KR101600851B1 - Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, in which usage of a terminal can be realized by further considering convenience of a user. According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, when an event is generated in the terminal, it is possible to provide an alarm that allows the terminal user to intuitively and quickly know what event has occurred intuitively .

Description

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

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, in which usage of a terminal can be realized by further considering convenience of a user.

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. The mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to 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.

In recent years, various kinds of events (e.g., call signal reception, message reception, touch screen touch, etc.) may occur in the terminal. Accordingly, it is more urgently required to provide an alarm for allowing the user of the terminal to intuitively know quickly what events have occurred when the predetermined event occurs in the terminal.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] The present invention has been proposed in order to satisfy the above-mentioned needs, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal which can provide an alarm for intuitively and easily knowing what an event has occurred intuitively, And a control method therefor.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a touch screen device, comprising: a low frequency generator for generating a low frequency voltage; and a control unit for controlling the low frequency generator to drive the low frequency generator so as to give an electric stimulus to a user at the occurrence of a predetermined event related to the operation of the terminal The present invention provides a mobile terminal including the mobile terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a mobile terminal, including the steps of generating a predetermined event related to a terminal operation, and controlling a low frequency generator to generate a low frequency voltage, And provides a control method of the terminal.

Effects of the mobile terminal and the control method according to the present invention will be described as follows.

First, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, when an event is generated in the terminal, the terminal can intuitively provide an alarm that allows the user to intuitively know quickly what is happening, .

Second, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that the battery power of the terminal can be further reduced.

Third, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that the problem caused by the alarm vibration noise of the terminal can be greatly reduced.

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), navigation and the like. 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.

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 (DVF-H) A digital broadcasting system such as DVB-CB, OMA-BCAST, or Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). 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. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 calculates distance information and accurate time information from three or more satellites, and then applies trigonometry to the calculated information to obtain a three-dimensional string of latitude, longitude, The location information can be accurately calculated. At present, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting an error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is widely used. In addition, the GPS module 115 can calculate speed information by continuously calculating the current position in real time.

The location information module 115 may obtain the location of the mobile terminal using the information of the base station to which the mobile communication module 112 is connected.

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 an image frame such as a still image or moving image 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, a 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 the power supply of the power supply unit 190, 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. This will be discussed later in connection with touch screens.

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 have 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 (not shown). 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 the electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

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. In this case, the display unit 151 and the audio output module 152 may be a type of the alarm unit 153. The display unit 151 and the audio output module 152 may be connected to the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, .

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 a 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. At least two haptic modules 154 may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100. The haptic module 154 may include a low frequency generator 156. The low-frequency generator 156 will be described later.

The projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and is similar to the image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180 Or at least partly display another image on an external screen or 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. Needless to say, the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100, if necessary.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 and may store data to be input / output (e.g., a telephone directory, a message, audio, a still image ) For the temporary storage. The memory unit 160 stores the usage frequency (e.g., each phone number, each message, frequency of use for each multimedia) of each of the data and the storage date and time (date and time) .

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. [

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 includes 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 sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 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 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. 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 mobile 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.

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 The touch recognition mode can be activated or deactivated.

2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile 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 that of the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having the same or different pixels as the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has low pixels so that it is easy to capture a face of a user in case of a video call or the like and transmit the same to a counterpart. When the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a high pixel. 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 may be 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 communication, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be additionally 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 mobile 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 be of a light transmission type for the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output the time information on both sides (i.e., in the directions of both the front and back sides of the mobile terminal), the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 . The information output on both sides may be all controlled by the touch pad 135. [

Meanwhile, the display for exclusive use of the touch pad 135 may be separately installed, so that the touch screen may be disposed in the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in correlation with the display portion 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151.

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 mobile terminal for explaining one operation state of the mobile 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 be operated integrally with the 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 an output screen according to a placement direction of the terminal body.

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

When the virtual keys 151c 'are touched through the touch pad 135 (see FIG. 2B), characters, numbers, symbols corresponding to the touched virtual keys are displayed on the output window 151a'. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 is advantageous in that the virtual key 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 an object (e.g., an icon, a thumbnail, a cursor, etc.) displayed on the display unit 151 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.

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, 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.

5A and 5B 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.

5A shows an object such as an icon or a menu item in a circular form for convenience of explanation. An 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 first area A as shown in Fig. 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 They 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. 5A, 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. 5 (a) or (c) as shown in Fig. 5 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. 5, 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. 5B (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. 5A, the segmentation in the horizontal direction or the longitudinal direction, the radial segmentation, And various methods such as partitioning can be used.

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. 6A and 6B. 6A and 6B are perspective views of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The main body 101 of the mobile terminal may be coupled with a projector body 105 having the projector module 155 so as to be rotatable.

That is, the projector body 105 may be hinged to the main body 101, and the projection angle of the image may be adjusted when the image is projected using the projector module 155 provided in the projector body 105 And a camera 121 may be disposed on the projector body 105 so that the image projected by the projector module 155 can be photographed.

FIG. 6A shows a state before the projector body 105 rotatably coupled with the main body 101 is rotated, and FIG. 6B shows a state after the projector body 105 is rotated.

Fig. 7 shows a circuit diagram of the low frequency generator 156 of the above-mentioned haptic module 154, and Fig. 8 shows a housing part of the mobile terminal which can be used as the ground of the circuit diagram of Fig.

The low-frequency generator 156 generates a pulse (or an impulse) of a low-frequency signal, raises it to a predetermined level voltage, and provides it through the electrode.

More specifically, the low-frequency generator 156 may include a high-voltage generating circuit 156-1, a low-frequency electrode driving circuit 156-2, and an electrode 156-3.

The high voltage generating circuit 156-1 generates a high voltage low frequency signal in accordance with an instruction from the controller 180. [ The low-frequency electrode driving circuit 156-2 receives the voltage supplied from the high-voltage generating circuit 156-1 and switches according to the electrode driving control signal. The electrode 156-3 may be configured to provide the output of the low frequency electrode driving circuit 156-2 to a predetermined position of the mobile terminal 100. [ The predetermined position may be the touch screen.

When the predetermined position is the touch screen, a low frequency pulse output, which is an output of the low frequency generator 156, can be sensed when a terminal user touches the touch screen.

The low frequency generator 156 may use a metal housing portion of the mobile terminal 100 as a ground. For example, as shown in (8-1) of FIG. 8, a middle body of a metal material that can be contained in the housing of the mobile terminal 100 may be used as a ground, 2), the battery panel (circular display portion) of the mobile terminal can be used as the ground. Therefore, even if the low-frequency generator 156 is included in the mobile terminal 100, the change portion of the structure is very slight.

The low frequency pulse may be sensed to be discretely vibrated because the intensity of the current is very weak, i.e., about 10 to 40 mA (i.e., the power consumption is very low), and the terminal user feels that the low frequency pulse touches the low frequency pulse have. This can be distinguished from the vibration of continuous feeling generated by the vibration motor included in the alarm unit 153.

Meanwhile, the vibration motor included in the alarm unit 153 has a relatively high power consumption for generating a physical operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in the mobile terminal will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the display module 151 is a touch screen, since the following embodiments can be more easily implemented when the display module 151 is configured as a touch screen. Hereinafter, the display screen of the touch screen 151 will be referred to as a reference numeral 400.

An embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 15. Fig.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention, and FIGS. 10 to 16 are state diagrams of a display screen on which an embodiment of a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented. For ease of explanation, the low-frequency voltage waveform diagram output from the low-frequency generator may be also shown in the state diagram.

As shown in (10-1) of FIG. 10, a virtual keypad 410 including a plurality of key buttons for inputting text is displayed on the touch screen 400.

The first key button (for example, "1") among the key buttons of the virtual keypad 410 is touched with a pointer (for example, a finger or a stylus pen) (S91).

Then, as shown in (10-2) of FIG. 10, the controller 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low-frequency voltage of the first pattern corresponding to the touched first key button [S92]. The output low frequency voltage of the first pattern may be provided to the user touching the virtual keypad 410 as an electric stimulus corresponding to the first pattern [S93].

Next, a second key button (for example, "2") among the key buttons of the virtual keypad 410 is touched.

Then, as shown in (10-2) of FIG. 10, the controller 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output the low frequency voltage of the second pattern corresponding to the touched second key button do. The output low frequency voltage of the second pattern may be provided to the user who touches the virtual keypad 410 as an electric stimulus corresponding to the second pattern.

Then, a third key button (for example, "6") among the key buttons of the virtual keypad 410 is touched.

Then, as shown in (10-2) of FIG. 10, the controller 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low-frequency voltage of a third pattern corresponding to the touched third key button . The output low frequency voltage of the third pattern may be provided to the user touching the virtual keypad 410 as an electric stimulus corresponding to the third pattern.

That is, when the terminal user touches the key buttons of the virtual keypad 410 for text input, the user can feel electric stimulation of the pattern corresponding to each key button. The electric stimulus may be high in voltage, but the current may be insignificant, so that the mobile terminal 100 or the touch screen 400 may feel a slight vibration.

Accordingly, the terminal user can check whether or not the touched key button is what he or she intended to touch through the pattern of the electrode stimulus.

The concept of the present embodiment, in which electrical stimulation of a pattern corresponding to each of the key buttons is provided when the cursor buttons are touched, can be directly applied to various menu icons.

That is, a plurality of menu icons may be displayed on the touch screen, and when the terminal user touches the menu icons, a low frequency voltage corresponding to each of the touched menu icons may be output. As those skilled in the art will readily understand from the foregoing description, the detailed description will be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

The mobile terminal 100 is in the standby mode, and thus the idle screen is displayed on the touch screen 400, as shown in (11-1) of FIG.

Here, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 100 receives a call signal from the other party.

Then, as shown in (11-2) of FIG. 11, it may be a screen informing that the call signal is received from the counterpart on the touch screen 400. [ The control unit 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low frequency voltage of a pattern corresponding to the call signal reception as shown in (11-3) of FIG. The low frequency voltage may continue to be displayed while the call signal is being received.

On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the standby mode, it is assumed that a preset alarm is output.

Then, as shown in (11-4) in FIG. 11, it may be a screen indicating that the alarm is output on the touch screen 400. [ The control unit 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low frequency voltage of a pattern corresponding to the alarm output, as shown in (11-5) of FIG. The low frequency voltage may continue to be displayed during the alarm output.

Accordingly, the terminal user can identify what the generated event is by sensing the pattern of the low-frequency voltage that is output when the predetermined event is generated in the mobile terminal 100.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

Text (e.g., "Good morning") is displayed on the touch screen 400 as shown in (12-1) of FIG. If the text can be displayed on the touch screen 400, the mobile terminal 100 may execute any menu.

At this time, the terminal user touches the touch screen 400.

Then, the control unit 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low frequency voltage of a pattern corresponding to the displayed text as shown in (12-2) of FIG.

It is not necessary to be configured to touch the touch screen 400 to output the low frequency voltage. For example, the low frequency voltage may be output through an appropriate operation of the user input unit 130.

Meanwhile, the touch on the touch screen 400 may be released before the output of the low frequency voltage is completed. The output of the low-frequency voltage may be stopped when the touch is released, or the output of the low-frequency voltage may be continuously continued despite the release of the touch.

When the output of the low frequency voltage is stopped when the touch is released, when the touch is again touched on the touch screen 400, the low frequency voltage corresponding to the start of the pattern of the low frequency voltage, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI > Or when the touch is touched again within a predetermined time from the touched off point, the low frequency voltage is outputted from the pattern of the low frequency voltage corresponding to the point at which the output is stopped. If the touch is again touched after the lapse of a predetermined time from the touched point, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

As shown in (13-1) of FIG. 13, a background image of a predetermined first virtual material may be displayed on the touch screen 400. Characteristic data (e.g., roughness) of the virtual material may be stored in the memory unit 160.

Then, it is assumed that one icon 420 is touched and dragged on the background screen of the first virtual material.

Then, the control unit 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low frequency voltage of a pattern corresponding to the first virtual material as shown in (13-2) of FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in (13-3) of FIG. 13, a background image of a predetermined second virtual material may be displayed on the touch screen 400. [ The feature data (e.g., roughness) of the virtual material can be stored in the memory unit 160 as described above.

Next, assume that one icon 420 is touched and dragged on the background screen of the second virtual material.

Then, the control unit 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to output a low frequency voltage of a pattern corresponding to the second virtual material, as shown in (13-4) of FIG.

Accordingly, the terminal user may experience a virtual material of the background screen of the touch screen 400 by sensing a low-frequency voltage pattern output when a predetermined icon is dragged on the touch screen 400 of the mobile terminal 100 .

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

As shown in Figure 14, (14-1), the touch screen on the first icon 420 and second icon 430 is being displayed, the first icon 420 is a touch point in time t ₁ to t _{It is} dragged until just before _two points.

Then, as shown in (14-2) of FIG. 14, the controller 180 sets the low-frequency voltage of the pattern corresponding to the touch drag from the time t _{1 to the} time t ₂ .

Then, as shown in (14-1) in FIG. 14, the first icon 420 is dragged so as to pass through the second icon 430 at the time point t ₂ .

Then, as shown in (14-2) of FIG. 14, the controller 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 such that the first icon 420 passes through the second icon 430 at the time point t ₂ So that the low frequency voltage of the pattern corresponding to being dragged is output.

It is then dragged as shown in Fig. 14 (14-1), on the touch screen to the first icon (420) immediately after the _third time from the time t ₂ t.

Then, as shown in (14-2) of FIG. 14, the controller 180 outputs the low-frequency voltage of the pattern corresponding to the touch drag from the time t _{2 to the} time t ₃ by the low frequency generator 156 .

Accordingly, when a predetermined icon is dragged on the touch screen 400 of the mobile terminal 100, the terminal user can grasp whether the dragged icon passes through another icon by detecting a pattern of the outputted low-frequency voltage .

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

As shown in (15-1) of FIG. 15, an audio window 440 for controlling audio output on the touch screen 400 is displayed.

In the audio window 440, there is a scroll bar for adjusting a scroll bar and a volume for bass, middle, and treble.

When the scroll bar is touched and dragged, the control unit 180 controls the low frequency generator (not shown) according to at least one of the type and position of the scroll bar, as shown in (15-2) 156 to output low-frequency voltages of different patterns.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

As shown in (16-1) of FIG. 16, an indicator 450 for displaying the battery power is displayed on the touch screen 400.

As shown in (16-1) of FIG. 16, assume that a predetermined event (for example, reception of a call signal) occurs in the mobile terminal 100 when the battery power is sufficient.

Then, the control unit 180 controls the alarm unit 153 to notify the occurrence of the predetermined event by generating the vibration.

On the other hand, as shown in (16-2) of FIG. 16, it is assumed that the predetermined event is generated in the mobile terminal 100 when the battery power is insufficient.

Then, the controller 180 controls the low frequency generator 156 to inform the occurrence of the predetermined event by outputting the low frequency voltage. This may be a part to save more of the remaining battery power.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

The present invention described above can be implemented as computer readable codes on a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet) . In addition, the computer may include a control unit 180 of the terminal.

Accordingly, the above description should not be construed in a limiting sense in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

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.

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

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

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

5A and 5B 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.

6A and 6B are perspective views of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a circuit diagram of the low-frequency generator of the haptic module of Fig. 1;

Figure 8 shows a portion of the housing of the mobile terminal that can be used as the ground of the circuit diagram of Figure 7;

9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

10 to 16 are state diagrams of a display screen on which an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented.

Claims (18)

touch screen; A low frequency generator for generating a low frequency voltage; And And a controller for controlling the low frequency generator to drive an electric stimulus to a user when a predetermined event related to the operation of the terminal is generated, The touch screen displays two or more icons, The control unit controls the first icon to be dragged when the first icon is touched and dragged while the first icon is moved beyond the second icon of the icons to indicate that the first icon is dragged beyond the second icon and is dragged. And controls the low frequency generator to generate the low frequency voltage. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the low frequency is a pulse low frequency or an impulse low frequency. The method according to claim 1, The mobile terminal further includes a metal housing, Wherein the low frequency generator uses the housing as a ground. delete delete The apparatus of claim 1, Wherein when the specific point on the touch screen is touched and dragged with the pointer, the low frequency voltage of the different pattern is generated according to the virtual material of the desktop displayed on the touch screen. delete The apparatus of claim 1, Wherein the controller controls to generate the low frequency voltage of different patterns according to at least one of a position and a length of the drag when a specific point on the touch screen is touched and dragged by a pointer. The method according to claim 1, And an alarm unit for generating vibration, Wherein, When a call signal is received from the other party during the standby mode, vibration is generated through the alarm unit, And generates a low-frequency voltage through the low-frequency generator when a call signal is received from the other party during a call with a third party. delete The apparatus of claim 1, Wherein the keypad is displayed on the touch screen, and when the specific key button of the keypad is touched, the low frequency voltage of the pattern corresponding to the touched specific key button is generated. The apparatus of claim 1, Wherein the text is displayed on the touch screen and the low frequency voltage of the pattern corresponding to the text is generated. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, And controls the low frequency voltage to be generated when a pointer is touched on the touch screen. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, Wherein the output of the low-frequency voltage of the pattern is suspended when the pointer is released before the low-frequency voltage of the pattern corresponding to the text is completely output. 15. The apparatus of claim 14,  And controls the output of the low frequency voltage to be outputted from the beginning when the pointer is touched again after being released. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, And controls the low frequency voltage at the time of the pause when the pointer is touched again after the pointer is released. The method according to claim 1, And an alarm unit for generating vibration, Wherein, And generates a vibration through the alarm unit when the battery power of the terminal is higher than a predetermined level when the call signal is received from the counterpart and controls the low frequency voltage to be generated through the low frequency generator when the battery power is less than a predetermined value . Displaying two or more icons on a touch screen; And When the first icon of the icons is touched and dragged, when the first icon is dragged beyond the second icon of the icons, a low-frequency voltage of the pattern is generated indicating that the first icon is dragged beyond the second icon and dragged The method comprising the steps of:

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