KR101195472B1 - Method and apparatus for varying skin color of a portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

        The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for changing the skin color of a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for changing the skin color of a mobile terminal using a temperature sensor.

        To this end, the skin color variation method of the mobile terminal of the present invention comprises the steps of: sensing the body temperature by the temperature sensor; Outputting, by the temperature sensor, a constant voltage value according to the measured temperature; Changing a color of a skin color shifting unit according to the output voltage value; And displaying a specific indicator on the portable terminal display unit according to the output voltage value.

Accordingly, by using the temperature sensor built into the mobile terminal, the temperature around the mobile terminal or the temperature of the user of the mobile terminal can be detected, and the color of the skin of the mobile terminal can be changed easily and variously according to the detected temperature. The emotional state according to the change in body temperature of the user may be indicated through the color change of the mobile terminal skin or a specific voice output.

 Temperature sensor, skin color variation, indicator

Description

Method and apparatus for varying skin color of a portable terminal {Method and apparatus for varying skin color of a portable terminal}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a skin color changing device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a skin color of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for changing skin color of a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for changing skin color of a mobile terminal having a temperature sensor.

Mobile phones are the items that modern people carry most often. They are long-handed items that carry direct changes in body temperature.

One of the factors most affecting the appearance of the mobile terminal is the surface of the outside of the mobile terminal, that is, the color of the skin.

However, since the color of the conventional mobile terminal skin is always constant, there is a problem that a user who is sensitive to color may easily get tired of the color of the skin after a certain period of use. In addition, in order to change the color of the outer surface of the portable terminal, there is a problem in that the color of the portable terminal skin must be replaced using a portable terminal protective case having a different color.

 On the other hand, as a technology related to a mobile terminal having a conventional temperature sensor, there is a Korean Patent Publication No. 2004-0019163.

 The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal that can measure and display the current temperature of the surroundings according to a user's instruction, comprising: a temperature sensor for outputting a voltage value corresponding to the measured temperature by measuring the surrounding temperature; An A / D converter for converting a temperature measurement value output as an analog voltage value from a temperature sensor into a digital value; And a controller for converting the temperature measurement value converted into a digital value by the A / D converter into text according to a user's command input through the keypad and displaying the same on a liquid crystal display.

 However, the conventional invention can only measure the ambient temperature by using a temperature sensor built in the portable terminal, there is a problem that the skin color of the portable terminal can not be changed.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems, by using a temperature sensor built in the portable terminal, a skin color variation method and apparatus of the portable terminal that can change the skin color of the portable terminal according to the ambient temperature of the portable terminal To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for changing the skin color of a mobile terminal that can change the color of the skin of the mobile terminal according to a change in body temperature by using a temperature sensor embedded in the mobile terminal.

 In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for changing the skin color of a mobile terminal which can indicate the emotional state according to the temperature change of the user of the mobile terminal through the color variation of the skin of the portable terminal or the output of a specific voice file. have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the skin color variation method of a mobile terminal having a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature of the mobile terminal; Outputting, by the temperature sensor, a predetermined voltage value according to the measured temperature; Changing a color of a skin color shifting unit according to the output voltage value; According to the output voltage value, a specific indicator is achieved by the skin color variation method of the mobile terminal, which includes displaying the mobile terminal display unit.

      Preferably, the method for changing the skin color of the mobile terminal further includes setting a season mode or a temperature sensing mode. The season mode or the temperature sensing mode is set through a keypad command input of the portable terminal.

      The method of changing the skin color of the mobile terminal further includes a step of informing the user of the meaning of the specific indicator by voice through the mobile terminal audio processor.

      On the other hand, the above object is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the skin color fluctuation apparatus of the mobile terminal, the skin color fluctuation unit provided on the surface of the portable terminal; A temperature sensor unit sensing a temperature around the portable terminal; And a control unit for displaying a specific indicator according to the sensed temperature on a display unit.

       Preferably, the material of the skin color shifting portion is a cholesteric liquid crystal.

       In the present embodiment, the color of the skin color shifting unit varies according to a digital signal corresponding to the voltage value output from the temperature sensor.

       The specific indicator is preset according to a digital signal corresponding to a specific voltage value for changing the color of the skin color shifting part.

In addition, the specific indicator is a specific shape icon or a specific shape emoticon or a specific shape avatar or a combination of texts and the like.

According to the present invention, by embedding a temperature sensor in the portable terminal, the temperature around the portable terminal or the body temperature of the user of the portable terminal can be detected, and the color of the portable terminal skin can be easily and variously changed according to the detected temperature.

In addition, the emotional state according to the temperature change of the user of the mobile terminal can be displayed by outputting a color change or a specific voice of the mobile terminal skin.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the same elements among the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a skin color shifting device of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the skin color changing device of the portable terminal includes a portable terminal controller 11, a memory unit 12, an audio processor 13, a key input unit 14, a camera unit 15, And an image processor 16, a screen display unit 17, an RF unit 18, a data processor 19, a temperature sensor unit 20, and a skin color change unit 21.

The portable terminal controller 11 performs a function of controlling the overall operation of the portable terminal. In addition, the controller 11 may include the data processor 19.

In particular, the control unit 11 is connected to the temperature sensor unit 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the digital corresponding to the digital voltage value output in response to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit 20 Generate a signal. The digital signal is transmitted to the audio processor 13, the screen display unit 17, and the skin color shifter 21, and the predetermined indicator and the audio file preset for the digital signal are respectively displayed on the display unit 17 and the audio processor. It is executed through (13), and the skin color changing part 21 is changed to a specific color. The particular indicator is preferably an icon of a particular shape or an emoticon of a particular shape or an avatar of a particular shape or a combination of text and these.

The memory unit 12 stores a data memory. The data memory temporarily stores data generated during operation of the mobile terminal. In addition, the memory unit 12 may be a database DB in which a digital signal corresponding to the voltage value output from the temperature sensor unit is stored.

The audio processor 13 plays a function of reproducing the received audio signal output from the audio codec of the data processor 19 or transmitting the transmitted audio signal generated from the microphone to the audio codec of the data processor 19.

In particular, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a preset voice may be output in response to a specific digital signal transmitted from the mobile terminal controller 11.

The key input unit 14 includes keys for inputting numeric and character information and function keys for setting various functions. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user of the portable terminal instructs the temperature sensor 21 to operate through the key input unit 14, and also commands the temperature sensor 21 to enter the temperature sensing mode. can do. In addition, the temperature sensor may be provided with a shortcut key for switching to the operation mode or the temperature sensing mode, for example, the shortcut key may be '#' or '*'.

The camera module 15 includes a camera sensor for converting the photographed optical signal into an electrical signal, and a signal processor for converting the analog image signal photographed from the camera sensor into a digital signal. Herein, it is assumed that the camera sensor is a CCD sensor, and the signal processor may be implemented by a digital signal processor (DSP). The camera sensor and the signal processor may be integrally implemented or may be separately implemented.

The image processor 16 performs a function of generating screen data for displaying an image signal output from the camera unit 15. The image processor 16 processes the image signal output from the camera unit 15 in units of frames, and outputs the frame image data according to the characteristics and size of the screen display unit 17. In addition, the image processing unit 16 includes an image codec, and compresses the frame image data displayed on the screen display unit 17 in a set manner or restores the compressed frame image data to the original frame image data. To perform. The image codec may be a JPEG codec, an MPEG4 codec, a Wavelet codec, or the like. It is assumed that the image processor 16 has an On Screen Display (OSD) function, and may output on-screen display data according to a screen size controlled and displayed by the controller 20. .

The screen display unit 17 displays an image signal output from the image processing unit 16 on a screen, and displays data output from the control unit 20. In this case, the screen display unit 17 may use an LCD. In this case, the screen display unit 17 may include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD display element.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a specific indicator according to the digital signal output from the control unit 20 is displayed on the display unit 17, the specific indicator is a specific shape of an icon or a specific shape of an emoticon or a specific shape of an avatar or It is a combination of these and text.

The RF unit 18 performs a wireless communication function of the portable terminal. The RF unit 18 includes an RF transmitter for upconverting and amplifying a frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver for low noise amplifying and downconverting a received signal.

The data processor 19 includes a transmitter for encoding and modulating the transmitted signal, a receiver for demodulating and decoding the received signal, and the like. That is, the data processor 19 may be configured of a modem and a codec CODDEC. The codec includes a data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec for processing audio signals such as voice.

The temperature sensor unit 20 is configured to include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature around the portable terminal, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when entering the body temperature sensing mode, the user of the mobile terminal in contact with the mobile terminal Detect body temperature The temperature sensor unit 20 is configured to include an A / D converter for converting the temperature measurement value output from the temperature sensor to an analog voltage value to a digital voltage value. The digital voltage value is transmitted to the mobile terminal controller 11.

The portable terminal controller 11 generates a digital signal corresponding to the digital voltage value and transmits the digital signal to the audio processor 13, the screen display unit 17, and the skin color shifter 21.

The audio processor 13 receiving the digital signal outputs a predetermined voice file preset in response to a specific digital signal, and the screen display unit 17 displays a preset specific indicator in response to the specific digital signal, and changes the skin color. The unit 21 is changed to a preset color corresponding to the specific digital signal.

The temperature sensor 20 is attached to a circuit board (PCB) inside the main body of the mobile communication terminal, and implemented on the upper or lower portion of the mobile communication terminal, the heat generated when using the mobile communication terminal to reach the temperature sensor Do not. This is because the mobile communication terminal is driven by the power of the battery, heat is generated in the mobile communication terminal itself during use, and when the heat is conducted to the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor unit 20 cannot accurately measure the ambient temperature. Problems may occur, so this is to prevent them. The temperature sensor 20 is driven by a power source attached to the mobile communication terminal to measure the ambient temperature and output the measured temperature as a voltage value. For example, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is 10 ° C. If it is, it outputs the voltage of 1V of temperature sensor to A / D converter. In addition, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is 0 ℃, the temperature sensor outputs a voltage of 0V to the A / D converter.

The A / D converter converts the analog voltage value output from the temperature sensor into a binary digital value and outputs it to the control unit 11 and the skin color changing unit 21. This is for the control unit 11 to convert the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor to a specific indicator.

The skin color shifting unit 21 includes a liquid crystal element, and the liquid crystal element is preferably a cholesteric liquid crystal.

The cholesteric liquid crystal has a structure in which the alignment direction of the molecular axis is slightly shifted between adjacent layers, and has a helical structure as the whole liquid crystal. The cholesteric liquid crystal has special optical properties such as opticality, selective reflection, and circularly polarized light dichroism due to the helical structure. And sensitive changes due to temperature changes. That is, since the interval between the molecular layers of the cholesteric liquid crystal is sensitively changed depending on the temperature difference of about 0.01 ° C. or its corresponding voltage difference, when voltage or temperature is applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal and the white light is subtracted, the applied voltage or temperature is reduced. As a result, the color of light observed through the liquid crystal is changed.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, the digital signal generated by the control unit 11 in response to the digital voltage value transmitted from the temperature sensor unit 20 is applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal element Since the light emission color varies, the skin color of the mobile terminal is changed.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a skin color of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a skin color of a mobile terminal using a temperature sensor and a skin color changing unit. .

      In the standby state 201 of the portable terminal, it is checked whether or not the operating mode of the temperature sensor built in the portable terminal is set (203). When the temperature sensor operation mode is not set, the user of the portable terminal inputs the temperature sensor sensor operation mode command key (205) to operate the temperature sensor.

       In a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is checked whether the seasonal mode is set (207). By setting the seasonal mode, the digital signal value for the same temperature is changed for each season to maximize the effect of the present invention. Seasonal mode setting is by a key input command (209).

       In addition, it is checked whether the body temperature sensing mode is set (211). By setting the temperature sensing mode, it is discriminated whether the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 20 is the temperature around the portable terminal or the body temperature of the user holding the portable terminal. Setting of temperature sensing mode is done by key input command.

        In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the key input pad of the portable terminal, the key input unit 14 may have a side command key installed on an external side of the portable terminal, and the side command key may be a season mode setting command key or a temperature sensing mode setting command. Can be a key function.

        When the temperature sensor 20 is operated, the body temperature of the user of the portable terminal is measured by the temperature sensor 213 or the ambient temperature of the portable terminal is measured 215.

        The temperature sensor unit 20 generates a digital voltage value corresponding to the measured temperature value and transmits the digital voltage value to the portable terminal controller 11 (217).

        When the body temperature sensing mode of the portable terminal is set, the portable terminal controller 11 is a specific digital signal corresponding to each measurement temperature (that is, a digital signal for the digital voltage value transmitted from the temperature sensor 20). Is generated and transmitted to the audio processor 13, the screen display unit 17, and the skin color shifter 21 (219).

        The skin color shifter 21 that receives the digital signal is shifted to a specific color (221), and the screen display unit 17 displays a specific indicator preset in response to the specific digital signal (223), The audio processor 13 executes a specific voice file preset in response to the specific digital signal (225).

        In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the specific indicator is a specific shape icon or a specific shape emoticon or a specific shape avatar or a combination of these and text. For example, when 36.1 ° C., which is lower than the standard body temperature, is measured in the body temperature sensing mode, a digital voltage value corresponding to 36.1 ° C. is transmitted from the temperature sensor unit 20 to the controller 11. The controller 11 generates a digital signal corresponding to the digital voltage value and transmits the digital signal to the audio processor 13 and the display unit 17. The display unit 17 displays a specific emoticon (eg, a frown) and text informing that the user needs to rest (223). In addition, the audio processor 13 executes and outputs a voice file having the content " it is in a state of needing rest " (225).

        In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin color shifting unit 21 is composed of a liquid crystal element, in one embodiment of the present invention is preferably composed of a cholesteric liquid crystal (cholesteric liquid crystal) element.

        The color conversion principle of the cholesteric liquid crystal device is that the helical pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal device is changed according to the voltage change applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal, so that a specific wavelength that matches the helical pitch among the wavelengths of the light is changed. As a principle of selective reflection that is reflected, in one embodiment according to the present invention, the skin color of the mobile terminal is changed to seven colors.

        That is, the voltage value transmitted from the temperature monitoring sensor unit 20 is a specific voltage value according to a specific temperature. When the controller 11 generates a digital signal corresponding to the specific voltage value and applies it to the cholesteric liquid crystal, the skin The color of the color shifting section 21 is varied according to each digital signal.

        In particular, in one embodiment according to the present invention, the temperature value measured while the body temperature sensing mode is set is recognized as the body temperature of the user of the mobile terminal, and is also cholesteric by a digital signal corresponding to a specific voltage value according to the temperature difference of 0.01 ° C. Since the emission color of the liquid crystal is changed in various ways, the skin color of the mobile terminal may be sensitive to the body temperature of the user of the mobile terminal.

        In the body temperature sensing mode in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature is classified into seven stages with a constant temperature difference (for example, 0.02 ° C.) based on 36.5 ° C. which is a standard body temperature of a person, and each temperature is in the range of 35.9 ° C. to 37.1 ° C. When the digital signal corresponding to the voltage value according to the cholesteric liquid crystal is applied, the skin color of the mobile terminal is changed to seven kinds.

        As a result, the skin color of the mobile terminal is changed in correspondence with each temperature, and the voltage value for the temperature causing each skin color to be transmitted is transmitted to the portable terminal controller in the same manner. A preset specific indicator may be displayed on the screen display unit 17 of the portable terminal, and the specific voice file may be output from the audio processor 13.

        Table 1 below shows an example of an emotional state of a mobile terminal user corresponding to each color of the skin color shifter 21 arbitrarily classified according to the digital signal of the measured body temperature.

Body temperature Skin Color Shift Part Color Display and audio output 37.1 ℃ Orange Wild, brave, adventurous 36.9 ℃ Gold Playful, fun, lovable 36.7 ℃ Yellow amber Overjoyed, passionate, romantic 36.5 ℃ Green Alert, aware, ready to go 36.3 ℃ Blue-green Calm (cool, confident, calm) 36.1 ℃ Blue Sensitive, sensitive, or emotional 35.9 ℃ Purple Restless, frazzled, intense

       That is, for example, if the body temperature of the user of the mobile terminal holding the mobile terminal in the state that the body temperature sensing mode is set to 35.9 ℃, the color of the cholesteric liquid crystal of the skin color shifting unit 21 is purple ( purple, and a specific indicator (indicator) that indicates that a break is needed, along with text such as "restless, frazzled, intense" An icon, an emoticon, or an avatar is displayed on the display unit 17 (223), and a voice "Necessary rest" is output from the audio processor 13 (225).

        On the other hand, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the body temperature sensing mode of the portable terminal is not set, the temperature sensor 20 measures the ambient temperature of the portable terminal and corresponds to the digital voltage value corresponding to the temperature. The digital signal is transmitted to the control unit 11 (217). Accordingly, the control unit 11 outputs, through the display unit 17 and the audio processor 13, the specific indicator and the audio file indicating the preset information content corresponding to the measurement temperature, that is, 'cold, hot, warm' and the like. (223, 225), and also controls the skin color changing unit 21 to display a specific color in a certain temperature range (221).

Particularly, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the season mode is set to 'winter', even if the temperature corresponding to the image 5 ° C may correspond to the information content of 'warm', the season mode is' In the case of 'summer', even if the temperature corresponding to the image 20 ℃ can correspond to the information content 'cool' (cool), even if the measured temperature is the same, depending on whether the seasonal mode setting, the skin color, display unit, audio unit output Content may vary.

As described above, after steps 201 to 225 according to the present invention are executed, when a temperature change is detected 227 by the temperature sensor 20, steps 207 to 227 are repeatedly executed.

In the foregoing, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

According to the present invention, by embedding a temperature sensor in the portable terminal, the temperature around the portable terminal or the body temperature of the user of the portable terminal can be detected, and the color of the portable terminal skin can be easily and variously changed according to the detected temperature.

      In addition, the emotional state according to the temperature change of the user of the portable terminal can be represented through the color variation of the portable terminal skin or a specific voice output.

Claims (10)

Setting a temperature sensing mode when receiving an input for setting a temperature sensing mode; Detecting a body temperature or an ambient temperature of a user in contact with the mobile terminal by a temperature sensor based on the set temperature sensing mode; Outputting a voltage corresponding to the detected body temperature or ambient temperature by the temperature detecting sensor; Changing a color of a skin based on the output voltage by a skin color changing unit; And displaying a specific indicator based on the set body temperature sensing mode and the output voltage by a display unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the temperature sensing mode comprises: The method of changing the skin color of the mobile terminal, characterized in that it further comprises the step of setting the season mode. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the specific indicator comprises: Displaying a specific indicator corresponding to the emotional state of the user based on the output voltage when detecting the body temperature of the user based on the body temperature detection mode, And when the ambient temperature is detected based on the body temperature sensing mode, displaying information on the ambient temperature based on the output bar. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific indicator, Skin color variation method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that differently set according to the set body temperature detection mode. The method of claim 1, And reproducing a voice file corresponding to the output voltage by an audio processor. In the mobile terminal, A temperature sensor configured to detect a body temperature or an ambient temperature of the user contacting the mobile terminal based on a body temperature detection mode set according to a user input, and output a voltage corresponding to the detected body temperature or the ambient temperature; A skin color changer provided on a surface of the portable terminal and changing a color based on the output voltage by the temperature sensor; And And a display unit for displaying a specific indicator based on the set body temperature sensing mode and the output voltage. The method of claim 6, wherein the skin color shift unit, A mobile terminal characterized in that the cholesteric liquid crystal. The method of claim 6, wherein the display unit, When the temperature sensor detects the body temperature of the user based on the body temperature detection mode, and displays a specific indicator corresponding to the emotional state of the user based on the output voltage, And when the temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature based on the body temperature detection mode, displays information about the ambient temperature based on the output voltage. The method of claim 6, wherein the specific indicator, At least one of an icon, an emoticon, and an avatar having a specific shape, or a combination of text with at least one of the icon, the emoticon, and the avatar. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific indicator, Method of changing the skin color of a mobile terminal, characterized in that at least one of a specific shape of the icon, emoticon, avatar, or at least one of the icon, emoticon, and avatar.

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