KR102206243B1 - Mobile terminal and method for controlling the mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The mobile terminal is started.
The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display module, an interface module for receiving a command for initiating at least one of a mode for capturing a still image or a mode for capturing a video, and backlighting based on at least one or more data. A controller that calculates a flexible threshold value for determining whether or not, an image data processor that controls to perform back light compensation based on the calculated flexible reference value, and a photographed according to the mode. And a memory for storing at least one image data.

Description

Mobile terminal and its control method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same, which enables the user's convenience to be further considered and the use of the terminal is realized.

Terminals can be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals depending on whether they can be moved. Again, mobile terminals can be divided into handheld terminals and vehicle mounted terminals depending on whether the user can directly carry them.

The functions of mobile terminals are diversifying. For example, there are functions of data and voice communication, taking pictures and videos through a camera, recording voice, playing music files through a speaker system, and outputting images or videos to the display unit. Some terminals add an electronic game play function or perform a multimedia player function. In particular, recent mobile terminals can receive multicast signals providing visual content such as broadcasting and video or television programs.

As the functions are diversified, such a terminal is in the form of a multimedia player with complex functions such as, for example, taking photos or videos, playing music or video files, and receiving games and broadcasts. It is being implemented.

In order to support and increase the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and/or the software part of the terminal.

Recently, most mobile terminals are equipped with cameras. For example, there is a camera sensor capable of taking high-resolution photographing or a mobile terminal to which a high dynamic range (HDR) function is added. However, most of the technology trends to date have been focused on the development of high-performance cameras in terms of hardware. However, the camera of a mobile terminal known to date has certain limitations in completely removing the backlight phenomenon, and it takes a lot of cost and time due to the development and installation of a high-performance camera.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above and other problems.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to propose a technique for effectively automatically compensating the image quality of a camera by extracting whether or not backlighting and a rate of backlighting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution for adaptively adjusting the threshold value without using a single threshold value according to the prior art.

In addition, an object of another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of blocking backlight phenomenon in advance by software without using a high-performance camera.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the following description. I will be able to.

In order to achieve the above or other objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal includes a display module, an interface module for receiving a command for initiating at least one of a mode for photographing a still image or a mode for photographing a video, A controller that calculates a flexible threshold value for determining whether or not backlighting is based on at least one data, and an image data processor that controls to perform back light compensation based on the calculated flexible reference value. And a memory for storing at least one image data photographed according to the mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when a command for terminating the mode is received through the interface module, the display module includes: image data with backlight correction performed by the image data processor or original backlight correction Additional information for selectively storing one of the image data in the memory is output.

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

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to automatically compensate the image quality of the camera by extracting whether or not backlighting and a rate of backlighting.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, a solution for adaptively adjusting the threshold value without using a single threshold value according to the prior art is provided.

Further, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal capable of blocking backlight phenomenon in advance by software without using a high-performance camera.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, specific embodiments such as the detailed description and preferred embodiments of the present invention should be understood as being given by way of example only.

1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal related to the present invention.
1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams of an example of a mobile terminal related to the present invention viewed from different directions.
2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a deformable mobile terminal according to the present invention.
3 is a perspective view showing an example of a watch type mobile terminal related to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing an example of a glass-type mobile terminal related to another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram for describing a backlight phenomenon to be solved in the present invention.
6 is a diagram for supplementary explanation of FIG. 5.
7 is a block diagram including internal configuration modules of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram for supplementary explanation of FIG. 7.
9 is a flow chart showing a control method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of implementing step S930 shown in FIG. 9.
11 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of implementing step S940 shown in FIG.
12 shows an image captured by the prior art.
13 is a diagram for explaining a process of analyzing data of an image captured in FIG. 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a diagram for explaining a process of analyzing data of a captured image according to another embodiment of the present invention.
15 illustrates an image in which backlighting is removed according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.
16 shows an image captured by the prior art, in contrast to FIG. 15.
17 illustrates additional information used by a mobile terminal to selectively store original image data or image data from which backlighting has been removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention distinguishes and stores original image data or image data from which backlighting is removed.
19 is a view for explaining a case where a video is photographed in a state in which a backlight phenomenon is detected by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a case in which a video is captured in a state in which a backlight phenomenon is not detected by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a list of videos taken by FIGS. 19 and 20 on a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a process in which a mobile terminal reproduces a single video captured by FIGS. 19 and 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably in consideration of only the ease of preparation of the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all modifications included in the spirit and scope of the present invention It should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in the middle. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present application, terms such as "comprises" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, does not preclude in advance.

Mobile terminals described in this specification include mobile phones, smart phones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation systems, and slate PCs. , Tablet PC (tablet PC), ultrabook (ultrabook), wearable device (wearable device, for example, smartwatch, glass-type terminal (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display)), etc. may be included. have.

However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiment described in the present specification may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and digital signage, except when applicable only to mobile terminals. will be.

1A to 1C, FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal related to the present invention, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams of an example of a mobile terminal related to the present invention viewed from different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a control unit 180, and a power supply unit 190. ), etc. The components shown in FIG. 1A are not essential for implementing the mobile terminal, and thus, the mobile terminal described in the present specification may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

More specifically, among the components, the wireless communication unit 110 may be configured between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobile terminal 100 and an external server. It may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between. In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for connecting the mobile terminal 100 to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of a broadcast reception 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 input unit 120 includes a camera 121 or an image input unit for inputting an image signal, a microphone 122 for inputting an audio signal, or an audio input unit, and a user input unit 123 for receiving information from a user, for example, , A touch key, a mechanical key, etc.). The voice data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed as a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information in the mobile terminal, information on surrounding environments surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 includes a proximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, and gravity. G-sensor, gyroscope sensor, motion sensor, RGB sensor, infrared sensor (IR sensor), fingerprint sensor (finger scan sensor), ultrasonic sensor (ultrasonic sensor) , Optical sensor (for example, camera (see 121)), microphone (microphone, see 122), battery gauge, environmental sensor (for example, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, radiation detection sensor, It may include at least one of a heat sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (eg, an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the mobile terminal disclosed in the present specification may combine and utilize information sensed by at least two or more of these sensors.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output related to visual, auditory or tactile sense, and includes at least one of the display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the hap tip module 153, and the light output unit 154 can do. The display unit 151 may implement a touch screen by forming a layer structure or integrally with the touch sensor. Such a touch screen can function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user, and can provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

The interface unit 160 serves as a passage between various types of external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 connects a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, and a device equipped with an identification module. It may include at least one of a port, an audio input/output (I/O) port, an input/output (video I/O) port, and an earphone port. The mobile terminal 100 may perform appropriate control related to the connected external device in response to the connection of the external device to the interface unit 160.

In addition, the memory 170 stores data supporting various functions of the mobile terminal 100. The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs or applications driven by the mobile terminal 100, data for operation of the mobile terminal 100, and commands. At least some of these application programs may be downloaded from an external server through wireless communication. In addition, at least some of these application programs may exist on the mobile terminal 100 from the time of delivery for basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (eg, incoming calls, outgoing functions, message reception, and outgoing functions). Meanwhile, the application program may be stored in the memory 170, installed on the mobile terminal 100, and driven by the controller 180 to perform an operation (or function) of the mobile terminal.

In addition to the operation related to the application program, the controller 180 generally controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. The controller 180 may provide or process appropriate information or functions to a user by processing signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the above-described components or by driving an application program stored in the memory 170.

Also, in order to drive an application program stored in the memory 170, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components examined together with FIG. 1A. Furthermore, in order to drive the application program, the controller 180 may operate by combining at least two or more of the components included in the mobile terminal 100 with each other.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power to each of the components included in the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with each other to implement an operation, control, or control method of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments described below. In addition, the operation, control, or control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170.

Hereinafter, before examining various embodiments implemented through the mobile terminal 100 described above, the above-listed components will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1A.

First, referring to the wireless communication unit 110, the broadcast reception module 111 of the wireless communication unit 110 receives a broadcast signal 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. Two or more broadcast receiving modules may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 for simultaneous broadcast reception or broadcast channel switching of at least two broadcast channels.

The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information, or a server that receives and transmits a previously-generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal in a form in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast signal may be encoded according to at least one of technical standards (or a broadcast method, for example, ISO, IEC, DVB, ATSC, etc.) for transmission and reception of digital broadcast signals, and the broadcast reception module 111 The digital broadcast signal can be received using a method suitable for the technical standards set by technical standards.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or 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, such as an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H). The broadcast signal and/or broadcast related information received through the broadcast reception module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 includes technical standards or communication methods for mobile communication (eg, GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA (Code Division Multi Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000)), EV -DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc.), transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

The wireless signal may include a voice call signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to transmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built-in or external to the mobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet module 113 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

Examples of wireless Internet technologies include WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), etc., and the wireless Internet module ( 113) transmits and receives data according to at least one wireless Internet technology in a range including Internet technologies not listed above.

From the point of view that wireless Internet access by WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A, etc. is made through a mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 performs wireless Internet access through the mobile communication network. ) May be understood as a kind of the mobile communication module 112.

The short range communication module 114 is for short range communication, and includes Bluetooth ^TM , Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, NFC ( Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies may be used to support short-range communication. Is, between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100 through a wireless area network (Wireless Area Networks). Alternatively, wireless communication between networks in which an external server) is located may be supported, and the short-range wireless communication network may be a wireless personal area network.

Here, the other mobile terminal 100 is a wearable device capable of exchanging (or interlocking with) data with the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, for example, a smartwatch, a smart glasses. (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display)). The short-range communication module 114 may detect (or recognize) a wearable device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 100 around the mobile terminal 100. Furthermore, when the sensed wearable device is a device that is authenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, the controller 180 transmits at least part of the data processed by the mobile terminal 100 to the short-range communication module ( 114) can be transmitted to the wearable device. Accordingly, a user of the wearable device can use data processed by the mobile terminal 100 through the wearable device. For example, according to this, when a call is received by the mobile terminal 100, the user performs a phone call through the wearable device, or when a message is received by the mobile terminal 100, the user receives the received call through the wearable device. It is possible to check the message.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location (or current location) of a mobile terminal, and representative examples thereof include a GPS (Global Positioning System) module or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module. For example, if the mobile terminal utilizes the GPS module, it can acquire the location of the mobile terminal by using a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. As another example, if the mobile terminal utilizes the Wi-Fi module, the mobile terminal may acquire the location of the mobile terminal based on information of the Wi-Fi module and a wireless access point (AP) that transmits or receives a wireless signal. If necessary, the location information module 115 may perform any function among other modules of the wireless communication unit 110 in order to obtain data on the location of the mobile terminal as a substitute or additionally. The location information module 115 is a module used to obtain the location (or current location) of the mobile terminal, and is not limited to a module that directly calculates or obtains the location of the mobile terminal.

Next, the input unit 120 is for inputting image information (or signal), audio information (or signal), data, or information input from a user. For inputting image information, the mobile terminal 100 Alternatively, a plurality of cameras 121 may be provided. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a video obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151 or stored in the memory 170. On the other hand, a plurality of cameras 121 provided in the mobile terminal 100 may be arranged to form a matrix structure, and through the camera 121 forming a matrix structure as described above, various angles or focal points are applied to the mobile terminal 100. A plurality of image information may be input. In addition, the plurality of cameras 121 may be arranged in a stereo structure to obtain a left image and a right image for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 processes an external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be variously utilized according to a function (or an application program being executed) being executed by the mobile terminal 100. Meanwhile, the microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise removal algorithms for removing noise generated in a process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 123 is for receiving information from the user, and when information is input through the user input unit 123, the controller 180 can control the operation of the mobile terminal 100 to correspond to the input information. . Such, the user input unit 123 is a mechanical (mechanical) input means (or a mechanical key, for example, a button located on the front, rear or side of the mobile terminal 100, a dome switch (dome switch), a jog wheel, Jog switch, etc.) and a touch-type input means. As an example, the touch-type input means comprises a virtual key, a soft key, or a visual key displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or a portion other than the touch screen On the other hand, the virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on the touch screen while having various forms. For example, graphic, text ), icon, video, or a combination thereof.

Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 senses at least one of information in the mobile terminal, information on a surrounding environment surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information, and generates a sensing signal corresponding thereto. The controller 180 may control the driving or operation of the mobile terminal 100 or perform data processing, functions, or operations related to an application program installed in the mobile terminal 100 based on such a sensing signal. Representative sensors among various sensors that may be included in the sensing unit 140 will be described in more detail.

First, the proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object existing in the vicinity using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without mechanical contact. In the proximity sensor 141, the proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner area of the mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen as described above or near the touch screen.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 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 type proximity sensor, a magnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, and the like. When the touch screen is a capacitive type, the proximity sensor 141 may be configured to detect the proximity of the object by a change in the electric field according to the proximity of the conductive object. In this case, the touch screen (or touch sensor) itself may be classified as a proximity sensor.

On the other hand, for convenience of explanation, the action of allowing an object to be recognized as being positioned on the touch screen by being approached without contacting an object on the touch screen is called "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching an object on the screen is referred to as "contact touch". A position at which an object is touched in proximity on the touch screen means a position at which the object is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the object is touched in proximity. The proximity sensor 141 may detect a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (eg, proximity touch distance, proximity touch direction, proximity touch speed, proximity touch time, proximity touch position, proximity touch movement state, etc.). have. Meanwhile, as above, the controller 180 processes data (or information) corresponding to the proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern sensed through the proximity sensor 141, and further, provides visual information corresponding to the processed data. It can be output on the touch screen. Furthermore, the controller 180 may control the mobile terminal 100 to process different operations or data (or information) according to whether a touch to the same point on the touch screen is a proximity touch or a touch touch. .

The touch sensor applies a touch (or touch input) to the touch screen (or display unit 151) using at least one of various touch methods such as a resistive film method, a capacitive method, an infrared method, an ultrasonic method, and a magnetic field method. To detect.

As an example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the touch screen or a change in capacitance generated at a specific portion of the touch screen into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect a location, an area, a pressure upon touch, a capacitance upon touch, and the like at which a touch object applying a touch on the touch screen is touched on the touch sensor. Here, the touch object is an object that applies a touch to the touch sensor, and may be, for example, a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, or a pointer.

In this way, when there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the signal(s) corresponding thereto is transmitted to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal(s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know whether an area of the display unit 151 is touched. Here, the touch controller may be a separate component from the controller 180 or may be the controller 180 itself.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may perform different controls or perform the same control according to the type of the touch object by touching the touch screen (or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen). Whether to perform different controls or to perform the same control according to the type of the touch object may be determined according to an operating state of the mobile terminal 100 or an application program being executed.

Meanwhile, the touch sensor and the proximity sensor described above are independently or in combination, and a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi touch, and a drag touch on the touch screen. ), flick touch, pinch-in touch, pinch-out touch, swipe touch, hovering touch, etc. You can sense the touch.

The ultrasonic sensor may recognize location information of a sensing target using ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, the controller 180 may calculate the location of the wave generator through information sensed from the optical sensor and the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The location of the wave generator may be calculated by using a property that the light is much faster than the ultrasonic wave, that is, the time that the light reaches the optical sensor is much faster than the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. More specifically, the position of the wave generator may be calculated using a time difference between a time when the ultrasonic wave arrives using light as a reference signal.

On the other hand, the camera 121, viewed as the configuration of the input unit 120, includes at least one of a camera sensor (eg, CCD, CMOS, etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensor), and a laser sensor.

The camera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined with each other to detect a touch of a sensing target for a 3D stereoscopic image. The photosensor may be stacked on the display device, and the photosensor is configured to scan a motion of a sensing object close to the touch screen. More specifically, the photo sensor scans the contents placed on the photo sensor by mounting a photo diode and a transistor (TR) in a row/column and using an electrical signal that changes according to the amount of light applied to the photo diode. That is, the photosensor calculates the coordinates of the sensing object according to the amount of light change, and through this, position information of the sensing object may be obtained.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven in the mobile terminal 100, or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to such execution screen information. .

In addition, the display unit 151 may be configured as a three-dimensional display unit that displays a three-dimensional image.

A three-dimensional display method such as a stereoscopic method (glasses method), an auto stereoscopic method (no glasses method), and a projection method (holographic method) may be applied to the stereoscopic display unit.

In general, a 3D stereoscopic image is composed of a left image (an image for the left eye) and a right image (an image for the right eye). Depending on how the left and right images are combined into a 3D stereoscopic image, a top-down method in which left and right images are arranged up and down in one frame, and left and right images are left and right within one frame. L-to-R (left-to-right, side by side) method, a checker board method in which pieces of left and right images are arranged in a tile form, and left and right images are arranged in columns Alternatively, it is divided into an interlaced method in which the image is alternately arranged in row units, and a time sequential (frame by frame) method in which the left image and the right image are alternately displayed by time.

In addition, the 3D thumbnail image may generate a left image thumbnail and a right image thumbnail from the left image and the right image of the original image frame, respectively, and may be generated as one image as they are combined. In general, a thumbnail refers to a reduced image or a reduced still image. The left image thumbnail and the right image thumbnail generated in this way are displayed with a left and right distance difference on the screen as much as a depth corresponding to the parallax between the left image and the right image, thereby representing a three-dimensional sense of space.

A left image and a right image necessary for realizing a 3D stereoscopic image may be displayed on a stereoscopic display unit by a stereoscopic processing unit. The 3D processing unit receives a 3D image (an image at a reference point of view and an image at an extended point of view) and sets a left image and a right image therefrom, or receives a 2D image and converts it into a left image and a right image.

The sound output unit 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 170 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output unit 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output unit 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, and a buzzer.

The haptic module 153 generates various tactile effects that a user can feel. A typical example of the tactile effect generated by the haptic module 153 may be vibration. The intensity and pattern of vibrations generated by the haptic module 153 may be controlled by a user's selection or setting of a controller. For example, the haptic module 153 may synthesize and output different vibrations or sequentially output them.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 153 is used for stimulation such as an arrangement of pins that move vertically with respect to the contact skin surface, blowing force or suction force of air through the injection or inlet, grazing against the skin surface, contact of electrodes, and electrostatic force. It can generate various tactile effects, such as the effect by the effect and the effect by reproducing the feeling of cooling and warming using an endothermic or heat generating element.

The haptic module 153 may not only deliver a tactile effect through direct contact, but may also be implemented so that a user can feel the tactile effect through muscle sensations such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 153 may be provided depending on the configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The light output unit 154 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event using light from a light source of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal 100 may include message reception, call signal reception, missed call, alarm, schedule notification, email reception, and information reception through an application.

The signal output from the light output unit 154 is implemented as the mobile terminal emits a single color or multiple colors of light to the front or rear. The signal output may be terminated when the mobile terminal detects the user's event confirmation.

The interface unit 160 serves as a passage for all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits it to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an 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 equipped with an identification module. (port), an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video input/output (I/O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 160.

Meanwhile, the identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the right to use the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), and universal user authentication. It may include a module (universal subscriber identity module; USIM). A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Accordingly, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through the interface unit 160.

In addition, the interface unit 160 serves as a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or is input from the cradle by a user. It may be a path through which various command signals are transmitted to the mobile terminal 100. Various command signals or the power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The memory 170 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input/output data (eg, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 170 may store data on vibrations and sounds of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 170 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type, a multimedia card micro type. ), card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read (EEPROM) -only memory), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may be operated in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 170 over the Internet.

Meanwhile, as described above, the controller 180 controls an operation related to an application program and, in general, an overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the state of the mobile terminal satisfies a set condition, the controller 180 may execute or release a lock state limiting input of a user's control command for applications.

In addition, the controller 180 performs control and processing related to voice calls, data communication, video calls, etc., or performs pattern recognition processing capable of recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively. I can. Furthermore, in order to implement various embodiments described below on the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, the controller 180 may control any one or a combination of a plurality of components described above.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 to supply power necessary for the operation of each component. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery configured to be rechargeable, and may be detachably coupled to a terminal body for charging or the like.

Further, the power supply unit 190 may include a connection port, and the connection port may be configured as an example of an interface 160 to which an external charger supplying power for charging a battery is electrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit 190 may be configured to charge the battery in a wireless manner without using the connection port. In this case, the power supply unit 190 uses at least one of an inductive coupling method based on a magnetic induction phenomenon or a magnetic resonance coupling method based on an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon from an external wireless power transmitter. Power can be delivered.

Meanwhile, hereinafter, various embodiments may be implemented in a recording medium that can be read by a computer or a similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

1B and 1C, the disclosed mobile terminal 100 includes a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to various structures such as a watch type, a clip type, a glass type, or a folder type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled, a flip type, a slide type, a swing type, and a swivel type. . Although it will be related to a specific type of mobile terminal, the description of a specific type of mobile terminal can be applied generally to other types of mobile terminals.

Here, the terminal body may be understood as a concept referring to the mobile terminal 100 as at least one aggregate.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a case (eg, a frame, a housing, a cover, etc.) forming an exterior. As shown, the mobile terminal 100 may include a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are disposed in an inner space formed by the combination of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one middle case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

A display unit 151 is disposed on the front of the terminal body to output information. As illustrated, the window 151a of the display unit 151 may be mounted on the front case 101 to form the front surface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some cases, electronic components may be mounted on the rear case 102 as well. Electronic components that can be mounted on the rear case 102 include a removable battery, an identification module, and a memory card. In this case, a rear cover 103 for covering the mounted electronic component may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Accordingly, when the rear cover 103 is separated from the rear case 102, the electronic components mounted on the rear case 102 are exposed to the outside.

As shown, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102, a part of the side surface of the rear case 102 may be exposed. In some cases, when the rear case 102 is combined, the rear case 102 may be completely covered by the rear cover 103. Meanwhile, the rear cover 103 may be provided with an opening for exposing the camera 121b or the sound output unit 152b to the outside.

These cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection of synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal such as stainless steel (STS), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

Unlike the above example in which a plurality of cases provide an inner space for accommodating various electronic components, the mobile terminal 100 may be configured such that one case provides the inner space. In this case, a unibody mobile terminal 100 in which synthetic resin or metal is connected from the side to the rear may be implemented.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproof unit (not shown) that prevents water from permeating into the terminal body. For example, the waterproof unit is provided between the window 151a and the front case 101, between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rear case 102 and the rear cover 103, and the combination thereof It may include a waterproof member for sealing the inner space.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a display unit 151, first and second sound output units 152a and 152b, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, a light output unit 154, and first and second sound output units. Cameras 121a and 121b, first and second operation units 123a and 123b, microphone 122, interface unit 160, and the like may be provided.

In the following, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a display unit 151, a first sound output unit 152a, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, and a light output unit ( 154), a first camera 121a and a first operation unit 123a are disposed, a second operation unit 123b, a microphone 122, and an interface unit 160 are disposed on the side of the terminal body, and the terminal body The mobile terminal 100 in which the second sound output unit 152b and the second camera 121b are disposed on the rear surface of will be described as an example.

However, these configurations are not limited to this arrangement. These configurations may be excluded or replaced as necessary, or may be disposed on different sides. For example, the first operation unit 123a may not be provided on the front surface of the terminal body, and the second sound output unit 152b may be provided on the side of the terminal body rather than on the rear surface of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven in the mobile terminal 100, or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to such execution screen information. .

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

In addition, two or more display units 151 may exist depending on the implementation type of the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 may have a plurality of display units spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor that senses a touch on the display unit 151 so as to receive a control command by a touch method. Using this, when a touch is made to the display unit 151, the touch sensor detects the touch, and the controller 180 may be configured to generate a control command corresponding to the touch based on this. Content input by the touch method may be letters or numbers, or menu items that can be indicated or designated in various modes.

On the other hand, the touch sensor is configured in the form of a film having a touch pattern and is disposed between the window 151a and a display (not shown) on the rear surface of the window 151a, or a metal wire patterned directly on the rear surface of the window 151a. May be. Alternatively, the touch sensor may be integrally formed with the display. For example, the touch sensor may be disposed on a substrate of the display or may be provided inside the display.

As such, the display unit 151 may form a touch screen together with a touch sensor, and in this case, the touch screen may function as a user input unit 123 (see FIG. 1A). In some cases, the touch screen may replace at least some functions of the first manipulation unit 123a.

The first sound output unit 152a may be implemented as a receiver that transmits a call sound to the user's ear, and the second sound output unit 152b is a loud speaker that outputs various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds. ) Can be implemented.

A sound hole for emitting sound generated from the first sound output unit 152a may be formed in the window 151a of the display unit 151. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sound may be configured to be emitted along an assembly gap between structures (eg, a gap between the window 151a and the front case 101). In this case, the externally formed hole for sound output is not visible or hidden, so that the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 may be more simple.

The light output unit 154 is configured to output light for notifying when an event occurs. Examples of the event include message reception, call signal reception, missed call, alarm, schedule notification, email reception, and information reception through an application. When the user's event confirmation is detected, the controller 180 may control the light output unit 154 to terminate the light output.

The first camera 121a processes an image frame of a still image or moving image obtained by an image sensor in a photographing mode or a video call mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151 and may be stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b are an example of a user input unit 123 that is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may also be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion. have. The first and second operation units 123a and 123b may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates while receiving a tactile feeling such as touch, push, and scroll. In addition, the first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b may also be employed in a manner in which the first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b are operated without a user's tactile feeling through proximity touch, hovering touch, or the like.

In this drawing, the first manipulation unit 123a is illustrated as being a touch key, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first operation unit 123a may be a push key (mechanical key) or may be configured as a combination of a touch key and a push key.

Contents input by the first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 123a receives commands such as menu, home key, cancel, search, etc., and the second operation unit 123b is output from the first or second sound output units 152a, 152b. Commands such as adjusting the volume of sound and switching to the touch recognition mode of the display unit 151 may be input.

Meanwhile, as another example of the user input unit 123, a rear input unit (not shown) may be provided on the rear surface of the terminal body. This rear input unit is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and input contents may be variously set. For example, commands such as power on/off, start, end, scroll, etc., control the volume of sound output from the first and second sound output units 152a and 152b, and touch recognition mode of the display unit 151 You can receive commands such as conversion of. The rear input unit may be implemented in a form capable of inputting by a touch input, a push input, or a combination thereof.

The rear input unit may be disposed to overlap the front display unit 151 in the thickness direction of the terminal body. As an example, when the user holds the terminal body with one hand, the rear input unit may be disposed on the rear upper end of the terminal body so that the user can easily manipulate the terminal body using the index finger. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the position of the rear input unit may be changed.

When the rear input unit is provided on the rear surface of the terminal body, a new type of user interface can be implemented using the rear input unit. In addition, when the touch screen or the rear input unit described above replaces at least some functions of the first operation unit 123a provided on the front of the terminal body, and the first operation unit 123a is not disposed on the front of the terminal body, The display unit 151 may be configured as a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a fingerprint recognition sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint, and the controller 180 may use fingerprint information detected through the fingerprint recognition sensor as an authentication means. The fingerprint recognition sensor may be embedded in the display unit 151 or the user input unit 123.

The microphone 122 is configured to receive a user's voice and other sounds. The microphone 122 may be provided in a plurality of locations and configured to receive stereo sound.

The interface unit 160 becomes a passage through which the mobile terminal 100 can be connected to an external device. For example, the interface unit 160 is a connection terminal for connection with other devices (eg, earphones, external speakers), a port for short-range communication (eg, an infrared port (IrDA Port), a Bluetooth port (Bluetooth Port), a wireless LAN port, etc.], or at least one of a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of a socket for accommodating an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), or a memory card for storing information.

A second camera 121b may be disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. In this case, the second camera 121b has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a.

The second camera 121b may include a plurality of lenses arranged along at least one line. The plurality of lenses may be arranged in a matrix format. Such a camera may be referred to as an'array camera'. When the second camera 121b is configured as an array camera, an image may be photographed in various ways using a plurality of lenses, and an image of better quality may be obtained.

The flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. The flash 124 illuminates light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera 121b.

A second sound output unit 152b may be additionally disposed on the terminal body. The second sound output unit 152b may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 152a, and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be provided in the terminal body. The antenna may be embedded in the terminal body or may be formed in a case. For example, an antenna forming a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (refer to FIG. 1A) may be configured to be retractable from the terminal body. Alternatively, the antenna may be formed in a film type and attached to the inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case including a conductive material may be configured to function as an antenna.

The terminal body is provided with a power supply unit 190 (see FIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery 191 that is built into the terminal body or configured to be detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may be configured to receive power through a power cable connected to the interface unit 160. In addition, the battery 191 may be configured to enable wireless charging through a wireless charger. The wireless charging may be implemented by a magnetic induction method or a resonance method (magnetic resonance method).

On the other hand, in this drawing, the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102 so as to cover the battery 191 to limit the separation of the battery 191, and to protect the battery 191 from external shock and foreign substances. It is illustrated. When the battery 191 is configured to be detachably attached to the terminal body, the rear cover 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

An accessory that protects the exterior of the mobile terminal 100 or assists or expands the function of the mobile terminal 100 may be added. An example of such an accessory may be a cover or a pouch that covers or accommodates at least one surface of the mobile terminal 100. The cover or pouch may be configured to interlock with the display unit 151 to expand functions of the mobile terminal 100. Another example of an accessory may be a touch pen for assisting or extending a touch input to a touch screen.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, information processed by a mobile terminal can be displayed using a flexible display. Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, this will be described in more detail.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a deformable mobile terminal 200 according to the present invention.

As shown, the display unit 251 may be configured to be deformable by an external force. The deformation may be at least one of bending, bending, folding, twisting, and curling of the display unit 251. Such a deformable display unit 251 may be referred to as a'flexible display unit'. Here, the flexible display unit 251 may include all of a general flexible display, an e-paper, and a combination thereof. In general, the mobile terminal 200 may include features of the mobile terminal 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1C or similar features.

A general flexible display refers to a light and sturdy display that is not easily broken because it is manufactured on a thin and flexible substrate that can be bent, bent, folded, twisted or rolled like paper while maintaining the characteristics of a conventional flat panel display.

In addition, electronic paper is a display technology to which the characteristics of general ink are applied, and the point of using reflected light may be different from the conventional flat panel display. As for the electronic paper, information can be changed by using a twist ball or electrophoresis using a capsule.

In a state in which the flexible display unit 251 is not deformed (eg, a state having an infinite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a first state), the display area of the flexible display unit 251 becomes a flat surface. In a state deformed by an external force in the first state (eg, a state having a finite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a second state), the display area may be a curved surface. As shown, information displayed in the second state may be visual information output on a curved surface. This visual information is implemented by independently controlling light emission of sub-pixels arranged in a matrix form. The unit pixel means a minimum unit for implementing one color.

In the first state, the flexible display unit 251 may be placed in a curved state (eg, a vertically or horizontally curved state) rather than a flat state. In this case, when an external force is applied to the flexible display unit 251, the flexible display unit 251 may be deformed into a flat state (or a less curved state) or a more curved state.

Meanwhile, the flexible display unit 251 may be combined with a touch sensor to implement a flexible touch screen. When a touch is made to the flexible touch screen, the controller 180 (refer to FIG. 1A) may perform a control corresponding to such a touch input. The flexible touch screen may be configured to sense a touch input not only in the first state but also in the second state.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 200 according to the present modified example may be provided with a deformation detecting means capable of detecting deformation of the flexible display unit 251. Such deformation detecting means may be included in the sensing unit 140 (see FIG. 1A).

The deformation detecting means may be provided in the flexible display unit 251 or the case 201 and may detect information related to deformation of the flexible display unit 251. Here, the information related to the deformation may include a direction in which the flexible display unit 251 is deformed, a deformed degree, a deformed position, a deformed time, and an acceleration at which the deformed flexible display unit 251 is restored, and the like, In addition, it may be various pieces of information that can be detected due to the bending of the flexible display unit 251.

In addition, the controller 180 may change information displayed on the flexible display unit 251 or change the information displayed on the flexible display unit 251 based on information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit 251 detected by the deformation detecting means. It is possible to generate a control signal to control the function of.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 200 according to the present modified example may include a case 201 accommodating the flexible display unit 251. The case 201 may be configured to be deformable together with the flexible display unit 251 by an external force in consideration of the characteristics of the flexible display unit 251.

In addition, a battery (not shown) provided in the mobile terminal 200 may also be configured to be deformable together with the flexible display unit 251 by an external force in consideration of the characteristics of the flexible display unit 251. In order to implement the battery, a stack and folding method in which battery cells are stacked on top may be applied.

The state transformation of the flexible display unit 251 is not limited to being caused by an external force. For example, when the flexible display unit 251 has the first state, it may be transformed into the second state by a command of a user or an application.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal can be extended to a wearable device that can be worn on the body beyond the dimension that the user mainly holds and uses in the hand. Such wearable devices include smart watch, smart glass, and head mounted display (HMD). Hereinafter, examples of mobile terminals extended to wearable devices will be described.

The wearable device may be configured to exchange (or interlock) data with another mobile terminal 100. The short-range communication module 114 may detect (or recognize) a wearable device capable of communicating around the mobile terminal 100. Furthermore, when the detected wearable device is a device that is authenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 transmits at least part of the data processed by the mobile terminal 100 to the wearable device through the short-range communication module 114. Can be transferred to. Accordingly, the user can use data processed by the mobile terminal 100 through the wearable device. For example, when a call is received from the mobile terminal 100, it is possible to perform a phone call through the wearable device, or when a message is received by the mobile terminal 100, the received message may be checked through the wearable device. .

3 is a perspective view showing an example of a watch type mobile terminal 300 related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a watch-type mobile terminal 300 includes a main body 301 having a display unit 351 and a band 302 connected to the main body 301 and configured to be worn on a wrist. In general, the mobile terminal 300 may include features of the mobile terminal 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1C or similar features.

The main body 301 includes a case forming an exterior. As illustrated, the case may include a first case 301a and a second case 301b providing an inner space for accommodating various electronic components. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a single case may be configured to provide the inner space so that the unibody mobile terminal 300 may be implemented.

The watch-type mobile terminal 300 is configured to enable wireless communication, and an antenna for the wireless communication may be installed in the main body 301. On the other hand, the antenna can extend its performance by using a case. For example, a case including a conductive material may be configured to be electrically connected to an antenna to expand a ground region or a radiation region.

A display unit 351 may be disposed on the front surface of the main body 301 to output information, and a touch sensor may be provided on the display unit 351 to be implemented as a touch screen. As shown, the window 351a of the display unit 351 may be mounted on the first case 301a to form the front surface of the terminal body together with the first case 301a.

The main body 301 may include an audio output unit 352, a camera 321, a microphone 322, a user input unit 323, and the like. When the display unit 351 is implemented as a touch screen, it may function as a user input unit 323, and accordingly, a separate key may not be provided on the main body 301.

The band 302 is worn on the wrist to wrap around the wrist, and may be formed of a flexible material to facilitate wearing. As such an example, the band 302 may be formed of leather, rubber, silicone, synthetic resin material, or the like. In addition, the band 302 may be configured to be detachable from the main body 301, and may be configured to be replaced with various types of bands according to a user's taste.

Meanwhile, the band 302 may be used to expand the performance of the antenna. For example, a ground extension unit (not shown) that is electrically connected to an antenna and expands a ground area may be incorporated in the band.

The band 302 may be provided with a fastener 302a. The fastener 302a may be implemented by a buckle, a hook structure capable of snap-fit, or velcro (trade name), and may include an elastic section or material. . In this drawing, an example in which the fastener 302a is implemented in the form of a buckle is shown.

4 is a perspective view showing an example of a glass type mobile terminal 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The glass-type mobile terminal 400 is configured to be worn on the head of the human body, and may include a frame portion (case, housing, etc.) for this. The frame portion may be formed of a flexible material to facilitate wearing. In this drawing, it is illustrated that the frame portion includes a first frame 401 and a second frame 402 made of different materials. In general, the mobile terminal 400 may include features of the mobile terminal 100 of FIGS. 1A to 1C or similar features.

The frame portion is supported on the head and provides a space in which various parts are mounted. As shown, electronic components such as the control module 480 and the sound output module 452 may be mounted on the frame part. In addition, a lens 403 covering at least one of the left eye and the right eye may be detachably mounted on the frame portion.

The control module 480 is configured to control various electronic components provided in the mobile terminal 400. The control module 480 may be understood as a configuration corresponding to the control unit 180 described above. In this drawing, it is illustrated that the control module 480 is installed in the frame on one side of the head. However, the location of the control module 480 is not limited thereto.

The display unit 451 may be implemented in the form of a head mounted display (HMD). The HMD type refers to a display method that is mounted on the head and displays an image directly in front of the user's eyes. When the user wears the glass-type mobile terminal 400, the display unit 451 may be disposed to correspond to at least one of the left eye and the right eye so that an image can be directly provided in front of the user's eyes. In this drawing, it is illustrated that the display unit 451 is positioned at a portion corresponding to the right eye so that an image can be output toward the user's right eye.

The display unit 451 may project an image to the user's eyes using a prism. In addition, the prism may be formed to be light-transmitting so that the user can see the projected image and the general field of view (a range that the user sees through the eyes) together.

In this way, the image output through the display unit 451 may be viewed by overlapping with the general view. The mobile terminal 400 may provide an Augmented Reality (AR) that displays a single image by superimposing a virtual image on a real image or a background by using the characteristics of the display.

The camera 421 is disposed adjacent to at least one of the left eye and the right eye, and is formed to capture a front image. Since the camera 421 is located adjacent to the eye, the camera 421 may acquire a scene viewed by the user as an image.

In this drawing, although the camera 421 is provided in the control module 480, it is not necessarily limited thereto. The camera 421 may be installed in the frame unit, or a plurality of cameras 421 may be provided to obtain a stereoscopic image.

The glass-type mobile terminal 400 may include user input units 423a and 423b that are operated to receive a control command. The user input units 423a and 423b may be any method as long as it is a tactile manner, such as a touch or a push. In this drawing, it is exemplified that the frame unit and the control module 480 are provided with user input units 423a and 423b of a push and touch input method, respectively.

In addition, the glass-type mobile terminal 400 may be provided with a microphone (not shown) that receives sound and processes it as electrical voice data, and a sound output module 452 that outputs sound. The sound output module 452 may be configured to transmit sound through a general sound output method or a bone conduction method. When the sound output module 452 is implemented in a bone conduction method, when the user wears the mobile terminal 400, the sound output module 452 is in close contact with the head and vibrates the skull to transmit sound.

Next, a communication system that can be implemented through the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention will be described.

First, the communication system may use different air interfaces and/or physical layers. For example, the radio interfaces usable by the communication system include Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). ), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (particularly, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced)), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. May be included.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the description will be limited to CDMA. However, it is apparent that the present invention can be applied to all communication systems including an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communication system as well as a CDMA wireless communication system.

The CDMA wireless communication system includes at least one terminal 100, at least one base station (Base Station, BS (may also be referred to as Node B or Evolved Node B)), and at least one base station controllers (BSCs). ), may include a Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The MSC is configured to be connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and BSCs. The BSCs may be paired and connected with the BS through a backhaul line. The backhaul line may be provided according to at least one of E1/T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, or xDSL. Thus, a plurality of BSCs can be included in a CDMA wireless communication system.

Each of the plurality of BSs may include at least one sector, and each sector may include an omni-directional antenna or an antenna pointing in a specific direction radially from the BS. In addition, each sector may include two or more antennas of various types. Each BS may be configured to support a plurality of frequency allocations, and each of the plurality of frequency allocations may have a specific spectrum (eg, 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sector and frequency allocation can be referred to as a CDMA channel. The BS may be referred to as Base Station Transceiver Subsystem (BTS). In this case, one BSC and at least one BS may be collectively referred to as a “base station”. The base station may also represent a "cell site". Alternatively, each of the plurality of sectors for a specific BS may be referred to as a plurality of cell sites.

A broadcasting transmitter (BT) transmits a broadcast signal to terminals 100 operating in the system. The broadcast receiving module 111 shown in FIG. 1A is provided in the terminal 100 to receive a broadcast signal transmitted by BT.

In addition, a global positioning system (GPS) for checking the location of the mobile terminal 100 may be linked to the CDMA wireless communication system. The satellite 300 helps to determine the location of the mobile terminal 100. Useful location information may be obtained by two or fewer or more satellites. Here, the location of the mobile terminal 100 may be tracked using not only GPS tracking technology but also all technologies capable of tracking the location. Further, at least one of the GPS satellites may optionally or additionally be responsible for satellite DMB transmission.

The location information module 115 provided in the mobile terminal is for detecting, calculating, or identifying the location of the mobile terminal, and representative examples may include a Global Position System (GPS) module and a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) module. If necessary, the location information module 115 may perform any function among other modules of the wireless communication unit 110 in order to obtain data on the location of the mobile terminal as a substitute or additionally.

The GPS module 115 calculates distance information and accurate time information from three or more satellites, and then accurately calculates three-dimensional current location information according to latitude, longitude, and altitude by applying a trigonometry to the calculated information. can do. Currently, 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 may calculate speed information by continuously calculating the current location in real time. However, it is difficult to accurately measure the location of a mobile terminal using a GPS module in a shaded area of a satellite signal, such as indoors. Accordingly, in order to compensate for positioning of the GPS method, a WiFi Positioning System (WPS) may be used.

The Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS: WiFi Positioning System) uses a WiFi module provided in the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless access point (AP) that transmits or receives a wireless signal with the WiFi module. As a technology for tracking the location of a device, it refers to a location positioning technology based on WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) using WiFi.

The Wi-Fi location tracking system may include a Wi-Fi location positioning server, a mobile terminal 100, a wireless AP connected to the mobile terminal 100, and a database in which information about a wireless AP is stored.

The mobile terminal 100 connected to the wireless AP may transmit a location information request message to a Wi-Fi location location server.

The Wi-Fi location server extracts information on a wireless AP connected to the mobile terminal 100 based on the location information request message (or signal) of the mobile terminal 100. The information on the wireless AP connected to the mobile terminal 100 may be transmitted to the Wi-Fi location server through the mobile terminal 100 or from the wireless AP to the Wi-Fi location server.

Based on the location information request message of the mobile terminal 100, the extracted wireless AP information is MAC Address, Service Set IDentification (SSID), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and RSRQ ( Reference Signal Received Quality), channel information, Privacy, Network Type, Signal Strength, and Noise Strength.

As described above, the Wi-Fi location server may receive information on a wireless AP connected to the mobile terminal 100 and extract wireless AP information corresponding to a wireless AP to which the mobile terminal is connected from a database built in advance. At this time, the information of random wireless APs stored in the database includes MAC Address, SSID, channel information, Privacy, Network Type, latitude and longitude coordinates of the wireless AP, the building name where the wireless AP is located, the number of floors, and detailed indoor location information (GPS coordinates). Available), the AP owner's address, phone number, etc. In this case, in order to remove wireless APs provided using mobile APs or illegal MAC addresses during the positioning process, the Wi-Fi location positioning server may extract only a predetermined number of wireless AP information in the order of the highest RSSI.

Thereafter, the Wi-Fi location server may extract (or analyze) the location information of the mobile terminal 100 by using at least one wireless AP information extracted from the database. By comparing the included information with the received wireless AP information, location information of the mobile terminal 100 is extracted (or analyzed).

As a method for extracting (or analyzing) the location information of the mobile terminal 100, a Cell-ID method, a finger print method, a triangulation method, a landmark method, and the like may be used.

The Cell-ID method is a method of determining a location of a wireless AP having the strongest signal strength among surrounding wireless AP information collected by the mobile terminal as the location of the mobile terminal. It is simple to implement, does not incur additional costs, and has the advantage of being able to obtain location information quickly, but has a disadvantage in that the positioning accuracy is lowered when the installation density of the wireless AP is low.

The fingerprint method is a method of selecting a reference location in a service area, collecting signal strength information, and estimating a location through signal strength information transmitted from a mobile terminal based on the collected information. In order to use the fingerprint method, it is necessary to make a database of propagation characteristics in advance.

The triangulation method is a method of calculating a location of a mobile terminal based on coordinates of at least three wireless APs and a distance between the mobile terminals. In order to measure the distance between the mobile terminal and the wireless AP, the signal strength is converted into distance information, the time at which the wireless signal is transmitted (Time of Arrival, ToA), the time difference in which the signal is transmitted (Time Difference of Arrival, TDoA) , The angle at which the signal is transmitted (Angle of Arrival, AoA), etc. may be used.

The landmark method is a method of measuring the location of a mobile terminal using a landmark transmitter that knows the location.

In addition to the listed methods, various algorithms may be used as a method for extracting (or analyzing) the location information of the mobile terminal.

The location information of the mobile terminal 100 extracted in this way is transmitted to the mobile terminal 100 through the Wi-Fi location positioning server, so that the mobile terminal 100 can obtain the location information.

The mobile terminal 100 may obtain location information by being connected to at least one wireless AP. In this case, the number of wireless APs required to obtain location information of the mobile terminal 100 may be variously changed according to a wireless communication environment in which the mobile terminal 100 is located.

1A, the mobile terminal according to the present invention includes Bluetooth ^TM , Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and Near Field (NFC). Communication), Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus), and other short-range communication technologies can be applied.

Among them, the NFC module provided in the mobile terminal supports contactless short-range wireless communication between terminals at a distance of about 10 cm. The NFC module can operate in any one of a card mode, a reader mode, and a P2P mode. In order to operate the NFC module in the card mode, the mobile terminal 100 may further include a security module for storing card information. Here, the security module may be a physical medium such as UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) (e.g., SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) or USIM (Universal SIM)), Secure micro SD, and a sticker, or a logical medium embedded in the mobile terminal ( For example, it may be an embeded SE (Secure element). Data exchange based on Single Wire Protocol (SWP) may be performed between the NFC module and the security module.

When the NFC module is operated in the card mode, the mobile terminal can transmit card information stored like a traditional IC card to the outside. Specifically, when a mobile terminal that stores card information of a payment card such as a credit card or a bus card is brought close to the payment machine, mobile short-range payment can be processed, and the mobile terminal that stores the card information of the card for access is approved. Upon approaching the flag, the access authorization process can begin. Cards such as credit cards, transportation cards, and access cards are mounted on a security module in the form of an applet, and the security module may store card information on the mounted card. Here, the card information of the payment card may be at least one of a card number, balance, and usage history, and the card information of the access card may be at least one of the user's name, number (eg, the user's student number or employee number), and access details. It can be one.

When the NFC module is operated in the reader mode, the mobile terminal can read data from an external tag. In this case, the data received from the tag by the mobile terminal may be coded in the NFC Data Exchange Format determined by the NFC forum. In addition, the NFC forum defines four record types. Specifically, the NFC Forum defines four RTDs (Record Type Definition), such as Smart Poster, Text, Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), and General Control. When the data received from the tag is a smart poster type, the controller may execute a browser (eg, an Internet browser), and when the data received from the tag is a text type, the controller may execute a text viewer. When the data received from the tag is a URI type, the control unit executes a browser or makes a phone call, and when the data received from the tag is a general control type, an appropriate operation may be performed according to the control contents.

When the NFC module is operated in a peer-to-peer (P2P) mode, the mobile terminal can perform P2P communication with other mobile terminals. At this time, LLCP (Logical Link Control Protocol) may be applied to P2P communication. For P2P communication, a connection may be created between a mobile terminal and another mobile terminal. In this case, the generated connection may be divided into a connectionless mode in which one packet is exchanged and terminated, and a connection-oriented mode in which packets are continuously exchanged. Through P2P communication, data such as electronic business cards, contact information, digital photos, and URLs, and setup parameters for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection may be exchanged. However, since the usable distance of NFC communication is short, the P2P mode can be effectively utilized for exchanging small sized data.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in a mobile terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of the present invention.

5 is a diagram for describing a backlight phenomenon to be solved in the present invention.

In the drawing shown in FIG. 5, an image of 9 pixels (pixels) is assumed. Of course, the latest cameras consist of image data of over 20 million pixels, and FIG. 5 is only an example for explaining the present invention.

Further, the image data is composed of a red (RED) color, a green (GREEN) color, a blue (BLUE) color, and the like, and can be represented by numbers from 0 to 255, respectively. The brightness value may be determined through a combination of the numbers of red, green, and blue colors. The closer to 0 (black), the darker it is, and the closer to 255 (white), the brighter. Each of the brightness values of each pixel shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to 10, 240, 33, 77, 106, 10, 10, 231, and 58.

6 is a diagram for supplementary explanation of FIG. 5. Reorganizing the brightness values of the pixels shown in FIG. 5, there are three pixels with a brightness value of 10, one pixel with a brightness value of 33, a pixel with a brightness value of 58, and a pixel with a brightness value of 77. This is one, one pixel with a brightness value of 106, one pixel with a brightness value of 231, and one pixel with a brightness value of 240.

6 corresponds to the display of the above-described pixels in the form of a histogram. The horizontal axis shown in FIG. 6 denotes brightness values (0 to 255), and the vertical axis denotes the number of pixels having a corresponding value. Accordingly, as in the histogram shown in FIG. 6, as the number of pixels with a brightness value close to 0 increases, the possibility of a dark image as a whole is high, and it can be estimated that a backlight phenomenon has occurred.

Of course, the backlight phenomenon is not limited to determining only the brightness value shown in FIG. 6, and estimation through other embodiments is also within the scope of the present invention. In particular, the backlight phenomenon refers to a phenomenon in which an object is photographed relatively dark due to the brightness of a light source when, for example, a camera sensor, an object, and a light source are arranged in the order.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a technical content of automatically compensating the image quality of a camera by extracting information on whether there is backlight and the degree of backlight is included.

Furthermore, according to the prior art, it often occurs that the difference between the brightness of the light source and the object is not properly recognized due to hardware limitations of the camera sensor. In this case, there is a problem in that the bright part is saturated or the dark part is not visible at all.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, not only a snapshot of a camera, but also a dark area and a bright area are properly displayed in a preview and a video, thereby providing image quality without backlighting. The preview refers to a moving picture displayed during a snapshot capturing process, and the snapshot refers to a still image finally captured in a photo capturing mode. On the other hand, the video refers to a video captured in a video recording mode.

In this regard, it will be described later in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 22.

7 is a block diagram including internal configuration modules of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a mobile terminal 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 710, an image data processor 720, a display module 730, an interface module 740, and a memory 750. And the like. Of course, it belongs to the scope of the present invention to delete or add some modules according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

The interface module 740 receives a command to start at least one of a mode for capturing a still image or a mode for capturing a video. The interface module 740 corresponds to, for example, a touch screen or a key button.

The controller 710 is designed to calculate a flexible threshold value for determining whether or not backlight is based on at least one data. The controller 710 corresponds to, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), a quad-core, or a dual-core.

The image data processor 720 controls back light compensation to be performed based on the calculated flexible reference value. The image data processor 720 corresponds to a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) or the like.

In addition, the memory 750 is designed to store at least one image data photographed according to the mode. The memory 750 corresponds to, for example, a system memory, an internal memory, and a Secure Digital (SD) card.

When a command for terminating the mode is received through the interface module 740, the display module 730 may perform backlight correction by the image data processor 720 or the original image data without backlight correction. Additional information for selectively storing one of the image data in the memory 750 is output.

Furthermore, the at least one piece of data may be classified into, for example, a first group and a second group. More specifically, for example, the first group includes at least one or more of brightness information, color information, focus information, and region of interest (ROI) information of a frame extracted from a captured image, and the second group , And at least one of location information, direction information, time information, and weather information received from the network.

The controller 710 is designed to calculate by selectively using at least one of a database having previously measured information or a specific equation. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller 710 sets the flexible reference value to decrease as the brightness value of the entire frame increases, and as the brightness value of the entire frame decreases, It is set to increase the flexible reference value.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller 710 sets the flexible reference value to decrease as the difference between the brightness of the focus area or the ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area increases, and the focus area or ROI The flexible reference value is set to increase as the difference between the brightness of the area and the brightness of the surrounding area decreases. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11.

In addition, when the mode for capturing a video is started, the controller 710 applies a first flexible reference value based on the started time point, and applies a second flexible reference value after the start time point. Further, the memory 750 stores image data to which the first flexible reference value is applied and image data to which the second flexible reference value is applied as one continuous content. In this regard, it will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 19 to 22.

8 is a diagram for supplementary explanation of FIG. 7. 8 illustrates the functions of the controller 710 and the image data processor 720 shown in FIG. 7 in more detail. For example, the controller 710 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the backlight detection module 810 shown in FIG. 8, and the image data processor 720 shown in FIG. 7 is an intelligent compensation module shown in FIG. module) 820.

The backlight detection algorithm according to the prior art always used only a single fixed threshold. However, the human eye perceives differently according to the difference in brightness between the dark and bright areas.

Accordingly, it is necessary to adaptively change the threshold value according to the brightness of the entire region and the brightness difference of the specific region. Furthermore, the present invention is applied to each of the above-described preview, snapshot, and video modes. In addition, it is possible to implement the modules shown in FIG. 8 as software or an algorithm.

The backlight detection module 810 includes a threshold determining module 811 and a backlight rate determining module 812. In addition, the intelligent compensation module 820 includes a preview compensation module 821, a snapshot compensation module 822, a video compensation module 823, and the like.

The threshold determination module 811 includes a statistical distribution of a histogram of brightness values shown in FIG. 6, a difference in brightness between a region of interest (ROI) and a surrounding area, a difference in brightness between a focus area and a surrounding area, and a location. The threshold value is changed using at least one of information or time information. Of course, the use of two or more pieces of information falls within the scope of the present invention.

For example, as the brightness value of the entire frame increases, the threshold value (or referred to as the flexible reference value) is set to decrease, and as the brightness value of the entire frame decreases, the flexible reference value decreases. Set to increase.

Furthermore, as the difference between the brightness of the focus area or ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area increases, the flexible reference value is set to decrease, and as the difference value between the brightness of the focus area or ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area decreases, the Set to increase the flexible reference value.

On the other hand, as a method of determining the flexible threshold value, the present invention proposes two. The first method is to rely on a database with previously measured information experimentally. As a second method, there is a method based on Equation 1 as follows.

(Equation 1)

Th (reference value) = w1(Brightness, Saturation) + w2(Focus, ROI)

That is, the reference value is determined by a value (A) determined for the brightness (BRIGHTNESS) and saturation (SATURATION) of each pixel, and a weight value (w1) for the A value, and also values for the focus area and the ROI area (B ) And a weight value w2 for the B value. The value B for the focus area and the ROI area is determined by a difference in brightness between the focus area and the surrounding area or between the ROI area and the surrounding area. Of course, it is also within the scope of the present invention to flexibly adjust the reference value by adding another parameter.

The backlight rate determination module 812 determines a rate of backlight (backlight) based on, for example, three parameters.

First, when there is an ROI area, the degree of backlighting is determined by the difference in brightness between the ROI area and the surrounding area.

Second, the specific gravity and darkness of the area selected as the dark area in the entire captured image (frame) are calculated, and the higher the dark area and the dark level, the higher the rate of backlighting is determined.

Third, the specific gravity and brightness of the area selected as the bright area in the entire captured image (frame) are calculated, and the higher the bright area and the brightness, the lower the rate of backlighting is determined.

Accordingly, the intelligent compensation module 820 illustrated in FIG. 8 is designed to receive two pieces of information on whether or not backlight (backlight) is and the degree of backlight from the backlight detection module 810. Of course, if there is no backlight phenomenon, do not receive information on the degree of backlighting.

The preview compensation module 821 controls automatic exposure (AE) based on data received from the backlight (backlight) detection module 810. That is, the AE is adaptively controlled depending on whether or not there is backlight and the degree of backlighting.

For example, according to the degree of backlighting of the ROI, it is designed to change the AE weight for the ROI. Accordingly, the more severe the ROI backlight, the higher the AE weight for the ROI, and the less severe the ROI, the less the AE weight for the ROI is increased. Meanwhile, the ROI (Region Of Interest) corresponds to a preset area (eg, center) or a user's face (in the case of a camera having a face recognition function).

Furthermore, the description of the ROI can be applied equally to the focus area. The focus area may be the same as the ROI or is designed differently.

The snapshot compensation module 822 controls AE (Automatic Exposure) based on data received from the backlight (backlight) detection module 810 and is designed to switch to an HDR photographing mode. That is, the AE is adaptively controlled depending on whether or not there is backlight and the degree of backlighting, and the mode is switched to the HDR photographing mode.

For example, according to the degree of backlighting of the ROI, it is designed to change the AE weight for the ROI. Accordingly, the more severe the ROI backlight, the higher the AE weight for the ROI, and the less severe the ROI, the less the AE weight for the ROI is increased. Meanwhile, the ROI (Region Of Interest) corresponds to a preset area (eg, center) or a user's face (in the case of a camera having a face recognition function).

Furthermore, when receiving information indicating that there is backlight, the snapshot compensation module 822 automatically changes the shooting mode and then starts HDR shooting. Therefore, there is an advantage that the user does not need to separately switch to a ZSL (Zero Shutter Lag) mode or a mode for HDR photography.

The video compensation module 823 is also designed to control AE (Automatic Exposure) based on data received from the backlight (backlight) detection module 810, and to switch to an HDR photographing mode. That is, the AE is adaptively controlled depending on whether or not there is backlight and the degree of backlighting, and the mode is switched to the HDR photographing mode.

For example, according to the degree of backlighting of the ROI, it is designed to change the AE weight for the ROI. Accordingly, the more severe the ROI backlight, the higher the AE weight for the ROI, and the less severe the ROI, the less the AE weight for the ROI is increased. Meanwhile, the ROI (Region Of Interest) corresponds to a preset area (eg, center) or a user's face (in the case of a camera having a face recognition function).

Further, the video compensation module 823 is designed to continuously receive data on whether or not backlighting and the degree of backlighting from the backlight detection module 810 even after the timing of shooting. This is because recording a moving picture (video) usually takes a long time, and whether or not backlighting may be changed at any time depending on the camera angle. That is, one feature of the present invention is that the first data on the backlighting reference value and the backlighting degree during video recording and the backlighting reference value and second data on the backlighting degree after the start of video recording may not be the same.

9 is a flow chart showing a control method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is also within the scope of the present invention to delete some of the steps shown in FIG. 9 or to add other steps.

First, the mobile terminal starts at least one of a mode for capturing a still image or a mode for capturing a video (S910). At least one piece of data for determining whether to be backlit is collected (S920).

A flexible threshold value for determining whether to be backlit is calculated (S930), and whether or not backlighting and a level of backlighting are determined based on at least one of the collected data and the calculated flexible reference value (S940) . In addition, when a backlight event occurs, the backlight compensation is controlled to be performed with reference to the previously stored memory data according to the determined degree of backlight (S950).

The step S930 is calculated by selectively using at least one of Equation 1 or a database having pre-measured information as described above.

In step S930, as the brightness value of the entire frame increases, the flexible reference value is set to decrease, and as the brightness value of the entire frame decreases, the flexible reference value is set to increase.

In the step S930, as the difference value between the brightness of the focus area or the ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area increases, the flexible reference value decreases, and the difference value between the brightness of the focus area or ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area decreases. It is set so that the flexible reference value increases as the number increases.

Although not shown in FIG. 9, when the mode for video recording is started, the step of applying a first flexible reference value based on the start time point and applying a second flexible reference value after the start time point is also included in the present invention. Another feature. The first flexible reference value and the second flexible reference value are different.

10 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of implementing step S930 shown in FIG. 9.

Although it will be described again and again, the present invention has a major feature in that the threshold value is adaptively changed, unlike the prior art. For example, the threshold value is automatically adjusted based on the brightness value of the pixel or information on the ROI. More specifically, for example, when the overall brightness of the image data is bright, the threshold value (which may be referred to as a threshold value) is lowered, and when the overall brightness is relatively dark, the threshold value is increased. The reason is that the possibility of backlighting is relatively high in an environment where the overall brightness is bright, so it is necessary to design to detect the backlighting phenomenon more sensitively by lowering the threshold value.

As shown in FIG. 10, input data is analyzed to calculate a threshold value (reference value) (S1031). In step S1031, the focus area, ROI-related information, location information, time information, and brightness values of each pixel are used.

Then, a threshold value is calculated by using the input data of step S1031 (S1032). It is a feature of the present invention to determine a threshold value based on Equation 1 above. As another example, lowering the threshold value in weather (or time) where backlighting occurs frequently, and increasing the threshold value in weather (or time) where backlighting occurs relatively less is within the scope of the present invention. Belongs.

11 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of implementing step S940 shown in FIG. Deleting some of the steps shown in FIG. 11 and adding other steps also belong to the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited in the order shown in FIG.

The threshold value calculated in step S1032 shown in FIG. 10 is compared with the data collected in step S920 shown in FIG. 9 to determine whether there is backlight (S1141). If it is determined that backlight has occurred, the intensity of the backlight is determined (S1142).

However, the step S1142 may be an independent step, or may be a step including steps S1143 to S1145 to be described later. The reason why steps S1142 to S1145 are necessary is that an image compensation range must be set differently according to the degree of backlighting.

According to step S1143, the degree of backlighting of the ROI is determined. Then, based on the determined backlighting degree, the backlighting for the ROI is partially compensated.

In step S1144, the specific gravity and brightness of the dark area are determined. Then, based on the determined specific gravity and brightness of the dark area, the backlight for the dark area is partially compensated.

Then, according to step S1145, the specific gravity and brightness of the bright area are determined. Further, based on the determined specific gravity and brightness of the bright area, the backlight for the bright area is partially compensated.

12 shows an image captured by the prior art.

When the camera is photographed according to the prior art, an image as shown in FIG. 12 may be obtained. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a person 1220 located in a region serving as the center of photographing is displayed darkly due to a backlight phenomenon.

However, since the area 1210 other than the person 1220 is displayed brightly, according to the prior art, there is a problem that the backlight determination is not received. A solution for solving this problem will be described in FIG. 13.

13 is a diagram for explaining a process of analyzing data of an image captured in FIG. 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ROI 1310 is specified, and it is determined whether or not there is backlight within the specified ROI 1310. Therefore, since the user area 1320 in which the pixel value appears dark occupies most of the ROI 1310, it is possible to estimate that the backlight phenomenon has occurred.

If the above-described technology is applied, a technical effect that can be designed to improve the accuracy of backlight determination and partially compensate for the backlight in the ROI region is expected.

14 is a diagram for explaining a process of analyzing data of a captured image according to another embodiment of the present invention.

It is assumed that the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention uses a camera equipped with a face recognition function. Of course, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other embodiments of the present invention can be applied even when the camera is not a face recognition camera.

The ROI described above may correspond to the face recognition area 1410 shown in FIG. 14. Similar to that described in FIG. 13, due to the brightness of an area 1420 other than the face recognition area 1410, a backlight phenomenon does not occur even when the face recognition area 1410 is displayed dark. In the prior art, an error occurs. I can.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is determined whether there is backlight in the face recognition area 1410. Accordingly, there is a technical effect of accurately detecting a backlight phenomenon in which the face recognition area 1410 is displayed darkly, regardless of the brightness of the other surrounding area 1420. If the above-described technique is applied, there is an advantage in that the accuracy of the backlight determination is improved, and backlight compensation is partially performed only in the face recognition area.

15 illustrates an image in which backlighting is removed according to one of the embodiments of the present invention. 16 shows an image captured by the prior art, in contrast to FIG. 15.

When any one or more of the embodiments described in FIG. 13 or 14 is applied, as shown in FIG. 15, it is possible to display image data with little backlighting. In other words, both dark and bright areas are output at an identifiable level.

On the other hand, according to the prior art, as shown in FIG. 16, since the dark area (ROI or face recognition area) is still displayed as dark, there is a problem in that an object in the dark area cannot be properly identified with the eyes of a general person.

17 illustrates additional information used by a mobile terminal to selectively store original image data or image data from which backlighting has been removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is assumed that the mobile terminal 1700 illustrated in FIG. 17 has at least one of the above-described embodiments applied. It is assumed that a snapshot, a still image, or a picture has been taken by the mobile terminal 1700.

Unlike the prior art, the mobile terminal 1700 according to an embodiment of the present invention is designed to temporarily store image data for which backlight compensation is performed and image data before backlight compensation is performed in a memory. It is a plan to satisfy the needs of various users.

On the other hand, regardless of the different needs of each user, it is not desirable in terms of memory efficiency to keep all original photos and improved photos (with backlighting removed).

Therefore, FIG. 17 was devised to solve the above-described needs and problems.

The mobile terminal 1700 according to an embodiment of the present invention displays additional information 1710 for determining which image to selectively store among the original image and the new image for which backlight correction has been performed.

In addition, three options 1720 selectable by the user are provided along with the additional information 1710. The three options 1720 include an option of storing only the original, an option of storing only a new image, and an option of storing both. Of course, it is also within the scope of the present invention to design some modifications according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

18 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention distinguishes and stores original image data or image data from which backlighting is removed.

Referring to FIG. 17 described above, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention selectively stores an original image and a new image in a memory.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18, a new image list 1810 and an original list 1820 are displayed separately. Of course, FIG. 18 does not show a case where the original image and the new image are the same.

However, the user may select to store only the original image for some photo groups, only new images for some other photo groups, and to store both images for some other photo groups.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, if a distinct list is provided, there is an advantage that a user can easily check the effect of the backlight phenomenon removal technique provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

19 is a view for explaining a case where a video is photographed in a state in which a backlight phenomenon is detected by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the backlight phenomenon occurs when the light source 1920, the object 1910, and the camera-mounted mobile terminal 1900 are sequentially positioned. Meanwhile, in FIG. 19, it is assumed that a video is being captured.

At this time, as described above, the mobile terminal 1900 internally performs a back light phenomenon determination and compensation process. Accordingly, it is also possible to design so that the video 1911 from which the backlight phenomenon has been removed is output on the screen and a message indicating that the backlight is being corrected is displayed together.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a case in which a video is captured in a state in which a backlight phenomenon is not detected by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 19, it is assumed that a video is photographed under backlighting. However, during video recording, as shown in FIG. 20, the light source may disappear in front of the camera. At this time, the threshold value for determining the backlight phenomenon may also be changed.

If it is assumed that there is no backlight phenomenon based on the new threshold value, the mobile terminal 2000 displays the object 2010 on the screen 2011 as it is, as shown in FIG. 20.

Further, unlike the message illustrated in FIG. 19, in FIG. 20, a message 2030 indicating that normal shooting is in progress is designed to be output together. Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, unlike the prior art, there is an advantage that the user does not need to directly change the photographing mode according to the backlight phenomenon.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a list of videos taken by FIGS. 19 and 20 on a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

19 and 20 described above, it is assumed that the same object is continuously photographed.

As shown in FIG. 21, the mobile terminal 2100 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a video list. The video list includes A content 2110, B content 2120, and C content 2130. In particular, it is assumed that the A content 2110 corresponds to the video captured in FIGS. 19 and 20 previously.

At this time, the user 2101 can arbitrarily select the A content 2110 that has been captured previously. According to the prior art, only a function of outputting content including a backlight phenomenon has been provided. On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a new additional function as shown in FIG. 22 is provided.

In addition, FIG. 22 is a view for explaining a process in which a mobile terminal reproduces a single video captured by FIGS. 19 and 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 2200 according to an embodiment of the present invention outputs information 2210 identifying the selected content and outputs the corresponding video 2220 together. This is not a part that contrasts greatly with the prior art.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal 2200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a progressive bar for distinguishing the areas (a, c) photographed by correcting the backlight phenomenon in one content and the region (b) in which normal photographing was performed. Provides (2230).

Accordingly, the user can more easily check whether the backlight phenomenon has occurred at any moment, and it is expected that the user can use it for other editing. For example, it is possible to quickly edit the area where backlight correction has been performed, leaving only portions where there was no backlight phenomenon.

The present invention described above can be implemented as a computer-readable code in a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all types of recording devices storing data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable media include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Disk), SDD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc. There is also a carrier wave (eg, transmission over the Internet). In addition, the computer may include the control unit 180 of the terminal. Therefore, the detailed description above should not be construed as restrictive in all respects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

700: mobile terminal
710: controller
720: image data processor
730: display module
740: interface module
750: memory

Claims (15)

In the control method of a mobile terminal,
Initiating at least one of a mode for capturing a still image or a mode for capturing a moving image;
Collecting at least one piece of data for determining whether to back light;
Calculating a flexible threshold value for determining whether or not backlighting is performed;
Determining whether or not backlighting is based on at least one of the collected data and the calculated flexible reference value; And
When a backlight event occurs, controlling to perform back light compensation by referring to data in a previously stored memory according to the determined degree of backlighting
Including,
The step of calculating the flexible reference value
The flexible reference value is set to decrease as the difference between the brightness of the focus area or the ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area increases,
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, wherein the flexible reference value increases as the difference between the brightness of the focus area or the ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area decreases. The method of claim 1,
The collected data,
A method of controlling a mobile terminal that can be classified into a first group and a second group. The method of claim 2,
The first group includes at least one or more of brightness information, color information, focus information, and region of interest (ROI) information of a frame extracted from the captured image,
The second group includes at least one of location information, direction information, time information, and weather information received from a network. The method of claim 1,
The step of calculating the flexible reference value,
A method of controlling a mobile terminal for calculating by selectively using at least one of a database having previously measured information or a specific equation. The method of claim 3,
The step of calculating the flexible reference value,
The flexible reference value is set to decrease as the brightness value of the entire frame increases,
A method of controlling a mobile terminal in which the flexible reference value increases as the brightness value of the entire frame decreases. delete The method of claim 1,
When the mode for video recording is started,
Applying a first flexible reference value based on the started time point; And
After the start point, applying a second flexible reference value-The first flexible reference value and the second flexible reference value are different-
Control method of a mobile terminal further comprising a. In the mobile terminal,
Display module;
An interface module for receiving a command for initiating at least one of a mode for capturing a still image or a mode for capturing a video;
A controller that calculates a flexible threshold value for determining whether or not backlighting is based on at least one data;
An image data processor configured to control back light compensation based on the calculated flexible reference value; And
A memory for storing at least one image data taken according to the mode
Including,
When a command for terminating the mode is received through the interface module,
The display module,
Outputting additional information for selectively storing one of image data with backlight correction or original image data without backlight correction in the memory by the image data processor,
The controller,
The flexible reference value is set to decrease as the difference between the brightness of the focus area or the ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area increases,
The mobile terminal configured to increase the flexible reference value as the difference between the brightness of the focus area or the ROI area and the brightness of the surrounding area decreases. The method of claim 8,
The at least one or more data,
Mobile terminals that can be classified into a first group and a second group. The method of claim 9,
The first group includes at least one or more of brightness information, color information, focus information, and region of interest (ROI) information of a frame extracted from the captured image,
The second group includes at least one of location information, direction information, time information, and weather information received from a network. The method of claim 8,
The controller,
A mobile terminal that calculates by selectively using at least one of a database having previously measured information or a specific equation. The method of claim 10,
The controller,
The flexible reference value is set to decrease as the brightness value of the entire frame increases,
A mobile terminal configured to increase the flexible reference value as the brightness value of the entire frame decreases. delete The method of claim 8,
When the mode for video recording is started,
The controller,
A first flexible reference value is applied based on the start time point, and a second flexible reference value is applied after the start time point, and further, the first flexible reference value and the second flexible reference value are different from each other. The method of claim 14,
The memory,
A mobile terminal that stores image data to which the first flexible reference value is applied and image data to which the second flexible reference value is applied as one continuous content.

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