KR101549005B1 - Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of informing a user of various kinds of focus related information of a camera used in a video call in a mobile terminal and allowing a user to transmit his or her own image to the other party with an optimal image quality and a control method thereof do.

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a video call function.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. Again, the mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal depending on whether the user can directly carry the mobile terminal.

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

In order to support and enhance the functionality of such terminals, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software parts of the terminal. Particularly, with the spread of video calls, a mobile terminal providing a more convenient video call function is required.

The present invention provides a mobile terminal that provides a more convenient video call function.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a wireless terminal including a wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving video call data, a camera for capturing an image of a predetermined subject, a distance sensor for measuring a first distance A display unit for displaying a video call screen, and a display unit for displaying at least one of a first distance, an optimum focal distance of the camera, and a second distance corresponding to a difference distance between the optimum focal distance and the first distance, .

A wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving video call data related to another example of the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned problem, a camera having an auto-focus function, a camera for capturing a predetermined subject, A display unit for displaying a video call screen, and a camera for automatically focusing in the video call mode using the measured first distance, wherein the first distance, the current focal distance of the camera And a controller controlling the display unit to display at least one of a third distance corresponding to a difference distance between the current focal distance and the first distance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a mobile terminal, the method comprising: entering a video call mode, connecting a video call to a partner via a wireless communication unit, measuring a first distance And displaying at least one of the first distance, the optimal focal length of the camera, and the second distance on the display unit.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above informs a user of information about a focus of a camera used in a video call so that the user can transmit his or her own image to the other party with an optimal image quality .

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

The mobile terminal described in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless the configuration is applicable only to a mobile terminal.

[Description of FIG. 1 - Overall Configuration]

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

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

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

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

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

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. 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 refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

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

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only And a Digital Broadcasting System (ISDB-T) (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

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

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

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may 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 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, an 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 122. 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. 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. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through 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 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

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, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. It is also possible to sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141 or a distance sensor 142.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output relating to visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an acoustic output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, 155, and the like.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 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 and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, and a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

(Hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen') in which a display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') form a mutual layer structure, It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may take the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

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

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

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is enclosed by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

In addition, the distance sensor 142 may be disposed near a camera provided for a video call or a self-photograph. The distance sensor 142 may measure a distance to an object positioned in front of the object, and may calculate a distance by measuring a time difference between the reflected ultrasound waves reflected from the object to be measured . There are other ways to use infrared or laser.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch" The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch. &Quot; The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may include a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact with an electrode, And various tactile effects such as an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using an endothermic or exothermic element can be generated.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and includes an image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180, Images that are the same or at least partially different can be displayed on an external screen or on a wall.

Specifically, the projector module 155 includes a light source (not shown) that generates light (for example, laser light) for outputting an image to the outside, a light source And a lens (not shown) for enlarging and outputting the image at a predetermined focal distance to the outside. Further, the projector module 155 may include a device (not shown) capable of mechanically moving the lens or the entire module to adjust the image projection direction.

The projector module 155 can be divided into a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) module, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module and a DLP (Digital Light Processing) module according to the type of the display means. In particular, the DLP module may be advantageous for miniaturization of the projector module 151 by enlarging and projecting an image generated by reflecting light generated from a light source on a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chip.

Preferably, the projector module 155 may be provided longitudinally on the side, front or back side of the mobile terminal 100. It goes without saying that the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100 as occasion demands.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and temporarily store the input / output data (e.g., telephone directory, message, audio, For example. The memory unit 160 may also store the frequency of use of each of the data (for example, each telephone number, each message, and frequency of use for each multimedia). In addition, the memory unit 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when the touch is input on the touch screen.

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 (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

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

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

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

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

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions. In some cases, The embodiments described may be implemented by the control unit 180 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

[Description of FIG. 2 - Explanation of the apparatus]

2A is a perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled.

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. [ A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The cases may be formed by injection molding a synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti) or the like.

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, and the like may be disposed in the front body 101 have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A camera 121 and a distance sensor 142 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 . The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The operation units 131 and 132 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates in a tactile manner.

The contents inputted by the first or second operation unit 131 or 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 'may be further mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to shoot himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 '.

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

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

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

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may also be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output time information on both sides, the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. The information output on both sides may be all controlled by the touch pad 135. [ Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and the touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

[Description of FIG. 3 - Front, Rear Touch]

Hereinafter, a related operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

3A and 3B are front views of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

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

3A illustrates inputting a touch applied to a virtual keypad through a front surface of a terminal body.

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

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

3B shows a touch input to the virtual keypad through the rear surface of the terminal body. FIG. 3A shows a case where the terminal body is vertically arranged, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the terminal body is arranged horizontally. The display unit 151 may be configured to convert the output screen according to the arrangement direction of the terminal body.

3B shows that the text input mode is activated in the portable terminal. The display unit 151 displays an output window 151a 'and an input window 151b'. The input window 151b 'may have a plurality of virtual keypads 151c' displayed with at least one of characters, symbols, and numbers. The virtual keypads 151c 'may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the virtual keypads 151c 'are touched through the touch pad 135 (see FIG. 2B), characters, numbers, symbols corresponding to the touched virtual keypad are displayed on the output window 151a'. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 is advantageous in that the virtual keypad 151c 'can be prevented from being covered by the finger when the user touches the touch input through the display unit 151. [ In the case where the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 are formed to be transparent, the fingers located on the rear side of the terminal body can be visually confirmed, thereby enabling a more accurate touch input.

The display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling, as well as the input method described in the above embodiments. The user can move a cursor or a pointer located on an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, an icon or the like, by scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135. [ Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This will be useful for editing the image displayed on the display unit 151. [

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. The one function may be activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, for example.

[Description of FIG. 4 - Proximity Touch]

The proximity sensor 141 described with reference to Fig. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig.

4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the proximity depth of the proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 4, when a pointer such as a user's finger, a pen, or the like approaches the touch screen, the proximity sensor 141 disposed in or near the touch screen senses the proximity sensor and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor 141 may be configured to output different proximity signals according to the distance between the proximity-touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter referred to as "proximity depth").

In FIG. 4, for example, a cross-section of a touch screen having proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors that detect less than three or more than four proximity depths are also possible.

Specifically, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d ₀ ), it is recognized as a contact touch. If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance less than the distance d ₁ , it is recognized as a proximity touch of the first proximity depth. If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance of d ₁ or more and less than distance d ₂ , it is recognized as a proximity touch of the second proximity depth. If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance of d ₂ or more and less than d ₃ distance, it is recognized as a proximity touch of the third proximity depth. If the pointer is positioned apart from the touch screen by a distance d ₃ or more, it is recognized that the proximity touch is released.

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

[Description of FIG. 5 - Transparent Touch]

5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method for a touch operation in a form in which a pair of display units 156 and 157 are overlapped.

The terminal shown in this figure is a folder type terminal connected to a main body so that a folder portion is foldable. The first display unit 156 mounted on the folder unit may be of a light transmitting type or a transparent type such as TOLED or the second display unit 157 mounted on the main body may be a form that does not transmit light like an LCD. The first and second display units 156 and 157 may be configured as a touch screen capable of touch input.

For example, when a touch (contact touch or proximity-touch) is detected with respect to the first display unit or the TOLED 156, At least one of the image lists displayed in the TOLED 156 may be selected or run.

Hereinafter, with respect to the manner in which the information displayed on the other display unit or the LCD 157 is controlled when touching the TOLED 156 exposed to the outside in an overlapped form, a touch, a long touch, a long touch and drag ), And so on.

In the overlapped state (the mobile terminal is in a closed state), the TOLED 156 is disposed in an overlapped manner on the lower side of the LCD 157. [ In this state, if a touch such as a long touch (for example, a touch that lasted for 2 seconds to 3 seconds) is detected in a manner different from the touch for controlling the image displayed on the TOLED 156 in advance, ) Causes at least one image of the image list displayed on the LCD 157 to be selected according to the sensed touch input. The result of the execution of the selected image is displayed on the TOLED 156.

The long touch may also be used to selectively move a desired one of the entities displayed on the LCD 157 to the TOLED 156 (without performing an execution operation therefor). That is, when a user selects one area of the TOLED 156 corresponding to a specific entity of the LCD 157 In the case of a long touch, the control unit 180 moves the corresponding object to the TOLED 156 to be displayed. The entity displayed on the TOLED 155 may also be displayed on the LCD 157 in accordance with a predetermined touch input to the TOLED 156, for example, flicking, swirling, and the like. In this drawing, the menu No. 2 displayed on the LCD 156 is displayed on the TOLED 156.

If another input, for example a drag, is detected in addition to the long touch, the control unit 180 is a function related to the image selected by the long touch, for example, a preview screen for the image is displayed on the TOLED 156. [ As shown in FIG. In this drawing, a case where a preview (male photograph) is performed on the menu No. 2 (image file) is illustrated.

The control unit 180 displays a selection cursor (or a selection bar) of the LCD 157 in a state in which the preview screen is outputted while maintaining the long touch and further dragging the TOLED 156 toward another image And displays the image selected by the selection cursor on a preview screen (female photograph). Thereafter, when the touch (long touch and drag) ends, the controller 180 displays the first image selected by the long touch.

When the slide (the operation of the proximity touch corresponding to the drag) is detected together with the long proximity touch (the proximity touch continuing for at least 2 seconds to 3 seconds) to the TOLED 156, the touch operation (long touch and drag) .

When a touch operation other than those described above is detected, the controller 180 can operate in the same manner as a general touch control method.

The control method for the touch operation in the overlapped form can be applied to a terminal having a single display. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a terminal different from a folder type having a dual display.

[Description of FIG. 6 - Haptic]

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views referred to the description of the proximity touch recognition area where the proximity signal is detected and the haptic area where the tactile effect occurs.

6A shows objects such as icons and menu items in a circular form for convenience of explanation. The area of the object displayed on the display unit 151 can be divided into a first area A in the center and a second area B surrounding the center area as shown in FIG. 6A. The first region A and the second region B can be configured to generate tactile effects having different intensities or patterns. For example, when the second region B is touched, a first vibration is output, and when the first region A is touched, a second vibration larger than the first vibration is output.

In the case where the proximity touch recognition area and the haptic area are simultaneously set in the area where the object is displayed, the haptic area where the tactile effect is generated and the proximity touch area where the proximity signal is detected Can be set differently. That is, the haptic area may be set narrower than the proximity touch recognition area, or the haptic area may be set wider than the proximity touch recognition area. For example, in (a) of FIG. 6A, the area including the first area A and the second area B may be a proximity touch recognition area, and the first area A may be set as a haptic area.

(N > 4) as shown in Fig. 6 (a), as shown in Fig. 6 (b) It is also possible to divide into two areas. Each divided region can be configured to generate a tactile effect with different intensities or patterns. Even when the area in which one object is displayed is divided into three or more areas, the haptic area and the proximity touch recognition area can be set differently according to the use environment.

The size of the proximity touch recognition area may be changed depending on the proximity depth to the display unit 151. [ That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, the corresponding proximity touch recognition area may be gradually reduced to 'C', 'B', and 'A' according to the proximity depth to the display unit 151, Or the contiguous touch recognition area corresponding to the proximity depth to the display unit 151 may be gradually increased. In this case as well, the haptic area can be set to a constant size regardless of the proximity depth to the display unit 151, such as the 'H' area shown in FIG. 6B (b).

 In the case of dividing the area in which the object is displayed for the setting of the haptic area or the proximity touch recognition area, in addition to the concentric segmentation as shown in Fig. 6A, segmentation in the horizontal direction or vertical direction, radial segmentation, And various methods such as partitioning can be used.

[Description of FIG. 7 - Projector Module]

A configuration in which the above-described projector module is provided in the bar-shaped mobile terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. 7A and 7B are perspective views of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The main body 103 of the mobile terminal may be coupled with a projector body 105 having a projector module 155 so as to be rotatable.

That is, the projector body 105 can be hinged to the main body 103, and the projection angle can be adjusted when the image is projected using the projector module 155 provided in the projector body 105 And the camera 121 may be disposed on the projector body 105 so that the image projected by the projector module 155 can be photographed.

FIG. 7A shows a state before the projector body 105 rotatably coupled with the main body 103 is rotated, and FIG. 7B shows a state after the projector body 105 is rotated.

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the mobile terminal referred to below includes at least one of the components shown in FIG. In particular, the mobile terminal to which the present invention can be applied includes a wireless communication unit 110, a camera 121, a distance sensor 142, and a display unit 151. Here, the object of the camera 121 and the distance measurement object of the distance sensor during the video call may vary as much as possible depending on what the user wants to show through the video call to the other party. In this specification, however, As shown in FIG.

The user wants to transmit his or her appearance to the other person more clearly when making a video call. However, the conventional mobile terminal does not inform the user whether the camera used for video communication is focused, if the user does not fit, what the user should do, and if the automatic focus function is available, the user is automatically adjusting the focus.

However, in the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, the distance sensor 142 is provided at a position adjacent to the camera 121 used for video communication, as shown in FIG. 8, to measure the distance d from the user 1 can do. The terminal displays information on the focus of the camera 121 on the display unit 151 in various forms using the distance d measured by the distance sensor 142 to the user 1, You can tell. Here, the camera 121 may or may not have an auto focus function. In the present invention, when the user manually focuses the camera 121 (that is, in the manual mode), the camera 121, regardless of whether or not the auto focus function is provided, A fixed focal length (hereinafter referred to as "optimal focal length") is used. The information on the optimal focal length may be stored in the memory unit 160. Here, the fact that the user manually focusses means that the user actively changes the position of at least one of itself and the mobile terminal so that the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the user is the optimal focal distance. It means. Conversely, in order for the mobile terminal 100 to automatically focus (automatic mode), that is, to actively focus the camera 121 according to the user's position, the camera 121 is automatically A focus function must be provided.

Hereinafter, the focusing method of the camera 121 will be described in another embodiment, which is divided into a manual mode and an automatic mode.

First Embodiment

According to the first embodiment of the mobile terminal of the present invention, a mobile terminal capable of manually outputting information through which a user can adjust an optimal focal length of a camera through a display unit in a video communication mode is provided. Here, as described above, the camera 121 uses one fixed optimum focal length irrespective of whether or not the auto focus function is used in the manual mode. This will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 11B. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

9, in order to use the video call function, the user can enter the video call mode by an appropriate menu operation through the user input unit 130 (S81). For example, the user may select a telephone number of a party to be connected to the video call through a telephone directory search or the like, and then connect the video call function or select a party to be connected after entering the video call menu first. Then, the mobile terminal 100 may attempt to connect a video call to the selected counterpart (S82). As the other party responds, a video call can be started and information on the focus state of the camera 121 can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The mobile terminal 100 first determines the distance (hereinafter referred to as "first distance") from the distance sensor 142 to the user by using the distance sensor 142 in accordance with the control signal of the controller 180 Can be measured [S83]. Here, the distance sensor 142 may be disposed adjacent to the camera 121 used for the video call, as shown in FIG. This is to minimize the difference between the distance from the camera 121 to the user and the distance from the distance sensor 142 to the user. In addition, the maximum distance measured by the distance sensor 142 does not need to exceed 2 meters in consideration of a normal video communication. However, the lower the unit of measurement is, the better.

After measuring the first distance, the terminal 100 displays at least one of the optimum focal length, the difference between the first distance and the optimal focal length (hereinafter referred to as "second distance") It can be displayed in various forms [S84]. This will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 10A to 11B.

When a video call function is used in a conventional mobile terminal, a state 10 of the other party received through the wireless communication unit, a state 20 of the user photographed through the camera, And the like are displayed on the display unit 151. [0064] However, in the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, in addition to the information previously displayed on the display unit 151, the optimal focal length 41 may be displayed as a number as shown in FIG. 10B, (42) may be further displayed. Also, using the second distance as shown in FIG. 10D, the user's action required to adjust the optimum focal length can be indicated by the text 43. FIG.

The distance values displayed on the display unit 151 may have a shape including a graphic or a graph as well as text. This will be described with reference to Figs. 11A and 11B.

Referring to FIG. 11A, a street vertical line is displayed in a predetermined bar bar shape 50, and an optimal focal length may be displayed 52 at a point thereon. The optimal focal length may be displayed in the center of the vertical line as shown in FIG. 11A. Further, the relative position of the first distance with respect to the optimum focal length can be further displayed (51), and the difference between the two distances becomes the second distance. At this time, it is preferable that the optimal focal length display 52 and the first distance display 51 are visually distinguished from each other.

 For example, if the optimal focal distance of the camera 121 is assumed to be 30 cm and the first distance is 40 cm, the relative position of the first distance to the optimal focal length is +10 cm. Therefore, if the user narrows the distance from the mobile terminal 100 by 10 cm in order to compensate for this, the optimal focal distance matches the first distance, and the focus is manually adjusted. 11B, when the optimum focal length display 52 and the relative position indication 51 of the first distance are matched with each other, the user's image on the display unit 151 is displayed around the displayed portion 20 A predetermined visual effect 21 can be displayed. Through this, the user can know that the focus has been focused. If the focus is shifted again, the visual effect 21 disappears again and the user can be notified of the focus deviation. In addition to the visual effect, a predetermined sound effect indicating that the camera has been focused through the sound output module 152 may be output according to a control signal of the controller 180. [

 In addition to the case where the optimum focal length and the first distance coincide with each other as described above, the controller 180 determines that the focus difference is within a predetermined range or not, And the effect may be given. This is because the depth indicating the range of the focused range may be different for each camera, and the allowable tolerance of the focus error may be different for each user.

If the measurement process [S83] and the display process [S84] are repeated until the end of the video call, the user manually adjusts the focus of the camera with reference to the information related to the focal length displayed on the display unit 151 So that the user can transmit his or her own image to the state room with the optimal image quality during the video call.

However, the predetermined camera adjustment process [S811 to S813] may be performed first by using the camera used for the video call before attempting the video call connection [S82] to the other party immediately. More specifically, the control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 activates the camera adjusting function in a state in which a video call is not connected, so that the user can control the zoom magnification, . Steps S811 and S812 are substantially the same as those of steps S83 and S84, respectively, but are different from steps S83 and S84 before the start of a video call. Therefore, in the display state diagram of FIGS. 10A to 11B, the figure 10 and the other call information 30 may not be displayed at the present stage. If the controller 180 determines that the second distance is within the predetermined range after completing the display step S812, the control unit 180 proceeds to the video call connection step S82, which is the next step. If it is determined that the second distance exceeds the predetermined range, the controller 180 may repeat the procedure from step S82 until the second distance satisfies the predetermined range. By performing the camera adjustment process, the user can focus on the image before the user makes a call connection. Therefore, from the beginning of the video call, the user can transmit his or her own image to the other party with the optimum image quality.

Second Embodiment

According to the second embodiment of the mobile terminal of the present invention, a mobile terminal capable of outputting information related to auto focus of a camera through a display unit in a video call mode is provided. Here, the camera 121 is required to have an auto focus function as described above. When the camera having the auto-focus function is used, the first embodiment can be applied. Therefore, the manual or automatic method can be selected as necessary through appropriate menu operation through the user input unit 130 before or after the connection of the video call And so on.

In the first embodiment, the user is informed in various ways of how far he / she is based on the optimum focal distance, so that the user can manually close the distance between the user and the terminal to the optimal focal distance. However, in this embodiment, since the auto focus function of the camera is used, it is a matter of how much the current focal distance of the camera is coming along the first distance. In other words, in this embodiment, a first distance is used as a reference, and a method of displaying the process of approximating or matching the current focal distance to the first distance using the auto focus function of the camera through the display unit is a problem.

Referring to FIG. 9 again, the control method of the mobile terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment from step S81 to step S83. However, in step S84, the difference between the current focal length and the first distance and the current focal distance (hereinafter referred to as "third distance") is displayed instead of the optimum focal distance and the second distance. The control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may set the current focal distance of the camera 121 to be equal to or greater than the first distance using the first distance measured using the distance sensor 142, The distance value can be adjusted within a certain range. The form in which each of the distances is displayed on the display unit 151 may include at least one of text, graphic, and graph. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. 12A and 12B show display states of a mobile terminal during a video call according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 12A, an icon 60 that is basically the same as FIG. 10B of the first embodiment but indicates that the auto focus function is in operation (automatic mode) can be further given. Also, instead of the optimum focal distance, the current distance 61, which has the same meaning as the first distance, can be further displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 12B, it is basically the same as FIG. 11A of the first embodiment, but an icon 60 informing that the automatic mode is given as shown in FIG. 12A may be given. Also, a street vertical line is displayed in a predetermined vertical bar shape 70, and the distance of the current user, i.e., the first distance, may be displayed 72 at one point thereon. The point at which the first distance is displayed may be the center of the vertical line. Also, the relative position of the current focal length with respect to the first distance may be further displayed 71, and the difference between the two distances is a third distance. At this time, it is preferable that the first distance display 72 and the current focal length display 71 are visually distinguished from each other. When the current focal distance of the camera 121 is equal to the first distance or the third distance value is within a certain range or is other than a predetermined distance, Can be given. In addition, a predetermined sound effect may be given through the sound output module 152.

On the other hand, the camera adjustment step described in the first embodiment may be performed before connecting the video call to the other party, depending on the user's selection or necessity. At this time, if the first distance matches the current focal distance, or if the third distance falls within a certain range, a step of connecting a video call can be performed.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of the medium that can be read by the processor include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, etc., and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet) .

The mobile terminal having the video call function as described above can be applied to a mobile terminal having the configuration and method of the embodiments described above in a limited manner, Or may be selectively combined.

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

2A is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views of a mobile terminal for explaining one operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention; FIG.

4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the proximity depth of the proximity sensor;

5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a control method for a touch operation in a form in which a pair of display units are overlapped.

6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams for explaining a proximity touch recognition area where a proximity signal is detected and a haptic area for generating a tactile effect, respectively.

7A and 7B are perspective views of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a conceptual diagram of a video call using a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flow chart of a procedure of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are display states of a mobile terminal during a video call according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are display states of a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention at the time of video call.

12A and 12B are display states of a mobile terminal during a video call according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Claims (15)

A wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving video call data; A camera for capturing an image of a predetermined subject; A distance sensor for measuring a first distance at which the subject is distant; A display unit for displaying a video call screen; And And a second distance corresponding to a difference distance between the optimum focal distance and the first distance is displayed on the display unit, And a control unit for controlling a predetermined visual effect to be provided to at least a part of the display unit when the second distance is within a predetermined range. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein at least one of the first distance, the optimum focal length, and the second distance is displayed on the display unit, And at least one of text, graphics, and graphs. The apparatus of claim 3, Wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display the optimal focal distance at a position of a predetermined vertical line and further display the relative position of the first distance therefrom on the vertical line. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, Wherein the control unit controls the optimal focal distance and the relative position of the first distance with respect to the optimal focal distance to be visually distinguished from each other. delete A wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving video call data; A camera having an autofocus function and adapted to photograph a predetermined subject; A distance sensor for measuring a first distance at which the subject is distant; A display unit for displaying a video call screen; And Wherein the controller is configured to cause the camera to automatically focus using the measured first distance in a video call mode and to adjust a focus distance of the camera based on a first distance, a current focal distance of the camera, At least one of the three distances is displayed on the display unit, And a control unit for controlling a predetermined visual effect to be provided to at least a part of the display unit when the third distance is within a predetermined range. delete 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein at least one of the first distance, the current focal length, and the third distance is displayed on the display unit, And at least one of text, graphics, and graphs. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, Wherein the controller displays the first distance on a predetermined vertical line on the display unit and controls the relative position of the current focal length to be displayed on the vertical line. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, Wherein the first distance and the relative position of the current focal length with respect to the first distance are visually distinguished from each other. Entering a video call mode; Connecting a video call to the other party through a wireless communication unit; Measuring a first distance of the distance sensor to the subject; Displaying at least one of the first distance, the best focal length of the camera, and a second distance corresponding to the difference between the best focal length and the first distance on the display unit; And And displaying a predetermined visual effect on at least a part of the display unit when the second distance is within a predetermined range. delete 13. The method of claim 12, Further comprising a predetermined camera adjusting step. 15. The method of claim 14, The distance sensor measuring a first distance; At least one of the first distance, the best focal length of the camera, and the second distance is displayed on the display unit; And And determining whether the second distance is within a predetermined range as a result of the first distance measurement, Wherein the step of connecting the video call to the other party is performed when it is determined that the second distance is within the predetermined range.

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