KR20090126887A - Mobile terminal and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal and a control method thereof are provided to recognize the touch key with the sense of touch by a vibration signal outputted according to the adjacent touch key. CONSTITUTION: A touch keypad input window is displayed on a touch screen(S200). The specific touch key is selected on the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected in a proximity sensor(S205). A vibration signal corresponded to the selected touch key is outputted(S210). One touch key is inputted by the touch input through the touch keypad input window(S215). A text corresponded to the inputted touch key is displayed on the specific area of a display unit(S220).

Description

Mobile terminal and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a portable terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a portable terminal capable of controlling various operations by outputting a proximity sensor and a vibration signal and a control method thereof.

A portable terminal is a portable device that is portable and has one or more functions for making voice and video calls, inputting and outputting information, and storing data. As the functions of the mobile terminals are diversified, they are equipped with complex functions such as taking pictures or videos, playing music files or video files, playing games, receiving broadcasts, wireless Internet, and the like. It is implemented in the form.

In the mobile terminal implemented in the form of such a multimedia device, new attempts have been applied in various ways in terms of hardware and software to implement complex functions. For example, a user interface environment for a user to search for or select a function easily and conveniently. In addition, while the mobile terminal is regarded as a personal portable product for expressing the personality of the user, various types of design changes such as a double-sided LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a front touch screen are also required.

However, since a mobile terminal must consider mobility and portability, there is a limitation in allocating space for a user interface such as a display or a keypad. Therefore, in order to efficiently use various functions provided in the portable terminal, it is necessary to control the operation of the portable terminal through a new input / output method instead of sequentially selecting a menu having a complicated structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal capable of controlling various operations using a proximity sensor capable of detecting a proximity object and an output of a vibration signal, and a control method thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a mobile terminal, the method including: displaying a touch keypad input window on a touch screen, selecting one touch key from the touch keypad input window according to a proximity signal detected by a proximity sensor; And outputting a vibration signal corresponding to the selected touch key.

In addition, the control method of the portable terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object, displaying a touch keypad input window on the touch screen, any one touch key in the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor Is selected, and displaying a list of candidate phone numbers including a number corresponding to the selected touch key among stored phone numbers.

According to the present invention, the method comprises: displaying a touch keypad input window on a touch screen, selecting a predetermined area from the touch keypad input window according to a proximity signal detected by a proximity sensor, and a vibration signal corresponding to the preset area There is provided a control method of a portable terminal comprising the step of outputting.

On the other hand, the portable terminal according to the present invention, a touch screen for displaying a touch keypad input window, a proximity sensor for outputting a proximity signal corresponding to the proximity position of the proximity object, a vibration module for outputting a vibration signal, and the detection in the proximity sensor And a control unit controlling the vibration module to output a vibration signal corresponding to the touch key selected in the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal.

In addition, the portable terminal according to the present invention includes a touch screen for displaying a touch keypad input window, a proximity sensor for outputting a proximity signal corresponding to a proximity position of a proximity object, and the touch keypad input according to a proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor. If any one touch key is selected in the window, the controller may include a control unit displaying a list of candidate phone numbers including numbers corresponding to the selected touch keys among stored phone numbers on the touch screen.

According to the present invention, a touch screen displaying a keypad input window, a proximity sensor for outputting a proximity signal corresponding to a proximity position of a proximity object, a vibration module for outputting a vibration signal, and the touch according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor. When a predetermined area is selected in the keypad input window, a portable terminal including a controller for controlling the vibration module to output a vibration signal is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a processor-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method in the processor.

According to the present invention, different vibration signals may be output according to touch keys close to the touch keypad input window. Accordingly, the user can grasp by using the tactile sense of the touch key which is close to the touch signal due to the output vibration signal. In addition, the candidate phone number list may be displayed according to the proximity signal, and a function corresponding to the key position recognition protrusion may be given to the touch keypad input window by outputting the vibration signal. Accordingly, the user may conveniently control the operation of the portable terminal by the touch of the finger to the touch keypad input window and the various vibration signals output when the user touches.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

The portable terminal described in the present specification includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like.

1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms of components according to functions.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, and an output unit 150. , A memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190. Such components may be configured by combining two or more components into one component, or by dividing one or more components into two or more components as necessary when implemented in an actual application.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 113, a wireless internet module 115, a short range communication module 117, and a GPS module 119.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. In this case, the broadcast channel may include a satellite channel, a terrestrial channel, and the like. The broadcast management server may mean a server for generating and transmitting at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast related information, or a server receiving at least one of the pre-generated broadcast signal and broadcast related information and transmitting the same to a terminal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. 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 having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, may be received by the mobile communication module 113. Broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcast systems, and in particular, digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), and media forward link only (MediaFLO). ), Digital broadcast signals may be received using digital broadcasting systems such as DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) and ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). In addition, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for all broadcast systems providing broadcast signals as well as such digital broadcast systems. The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 113 transmits and receives a radio signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data according to voice call signal, video call signal, or text / multimedia message transmission and reception.

The wireless internet module 115 refers to a module for wireless internet access. The wireless internet module 115 may be embedded or external to the portable terminal 100. The short range communication module 117 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, etc. may be used. The GPS (Global Position System) module 119 receives position information from a plurality of GPS satellites.

The A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 123. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the configuration aspect of the terminal.

The microphone 123 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 113 and output in the call mode. The microphone 123 may use various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, a finger mouse, and the like. In particular, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151 described later, this may be referred to as a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a position of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, and controls the operation of the mobile terminal 100. Generate a sensing signal. For example, when the portable terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed may be sensed. In addition, it may be responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. The proximity sensor 141 may detect the presence or absence of an approaching object or an object present in the vicinity without mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 may detect a proximity object by using a change in an alternating magnetic field or a change in a static magnetic field, or by using a change rate of capacitance. Two or more proximity sensors 141 may be provided according to the configuration aspect.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 153, an alarm unit 155, a vibration module 157, and the like. This may include.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in a call mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 may display a captured or received image, respectively, or simultaneously, and display a UI and a GUI.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display unit 151 and the touch pad form a mutual layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 151 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device. If the display unit 151 is configured as a touch screen, the display unit 151 may include a touch screen panel, a touch screen panel controller, and the like. In this case, the touch screen panel is a transparent panel attached to the outside and may be connected to the internal bus of the portable terminal 100. The touch screen panel keeps an eye on the contact result and sends corresponding signals to the touch screen panel controller when there is a touch input. The touch screen panel controller processes the signals and then transmits corresponding data to the controller 180 so that the controller 180 can determine whether there is a touch input and which area of the touch screen has been touched.

In addition, the display unit 151 may include a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, and a three-dimensional display. It may include at least one of the display (3D display). In addition, two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the external display unit (not shown) and the internal display unit (not shown) may be simultaneously provided in the portable terminal 100.

The sound output module 153 outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. In addition, the sound output module 153 outputs a sound signal related to a function performed in the portable terminal 100, for example, a call signal reception sound and a message reception sound. The sound output module 153 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 155 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the portable terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and the like. The alarm unit 155 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, the signal may be output in the form of vibration. The alarm unit 155 may output a signal for notifying when a call signal or a message is received. In addition, when the key signal is input, the alarm unit 155 may output the signal as a feedback to the key signal input. The user may recognize the occurrence of an event through the signal output from the alarm unit 155. Of course, the signal for event occurrence notification may be output through the display unit 151 or the sound output module 153.

The vibration module 157 may output vibration signals of various intensities and patterns. The strength and pattern of the vibration signal output from the vibration module 157 may be set, and two or more vibration modules 157 may be provided according to the configuration aspect.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 and may provide a function for temporarily storing input or output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM The storage medium may include at least one type of storage medium. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 150 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. Examples of external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100 include a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card, and the like, and an audio I / O (Input). / Output) terminal, video I / O (Input / Output) terminal, earphone, and the like. The interface unit 170 may receive data from such an external device or receive power and transmit the data to each component in the mobile terminal 100, and may transmit data in the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. .

The controller 180 typically controls the operation of each unit to control the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, the controller 180 may include a multimedia playback module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia playback module 181 may be configured in hardware in the controller 180 or may be configured in software separately from the controller 180.

In addition, the power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

The portable terminal related to the present invention has been described above in terms of components according to functions. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the portable terminal related to the present invention will be further described in terms of components according to appearance. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a bar type portable terminal having a front touch screen among various types of portable terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, and the like will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the bar type portable terminal, but can be applied to all types of portable terminals including the aforementioned type.

2 is a perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front. Referring to FIG. 2, the case forming the exterior of the portable terminal 100 is formed by the front case 100A-1 and the rear case 100A-2. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the front case 100A-1 and the rear case 100A-2. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 100A-1 and the rear case 100A-2. Such cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the first sound output module 153a, the first camera 121a, and the first user input unit 130a may be disposed in the main body, specifically, the first front case 100A-1. In addition, the second user input unit 130b, the third user input unit 130, and the microphone 123 may be disposed at the side of the rear case 100A-2.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and the like, which visually express information. Since the touch pad is superimposed on the display unit 151 in a layer structure, the display unit 151 may operate as a touch screen, so that input of information by a user's touch may be possible.

The first sound output module 153a may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker. The first camera 121a may be implemented to be suitable for capturing an image or a video of a user or the like. The microphone 123 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The first to third user input units 130a, 130b, and 130c may be collectively referred to as the user input unit 130, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user is operating in a tactile manner.

For example, the user input unit 130 may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch pad that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or may be operated by a wheel or jog method or a joystick that rotates a key. Or the like. In the functional aspect, the first user input unit 130a is for inputting a command such as a start, end, call, etc., and the second user input unit 130b is for inputting a selection of an operation mode. In addition, the third user input unit 130c may operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the portable terminal 100.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, a fourth user input unit 130d, a fifth user input unit 130d, and an interface unit 170 may be disposed on the side of the rear case 100A-2, and the rear case 100A-2 may be disposed. The second camera 121b may be additionally mounted on the rear side of the).

The second camera 121b may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a, and may have different pixels from the first camera 121a. For example, in the case of a video call or the like, the first camera 121a has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the other party, and the second camera 121b photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. In many cases, it is desirable to have a high pixel.

The mirror 125 and the flash 126 may be further disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. The mirror 125 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when the user wants to photograph (self-photograph) the second camera 121b. The flash 126 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera 121b.

A second sound output module (not shown) may be further disposed on the rear case 100A-2. The second sound output module may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output module 153a, and may be used for a call in the speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna (not shown) for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the second rear case 100A-2 in addition to an antenna for a call. The antenna may be installed to be pulled out of the rear case 100A-2.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for allowing the portable terminal 100 to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may be at least one of a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to the earphone, a port for short-range communication, or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. have. The interface unit 170 may be a card socket that accommodates an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) and a memory card for storing information.

The rear case 100A-2 is provided with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal. The power supply unit 190 is, for example, a rechargeable battery, and may be detachably coupled to the rear case 100A-2 for charging.

In the above description, the second camera 121b and the like are disposed on the rear case 100A-2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, even if the second camera 12b is not separately provided, the first camera 121a may be rotatably formed to be able to shoot up to the photographing direction of the second camera 121b.

4 is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a portable terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, when a text input mode such as a voice call, a message transmission, a phone number or a file search is selected, the controller 180 displays numbers, Korean, alphabets, punctuation, etc. on the display unit 151 configured as a touch screen. A touch keypad input window including a plurality of touch keys for inputting characters by touch input is displayed (S200).

When the proximity signal is detected when the user's finger or the like approaches the area where the touch keypad input window is displayed (S205), the controller 180 vibrates corresponding to the touch key selected in the touch keypad input window according to the proximity position indicated by the proximity signal. The signal is output (S210). That is, the controller 180 controls the vibration module 157 to output different vibration signals according to a touch key of which a user's finger is close. At this time, the output vibration signal may be set to the intensity and pattern desired by the user. In addition, the touch key selected according to the proximity signal may be displayed to be distinguishable from other touch keys of the touch cap input window.

 When a touch key is input by a touch input through a touch keypad input window (S215), the controller 180 displays a character corresponding to the touch key on a specific area of the display unit 151 (S220). . However, depending on the operation mode or the function of the input touch key, other operations may be performed without displaying corresponding characters.

If another operation menu displayed on the display unit 151 is selected (S225), the controller 180 controls to perform an operation corresponding to the selected operation menu (S230). In this case, examples of other operation menus include call execution, storage or editing of input characters, and selection of other operation menus. If no other operation menu is selected, the controller 180 causes the process after step S205 to be repeatedly performed.

By this process, different vibration signals are output according to the touch keys that are adjacent to each other, and the user can grasp by using the tactile sense which touch key is approached by the output vibration signal without visually.

5 is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a portable terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, first, an area in which a vibration signal is output in proximity is set in a touch keypad input window including a plurality of touch keys (S250). In this case, the area in which the vibration signal is output may be an area corresponding to a key in which protrusions for key position recognition are formed in a general keypad, such as a '5' key located at the center of the touch keypad input window for numeric input. .

When a text input mode such as voice call, message transmission, telephone number or file search is selected, the controller 180 displays a touch keypad input window on the display module 151 configured as a touch screen (S255). If a user's finger or the like detects a proximity signal approaching a set area of the touch keypad input window (S205), the controller 180 outputs the set vibration signal (S265). By such a vibration signal, the user can recognize the key position by touch.

If the touch signal is input, the controller 180 performs an operation set corresponding to the region where the touch signal is input (S275). That is, when a touch signal is input through an area in which a touch key is displayed in the touch keypad input window, a corresponding character is displayed, and when another operation menu is selected, an operation corresponding to the selected operation menu is performed. The process of steps S260 to S275 is repeatedly performed until the end of display of the touch keypad input window is selected (S280).

By such a process, a function corresponding to the blind protrusion or other key position recognition protrusion formed on the general keypad can be given to the touch keypad input window.

6 is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a portable terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the processes of steps S300 to S310 that display the touch keypad input window and output different vibration signals corresponding to the adjacent touch keys are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

However, in the present embodiment, when a user's finger or the like is close to the touch keypad input window and any one touch key is selected in the touch keypad input window, the controller 180 selects a touch key selected from the phone numbers stored in the memory 160. A candidate telephone number list which is a list of telephone numbers including digits corresponding to is displayed (S315).

When any one candidate phone number is selected from the candidate phone number list, the controller 180 performs a call for the selected candidate phone number (S325). Depending on the setting, the message transmission, the video call, or the like may be performed when the candidate phone number is selected.

When the candidate phone number is not selected and any one touch key is input by a touch input through the touch keypad input window (S330), the controller 180 displays a character corresponding to the input touch key of the display unit 151. A specific area is displayed (S305). However, depending on the operation mode or the function of the selected touch key, a character corresponding to the touch key input selected in the touch keypad input window may not be displayed, and other operations may be performed.

If another operation menu displayed on the display unit 151 is selected (S340), the controller 180 controls to perform an operation corresponding to the selected operation menu item (S345). If no other operation menu is selected, the process after step S305 is repeatedly performed. In this case, the candidate phone number list displayed in step S315 includes all of the numbers corresponding to the touch key selected by the proximity signal and the number displayed on the display unit 151 by touch key input among the phone numbers stored in the memory 160. Including a telephone number may be displayed.

By this process, the candidate phone number list can be displayed according to the proximity signal, and the call can be quickly made to the desired phone number. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case in which the candidate phone number corresponding to the touch key selected according to the proximity signal is displayed is described. In addition, the phone number stored in the speed dial corresponding to the touch key selected according to the proximity signal may be displayed. It may be.

8 is a diagram referred to describe the operation of the proximity sensor. As shown in FIG. 8, when the user's finger approaches the display unit 151, the proximity sensor 141 installed on the first body detects this and outputs a proximity signal. In this case, when the user's finger is in the D3 position and the D2 or D1 position, it may be configured to output different proximity signals. That is, the distance between the detection object approaching the proximity sensor and the output of the proximity signal is generally referred to as the detection distance Sn. In this way, by using a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection distances, the proximity signal output from each proximity sensor is used. Comparing to it can be seen how close to the proximity object.

In addition, a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection areas are arranged to determine which proximity sensor is output from among the proximity sensors to determine which area of the display unit 151 the proximity object approaches, and the detection object. May be determined to move closer to the display unit 151. Accordingly, the controller 180 may select a touch key corresponding to a proximity position of the user's finger or the like so as to output a corresponding vibration signal.

8 to 14 are views for explaining a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit.

8 illustrates an example of a screen on which a touch keypad input window is displayed. Referring to FIG. 8, a touch keypad input window 410 for inputting a number and a number input through the touch keypad input window 410 when displaying a call mode, etc. are displayed on the screen 400 displayed on the display unit. The display window 420 is displayed. At the top of the display window 420, an indicator icon indicating the signal strength status of the call area, the battery level, the current time, etc. is displayed, and an icon 413 indicating the current number input mode is displayed in the display window 420. Is indicated.

When the touch keypad input window 410 is displayed as described above, when a user's finger or the like approaches the touch keypad input window 410, a vibration signal corresponding to the adjacent touch key is output. That is, when approaching the touch keys from the '0' key to the '9' key, a different vibration signal is output for each touch key. As the vibration signal, strength, vibration length, tactile vibration (rough vibration / soft vibration), and the like may be used, and various vibration effects may be used in combination. Therefore, the user can recognize which number is the adjacent number by the output vibration signal without visual confirmation.

9 and 10 are views referred to for describing a process of outputting a vibration signal when approaching a specific region of a touch keypad input window in the method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, when the number '5' key 430 is set as an area for outputting a vibration signal, when the user's finger or the like approaches the '5' key 430, the vibration signal is output. . Accordingly, the user can recognize that the current position is located on the '5' key 430, and can recognize the position of another touch key based on this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, after approaching the '5' key 430 and touching the '9' key 435, 9 may be input to the display window.

In this way, a function corresponding to the blind protrusion or the key position recognition protrusion formed on the general keypad can be given to the touch keypad input window by using the vibration signal. In addition, since there are individual differences in the number of vibrations that the user feels and the number that the user wants to recognize with the key position recognition protrusion, the user may be configured to be settable.

11 to 13 are views for explaining a process of displaying a candidate telephone number list or the like according to a proximity signal in a control method of a portable terminal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, when the screen 600 displaying the touch keypad input window is close to the '6' key of the touch keypad input window, a phone number including '6' is stored among the phone numbers stored in the memory 160. The candidate phone number list 620 is displayed in the form of a popup window. The user may select one of the phone numbers displayed in the candidate phone number list 620 to perform a call or a message transmission.

FIG. 12 illustrates that when a '1' key is input from the touch keypad input window and then closes to a '2' key, a phone number including '12' among phone numbers stored in the memory 160 is a candidate phone number list ( 621). In this case, the number cone 630 indicating that the phone number currently displayed in the candidate phone number list 621 is a phone number including '12' may be displayed.

Instead of the list of candidate phone numbers, as shown in FIG. 13, a speed dial number list 640 including a number corresponding to the adjacent touch key may be displayed. Whether to display a list of candidate phone numbers or a list of speed dial numbers can be configured to be settable by the user.

In addition, the mobile terminal and its control method according to the present invention are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described as described above, the embodiments are all or all of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made Some may be optionally combined.

Meanwhile, the present invention can be embodied as processor readable codes on a processor readable recording medium provided in a mobile terminal such as a mobile station modem (MSM). The processor-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by the processor. Examples of the processor-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, and the like, and also include a carrier wave such as transmission through the Internet. The processor-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the processor-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

In addition, while the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, the technology to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

3 is a rear perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a view referred to explain the operation of the proximity sensor;

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a touch keypad input window is displayed;

9 and 10 are views for explaining a process of outputting a vibration signal when approaching a specific area of the touch keypad input window in the control method of the portable terminal according to the present invention; and

11 to 13 are views for explaining a process of displaying a candidate telephone number list or the like according to a proximity signal in a control method of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110: wireless communication unit 120: A / V input unit

130: user input unit 140: sensing unit

141: proximity sensor 150: output unit

151: display unit 160: memory

170: interface unit 180: control unit

Claims (21)

Displaying a touch keypad input window on the touch screen; Selecting one touch key from the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor; And And outputting a vibration signal corresponding to the selected touch key. The method of claim 1, And displaying the text input through the touch keypad input window in one area of the touch screen. The method of claim 1, And displaying a menu for setting a vibration signal output in response to the selected touch key. The method of claim 1, And displaying the selected touch key so as to be distinguishable from other touch keys. A touch screen displaying a touch keypad input window; A proximity sensor for outputting a proximity signal corresponding to a proximity position of a proximity object; Vibration module for outputting a vibration signal; And And a controller configured to control the vibration module to output a vibration signal corresponding to the touch key selected in the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor.  The method of claim 5, The controller may control a character input through the touch keypad input window to be displayed on one area of the touch screen. Displaying a touch keypad input window on the touch screen; Selecting one touch key from the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor; And And displaying a list of candidate phone numbers including a number corresponding to the selected touch key among stored phone numbers. The method of claim 7, wherein And when a candidate phone number is selected from the candidate phone number list, performing a call on the selected candidate phone number. The method of claim 7, wherein And the candidate phone number list is displayed in a pop-up window format. The method of claim 7, wherein And displaying the text input through the touch keypad input window in one area of the touch screen. The method of claim 7, wherein And displaying the number of candidate phone numbers including a number corresponding to the selected touch key. The method of claim 7, wherein And displaying a list of abbreviated numbers including a number corresponding to the selected touch key. A touch screen displaying a touch keypad input window; A proximity sensor for outputting a proximity signal corresponding to a proximity position of a proximity object; And When a touch key is selected in the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor, a list of candidate phone numbers including a number corresponding to the selected touch key among the stored phone numbers is displayed on the touch screen. A mobile terminal comprising a control unit. The method of claim 13, And a memory for storing the candidate phone number. The method of claim 13, Further comprising a wireless communication unit for providing a communication function through the mobile communication network, And the controller controls to perform a call on the selected candidate telephone number through the wireless communication unit when any one candidate telephone number is selected from the candidate telephone number list. Displaying a text input window on the touch screen; Selecting a predetermined area in the text input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor; And And outputting a vibration signal corresponding to the preset area. The method of claim 16, The text input window is a control method of a mobile terminal, characterized in that the touch keypad input window. The method of claim 17, The preset area is a control method of a portable terminal, characterized in that the area is displayed '5' key. The method of claim 16, And displaying a menu for setting the preset area. A touch screen displaying a keypad input window; A proximity sensor for outputting a proximity signal corresponding to a proximity position of a proximity object; Vibration module for outputting a vibration signal; And And a controller configured to control the vibration module to output a vibration signal when a predetermined area is selected in the touch keypad input window according to the proximity signal detected by the proximity sensor. The method of claim 20, And the predetermined area is an area where a '5' key is displayed.

Images