KR20110100837A - Mobile terminal and message transmitting method for mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a message transmission method of the mobile terminal.
In the present invention, the mobile terminal sets the area where the message is delivered to the receiving user based on the map data and the touch input.

Description

Mobile terminal and message transmitting method for mobile terminal

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a message transmission method of the mobile terminal.

Recently, various terminals including mobile terminals provide complex and various functions, and may also provide a function of transmitting and receiving messages such as SMS, MMS or e-mail. Various terminals including a conventional mobile terminal simply do not provide a wide range of functions to a user by simply providing a function of transmitting and receiving a message.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a message transmission method for a mobile terminal for allowing a message to be delivered to a receiving user in a specific area.

A mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication unit; touch screen; And obtaining the predetermined area from the map data based on a touch input received while the map data is displayed on the touch screen, and transmitting the obtained certain area so that a message is delivered to a user of a receiving side within the obtained predetermined area. And a control unit for transmitting the location information and the message to the receiving side through the wireless communication unit.

In addition, the message transmission method of the mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present invention, the step of displaying the map data; Receiving a touch input; Acquiring a predetermined area from the map data based on the touch input; And transmitting the location information indicating the obtained predetermined area and the message to the receiving side such that the message is delivered to the user of the receiving side within the obtained predetermined area.

The mobile terminal and the message transmission method of the mobile terminal according to the present invention support the selection of the reception area of the location-based message simply through the map data and the touch input. In addition, it is possible to set a plurality of reception areas, so that the inconvenience of having to repeatedly transmit the same message when the same message needs to be transmitted at different locations such as a road guide can be eliminated.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a message transmission method of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 illustrates an example of acquiring center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 illustrates another example of acquiring center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 illustrates another example of acquiring center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 illustrates another example of acquiring center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
7 illustrates another example of acquiring center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
8 illustrates another example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
9 illustrates another example of acquiring center point and radius information of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
10 illustrates an example of pre-registering location information frequently used in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
11 illustrates an example of obtaining a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to an outline of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
12 illustrates another example of acquiring a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to an outline of a reception area in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates an example of transmitting location information corresponding to a plurality of reception areas together with a message in a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a flowchart illustrating a message transmission method of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
15 illustrates an example of acquiring a reception area based on GPS information input from a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and similarities. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. In addition, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known function or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, numerals (e.g., days, days, etc.) used in the description of the present invention are merely an identifier for distinguishing one component from another component

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

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

In addition, 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. .

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

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to embodiments 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, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules 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 BroadcastHandheld (DVBH).

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a digital multimedia broadcasting broadcasting (DMBT), a digital multimedia broadcasting satellite (DMBS), a media forward link only (MediaFLO), a digital video broadcasting ), And ISDBT (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems that provide broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives 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 the wireless Internet module 113 can be embedded in the mobile terminal 100 or externally. WLAN (WiFi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. 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 confirming or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. A representative example of the location information module is a GPS (Global Position System) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 calculates information on a distance (distance) from three or more satellites to one point (entity), information on the time when the distance information is measured, , Three-dimensional position information according to latitude, longitude, and altitude of one point (individual) in one hour can be calculated. Furthermore, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting the error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is also used. The GPS module 115 may continuously calculate the current position in real time and use the same to calculate speed information.

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 can be displayed on the display module 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. The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

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, it may be responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor.

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display module 151, an acoustic output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

The display module 151 displays information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in a call mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

The display module 151 is a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, a flexible display, or a 3D display. It may include at least one.

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 a transparent LCD. The rear structure of the display module 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display module 151 of the terminal body.

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

In a case where the display module 151 and the sensor for sensing the touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') have a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as 'touch screen' It 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 module 151 or capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display module 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. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display module 151 is touched or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is enclosed by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

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 (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the 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 outputs an acoustic signal related to a function (e.g., 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 audio signal may also be output through the display module 151 or the audio output module 152.

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 the vibration, the haptic module 154 may be used for the effects of stimulation by the arrangement of pins vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, the effect of the injection force of the air through the injection or inlet or the stimulation through the suction force, and the stimulation that rubs the skin surface. Various tactile effects may be generated, such as effects by stimulation through contact of electrodes, effects by stimulation using electrostatic force, and effects of reproducing a sense of warmth and heat using an endothermic or heat generating element.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also implement the haptic effect through the muscle sense of the user's finger or arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a 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), a RAM At least one of a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read- Type storage medium. 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 or receives power from the external device to transfer the data to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or to transmit data in 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 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 moved. 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 control unit 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 a processor, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing the functions. 180).

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that perform at least one function or operation. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. In addition, the software codes may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the control unit 180. [

Hereinafter, a method of transmitting a message according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an operation of the mobile terminal 100 for implementing the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Meanwhile, below, an input input by various operations performed by touching the touch screen is referred to as 'touch input'. Here, the operation performed by touching the touch screen may include a touch operation, a drag operation, a flicking operation, and the like.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a message transmission method of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 to 10 are diagrams for describing a message transmission method of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, as the controller 180 enters a mode for selecting a reception area for transmitting a location-based message (S101), the controller 180 displays map data through the display module 151 (S102). The location-based message is a message in which a time point to be delivered to the receiving user is determined based on the location of the receiving mobile terminal, and is transmitted only to the receiving user when the receiving mobile terminal enters a specific area or a specific location.

The controller 180 receives a touch input through the touch screen 151 while the map data is displayed through the display module 151. Then, based on the input touch input, a predetermined area corresponding to the reception area of the message is obtained from the map data (S103). In operation S104, location information indicating the received reception area is transmitted to the receiving mobile terminal together with the message.

The location-based message transmitted as described above may be delivered to the receiving user when the receiving mobile terminal enters the receiving area. For example, when the receiving mobile terminal enters the receiving area, a message may be transmitted from the message server (not shown) to the receiving mobile terminal. For example, the receiving mobile terminal may receive and store a message in advance, and when the receiving mobile terminal enters the receiving area, the receiving mobile terminal may activate and deliver the received message to the receiving user.

Meanwhile, the location information transmitted with the message may vary depending on the method of selecting a reception area.

For example, the location information indicating the reception area may include coordinate values corresponding to the center point of the reception area and radius information of the reception area.

In this case, the controller 180 may obtain coordinate information corresponding to the center point of the reception area and radius information corresponding to the radius of the reception area using the map data. Here, the coordinate value includes latitude and longitude of the corresponding position, and may be GPS information.

3 illustrates an example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area. Referring to FIG. 3, the controller 180 displays the map data 10 through the display module 151 as a menu for setting a reception area of a message is selected in the message transmission mode (S201).

Thereafter, the controller 180 acquires the selected location as the center point of the reception area as one location is selected from the map data 10 displayed through the display module 151 by the touch operation (S202). In addition, the radius of the reception area is set based on the drag operation starting at the position selected as the center point (S203). That is, the radius of the reception area is obtained based on the distance between the center point of the reception area and the position where the drag operation ends.

The controller 180 may display the obtained reception area information on the map data using the text 11 or the graphic 12. Thus, the user can intuitively check whether the reception area of the message is selected as desired by the user. Accordingly, the user may reselect the center point of the reception area or adjust the radius of the reception area based on the information about the reception area displayed through the display module 151.

4 illustrates another example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 180 displays the map data 10 through the display module 151 as a menu for setting a reception area of a message is selected in the message transmission mode (S301).

Thereafter, the controller 180 acquires the selected location as the center point of the reception area as one location is selected by the first touch operation while the map data 10 is displayed (S302). As another location is selected by the second touch operation, the radius of the reception area is set based on the distance between the center point of the reception area and the location selected by the second touch operation (S303).

5 illustrates another example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 180 receives search information about a reception area through the user input unit 130 in a message transmission mode (S401). Based on the received search information, the center point of the reception area is obtained from the map data, and the obtained center point is displayed on the map data 10 through the display module 151 (S402). Here, the search information may be a name as shown in FIG. 5 or may be a phone number, an address, GPS information, or the like.

Thereafter, the controller 180 obtains the radius of the reception area based on the touch path corresponding to the drag operation as the touch input is input by the drag operation starting at the position selected as the center point in the map data 10 (S403). ). That is, the radius of the region is obtained based on the distance between the center point of the region and the position where the drag operation ends.

6 illustrates another example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area.

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 180 receives search information about a reception area through the user input unit 130 in a message transmission mode (S501). Based on the received search information, a center point of the reception area is obtained from the map data, and the obtained center point is displayed on the map data 10 through the display module 151 (S502).

Thereafter, the controller 180 acquires the radius of the reception area based on the distance between the location selected by the touch operation and the center point of the reception area as the location is selected by the touch operation while the map data is displayed (S503). ).

7 illustrates another example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area.

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 180 receives a touch input by a drag operation while the map data 10 is displayed to set a reception area of a message (S601). Accordingly, the controller 180 approximates the touch path 12a by the dragging operation to obtain a circular constant area 12b (S602), and obtains the center point and the radius of the obtained constant area 12b as the center point of the reception area. And radius.

8 illustrates another example of obtaining center point and radius information of a reception area.

Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 180 receives a touch input by a touch operation while displaying the map data 10 to set a reception area of a message. In operation S701, a position selected from the map data is selected as a center point of the reception area by a touch operation. In addition, after the center point is selected, the radius information 21 is input through the user input unit 130 (S702).

9 illustrates another example of acquiring center point and radius information of the reception area.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the menu for selecting a reception area of a message is selected from the preset location information in the message transmission mode (S801), the controller 180 displays the preset location information through the display module 151. The list 30 is displayed (S802). To this end, the user may register and use location information frequently used as a reception area of a message. 10 illustrates an example of pre-registering frequently used location information. Referring to FIG. 10, in a state where the map data 10 is displayed through the display module 151, the controller 180 obtains a specific location based on a touch input in operation S901. Then, as a request for adding the selected specific location to the location information list is received (S902). The user input unit 130 receives a location name 31a, etc. for the corresponding location (S903). Then, the location information 31b corresponding to the selected location is added to the location information list 30 based on the received location name and the like (S904).

Referring back to FIG. 9, as one of the location information is selected from the location information list 30, the controller 180 selects a location corresponding to the selected location information as a center point of the reception area. In operation S803, the selected center point is displayed on the map data 10 through the display module 151.

Thereafter, the controller 180 obtains the radius of the reception area based on the touch path corresponding to the drag operation as the touch input is input by the drag operation starting at the position selected as the center point in the map data 10 (S804). ).

9 and 10 illustrate a case where only coordinate values of a specific location are registered in advance in the location information list 20 and used, for example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, not only coordinate values for a specific position, but also radius information of a specific region centered on the position may be registered and used in advance. In this case, the controller 180 can obtain the center point and the radius information indicating the reception area only by selecting any one of the position information in the position information list.

Also, for example, the position information indicating the reception area may include a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to the outline of the reception area.

11 illustrates an example of obtaining a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to an outline of a reception area.

Referring to FIG. 11, as a menu for setting a reception area of a message is selected in the message transmission mode (S1001), the controller 180 displays the map data 10 through the display module 151.

Subsequently, as a plurality of locations are selected by a plurality of touch operations while the map data 10 is displayed (S1002), the controller 180 receives an area included in an outline connecting the plurality of selected locations. Obtained at (12) (S1003). In this case, the controller 180 transmits a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to the selected plurality of positions to the receiving side as position information indicating the receiving area.

12 illustrates another example of obtaining a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to the outline of the reception area.

Referring to FIG. 12, as a menu for setting a reception area of a message is selected in the message transmission mode (S1101), the controller 180 displays the map data 10 through the display module 151.

Thereafter, the controller 180 receives a touch input by a drag operation while the map data 10 is displayed (S1102). Accordingly, the controller 180 extracts a plurality of coordinate values from the coordinate values corresponding to the touch path 12a by the dragging operation, and obtains the extracted plurality of coordinate values 12b as position information representing a reception area. (S1103). For example, the controller 180 may extract coordinate values corresponding to vertices from coordinate values corresponding to the touch path and use the location information indicating the reception area. In addition, for example, the controller 180 may extract coordinate values at regular intervals from among coordinate values corresponding to the touch path, and use the extracted coordinate values as position information representing a reception area.

Again, referring to FIG. 2, at least one reception area included in the location information and transmitted in step S104 may be provided. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of transmitting location information corresponding to a plurality of reception areas together with a message. Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 180 may acquire a plurality of reception areas 41a and 41b using at least one of the methods described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in step S104 described above, the controller 180 may include the location information in the message and transmit the location information, or transmit the location information separately from the message. In the latter case, the controller 180 may transmit the location information after transmitting the message, or may transmit the location information first before the message is transmitted.

Hereinafter, a method of transmitting a message according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an operation of the mobile terminal 100 for implementing the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a message transmission method of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a message transmission method of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, as the controller 180 enters a mode for selecting a reception area for transmission of a location-based message (S1201), the controller 180 receives GPS information corresponding to the reception area through the user input unit 130. (S1202). In addition, the reception area is obtained based on the received GPS information, and the acquired location information indicating the obtained reception area is transmitted to the reception side together with the message (S1203).

15 illustrates an example of acquiring a reception area based on GPS information input through the user input unit 130. Referring to FIG. 15, the controller 140 receives the GPS information 41a and 41b corresponding to the center point of the reception area and the radius 42 of the reception area through the user input unit 130 (S1301). Here, the GPS information includes latitude 41a and longitude 41b of the corresponding location. In addition, the controller 180 displays the reception area 40 acquired based on the input information on the map data 10 according to the user's selection, so that the user can intuitively determine whether the area where the user wants to receive the message is correctly selected. I can support you to check.

On the other hand, the message transmission method disclosed in the above embodiments can be utilized in various ways. For example, when the user wants to guide the other party, the user may transmit a message set to be transmitted from the location to be guided to the other party's mobile terminal. For example, when a user guides a left turn at a specific intersection, the user transmits a message for guiding a left turn along with location information about a reception area including the corresponding intersection. That is, location information of a certain area including the intersection is transmitted together with the message. Accordingly, as the user of the reception side enters the reception area, the user confirms a message for guiding the left turn and turns left at the corresponding intersection.

According to the above-described embodiments, the mobile terminal supports the selection of the reception area of the location-based message simply through the map data and the touch input. In addition, it is possible to set a plurality of reception areas, so that the inconvenience of having to repeatedly transmit the same message when the same message needs to be transmitted at different locations such as a road guide can be eliminated.

The message transmission method of the mobile terminal according to the present invention described above may be provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium as a program for executing in a computer.

The content generation method of the mobile terminal according to the present invention can be executed through software. When implemented in software, the constituent means of the present invention are code segments that perform the necessary work. The program or code segments may be stored in a processor readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal coupled with a carrier in a transmission medium or communication network.

The computer-readable recording medium includes a mode type recording device in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording devices include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD ± ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, hard disks, optical data storage devices, and the like. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer devices so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the drawings, and all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made.

Claims (26)

A wireless communication unit;
touch screen; And
Represents the obtained predetermined area so that a certain area is obtained from the map data based on a touch input received while the map data is displayed on the touch screen, and a message is delivered to a user of a receiving side within the obtained predetermined area. Control unit for transmitting the location information and the message through the wireless communication unit
Mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The location information includes a coordinate value corresponding to the center point of the predetermined area and radius information corresponding to the radius of the predetermined area.
The method of claim 2,
The center point corresponds to a position selected by the touch operation in the map data.
The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a user input unit,
And the control unit receives search information through the user input unit, and obtains the center point corresponding to a position selected based on the search information from the map data.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The search information includes at least one of a telephone number, an address, a name, and GPS information.
The method of claim 2,
The control unit obtains the radius information based on the drag operation starting from the center point.
The method of claim 6,
The controller acquires the radius information based on a distance between a position where the drag operation ends on the map data and a position corresponding to the center point.
The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a user input unit,
The control unit receives the radius information through the user input unit.
The method of claim 2,
The control unit obtains the predetermined area based on the touch path corresponding to the touch input.
The method of claim 2,
The controller may display at least one of a coordinate value and the radius information corresponding to the center point in a text or graphic form.
The method of claim 1,
The location information includes a plurality of coordinate values corresponding to the predetermined area.
The method of claim 11,
The plurality of coordinate values is selected from among coordinate values corresponding to the outline of the predetermined area.
The method of claim 11,
The control unit obtains the plurality of coordinate values corresponding to a plurality of positions selected from the map data by a plurality of touch operations.
The method of claim 11,
The controller is characterized in that for displaying the predetermined area on the map data.
The method of claim 1,
The location information is included in the message and transmitted.
The method of claim 1,
The location information is transmitted separately from the message.
Displaying map data;
Receiving a touch input;
Acquiring a predetermined area from the map data based on the touch input; And
Transmitting the location information indicating the obtained predetermined area and the message to the receiving side such that the message is delivered to the user of the receiving side within the obtained predetermined area.
Message transmission method of the mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 17,
The location information includes a coordinate value corresponding to a center point of the predetermined region and radius information corresponding to the radius of the predetermined region.
The method of claim 18,
The obtaining step,
Obtaining a center point of the predetermined area from the map data; And
Acquiring the radius information based on a drag motion starting at the center point
Message transmission method comprising a.
The method of claim 18,
The obtaining step,
Receiving search information; And
Obtaining the center point from the map data based on the search information; And
Acquiring the radius information based on a drag motion starting at the center point
Message transmission method of the mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 18,
The obtaining step,
Obtaining the predetermined area by approximating a touch path corresponding to the touch input
Message transmission method of the mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 18,
Displaying at least one of the center point and the radius information in text or graphic form
Message transmission method of the mobile terminal further comprising.
The method of claim 17,
The location information includes a plurality of coordinate values selected from among coordinate values corresponding to the outline of the predetermined area.
The method of claim 23, wherein
And the plurality of coordinate values correspond to a plurality of locations selected from the map data based on the touch input.
The method of claim 23, wherein
The obtaining step,
Obtaining the predetermined area based on a touch path of the touch input input through a dragging operation,
And the plurality of coordinate values are coordinate values selected from among coordinate values included in the touch path.
The method of claim 17,
Displaying the predetermined area on the map data
Message transmission method of the mobile terminal further comprising.

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