user. Accordingly, the user may listen to the call voice of the other party with the call volume optimized for his / her hearing according to the call method.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, when noise exceeding a threshold value during a call with a counterpart is detected through a microphone, an optimal call volume that compensates for the effect of the detected noise may be provided.

Meanwhile, various other effects will be directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description according to the embodiment of the present invention to be described later.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
Figure 4 is a block diagram of a hearing test module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal for providing a user-customized call volume according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a diagram illustrating a process of detecting an ear for a user to listen to a call through a motion sensor;
FIG. 7 illustrates a process of detecting an ear for a user to listen to a call through a grip sensor; FIG.
8 to 10 are diagrams for explaining a process of presetting a user-customized call volume through manipulation of a setting menu according to one embodiment of the present invention;
11 is a diagram illustrating a process of presetting a user-customized call volume at first boot, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Examples of the mobile terminal described in the present specification include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a camera, tablet computers, e-book terminals, and the like. In addition, suffixes "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given merely for convenience of description, and do not give special significance or role in themselves. Accordingly, the terms "module" and "part" may be used interchangeably.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms of functional components.

1, a mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video (A / V) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, A controller 160, an interface 170, a controller 180, and a power supply 190. When such components are implemented in practical applications, two or more components may be combined into one component, or one component may be divided into two or more components as necessary.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 113, a wireless Internet module 115, a short distance communication module 117, and a GPS module 119.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. At this time, the broadcast channel may include a satellite channel, a terrestrial channel, and the like. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast related information and a server for receiving at least one of the generated broadcast signal and broadcast related information and transmitting the broadcast signal to the terminal.

The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is 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 can also be provided through a mobile communication network, in which case it can be received by the mobile communication module 113. Broadcast-related information can exist in various forms.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S) ), Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. In addition, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for all broadcasting systems that provide broadcasting signals, as well as the digital broadcasting system. 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 113 transmits and receives a radio signal to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data according to a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 115 is a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module 115 can be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. WLAN (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module 117 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and Near Field Communication (NFC) may be used as the short distance communication technology.

A GPS (Global Position System) module 119 receives position information from a plurality of GPS satellites.

The A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 123. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. Then, the processed image frame can 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. [ The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone 123 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as 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 113 and output when the voice data is in the call mode. The microphone 123 may use various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates key input data that the user inputs to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, and a touch pad (static / static) capable of receiving commands or information by a user's pressing or touching operation. The user input unit 130 may be a jog wheel for rotating the key, a jog type or a joystick, or a finger mouse. Particularly, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151 described later, it can be called a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, Thereby generating a sensing signal. 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, a sensing function related to whether or not the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device, and the like can be handled.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, a pressure sensor 143, a motion sensor 145, a grip sensor 147, and the like. The proximity sensor 141 can detect an object approaching the mobile terminal 100 or the presence or absence of an object in the vicinity of the mobile terminal 100 without mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 can detect a nearby object by using a change in the alternating magnetic field or a change in the static magnetic field, or a rate of change in capacitance. The proximity sensor 141 may be equipped with two or more sensors according to the configuration.

The pressure sensor 143 can detect whether or not pressure is applied to the mobile terminal 100, the magnitude of the pressure, and the like. The pressure sensor 143 may be installed at a portion where the pressure of the mobile terminal 100 is required according to the use environment. When the pressure sensor 143 is installed on the display unit 151, the touch input through the display unit 151 and the pressure applied by the touch input The pressure touch input can be identified. Also, the magnitude of the pressure applied to the display unit 151 at the time of the pressure touch input can be determined according to the signal output from the pressure sensor 143. [

The motion sensor 145 senses the position or movement of the mobile terminal 100 using an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like. An acceleration sensor that can be used for the motion sensor 145 is a device that converts an acceleration change in one direction into an electric signal and is widely used along with the development of MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technology.

The acceleration sensor measures the acceleration of a small value built in the airbag system of an automobile and recognizes the minute motion of the human hand and measures the acceleration of a large value used as an input means such as a game There are various types. Acceleration sensors are usually constructed by mounting two or three axes in one package. Depending on the usage environment, only one axis of Z axis is required. Therefore, when the acceleration sensor in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction is used instead of the Z-axis direction for some reason, the acceleration sensor may be mounted on the main substrate by using a separate piece substrate.

The gyro sensor is a sensor for measuring the angular velocity, and it can sense the direction of rotation with respect to the reference direction.

The grip sensor 147 may be equipped with a touch sensor or the like in the mobile terminal to detect whether the user's contact is applied to the outer surface of the mobile terminal, and if there is a contact, the contact area and the continuity of the contact. The grip sensor 147 may be installed at a portion requiring contact detection according to a use environment, and may be preferably installed at both side portions of the mobile terminal.

In addition, the grip sensor 147 may detect which hand the user holds the mobile terminal, or which part of the mobile terminal, etc. according to the detected contact signal.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 153, an alarm unit 155, and a haptic module 157.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed or received images can be displayed individually or simultaneously, and the UI and the GUI are displayed.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display unit 151 and the touch pad have a mutual layer structure to constitute a touch screen, the display unit 151 may be an input device capable of inputting information by a user's touch in addition to the output device Can also be used.

If the display unit 151 is configured as a touch screen, it may include a touch screen panel, a touch screen panel controller, and the like. In this case, the touch screen panel is a transparent panel that is attached to the outside, and can be connected to the internal bus of the mobile terminal 100. The touch screen panel keeps a watch on the contact result, and if there is a touch input, sends the corresponding signals to the touch screen panel controller. The touch screen panel controller processes the signals, and then transmits corresponding data to the controller 180 so that the controller 180 can determine whether the touch input has been made and which area of the touch screen has been touched.

The display unit 151 may be formed of an e-paper. Electronic paper (e-Paper) is a kind of reflective display, and has excellent visual characteristics such as high resolution, wide viewing angle and bright white background as conventional paper and ink. The electronic paper (e-paper) can be implemented on any substrate such as plastic, metal, paper, and the image is maintained even after the power is shut off, and the battery life of the mobile terminal 100 is long Can be maintained. As the electronic paper, a hemispherical twist ball filled with a telephone can be used, or an electrophoresis method and a microcapsule can be used.

In addition, 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- (3D display). In addition, there may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the mobile terminal 100 may include an external display unit (not shown) and an internal display unit (not shown) at the same time.

The audio output module 153 outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, In addition, the sound output module 153 outputs sound signals related to functions performed in the mobile terminal 100, for example, call signal reception tones, message reception tones, and the like. The sound output module 153 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 155 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, and key signal input. The alarm unit 155 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, it is possible to output a signal in a vibration mode. The alarm unit 155 can output a signal to notify when a call signal is received or a message is received. Also, when the key signal is inputted, the alarm unit 155 can output the signal as the feedback to the key signal input. The user can recognize the occurrence of an event through the signal output by the alarm unit 155. A signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in the mobile terminal 100 may also be output through the display unit 151 or the sound output module 153. [

The haptic module 157 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 157 is a vibration effect. When the haptic module 157 generates vibration with a haptic effect, the intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 157 can be converted, and the different vibrations can be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 157 may be provided with a function of stimulating by a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, an effect of stimulating air through the injection or suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, The effect of stimulation through contact of the electrode (eletrode), the effect of stimulation by the electrostatic force, and the effect of reproducing the cool / warm using the device capable of endothermic or exothermic can be generated. The haptic module 157 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through direct contact but also to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sense of the user's finger or arm. The haptic module 157 may include two or more haptic modules 157 according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and may store a function for temporarily storing input or output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, .

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), a RAM , And a ROM. ≪ / RTI > In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage for storing the memory 150 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. Examples of the external device connected to the mobile terminal 100 include a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card, a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card, a UIM An audio input / output (I / O) terminal, a video I / O (input / output) terminal, and an earphone. The interface unit 170 may receive data from the external device or supply power to the respective components in the mobile terminal 100 and may transmit data in the mobile terminal 100 to the external device .

The interface unit 170 may be a path through which the power from the cradle connected to the mobile terminal 100 is connected to the cradle when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to the cradle, And may be a passage to be transmitted to the terminal 100.

The controller 180 typically controls the operation of the respective units to control the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like.

In addition, the controller 180 may include a multimedia playback module 181 and a hearing test module 183 for multimedia playback. The multimedia playback module 181 and the hearing test module 183 may be configured in hardware in the controller 180 or may be configured in software separately from the controller 180.

The hearing test module 183 examines the hearing of a person using the terminal under various usage environments, and provides a user-customized call volume based on the result.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The mobile terminal 100 having such a configuration can be configured to be operable in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or a packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system. have.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in terms of components according to the external appearance. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a bar type mobile terminal having a front touch screen among various types of mobile terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, etc. will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the bar-type mobile terminal but can be applied to all types of mobile terminals including the above-mentioned types.

Referring to FIG. 2, the case constituting the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 is formed by the front case 100-1 and the rear case 100-2. Various electronic components are incorporated in the space formed by the front case 100-1 and the rear case 100-2.

The display unit 151, the first sound output module 153a, the first camera 121a, and the first through third user input units 130a, 130b, and 130c are connected to the main body, specifically, the front case 100-1 . A fourth user input unit 130d, a fifth user input unit 130e, and a microphone 123 may be disposed on a side surface of the rear case 100-2.

The display unit 151 may be constructed such that the touch pad is overlapped with the layer structure so that the display unit 151 operates as a touch screen so that information can be input by a user's touch.

The first acoustic output module 153a may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker. The first camera 121a may be implemented in a form suitable for capturing an image or a moving image of a user. The microphone 123 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The first through fifth user input units 130a 130b 130c 130d and 130e and the sixth and seventh user input units 130f and 130g described below may be collectively referred to as a user input unit 130, Any manner can be employed in a tactile manner.

For example, the user input unit 130 may be embodied as a dome switch or a touch pad capable of receiving a command or information by a user's pressing or touching operation, or may be a wheel, a jog type or a joystick Or the like. In a functional aspect, the first to third user input units 130a, 130b and 130c are for inputting commands such as start, end, and scroll, and the fourth user input unit 130d is for inputting a selection of an operation mode, . In addition, the fifth user input unit 130e may operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the mobile terminal 100. [

 3, a second camera 121b may be additionally mounted on a rear surface of the rear case 100-2. On the side surface of the rear case 100-2, a sixth and a seventh user input units 130f, 130g, and an interface unit 170 may be disposed.

The second camera 121b has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a, and may have pixels different from those of the first camera 121a. A flash (not shown) and a mirror (not shown) may be additionally disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. In addition, another camera may be installed adjacent to the second camera 121b to use it for shooting a three-dimensional stereoscopic image.

The flash illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera 121b. The mirror enables the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to photograph (self-photograph) himself / herself using the second camera 121b.

A second sound output module (not shown) may be further disposed in the rear case 100-2. The second sound output module may implement the stereo function together with the first sound output module 153a, and may be used for talking in the speakerphone mode.

The interface unit 170 can be used as a path for exchanging data with an external device. An antenna for receiving broadcast signals (not shown) may be disposed in one area of the front case 100-1 and the rear case 100-2 in addition to the antenna for communication. The antenna may be installed to be capable of being drawn out from the rear case 100-2.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100 may be mounted on the rear case 100-2. The power supply unit 190 may be a rechargeable battery, for example, and may be detachably coupled to the rear case 100-2 for charging or the like.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the second camera 121b and the like are disposed in the rear case 100-2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, the first camera 121a may be rotatably formed so that the second camera 121b can be photographed up to the photographing direction, even if the second camera 121b is not separately provided.

The overall configuration of the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. Hereinafter, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal for providing a user-customized call volume based on a hearing test and a method of operating the same will be described in detail.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a hearing test module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the hearing test module 183 includes a GUI provider 183_1, a test tone provider 183_3, a user response detector 183_5, and a call volume determiner 183_7.

The GUI providing unit 183_1 performs an operation of providing, to the display unit 151, Graphic User Interface (GUI) information for setting a user-customized call volume through a hearing test. Accordingly, the user performs a hearing test with reference to the graphical user interface information displayed on the display unit 151, and sets a user-customized call volume based on this.

The test sound providing unit 183_3 performs an operation of providing a test sound for the hearing test to the sound output module. Accordingly, the user hears the test sound output through the speaker or the earphone and proceeds with the hearing test. At this time, the test sound is preferably composed of a call sound that can provide the same effect as the actual counterpart.

The user response detector 183_5 detects a user's response to the test sound output for the hearing test. For example, when the test sound output through the speaker or earphone is small, the user provides a response to volume up the test sound through an operation of the user input unit 130, and on the contrary, when the test sound is loud. Provide a response to volume down the test tone. After the volume up or volume down process, when the test sound is heard well, the user provides a response to terminate the hearing test through the manipulation of the user input unit 130.

As such, the user response detector 183_5 detects a user response related to volume up, volume down, or test termination provided through the user input unit 130, and transmits the detected user response to the call volume determination unit 183_7.

The call volume determiner 183_7 determines a user-customized call volume based on the test result, and then stores the call volume in the memory 160. That is, when the response corresponding to the end of the test is received from the user response detector 183_5, the call volume determiner 183_7 determines the user-customized call volume based on the last test tone output at the end of the test. The call volume is stored in the memory 160.

In addition, the call volume determination unit 183_7 performs a hearing test for each call pattern (or call method), and determines a user-customized call volume based on the test result.

For example, during a hearing test using a speaker, the call volume determination unit 183_7 performs a hearing test on each ear, determines a call volume optimized for each ear, and then stores it in the memory 160. In addition, during a hearing test using earphones (or headphones), the call volume determination unit 183_7 performs a hearing test while wearing the earphones (or headphones), and determines an optimized call volume based on the result. This is stored in the memory 160.

Subsequently, when a call is connected to the counterpart terminal, the call volume determiner 183_7 reads information about a user-customized call volume stored in the memory 160 and provides the same to the sound output module 153. Then, the sound output module 153 amplifies and outputs the call voice of the other party based on the received information about the call volume.

On the other hand, if an external noise of more than a threshold occurs during a call with the counterpart terminal, the user may not accurately understand the counterpart's words. Therefore, in order to compensate for the detection of external noise, it is necessary to further increase the volume of the call output through the speaker or earphone. To this end, the call volume determination unit 183_7 measures the amount of noise input through the microphone, reads a correction value corresponding to the measured size from the memory 160, and then reflects the correction value in the call volume. Can be. Accordingly, the call volume determination unit 183_7 may provide a user-customized call volume compensated for by the external noise.

The memory 160 stores information about a preset user-customized call volume according to the call method. In addition, the memory 160 stores information on correction values for respective loudness levels in the form of a lookup table.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal for providing a user-customized call volume according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 100 presets a user-customized call volume according to a user command in operation S501. In this case, the call volume setting may be performed at the first boot after purchasing the terminal, or may be performed through an operation of a setting menu later. On the other hand, a detailed description of the method for setting the call volume in advance will be described later.

The mobile terminal 100 connects a call with the counterpart terminal in response to a call request from a third party or a request from a third party (S503). At this time, the mobile terminal 100 detects a call pattern (or call method) of the user.

That is, the mobile terminal 100 detects whether the user talks through the earphone or the speaker. In addition, when it is detected that the call is made through the speaker, the mobile terminal 100 detects whether the user is talking through the left ear or the right ear.

More specifically, the mobile terminal 100 first checks whether the user listens to the call through the earphone (or headphones) (S505). To this end, the mobile terminal 100 detects whether the earphone is connected to the earphone jack.

As a result of the check, when listening to a call through the earphone, the mobile terminal 100 reads information on the optimized call volume when using the earphone from the memory 160 (S507).

On the other hand, as a result of the check, when not listening to the call through the earphone, that is, when listening to the call through the speaker, the mobile terminal 100 determines which one of the ears through which the user listens to the call (S509) ).

To this end, the mobile terminal 100 determines whether the user is talking through the left ear or the right ear by using the value measured by the motion sensor 145.

For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, when a user calls the mobile terminal 100 with his left ear, the mobile terminal 100 generally has a predetermined range in a first direction about an arbitrary reference axis. Maintain the degree of tilt On the contrary, as shown in (b) of FIG. 6, when the mobile terminal 100 is talked with the right ear, the mobile terminal 100 moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction about the reference axis. Maintain the degree of slope of the predetermined range. Accordingly, when the mobile terminal 100 determines the spatial position, direction, and inclination of the mobile terminal through the motion sensor 145 when the call is connected to the other terminal, the mobile terminal 100 determines which ear the user has based on the measured value. You can determine if you are listening to the call.

In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may determine whether the user calls through the left ear or listens to the call through the right ear by using the value measured by the grip sensor 147.

In general, the left ear is used when making a call using the left hand and the right ear is used when making a call using the right hand. Therefore, when the terminal detects which hand is held, which ear is used. You can decide if you want to talk. In this case, whether the terminal is held in the hand may be detected through the grip sensor 147.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the mobile terminal 100 is held by the left hand, contact information (ie, contact area and continuity of contact, etc.) detected at the first side 710 of the mobile terminal is detected. Information) and the contact information detected at the second side surface 720 are different from each other. That is, the contact information detected at the first side 710 includes a feature of contacting the thumb part of the user, while the contact information detected at the second side 720 includes a feature of contacting the rest of the finger parts. do.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the mobile terminal 100 is gripped by the right hand, the contact information detected at the first side 710 of the mobile terminal and the contact detected at the second side 720 are shown. Information is also different. However, unlike (a) of FIG. 7, the contact information detected at the first side 710 includes a feature in which a finger portion except for the thumb is in contact, whereas the contact information detected at the second side 720 is touched. The information includes the feature that the thumb portion is in contact.

Therefore, when contact information with both sides of the mobile terminal 100 is detected through the grip sensor 147 when the call is connected to the other terminal, the mobile terminal 100 determines which hand the user has based on the detected contact information. You can determine whether you are holding the terminal using this, you can determine which ear to use.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the ear to listen to the call through the motion sensor 145 or the grip sensor 147 to determine which ear, but is not limited thereto. For example, an ear for listening to a call may be determined using the first camera 121a attached to the front of the mobile terminal 100, or may be determined through a combination of the devices 145, 147 and 121a.

Referring back to FIG. 5, as a result of checking in the previous step 509, when the user calls through the left ear, the mobile terminal 100 reads information about the call volume optimized for the user's left ear from the memory 160. It comes (S511).

On the other hand, as a result of the check in step 509, when the user calls through the right ear, the mobile terminal 100 reads information about the call volume optimized for the user's right ear from the memory 160 (S513).

In addition, during a call with the counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 checks whether external noise of a threshold or higher is input through the microphone 123 (S515).

As a result of the check, if a noise equal to or greater than the threshold value is not detected, the mobile terminal 100 outputs a voice of the counterpart based on a user-customized call volume preset according to the call method (S519).

On the other hand, if the noise is detected as a threshold or more, the mobile terminal 100 determines the correction value corresponding to the detected noise, and then reflects the determined correction value to the user-customized call volume (S517). Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 may provide a user-customized call volume considering the influence of external noise.

Through the above-described steps, the present invention, when the call is connected to the counterpart terminal, detects the user's call method (whether the speaker or earphone, etc.), and based on the user-customized call volume determined in accordance with the detected call method The voice of the other party can be output.

Meanwhile, hereinafter, a method of presetting a user-customized call volume according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In this case, the call volume setting may be performed through an operation of a setting menu or may be performed at first booting after purchasing a terminal.

First, FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate a process of presetting a user-customized call volume through manipulation of a setting menu.

Referring to FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 100 displays a menu window 811 including a setting menu 813, etc. in one area of the idle screen 810 according to a user command. Subsequently, when the setting menu 813 is selected in the menu window 811 displayed on the screen, the mobile terminal 100 displays a setting screen including wireless and network setting items, call setting items, sound setting items, display setting items, and the like. 820).

When the sound setting item 821 is selected on the setting screen 820, the mobile terminal 100 may include a sound setting screen including a silent mode item, a vibration item, a volume item, a bell sound setting item, a notification sound setting item, and the like. 830 is displayed. Thereafter, when the volume item 831 is selected on the sound setting screen 830, the mobile terminal 100 includes a volume setting screen 841 including a ring tone volume setting item, a media volume setting item, a call volume setting item, and the like. Is displayed.

When the call volume setting item 843 is selected on the volume setting screen 841, the mobile terminal displays a call volume setting screen 851 including a general setting item 853 and a user setting item 855.

When the general setting item 853 is selected on the call volume setting screen 851, the mobile terminal 100 sets the call volume in the same manner as the call volume setting method of the conventional mobile terminal. On the other hand, in the call volume setting screen 851, when the user customization item 855 is selected, the mobile terminal 100 includes a user setting including an earphone hearing test item 863 and a speaker hearing test item 865. Display screen 860. Accordingly, the user may sequentially select the two items 863 and 865 to set the call volume optimized for each call method.

Although not shown in the drawing, the call volume setting screen 851 may further include an automatic setting item (not shown) in addition to the general setting item 853 and the user setting item 855. In this case, the automatic setting item is selected to automatically set the call volume to a value predetermined by the manufacturer according to the call pattern. Accordingly, when the automatic setting item is selected, the mobile terminal 100 outputs the call voice of the counterpart based on the call volume preset by the manufacturer on a call pattern basis (that is, a call through a speaker or a call through earphones). do.

9 illustrates a process of presetting a user-customized call volume based on a hearing test through an earphone.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the earphone hearing test item 913 is selected on the user customization screen 911, the mobile terminal 100 displays a notification window 923, a start icon 925, a cancel icon 927, and the like. Display the earphone hearing screen 921 including a. In this case, the notification window 923 includes information for guiding the earphone to be connected to the user's ear. A start icon 925 is then selected to command the start of the hearing test, and a cancel icon 927 is selected to command the cancellation of the hearing test.

When the start icon 925 is selected on the earphone hearing test screen 921, the mobile terminal 100 includes a volume up icon 932, a volume down icon 933, a retest icon 934, a completion icon 935, and the like. A call volume adjustment screen 931 including a cancel icon 936 is displayed, and then a test tone for a hearing test is output.

In this case, when the test sound output through the earphone is small, the user touches the volume up icon 932 to provide a response to increase the volume of the test sound, and conversely, when the test sound is loud, Touching down icon 933 provides a response to volume down the test sound. Thereafter, when the hearing test is to be repeated based on the changed test sound, the user touches the retest icon 934.

Through this repeated test procedure, when the changed test sound is most heard, the user touches the completion icon 935 to end the hearing test currently in progress. Then, the mobile terminal 100 determines the user-customized call volume on the basis of the test sound last output at the end of the test, and stores it in the memory 160. In addition, the mobile terminal displays a notification window 941 indicating that the call volume setting by the user has been successfully completed. On the other hand, if the user wants to cancel the ongoing hearing test, the user may touch the cancel icon 936 to cancel the hearing test.

10 illustrates a process of presetting a user-customized call volume based on a hearing test through a speaker.

Referring to FIG. 10, the user customization screen 1011 includes an earphone hearing test item 1013 and a speaker hearing test item 1015, and the speaker hearing test item 1015 again includes a left ear test item 1017. ) And right ear test item 1019. Accordingly, the user may sequentially select the two items 1017 and 1019 to set the call volume optimized for each ear.

In the speaker hearing test item 1015, when the left ear test item 1017 is selected, the mobile terminal 100 includes a left ear including a notification window 1023, a start icon 1025, a cancel icon 1027, and the like. The inspection screen 1021 is displayed. In this case, the notification window 1023 includes information that guides the user to select a test start button after attaching the mobile terminal to his left ear. A start icon 1025 is then selected to instruct the start of the hearing test, and a cancel icon 1027 is selected to instruct the cancellation of the hearing test.

In the left ear test screen 1021, when the start icon 1025 is selected, the mobile terminal 100 displays the volume up icon 1032, the volume down icon 1033, the retest icon 1034, and the completion icon 1035. And a call volume adjustment screen 1031 including a cancel icon 1036, and the like, and then output a test sound for a hearing test.

At this time, when the test sound output through the speaker is small, the user touches the volume up icon 1032 to provide a response to increase the volume of the test sound, and conversely, when the test sound is loud, Touching the down icon 1033 provides a response to volume down the test sound. Thereafter, when the hearing test is to be repeated based on the changed test sound, the user touches the retest icon 1034.

Through this repeated test procedure, when the changed test sound is most heard, the user touches the completion icon 1035 to end the hearing test currently in progress. Then, the mobile terminal 100 determines the user-customized call volume on the basis of the test sound last output at the end of the test, and stores it in the memory 160. In addition, the mobile terminal displays a notification window 1041 indicating that the call volume setting by the user has been successfully completed. On the other hand, if the user wants to cancel the ongoing hearing test, the user may touch the cancel icon 936 to cancel the hearing test.

As described above, the hearing volume of the left ear may be used to preset the call volume optimized for the left ear of the user. In addition, in the same manner as the method described with reference to FIG. 10, through the hearing test for the right ear, a call volume optimized for the right ear of the user may be preset.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the hearing test is performed on each of the ears, and the optimized call volume is set based on the hearing. However, since the hearing of both ears is similar, the hearing test is performed only on one ear, The call volume determined through this can be set equally to the other ear.

In addition, the present embodiment illustrates that the user's hearing is checked based on the user's response (ie, volume up / down) to the output test sound, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that test methods can be applied.

Next, FIG. 11 illustrates a process of presetting a user-customized call volume at first boot after purchasing a terminal.

Referring to FIG. 11, at first booting, the mobile terminal 100 displays a setting guide screen 1110 including a notification window 1111, a confirmation icon 1113, a cancel icon 1115, and the like. In this case, the notification window 1113 includes information for guiding a user-customized call volume in advance.

When the confirmation icon 1113 is selected while the setting guide screen 1110 is displayed, the mobile terminal 100 displays the same screen 1121 as the user customization screen 1011 shown in FIG. Display. Subsequently, the method of setting the call volume through the user setting screen is the same as the method described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, when the cancel icon 1113 is selected while the setting guide screen 1110 is displayed, the mobile terminal 100 enters the standby mode and displays the standby screen without setting a user-customized call volume.

As described above, the user may set a user-customized call volume at the first boot after purchasing the terminal, and if not set at this time, may be set later through the operation of the above-described setting menu.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the user-customized call volume is set in advance through the hearing test, but is not limited to this, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is applicable to the media volume and the system volume in addition to the call volume.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a recording medium readable by a processor included in the mobile terminal. The processor-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which data that can be read by the processor is stored. Examples of the recording medium readable by the processor include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and also a carrier wave such as transmission over the Internet. In addition, the processor readable recording medium may be distributed over networked computer systems so that code readable by the processor in a distributed manner can be stored and executed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

110: wireless communication unit 120: A / V input unit
130: user input unit 140: sensing unit
150: output unit 151: display unit
160: memory 170: interface section
180 control unit 183 hearing test module

Claims (9)

Storing a preset call volume through a hearing test;
In response to a call origination request or a call reception request, connecting a call with a counterpart terminal;
Determining a call pattern of a user when the call is connected; And
Detecting a call volume corresponding to the determined call pattern, and outputting a voice of the other party based on the detected call volume. The method of claim 1, wherein the storing step,
A method of operating a mobile terminal, characterized in that the data is stored at the first boot of the mobile terminal or later stored through an operation of a setting menu. The method of claim 1,
The call pattern is an operation method of a mobile terminal, characterized in that the operation of the user listening to the call through the earphone or speaker. The method of claim 3, wherein the determined call pattern is an earphone call.
The output step may include detecting an optimized call volume when using the earphone, and outputting a voice of the other party based on the detected call volume. The method of claim 3, wherein the determined call pattern is a speaker call,
The determining may include detecting, by at least one of a motion sensor, a grip sensor, and a camera sensor, an ear of a user who is listening to the call. 6. The method of claim 5,
If the detected user's ear is left,
The outputting step may include detecting a call volume optimized for the left ear and outputting a voice of the other party based on the detected call volume. 6. The method of claim 5,
If the detected user's ear is right,
The outputting step may include detecting a call volume optimized for the right ear and outputting a voice of the other party based on the detected call volume. The method of claim 1,
Detecting an external noise greater than or equal to a threshold when the call is connected, and reflecting a correction value corresponding to the detected external noise to the detected communication volume. A memory for storing a preset call volume through a hearing test;
A wireless communication unit for connecting a call with a counterpart terminal in response to a call origination request or a call reception request; And
And a controller for determining a call pattern of a user, reading a call volume corresponding to the determined call pattern from the memory, and outputting a voice of the other party based on the read call volume.

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