KR20110068666A - Mobile terminal having a side touch input device and method for executingfunctions of thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and function performing method thereof are provided to input various command for terminal operation through a side input unit that is inputted by a touch sensor and to conveniently operate various functions through a side touch input unit. CONSTITUTION: A control unit of a mobile terminal executes a specific application(S101). In case a side input unit is set up, the control unit activates a side input unit(S102,S103). If the touch input generates in the side input unit, the control unit senses the inputted touch point(S104). The control unit performs the operation corresponding to the sensed touch input(S105).

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL WITH A SIDE TOUCH INPUT METHOD AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING THE FUNCTION {MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING A SIDE TOUCH INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EXECUTINGFUNCTIONS OF THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a side touch input means for providing an input means implemented as a touch sensor on a side of a terminal and a method of performing a function thereof.

Terminals such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc. may be configured to perform various functions. However, examples of various functions include data and voice communication functions, taking pictures or videos through a camera, voice recording functions, playing music files through a speaker system, and displaying images or videos. Some terminals include additional functionality to play games, while others are implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent terminals can receive video or television programs by receiving broadcast or multicast signals.

In general, a terminal may be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal according to whether or not it is mobile, and again, the mobile terminal may be a portable terminal (or handheld terminal) according to whether the user can directly carry it. And it may be divided into a vehicle mount terminal (vehicle mount terminal).

Efforts to support and increase the function of the terminal continue. The above efforts include not only changes and improvements in structural components forming the terminal, but also improvements in software and hardware.

In general, the mobile terminal adds buttons to the side as well as the front portion of the terminal to more conveniently and easily manipulate the various functions provided by the terminal.

The present invention is to provide a mobile terminal having a side touch input means implemented in the touch sensor on the side of the terminal and a method of performing the function thereof.

A method of performing a function of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above problem includes the steps of checking whether a side input means is necessary when executing a specific function, and activating the side input means if the side input part is needed. And detecting a touch input on the side input means, and performing an operation assigned to the detected touch input.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the side input unit is implemented as a touch sensing means on the side of the terminal, and the side input unit if the side input unit is required by checking whether the side input unit is required when executing a specific function; The controller may include a controller configured to activate and to perform an operation corresponding to the generated touch input when the touch input is generated in the side input unit, and a display unit which displays various information according to the control of the controller.

The present invention allows the user to input various commands for operating the terminal by disposing a side input unit implemented by a touch sensor instead of the side key positioned at the side of the terminal.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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 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, and the like, except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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 previously 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 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 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 determines the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, the acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. Sensing and generating a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if 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. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

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 shooting mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

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 can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. 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.

Two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

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.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a 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 by 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. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. 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 the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the 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. The haptic module 154 may be provided with two or more according to the configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 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 association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a passage 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 the 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 use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identification 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 170 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 commands input from the cradle by a user. The signal may be a passage for transmitting to the mobile 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, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. 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, the 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.

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

The disclosed mobile 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 units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions 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 mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of manipulation 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 manipulation unit 131 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second manipulation unit 132 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or displays 151. Command), such as switching to the touch recognition mode. The second manipulation unit 132 may be implemented as a touch key using a touch sensor.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile 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 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 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 on the terminal body to be rotatable or pop-up.

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.

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

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. 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 be further 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 also be disposed on the rear case 102.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

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 mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

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

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

3 illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey 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 areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a soft key 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is 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.

Although the above embodiment discloses receiving a touch applied to the softkey through the front of the terminal body, the terminal having the transparent display may be implemented to receive the touch applied to the softkey through the rear of the terminal.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the terminal body is changed to landscape while the terminal body is arranged in a portrait, the terminal displays an output screen displayed on the display unit 151 according to the arrangement direction of the terminal. It can be implemented to be converted.

The terminal 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be operated in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system. It can be configured to.

4A and 4B are perspective views illustrating a mobile terminal employing a side input unit and a cross-sectional view of the side input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention may have a side input unit 132 implemented as a touch sensor or a touch film on its side.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the side input unit 133 includes touch sensors arranged in one direction on the side of the terminal. The side input unit 133 may include a printed circuit board and a touch sensor. Holes are arranged in one direction and wirings through which signals pass are formed in the printed circuit board. The electrode of the touch sensor is inserted into the hole, and the electrode of the touch sensor is connected to the wiring of the printed circuit board.

A case serving as a panel is disposed on the touch sensor. When the touch sensor is capacitive, the case may be made of an insulating material. In addition, an insulator may be inserted between the touch sensors to separate the sensor and prevent a touch input error.

In addition, the side input unit 133 may designate a touch sensing position by disposing a light emitting unit (LED) at a point where a touch sensor is located. The light emitting means serves to point to a point to which a specific function is assigned or to a point at which a touch input occurs. For example, when the side input unit 133 is activated, the controller 180 turns on LEDs at a point where a specific function is assigned, and when the side input unit 133 is deactivated, all of the LEDs blink. Alternatively, the controller 180 turns on the LED corresponding to the point where the touch occurs on the side input unit 133 to inform the touch point.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the side input unit 133 may be implemented as a touch film and a sensing circuit. A touch film (pressure sensitive / capacitive film) is installed on the main substrate of the mobile terminal 100, and a case serving as a panel is disposed on the touch film. The case also serves as a protective film for protecting the touch film. The sensing circuit is installed on the main substrate, and when a touch is detected on the touch film, location information (coordinate value) for the touch point is generated and transmitted to the controller 180.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a function of a side input unit of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 executes a specific function according to a control command input from the user input unit 130 (S101). For example, when the user selects a specific function through a menu operation while displaying the standby screen, the controller 180 executes the specific function selected by the user. Here, the specific function includes a function such as a camera, a message, a phone book, a memo, a schedule, and the like.

The controller 180 checks whether to use the side input unit when the selected specific function is executed (S102). In other words, the controller 180 checks whether a side input unit is required for the operation control of the specific function to be executed.

In step S102, when the side input unit is set, the controller 180 executes the specific function and activates the side input unit 133 (S103).

On the other hand, if the side input unit is not set in step S102, the controller 180 executes the specific function and deactivates the side input unit 133 (S103 ').

After activating the side input unit 133, when a touch input occurs in the side input unit 133, the controller 180 detects the input touch point and / or touch input form through the sensing unit 140. (S104). When the touch input is generated through the side input unit, the sensing unit 140 generates a signal corresponding to the location information and / or the touch input form at which the touch input is generated, and transmits the signal.

For example, when the user touches a point on the side of the terminal, the side input unit 133 obtains the position information on the touch point through the sensing unit 140 and transmits it to the controller 180.

When a touch input is detected from the side input unit 133, the controller 180 performs an operation corresponding to the detected touch input (S105). For example, when touch and drag is performed from the first point on the side of the terminal to the second point, the controller 180 moves data displayed on the display screen based on the input touch and drag. In other words, the controller 180 scrolls data displayed on the display screen according to the touch and drag direction and speed.

In the above embodiment, when the executed specific function ends, the controller 180 switches the side input unit 133 from an active state to an inactive state.

6 illustrates an example of controlling a camera operation according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when a user executes a camera through a menu operation, the controller 180 drives the camera 121 and displays a preview screen on the display unit 151. In this case, the controller 180 checks whether the camera function requires the side input unit 133, and activates the side input unit 133 when the check result requires the side input unit 133. In addition, the controller 180 displays an image input through the camera 121 on a preview screen. The user checks whether the subject is within the camera angle through the preview screen.

If a touch is detected at a point of the side input unit 133 while displaying the preview screen, the controller 180 checks the operation assigned to the touch point and the touch input form. As a result of the check, when a short touch (simple touch) is input to the touch point, the controller 180 recognizes and focuses by using an auto focus command. When the long touch is input to the touch point, the controller 180 recognizes the photographing command and captures an image displayed on the display screen. In other words, the controller 180 takes a picture through the camera 121.

7A and 7B illustrate an example of controlling an album operation according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user selects the album function among the menus, the controller 180 executes the album function and displays a list of photos stored in the memory 160 on the display screen. If any one photo from the list of photos displayed on the display screen is selected by the user, the controller 180 displays the selected photo on the full screen of the display unit 151.

If the touch is input to the first point of the side input unit 133 while moving to the second point while maintaining the touch while the selected picture is displayed on the display screen, the controller 180 drags the input touch input. To be recognized. The controller 180 performs an operation according to the drag direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when a drag is input from left to right, the controller 180 recognizes the zoom command and enlarges the picture displayed on the display screen at a predetermined ratio. At this time, the predetermined ratio is determined by the drag distance or the number of drags.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when a drag is input from right to left, the controller 180 recognizes a reduction command and reduces the picture displayed on the display screen by a predetermined ratio.

8 illustrates an example of controlling a list according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a menu selection signal is input from the user input unit 130, the controller 180 executes a specific menu according to the input selection signal. At this time, it is checked whether the specific menu requires the use of the side input unit 133. As a result of the checking, when the executed specific menu requires the use of the side input unit 133, the controller 180 switches the side input unit 133 to an active state.

For example, when the user selects the multimedia player, the controller 180 drives the multimedia module 181 and displays a list of contents (music, video, etc.) stored in the memory 160. The user may operate only the side input unit 133 to select only an item to be played back from the content list.

In other words, when the drag is input to the side input unit 133 after activating the side input unit 133, the controller 180 moves the displayed content list based on the input drag distance, direction, and speed (a). (b). When the desired item comes into the display screen by moving the content list, the user selects the desired item through the side input unit 133. That is, when a touch is detected at one point of the side input unit 133, the controller 180 selects items located side by side at the touch point (c). In addition, the control unit 180 displays a selection by displaying a '∨' mark on one side of the selected item (c).

9 illustrates another example of controlling a list function according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a phone book selection signal is input from the user input unit 130, the controller 180 executes a phone book function. At this time, the controller 180 activates the side input unit 133.

When the phone book function is executed, the controller 180 displays a list of contacts stored in the terminal. While displaying the contact list, if one side of the side input unit 133 is dragged in both directions (with fingers apart) as a reference point, the controller 180 displays detailed information about items arranged in parallel with the reference point on a display screen. do. For example, if the distance between the touch points in both directions is far from each other based on the point of the side input unit 133 parallel to 'Park Jung-mi' among the contacts, the controller 180 recognizes that the 'Park-Jung-mi' item is selected for the contact. Display detailed information.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of controlling message creation according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, when the user selects the 'write email' menu, the controller 180 executes an email function and displays an email writing screen on a display screen. If the cursor is positioned at one point of the written content while dragging upward while the content is written on the e-mail composition screen, the controller 180 selects a front region based on the point where the cursor is located (a). Here, when the drag is input in the downward direction, the controller 180 selects an upper region based on the cursor. If a double touch is input at one point of the side input unit 133, the controller 180 copies the selected area (b).

After copying the selected area, a schedule creation menu is executed by using a multitasking function, and a double touch is performed on a spot in a field to 'paste' the copied contents on a schedule creation screen. If the double touch is input, the controller 180 inserts previously copied contents in a field corresponding to the double touch point (c).

In the present embodiment, a case of copying and pasting a specific region is described as an example. However, when the side input unit 133 is dragged when a specific character is input, the input characters are converted in a predetermined order according to the drag direction. For example, when the 'A' button is pressed, the controller 180 inserts 'A' into the text input window. Subsequently, when a drag is detected in the downward direction by the side input unit 133, the controller 180 converts B-> C-> a-> b-> c according to the drag distance.

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

The terminal described above may not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made. It may be.

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

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

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

Figure 3 is a front view of a mobile terminal for explaining one operating state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4A and 4B are perspective views illustrating a mobile terminal employing a side input unit and a cross-sectional view of the side input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a function of a side input unit of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an example of controlling the camera operation according to the input of the side input unit in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B illustrate an example of controlling an album operation according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an example of controlling the list according to the input of the side input unit in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is another example of controlling a list function according to an input of a side input unit in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

10 is an example of controlling the creation of a message according to the input of the side input unit in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit

120: A / V input unit 130: user input unit

140: sensing unit 150: output unit

160: memory 170: interface unit

180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (5)

Checking whether the side input means is necessary when executing a specific function; Activating the side input means if the side input unit is needed; Detecting a touch input to the side input means; And performing an operation assigned to the sensed touch input. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the assigned operation comprises: When the touch input is a short touch, it is recognized as a selection command to select items parallel to a touch point, or when the touch input is dragged, scrolls information displayed on a display screen. How to do this. Side input unit implemented as a touch sensing means on the side of the terminal, When executing a specific function, check whether the side input unit is necessary, activate or deactivate the side input unit according to the result of the check, and if a touch input occurs on the activated side input unit, perform an operation corresponding to the generated touch input. With a control unit A mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a display for displaying a variety of information under the control of the controller. The method of claim 3, wherein the touch sensing means, Mobile terminal, characterized in that implemented by a touch sensor or a touch film. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit, If the generated touch input is a short touch, it is recognized as a selection command to select items parallel to the touch point or, if a drag is input, scrolls information displayed on the display screen based on the drag direction.

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