KR20110002614A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal is provided to perform a certain function without searching a menu on a touch screen through the application of an indicator. CONSTITUTION: At least one indicator(711) is displayed on a touch screen, and recognizes the touch input of a predetermined pointer. The indicator indicates an operation state of the certain function. If the touch input of a predetermined pattern is applied to one of the indicators, a control unit displays a predetermined execution region on the certain region of the touch screen. The function corresponding to the touched indicator is executed in a certain execution region.

Description

Mobile terminal {MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal utilizing an indicator area among mobile terminals using a touch screen.

Terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

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

In order to support and increase the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal, and in particular, a user input unit is provided in the terminal for receiving input from the user in various forms.

In general, the display unit of the terminal displays an indicator for showing the current state of the terminal in a separate area.

That is, a plurality of indicators having information functions such as alarm mode, incoming call mode, lock function, reception of text or voice message, playback mode of music or video file, short range communication setting mode, broadcast reception mode, battery capacity, etc. set by the user May be displayed.

The separate area where the indicator is located (hereinafter referred to as 'indicator area') occupies about 8 to 10% of the entire screen of the display, so that a predetermined portion of the entire screen of the terminal cannot be used, and the indicator is generally fixed information. As Bay offers, efforts are underway to make greater use of the indicator area.

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to provide a mobile terminal capable of performing a specific function by using an indicator having an information display function.

In the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, one or more indicators indicating an operation state of a specific function are displayed and a touch screen for recognizing a touch of a predetermined pointer and the one or more indicators on the touch screen. When a touch of a predetermined pattern is applied to any one of the, the control unit for controlling the predetermined execution region for executing the specific function corresponding to the indicator to which the touch is applied is displayed on the specific region of the touch screen. The specific area of the touch screen may be an indicator area in which one or more indicators are located.

Preferably, when the predetermined execution region is displayed, the controller controls the predetermined execution region to disappear when a touch is applied to a portion of the touch screen except for a specific region, and is operated on the touch screen. The application can be controlled so as not to change. The controller may control the predetermined execution region to be displayed in the form of a semi-transparent pop-up window.

The predetermined pattern touch may be a drag operation in which a touch state is maintained from a first point at which an initial touch is applied to a second point at which a touch is released.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above does not perform a menu search or the like on a touch screen by utilizing an indicator indicating fixed information such as an alarm mode, an SMS reception mode, and a music file playback mode. You can perform certain functions.

That is, even if the application being executed on the touch screen is not changed to a specific function operation module, the user may use the mobile terminal by performing the corresponding function or checking the information set in the indicator.

In addition, when the indicator is touched, a specific function set in the immediately touched indicator may be performed to reduce a step required when performing a specific function, thereby simplifying the user's use of the mobile terminal.

In general, the mobile terminal displays an indicator having an information display function such as an alarm mode, an incoming call mode, a music file playing mode, a short range communication setting mode, a lock function, whether a text or voice message is received, a battery capacity, etc. set by a user. I can display it. Accordingly, the user may grasp the state of the mobile terminal such as receiving a text message, setting an alarm, or short-range communication connection (for example, Bluetooth) through the displayed indicator.

The indicator generally shows fixed information such as settings and reception states of the mobile terminal, and may be distinguished from an 'icon' representing a corresponding program by a simple picture to execute various programs. In addition, it may be distinguished from a "widget" which displays information in real time using a separate window by executing an independent program on the display unit.

In order to easily execute a function of a mobile terminal frequently used by a user, an 'icon' should be arbitrarily set to be displayed on a display screen, and the displayed position may be arbitrarily designated. To execute a specific function set in the icon, the application running on the display must be changed.

'Widget' is a separate window for executing a program independent of the operation state of the mobile terminal or indicating the state of the mobile terminal, and the user can arbitrarily designate whether the widget is displayed and the position displayed on the display unit. In general, the 'widget' is used to receive information in real time such as the state of the mobile terminal, weather information, traffic information, such as the memory space of the mobile terminal, the battery remaining amount, and the like to display the corresponding information.

Accordingly, when using an icon or a widget, a predetermined area of the display unit should be allocated as a display area of the icon or widget, and the display or display position thereof may be arbitrarily designated by the user.

On the other hand, when the user uses a specific function of the mobile terminal, the indicator indicates that the function is in operation and is automatically displayed on the fixed area of the display screen. That is, the user cannot set the indicator not to be displayed or change its position, and only checks the operation state of a specific function such as an alarm setting mode, a text message reception, or a short-range communication connection through the indicator.

Therefore, in order to perform a specific function set in the indicator or to change a set operation state, it may be distinguished from the icon and widget in that a separate menu search and setting function should be used.

The present invention is to enable a user to execute a specific function with a simple touch operation in a mobile terminal by utilizing an indicator area occupying a certain area of the display unit and an indicator for providing fixed information. Preferred embodiments will be described.

However, embodiments of the present invention illustrated below may be modified in various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The expression 'pointer' or 'cursor' generally refers to an arrow displayed on the display and pointing to a specific position. In this specification, a pointer and a cursor are distinguished from each other. The 'cursor' refers to a figure indicating a specific position of the display unit, and the 'pointer' refers to a user's finger or stylus pen used to apply a physical touch or a proximity touch to a specific point of the touch screen.

In the present specification, as described above, the 'indicator' is distinguished from the 'icon' or the 'widget'.

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

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

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

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

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives 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. 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 a pre-generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same 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 having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

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. 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 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting 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 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 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, and the like may be used.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, 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 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images 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.

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 use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

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

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 location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, which includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, and a projector module ( 155) may be included.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal 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 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

In addition, the display unit 151 may display the current state of the mobile terminal 100, for example, received field strength (RSSI), incoming call mode, alarm mode, reception of a text or voice message, music or video file playback mode, and battery level. And an indicator for displaying the light. In general, 8 to 10% of the upper area of the display screen is fixed to the indicator area regardless of the terminal state.

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 (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

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

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

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

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

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

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

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

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

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

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

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

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

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and is similar to the image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180 Or at least partly display another image on an external screen or wall.

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

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

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

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180, and temporarily stores input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, an audio, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also perform a function for. The memory unit 160 may also store the frequency of use of each of the data (for example, each telephone number, each message, and frequency of use for each multimedia). In addition, the memory unit 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

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 (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power 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 having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

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

The interface unit may be a passage 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 various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, it performs related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

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.

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

According to a hardware implementation, embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

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

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

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input unit 130/131, 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, etc. may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. Can be.

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

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

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

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

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

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

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

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

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

The rear case 102 may additionally be equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a front view of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

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

In order to input such information, at least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement so as to be implemented in the form of a keypad. Such a keypad may be referred to as a so-called " virtual keypad ".

3 illustrates receiving a touch applied to the virtual keypad through the front of the terminal body.

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

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

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal capable of utilizing an indicator according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to various embodiments and drawings.

Example 1

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a mobile terminal that executes a specific function corresponding to the indicator when a predetermined pattern of touch is applied to any of the one or more indicators indicating an operation state of a specific function included in the indicator area. will be. Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6B.

4A to 6B are diagrams illustrating aspects in which a specific function corresponding to an indicator to which a pointer is touched is executed in an indicator area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, when a text message (hereinafter, referred to as SMS) is transmitted to a mobile terminal using a touch screen, an SMS indicator 711 is displayed in the indicator area 710. When a touch of a predetermined pattern is applied to the SMS indicator 711 by using a pointer, for example, when the touch is touched by the pointer or when the touch is moved close to the left or the right while rotating, the controller 180 may include an indicator area ( In operation 710, a message viewer 720 that outputs an SMS message may be controlled to be executed. Since the touch sensor on the touch screen may detect a touched position, a touch speed, and the like as described above, the controller 180 may determine which of the one or more indicators displayed on the indicator area is touched.

When the SMS is received by the mobile terminal, the controller 180 may store the received SMS message in the memory 160 and output the message when the touch signal is transmitted from the touch sensor. In this case, when the specific function is performed in the indicator region, the controller 180 may control the application so that the application does not change in the region except for the indicator region.

Since the touch sensor may detect a touched position, a touch speed, and the like as described above, the controller 180 may determine which indicator is touched in the indicator area and execute a specific function set in the determined indicator. Can be controlled.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may control the execution region of the specific function to disappear when an operation such as a point touch is performed on some of the remaining regions 730 except for the region 710 on which the specific function corresponding to the indicator is executed. Can be.

According to an example of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4B, when a touch signal of a predetermined pattern is input to the SMS message indicator 711, a message viewer function corresponding thereto may be executed. FIG. 4B illustrates that, for example, when the SMS indicator is touched in a predetermined pattern, messages are output line by line in the indicator area 720. The font size and output speed of the output message may be variously implemented according to user settings. Can be.

Next, referring to FIG. 5A, for example, when a music or video player is driven in a mobile terminal, an indicator 712 indicating a music file playing mode is displayed in the indicator area 710. At this time, when a touch of a predetermined pattern is applied to the indicator 712 with a pointer, for example, when the touch or the near touch with the pointer is dragged and rotated to the left or the right, the controller 180 may indicate the indicator. In the region 710, as shown in FIG. 5B, a player module 740 including a play, pause, and stop function may be executed.

Meanwhile, when an operation such as a point touch is performed on some of the remaining areas 730 except for the area 710 where the specific function corresponding to the indicator is executed, the controller 180 disappears the execution area 720 of the specific function. Can be controlled. That is, the display returns to the original screen to the indicator area where at least one indicator is displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 6A, the mobile terminal may set a ringing tone, a vibration, a silent mode, and the like in the incoming mode, and an indicator 713 for the set incoming mode may be displayed in the indicator area 710. As described above, when the indicator 713 is touched with a predetermined pattern, the controller 180 displays an icon indicating the ringer mode adjustment mode 751, the ringer mode 752, the manner mode 753, and the like. The incoming mode setting module 750 may be controlled to be executed in the indicator area. In this case, the user may enable the reception mode setting in the indicator area without performing a separate menu search function for setting the reception mode.

Example 2 :

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when a touch is applied to any one of one or more indicators indicating an operation state of a specific function included in an indicator area, a specific function corresponding to the indicator is executed in a pop-up window. Is for a mobile terminal. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 7A to 8B.

7A to 8B are diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal in which a specific function or setting information set on an indicator is output as a pop-up window on the display unit 151 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, referring to FIG. 7A, when an alarm is set in the mobile terminal, an indicator 714 indicating an alarm setting mode may be displayed in the indicator area 710. In this case, when a touch touch or a proximity touch is applied to the indicator 714 using a pointer, the controller 180 displays detailed information such as an alarm date, time, alarm number, etc. of the indicator 714 as shown in FIG. 8B. The specific function may be controlled to be executed in a part of the display unit 151.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example in which a specific function of the indicator according to the present invention is executed, and shows that a specific function of the indicator 714 for informing the alarm setting among the indicators is executed in the pop-up window 760. In this case, the pop-up window 760 may be translucently output so that the pop-up window 760 may perform a specific function without changing the application running on the touch screen.

In addition, the controller 180 may control to erase the output pop-up window when touching an arbitrary area 730 of the display unit except for the area where the pop-up screen 760 is output. Alternatively, the popup window may include a close button which is a kind of virtual key button that can close the popup window in a predetermined area.

Next, referring to FIG. 8A, for example, when an SMS is received by the mobile terminal, an indicator 711 indicating the SMS reception may be displayed on the indicator area 710. In this case, when a touch touch or a proximity touch on the indicator 711 is made and a touch signal is transmitted to the controller 180, the controller 180 reads the received SMS message from the memory 160 and outputs it in the form of a pop-up window. Can be controlled.

That is, when a touch on the message indicator is made, as shown in FIG. 8B, a message list indicating at least one message and a message list indicating the calling number or the sender may be output to the pop-up window 770. As described above, the pop-up window 770 is displayed to be semi-transparent so that the information output to the pop-up window can be confirmed without changing the application on the touch screen. The manner of making the pop-up window disappear is as described above.

In this case, when the point touch the area indicating one message of the message list displayed on the pop-up window 770, the pop-up window 770 may be switched to the message viewer screen that can confirm the full text of the selected one message.

Alternatively, in another example, when one message is selected from the message list, the screen of the display unit 151 may be switched to a message viewer screen that outputs the selected message message. In this case, the pop-up window is maintained in a translucent state. Allows selection by message.

In addition, when selecting a music file play indicator among a plurality of indicators displayed in the indicator area, the controller 180 can read a music file playlist from the memory 160 and output the popup window. As described above with reference to FIG. 7A, a music file to be played may be selected from a list of music files output through a pop-up window.

Example 3 :

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when a certain pattern of touch is applied to any one of the one or more indicators indicating an operation state of a specific function included in the indicator area, the specific function corresponding to the indicator may be applied to a certain area of the touch screen. It is for a mobile terminal to be executed in the whole area. A description with reference to FIGS. 9A to 10B is as follows.

9A to 10B are diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal in which a specific function corresponding to an indicator appears in a certain range of a touch screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9A, for example, when an alarm is set in the mobile terminal, an indicator 714 indicating an alarm setting mode may be displayed in the indicator area 710. In this case, a touch of a predetermined pattern may be applied, such as a drag operation in which the touch state is maintained to a predetermined area of the touch screen from a point where the indicator touching the indicator 714 is located. Then, the controller 180 may control a specific function corresponding to the selected alarm indicator 714 to be executed in the predetermined area 780 of the touch screen, as shown in FIG. 9B.

Similarly, for example, referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a predetermined pattern of touch is applied to the SMS indicator 711 in the indicator area 710 such that a specific function corresponding to the SMS indicator 711 is executed on the touch screen. The touch method of the predetermined pattern is the same as described above.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, unlike a method in which a user performs a menu search function for alarm setting, SMS confirmation, music file playback setting, residual battery check, etc. in a conventional mobile terminal, a user wants to set in an indicator area. You can execute a specific function by point-touching the indicator that represents the function.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

(Mobile terminal) having the above-described (name) is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, the embodiments are all or all of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made Some may be optionally combined.

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

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

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

3 is a front view of a mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4A to 6B are diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal in which detailed information of an indicator is output to an indicator region according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A to 8B are diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal in which detailed information of an indicator is output on a pop-up screen by a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9A to 10B are diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal in which detailed information set in an indicator is output on a display standby screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (5)

A touch screen displaying one or more indicators indicating an operation state of a specific function and recognizing a touch of a predetermined pointer; And When a touch of a predetermined pattern is applied to any one of the one or more indicators on the touch screen, the predetermined execution area for executing the specific function corresponding to the touched indicator is displayed on the specific area of the touch screen. A mobile terminal comprising a control unit. The method of claim 1, The specific area of the touch screen is a mobile terminal, characterized in that the indicator area in which at least one indicator is located. The method of claim 1, The control unit, When the predetermined execution region is displayed, When a touch is applied to a portion of the touch screen except for a specific region, the predetermined execution region is controlled to disappear. The mobile terminal, characterized in that for controlling so that the application (Application) running on the touch screen does not change. The method of claim 1, The control unit, And the predetermined execution region is displayed to be displayed in the form of a translucent pop-up window. The method of claim 1, The predetermined pattern touch, And a drag operation in which the touch state is maintained from the first point where the first touch is applied to the second point where the touch is released.

Images