KR100845494B1 - Portable terminal having functional keypad - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal having a function key input unit is provided to realize key inputting actions for efficient selection for various functions so that a user can more conveniently use the various functions. A function key input unit(110) generates object image data, and generates an object sensing signal according to results of analyzing the object image data, then outputs the generated sensing signal. A main input unit(240) generates a function performance signal in accordance with a user's operation, and outputs the generated performance signal. When the sensing signal is inputted, a terminal controller(230) controls so that a portable terminal(100) is operated in function key mode. The terminal controller decides whether the terminal is operated in the function key mode once the performance signal is inputted, so that a corresponding function is performed.

Description

Portable terminal having a function key input unit

The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a portable terminal having a function key input unit.

 BACKGROUND With the rapid development of electronic engineering and communication engineering, computer portable terminals equipped with an imaging unit (for example, a digital camera module, etc.), a sound source playback unit (for example, an MP3 file playback module, etc.) are provided. Accordingly, the user can enjoy various functions such as internet access, video communication and multimedia message service (MMS), digital music listening, and satellite broadcasting using a portable terminal equipped with various functions. Accordingly, in order for a user to use these various functions more conveniently, key input for efficient selection of various functions is desired.

The present invention is to provide a portable terminal having a function key input unit for efficient selection of the various functions provided.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a portable terminal, comprising: a function key input unit for photographing a subject to generate subject image data, and analyzing and subjecting the subject image data to generate and output a subject detection signal; A main input unit which generates and outputs a function performance signal according to a user's operation; And a terminal controller for controlling the portable terminal to operate in a function key mode when the subject detection signal is input, wherein the terminal controller determines whether the portable terminal operates in the function key mode when the function execution signal is input. There is provided a portable terminal which determines and controls a corresponding function to be performed.

Here, the function key input unit may include: a subject imaging unit configured to photograph the subject and generate subject image data; And analyzing the subject image data and determining that the function key input unit is operated by the user, and generating a subject detection signal and outputting the subject detection signal to the terminal controller.

The subject photographing unit may include a light source that is turned on at a predetermined time interval; The image sensor may be configured to photograph the subject while the light source is activated to generate the glossy image data, and to generate the matt image data by photographing the subject while the light source is inactivated.

The subject photographing unit may further include a filter that allows only light having a predetermined wavelength to pass, wherein the light source is an infrared light emitting diode (LED), and the filter may be a filter that only passes infrared light.

The subject detecting unit may generate the subject image data by comparing the glossy image data and the matte image data, analyze the subject image data, and the reference pixel extracted according to a preset reference is greater than or equal to a preset threshold. The subject control signal may be output to the terminal controller only, and the terminal controller may control to perform a function key mode when the subject detection signal is input.

In addition, the terminal controller controls the portable terminal to perform a first function when the portable terminal is not operating in the function key mode according to the function execution signal, and controls a second function to be performed when the portable terminal is operating in the function key mode. The first function and the second function may be different functions.

The portable terminal may further include a vibrator, and the terminal controller may initiate operation of the vibrator when the function key input unit is operated by a user.

The portable terminal may further include an additional light emitting unit, and the terminal controller may emit the additional light emitting unit when the function key input unit is operated by a user.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method of performing a function according to a user's selection in a portable terminal, the method comprising: photographing a subject to generate subject image data; Analyzing the subject image data to generate a subject detection signal; Operating in a function key mode when the subject detection signal is generated; And performing a corresponding function by determining whether to operate in the function key mode when a function execution signal is generated according to a user's operation.

The generating of the subject image data may include: generating a glossy image data by photographing the subject while the provided light source is activated; Imaging the subject while the light source is deactivated to generate matt image data; And generating the subject image data by comparing the polished image data and the matte image data.

The generating of the subject detection signal may include analyzing the subject image data and extracting a reference pixel according to a preset reference; Comparing the number of reference pixels with a preset threshold value; And generating the subject detection signal only when the number of the reference pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

The performing of the function corresponding to the function execution signal may include: performing a first function corresponding to the function execution signal if the function execution signal is not operated; And performing a second function corresponding to the function performance signal when operating in the function key mode, wherein the first function and the second function may be different functions.

The method may further include starting an operation of the vibrator provided when the subject detection signal is generated.

The method may further include starting an operation of the additional light emitter provided when the subject detection signal is generated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a program of instructions that can be executed by the portable terminal is tangibly implemented in order to perform the method of performing a function in the portable terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 14. And a recording medium having recorded thereon a program that can be read by the portable terminal.

According to the present invention can provide a portable terminal having a function key input unit for the efficient selection of the various functions provided.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a case where a function key input unit is provided in a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a case where a function key input unit 110 is provided in a portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the function key input unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be attached to an electronic device, and in particular, a small and portable electronic device such as a mobile communication terminal 110, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an MP3 player, or the like. It can be attached to. However, it is assumed that the function key input unit 110 is provided in the mobile communication terminal 100 for the convenience of understanding and explanation. At this time, the mobile communication terminal 100 may be applied regardless of the case of the folder type, slide type or swing type.

Here, the mobile communication terminal 100 may include a function key input unit 110 and a main input unit 120 capable of generating various signals according to a user's selection, and the function key input unit 110 may include a subject 130. By sensing the movement of the subject 130 can be detected. In this case, a function corresponding to the manipulation of the main input unit 120 of the user may be differently designated according to the position of the subject 130. For example, when the user operates the '*' button of the main input unit 120 while the subject 130 is not located in the function key input unit 110 and the subject 130 is connected to the function key input unit 110. When the user manipulates the '*' button of the main input unit 120 in the positioned state, different functions may be performed. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

Here, assuming that one function key input unit 110 is provided on the upper left side of the main input unit 120, this is only an example, and the function key input unit 110 may be provided in plural and may be provided in various positions. It may be provided. For example, suppose that four function key input units 110 are provided in the portable terminal 100. In this case, one function key input unit 110 may be provided at the upper right side of the main input unit 120, one at the lower left side, and two at the left side of the portable terminal 100. Therefore, the number and / or location of the function key input unit 110 does not limit the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the main input unit 120 may be implemented in various ways such as a button method and / or a touch method so that numbers, letters, and / or special symbols may be input by a user's selection.

The general appearance of the portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described for the operation of the portable terminal 100, in particular, the operation of the function key input unit 110 and the performance of the portable terminal 100 accordingly.

2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A, a portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a function key input unit 110, a terminal control unit 230, a main input unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a display unit 260. The vibration unit 270 and the additional light emitting unit 280 may be included. In addition, although not shown, it is apparent that the portable terminal 100 may further include a communication unit, a power unit, a speaker unit, and the like.

In addition, the function key input unit 110 may include a subject imaging unit 210 and a subject detecting unit 220. The subject imaging unit 210 may include a light source 212, a filter 214, a lens 216, The image sensor 218 may be included. Hereinafter, the structure of the function key input unit 110 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2B.

2B is a cross-sectional view of a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the function key input unit 110 includes one or more light sources 212-1 and 212-2, a filter 214, and an image sensor 218 under the light-transmitting unit 225 through which light can pass. The substrate 227 may be stacked on the substrate 227 and mounted in the portable terminal 100. In this case, the light projector 225 may not only protect the image analyzer 110 from an external material, but also light emitted from the light sources 212-1 and 212-2 is reflected by the subject and is then filtered again. And / or incident to the image sensor 218. In this case, the light transmitting part 225 may be formed of a transparent plastic. In addition, although it is assumed here that two light sources 212-1 and 212-2 are included, one or more light sources 212-1 and 212-2 may be included. Therefore, the number of light sources 212-1 and 212-2 does not limit the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of each component of the function key input unit 110 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2A.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the light source 212 is a device for irradiating predetermined light, and the light emitted from the light source 212 is reflected by the subject 130 to be incident on the subject imaging unit 210. Can be. In this case, the light source 212 may be an infrared light emitting diode (LED). In addition, the light source may irradiate light having a predetermined wavelength. In addition, the light irradiated from the light source 212 may be reflected by the subject 130 and continuously incident on the subject imaging unit 210. In addition, the light source 212 may be turned on at a predetermined time interval under the control of the terminal controller 230. In this case, the image sensor 218 photographs the subject 130 while the light source 212 outputs light, and receives the shiny image data, and the subject 130 while the light source 212 does not output light. The image data may be generated and output to the subject detecting unit 220 by generating matt image data, respectively.

The light reflected and incident by the subject 130 may pass through only the light having a specific wavelength by the filter 214 and reach the lens 216. That is, the filter 214 may pass only light having a specific wavelength to block light of other wavelengths that may act as noise. For example, assume that the light source 212 irradiates infrared rays as infrared LEDs. Here, the infrared rays which can be used in the present invention may be light having a relatively small ratio in sunlight. For example, the wavelength of the infrared light may be 900 to 980 nm, 1080 to 1180 nm, 1325 to 1425 nm, 1800 to 2000 nm, and the like, which are wavelengths of light having a relatively small amount of light in the solar spectrum. In this case, the filter 214 may be a filter capable of passing only infrared rays corresponding to the light source 212.

Here, the assumption is made on the assumption of the subject photographing unit 210 including the filter 214. It is apparent that the present invention may be applied using all light incident without the filter 214 included.

The lens 216 may perform a function of transferring the light passing through the filter 214 to the image sensor 218.

The image sensor 218 may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor. A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is composed of a plurality of unit pixels including a photo diode, and the signal output from the sensor is a digital electrical signal, which is driven by a control circuit and signal processing. . A charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor includes a plurality of MOS capacitors, and is operated by outputting an analog electric signal by moving charges (carriers) to the MOS capacitors.

The image sensor 218 includes a plurality of pixels capable of sensing light. Accordingly, the image sensor 218 generates the shiny image data and the matte image data so that the subject detecting unit 220 can determine whether the subject 140 is located at the function key input unit 110, and then generates the subject detecting unit 220. ) Can be printed.

The subject detecting unit 220 may determine whether the function key input unit 110 has been operated by the user. For example, the subject detecting unit 220 may detect whether the subject 130 is located above the image sensor 218 and determine whether the function key input unit 110 has been operated by the user. That is, the subject detecting unit 220 may generate the subject image data by comparing the matte image data input from the image sensor 218 and the matte image data sequentially input. For example, the subject image data may be data obtained by subtracting the luminance value of the matte image data corresponding to each pixel from the luminance value of the glossy image data. That is, since the gloss image data is image data captured while the light source 212 is activated, the image of the subject 130 photographed at a position close to the light source 212 will have a high luminance value and a position far from the light source 212. The luminance value of the background partial image picked up at will be relatively small. In addition, since the matte image data is image data captured while the light source 212 is inactivated, the luminance value of the image of the subject 130 and the luminance value of the background image will be smaller than those of the glossy image data.

In addition, since the background of the glossy image data and the matte image data are both located far from the light source 212 compared to the light source 212 and the subject 130, the difference in luminance value will be very small. Therefore, if the luminance value of the matte image data corresponding to each pixel is subtracted from the luminance value of the glossy image data, the luminance value of the background portion except for the subject 130 will be almost 'zero'. Only the luminance value of the portion corresponding to 130 will be present. In this manner, the subject detecting unit 220 may generate the subject image data in which only a portion corresponding to the subject 130 is extracted from the captured image data.

Here, it is assumed that the gloss image data is input first and the matte image data is input later, but it is obvious that the matte image data is input first and the gloss image data may be input later. In this case, it is apparent that the luminance value of each pixel of the subject image data may correspond to the absolute value of the subtracted value of the luminance value of each pixel of the matte image data and the luminance value of each pixel of the glossy image data.

In addition, the subject detecting unit 220 may analyze the subject image data and extract an image pixel corresponding to the subject 130 (hereinafter referred to as a reference pixel). For example, it is assumed that the resolution of the image sensor 218 is 640 * 480 (horizontal * vertical), and the luminance value of each pixel is divided into 0 to 255. If the luminance value is '0', the brightness is '0', so it will be black, and if the luminance value is '255', it will be represented as white because it is the brightest case. In this case, if the reference luminance value set in advance to extract the reference pixel is '150', the object detecting unit 220 may extract, as the reference pixel, a pixel having a luminance value of '150' or more among all pixels included in the subject image data. have. At this time, since the pixel whose luminance value is too high or too low is likely to be a noise pixel, the upper and lower luminance values may be set in addition to the reference luminance value. For example, if the reference luminance value is '150' and the luminance upper limit value is set to '220' in advance, the subject detecting unit 220 has a luminance value of '150' or more among all pixels included in the subject image data. A pixel less than '220' may be extracted as a reference pixel.

In addition, the object detecting unit 220 may compare the number of reference pixels with a preset threshold. For example, assume that the preset threshold is '10, 000 '. At this time, if the number of reference pixels is greater than '10, 000 ', the subject detecting unit 220 may generate a subject detecting signal and output the subject detecting signal to the terminal controller 230. That is, the large number of reference pixels may mean that the light source 212 is covered by the object 130 in a large amount (that is, it may mean that a lot of light is reflected and incident by the object 130). The subject detecting unit 220 may generate and output a subject detecting signal for informing the terminal controller 230 of the subject detecting unit 220. Hereinafter, an embodiment of generating a subject detection signal will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4B.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment when a subject is located in a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a diagram of a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of generated subject image data.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a case in which a subject 130 (for example, a user's finger, etc.) is positioned at a portion of the function key input unit 110 is illustrated. In this case, the function key input unit 110 may generate the subject image data by the above-described method. That is, referring to FIG. 3B, the first subject image data 310 generated in the case of FIG. 3A is illustrated. In this case, the first subject image data 310 may include a first reference pixel 320 corresponding to the subject 130. In this case, the number of the first reference pixels 320 may be equal to or less than a preset threshold value, and therefore, the subject detecting unit 220 may not generate the subject detecting signal.

4A is a view showing another embodiment when the subject is located in the function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4b is a function key input unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in the case of FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of generated subject image data.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a case in which the subject 130 covers most of the function key input unit 110 is illustrated. In this case, the function key input unit 110 may generate the subject image data by the above-described method. That is, referring to FIG. 4B, the second subject image data 410 generated in the case of FIG. 4A is illustrated. In this case, the second subject image data 410 may include a second reference pixel 420 corresponding to the subject 130. In this case, the number of the second reference pixels 420 may be equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, and therefore, the object detecting unit 220 may generate a subject detection signal and output the same to the terminal controller 230.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, the terminal controller 230 may control the overall operation of the portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the terminal controller 230 may control each component of the portable terminal 100 to perform various functions according to the user's operation of the main input unit 240. That is, the main input unit 240 may generate a function performance signal according to a user's operation and output the generated function signal to the terminal controller 230, and the terminal controller 230 may perform a function corresponding to the input function performance signal. Components included in the portable terminal 100 may be controlled. For example, when the user manipulates the main input unit 240 to generate a text message and output it to the counterpart terminal, the terminal controller 230 may generate a text message corresponding to the operation of the main input unit 240 of the user. have.

In addition, the terminal controller 230 may control the portable terminal 100 to operate in a function key mode when the subject detection signal is input from the subject detecting unit 220. Here, the function key mode may be an operation mode when the subject 130 is detected by the subject detecting unit 220. In addition, the terminal controller 230 may control the vibrator 270 to operate when the subject detection signal is input. Alternatively, when the subject detection signal is input, the terminal controller 230 includes an additional light emitting unit 280 (for example, a circular light emitting diode surrounding the function key input unit 110) provided around the function key input unit 110. It can be controlled to be activated. Accordingly, the user can tactilely and / or visually recognize that the portable terminal 100 is operating in the function key mode.

At this time, even if the same button of the main input unit 240 is operated by the user, the function performed in the function key mode of the portable terminal 100 and in the normal mode (that is, the operation mode when not operated in the function key mode) is performed. May differ from one another. That is, when the user operates any key button among the plurality of key buttons included in the main input unit 240, the first function may be performed if the portable terminal 100 is operated in the normal mode, and the portable terminal ( If 100) is operating in the function key mode, the second function may be performed. In this case, the first function and the second function may be different functions. For example, it is assumed that a text message is generated according to a user's manipulation of the main input unit 240. However, since the English alphabet and the Korean consonants / vowels are larger than the number of key buttons included in the keypad, a plurality of consonants / vowels and the English alphabet are assigned to one key button. Hereinafter, a method of generating a text message in the portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

5A is a diagram illustrating a main input unit when the portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is not operated in a function key mode, and FIG. 5B illustrates a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention in a function key mode. A diagram illustrating a main input unit in the case of operation.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the portable terminal 100 is operated in a normal mode. At this time, any key button (hereinafter, referred to as 'first key button') 510 of the main input unit 240 may be a key button corresponding to 'P' or 'Q'. That is, when the user manipulates the first key button 510 once, a character corresponding to 'P' may be input, and when the user operates twice, the character corresponding to 'Q' may be input.

5B, the portable terminal 100 is operated in a function key mode. In this case, the first key button 510 of the main input unit 240 may be a key button corresponding to 'R' or 'S'. That is, when the user manipulates the first key button 510 once, a character corresponding to 'R' may be input, and when the user operates twice, the character corresponding to 'S' may be input.

In this case, in order to enable the user to easily identify which character corresponds to the first key button 510, an identification force may be added to the character corresponding to the first key button 510 in each operation mode. . For example, when the main input unit 240 is a button type, two light emitting diodes (that is, back-lights) may be provided at the bottom of the first key button 510, and each light emission may be provided. The diodes may correspond to normal mode and function key mode, respectively. That is, when the portable terminal 100 is operated in the normal mode, only the light emitting diode corresponding to the normal mode may be activated. When the portable terminal 100 is operated in the function key mode, only the light emitting diode corresponding to the function key mode may be activated. have. Therefore, when the portable terminal 100 is operated in the normal mode, a letter (ie, P or Q) corresponding to the first key button 510 in the normal mode is assigned to the first key button 510 in the function key mode. The discernment will be better than the corresponding letter (ie R or S) (see FIG. 5A). On the contrary, when the portable terminal 100 is operated in the function key mode, the letter (that is, R or S) corresponding to the first key button 510 in the function key mode will have a better discriminating power in contrast to the above-described case. .

As another example, it is assumed that the main input unit 240 is a touch method (that is, a method in which a touch pad is provided on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)) of the display unit 260. In this case, the terminal controller 230 may control only the characters corresponding to each operation mode of the portable terminal 100 to be displayed through the display unit 260.

Herein, when the portable terminal 100 is operated in the normal mode, the characters that can be input in the function key mode are described as not being input, but the characters that can be input in the function key mode may also be input in the normal mode. That is, in FIG. 5A, when the user manipulates the first key button 510 three times, a character corresponding to 'R' is input, and when the user operates four times, a character corresponding to 'S' may be input. Do. On the contrary, even when the portable terminal 100 is operated in the function key mode, it is obvious that characters that can be input in the general mode may be input. In addition, although it is assumed here that the alphabet is input, it is obvious that the above-described method may be applied to the same or similar method in the case of inputting Korean (ie, consonants or vowels), numbers, and / or special characters.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, the terminal controller 230 may generate a text message (or text data) including the text input by the above-described method. In addition, the terminal controller 230 may store the generated text message (or text data, etc.) in the storage 250 or output the generated text message to the counterpart terminal according to the user's selection. Herein, the terminal control unit 230 has been described based on the input method of letters (or numbers, special characters, etc.), which may vary depending on the case in which the terminal control unit 230 is operated in the normal mode and the function key mode, but this is only an example. The above-described method may be applied in the same or similar manner even when other functions provided in the portable terminal 100 are performed.

For example, an arbitrary second key button included in the main input unit 240 is a key button for activating an MP3 player function in a normal mode, and in advance in a function key mode as a key button for activating a video player function. Can be set. Therefore, the functions set in advance in each key button included in the main input unit 240 do not limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, the main input unit 240, in addition to the input unit for inputting numbers, letters and / or special characters, the direction key button provided on one side of the portable terminal 100, various function key buttons that can be located above the number pad (for example , Call button, end button, confirmation button, direction key button, etc.) may be implemented as various types of input units. Therefore, the spherical shape of the main input unit 240 does not limit the scope of the present invention.

The main input unit 240 may generate various function performance signals according to a user's operation and output the generated signal to the terminal controller 230. As described above, the main input unit 240 may be implemented in various ways, for example, a button method and / or a touch method. In addition, as described above, the main input unit 240 may be implemented in various forms.

The storage unit 250 is a storage space in which various data can be stored, and various software for the operation of the portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored. In particular, the storage unit 250 may store a threshold value, an upper limit of luminance, a lower limit of luminance, and the like, to be compared with the number of reference pixels. The storage unit 250 may be a NAND type semiconductor memory device.

The display unit 260 may display various data under the control of the terminal controller 230. This allows the user to initially recognize the displayed data. The display unit 260 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The vibrator 270 may be operated by the control of the terminal controller 230. For example, the vibrator 230 may be driven by the control of the terminal controller 230 when an event such as a text message (SMS), a phone call, an alarm, or the like occurs. In particular, when it is determined that the user operates the function key input unit 110 by the subject detecting unit 220, the vibrator 270 may be driven by the control of the terminal controller 230. Accordingly, the user can tactilely recognize that the portable terminal 100 is operated in the function key mode. Here, the vibrator 270 may include a vibration motor.

The additional light emitting unit 280 may be provided around the function key input unit 110 and may emit light under the control of the terminal controller 230. In particular, when it is determined that the user manipulates the function key input unit 110 by the subject detecting unit 220, the additional light emitting unit 280 may emit light under the control of the terminal controller 230. As a result, the user may visually recognize that the portable terminal 100 operates in the function key mode. Here, the additional light emitting unit 280 may be a light emitting diode (LED).

Here, it has been described that one subject image data is analyzed to generate a subject detection signal, but this is only for convenience of understanding and explanation. Therefore, the above-described operations of the components of the portable terminal 100 may be continuously performed even after the subject detection signal is generated. That is, while the subject 130 is continuously detected, the portable terminal 100 may continue to operate in the function key mode.

In addition, the function key input unit 110 may repeatedly perform the above operation regardless of whether a subject exists. That is, the function key input unit 110 may repeatedly determine the presence or absence of a subject by repeatedly performing the above-described operation. The function key input unit 110 may not perform the above-described operation only when the subject is present at the top of the function key input unit 110.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a function of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a method of performing a function of the portable terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, each step to be described below may be a step performed by each component included in the portable terminal 100, but collectively referred to as performed in the portable terminal 100 for the convenience of understanding and explanation. Therefore, the subject performing the steps to be described below may be omitted.

In operation 610, the light source 212 is activated, that is, while outputting light, the image of the subject 130 may be captured to generate glossy image data.

In operation 620, the matte image data may be generated by capturing the subject 130 while the light source 212 is inactivated, that is, not outputting light.

In this case, the light source 212 may be turned on at a predetermined time interval under the control of the terminal controller 230, and the image sensor 218 may be inactivated immediately after generating the glossy image data. Matte image data can be generated. In addition, although the description has been made on the assumption that the matte image data is generated after the matte image data is generated, the matte image data may be generated after the matte image data is generated. That is, after step 610 is performed, step 620 may be generated.

 In operation 630, the generated image data may be compared with the matt image data to generate subject image data. Since the method of generating the subject image data may be the same as or similar to the method described above, a detailed description thereof may be omitted here.

In operation 640, the generated subject image data may be analyzed to extract a reference pixel corresponding to the portion of the subject 140.

In operation 650, the number of extracted reference pixels may be compared with a preset threshold. In this case, when the number of reference pixels is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, it may be determined that the subject 130 is positioned on the function key input unit 110. Therefore, the portable terminal 100 can be operated in the function key mode (step 660). In this case, in order to notify the user that the portable terminal 100 is operated in the function key mode, the vibration unit 270 may be operated or an additional light emitting unit 280 provided separately around the function key input unit 110 may be activated. On the other hand, if the number of reference pixels is less than the predetermined threshold value, it may be determined that the subject 130 is not positioned on the function key input unit 110, and the process may be performed again from step 610.

Subsequently, when a user's key input is sensed (ie, when the main input unit 240 is operated by the user), a function corresponding to the user's manipulation may be performed. That is, when the portable terminal 100 is operated in the function key mode, the second function corresponding to the function key mode may be performed. When the portable terminal 100 is operated in the normal mode, the second function corresponding to the normal mode may be performed. have. In this case, the first function and the second function may be different functions.

In addition, although it has been described that one subject image data is analyzed to generate a subject detection signal, the above-described steps 610 to 660 may be performed again after the subject detection signal is generated. That is, while the subject 130 is continuously detected, the portable terminal 100 may continue to operate in the function key mode.

Although the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below It will be appreciated that modifications and variations can be made.

1 is a diagram illustrating a case where a function key input unit is provided in a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a is a diagram showing the configuration of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2B is a cross-sectional view of a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment when a subject is located in a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 3B is a view showing an embodiment of subject image data generated by a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention in the case of FIG. 3A; FIG.

4A illustrates another embodiment when the subject is located in a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a view showing an embodiment of subject image data generated by a function key input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention in the case of FIG.

5A is a diagram illustrating a main input unit when a portable terminal is not operated in a function key mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5B is a diagram illustrating a main input unit when a portable terminal operates in a function key mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a function of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

110: function key input unit

210: subject recording unit

212 light source

214: filter

216 lens

218: image sensor

220: subject detection unit

230: terminal control unit

240: main input unit

250: storage unit

260: display unit

270: vibrating part

280: additional light emitting unit

Claims (15)

In a portable terminal, A function key input unit for generating subject image data and generating and outputting a subject detection signal according to a result of analyzing the subject image data; A main input unit which generates and outputs a function performance signal according to a user's operation; And When the subject detection signal is input includes a terminal control unit for controlling the portable terminal to operate in a function key mode, And the terminal controller determines whether the portable terminal operates in the function key mode when the function execution signal is input, and controls a corresponding function to be performed. The method of claim 1, The function key input unit, A subject photographing unit configured to photograph the subject and generate subject image data; And And a subject detecting unit for generating a subject detecting signal and outputting the subject detecting signal to the terminal controller if the user determines that the function key input unit is operated by analyzing the subject image data. The method of claim 2, The subject imaging unit, A light source that is turned on at a predetermined time interval; And And an image sensor for capturing the subject while the light source is activated to generate gloss image data, and generating the matt image data while capturing the subject while the light source is deactivated. Claim 4 was abandoned when the registration fee was paid. The method of claim 3, The subject imaging unit further includes a filter that allows only light of a predetermined wavelength to pass therethrough, The light source is an infrared light emitting diode (LED), and the filter is a portable terminal, characterized in that the filter that can pass only infrared light. Claim 5 was abandoned upon payment of a set-up fee. The method of claim 3, The subject detecting unit generates the subject image data by comparing the glossy image data and the matte image data, and analyzes the subject image data only when the reference pixel extracted according to a preset criterion is equal to or greater than a preset threshold. Outputting the subject detection signal to a terminal controller; And the terminal controller controls a function key mode to be performed when the subject detection signal is input. The method of claim 1, The terminal controller controls the first function to be performed when the portable terminal is not operating in the function key mode according to the function execution signal, and controls the second function to be performed when the portable terminal is operating in the function key mode. And the first function and the second function are different functions from each other. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a vibrator, And the terminal controller starts the operation of the vibrator when the function key input unit is operated by a user. The method of claim 1, Further comprising an additional light emitting unit, And the terminal control unit emits the additional light emitting unit when the function key input unit is operated by a user. In a method in which a function according to a user's selection is performed in a portable terminal, Photographing a subject to generate subject image data; Analyzing the subject image data to generate a subject detection signal; Operating in a function key mode when the subject detection signal is generated; And And if a function execution signal is generated according to a user's operation, determining whether to operate in the function key mode and performing a corresponding function. The method of claim 9, The generating of the subject image data may include: Imaging the subject while the provided light source is activated to generate gloss image data; Imaging the subject while the light source is deactivated to generate matt image data; And And generating the subject image data by comparing the polished image data and the matte image data. The method of claim 9, The generating of the subject detection signal may include: Analyzing the subject image data and extracting a reference pixel according to a preset reference; Comparing the number of reference pixels with a preset threshold value; And And generating the subject detection signal only when the number of the reference pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The method of claim 9, The step of performing a function corresponding to the function performance signal, Performing a first function corresponding to the function performance signal when not operating in the function key mode; And When the operation in the function key mode includes the step of performing a second function corresponding to the function performance signal, And the first function and the second function are different functions from each other. Claim 13 was abandoned upon payment of a registration fee. The method of claim 9, And starting the operation of the vibrator provided when the subject detection signal is generated. Claim 14 was abandoned when the registration fee was paid. The method of claim 9, And initiating an operation of the additional light emitting unit provided when the subject detection signal is generated. A program of instructions that can be executed by the portable terminal is tangibly embodied in order to perform the method of performing a function in the portable terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 14, and can be read by the portable terminal. The recording medium on which the program is recorded.

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