KR20110123380A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and a method thereof are provided to effectively assign an area extracting a search word in the image information through a touch screen. CONSTITUTION: A user input unit(130) receives a command from a user. At least one shape is recognized in the information of a selected and searched target image. Object information about at least one recognized shape is generated. A control unit determines a word corresponding to at least one type of generated object information. The control unit requests a search about at least one predetermined word.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of extracting a search word from image information and providing a search result thereof to a user and a control method thereof.

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

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

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

Recently, with the development of the image recognition technique and the improvement of the performance of the mobile terminal, it is possible to recognize the shape of the object from the image / video file or the image captured by the camera, and thus, convenient functions using the same are required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same, which can extract a search word from image information and provide a search result thereof to a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof capable of efficiently designating an area to extract a search word from image information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same, which can efficiently combine search words extracted from image information.

Technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

Mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a user input unit for receiving a command from the user; A display unit; And when search target image information is selected as an input through the user input unit, recognizes at least one shape from the selected image information, generates object information on each of the recognized at least one shape, and generates the at least one object. And a controller configured to determine a word corresponding to each information, request a search subject to search for the at least one predetermined word, and display the result of the request through the display unit.

In addition, an image-based retrieval method through a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object comprises the steps of: selecting the search target image information; Recognizing at least one shape from the image information; Generating object information for each of the recognized at least one shape; Determining at least one word corresponding to each of the at least one object information in an object information database; Requesting a search subject for a search for the determined at least one word; And outputting the request result through a display unit.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may extract a search word from image information and provide a search result thereof to the user.

In addition, an area to extract a search word from the image information can be efficiently designated through the touch screen.

In addition, the search word extracted from the image information can be efficiently combined through the search menu.

The effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. will be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a front view of a mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a search method using image data that may be performed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating image information and a result of a search object in an image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a display state diagram illustrating a specific form in which image-based search is activated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a display state diagram illustrating a form of specifying image information to perform image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a display state diagram illustrating a specific form of selecting words determined to perform an image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 illustrates a form in which a search result of an image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention is displayed.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according 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 in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), navigation and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. 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. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

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

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, 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 of the 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.

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

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

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

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

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input 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. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

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

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

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be further 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 portable 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.

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

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

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

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 referred to as a so-called " virtual keypad ".

3 illustrates inputting of a touch applied to the virtual keypad through the front surface 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 virtual keypad 151c is displayed in which a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is displayed. When the virtual keypad 151c is touched, numbers and the like corresponding to the touched virtual keypad are displayed on the output window 151a. When the first operation unit 131 is operated, call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

In addition, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. The user can move a cursor or a pointer located on an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, an icon or the like, by scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135. [ Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. The one function may be activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, for example.

For convenience of description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal mentioned below includes at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1. In addition, a graphic in the form of an arrow or a finger for pointing a specific object or selecting a menu on the display unit 151 is called a pointer or a cursor. However, the pointer is often used interchangeably to mean a finger, a stylus pen, or the like for a touch operation. Therefore, in the present specification, the graphic displayed on the display unit is referred to as a cursor to clearly distinguish the two, and a physical means for performing touch, proximity touch, and gesture such as a finger or a stylus pen is called a pointer.

How to perform search using image data

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal capable of recognizing a shape of an object included in image data, searching for a word corresponding to the recognized shape, and performing a search using the same. Hereinafter, in the present specification, a technique of recognizing an object displayed in image data and performing a search using a word corresponding to the recognized object is referred to as "image based search" for convenience. This will be described with reference to FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a search method using image data that may be performed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, first, an image-based search function may be activated according to a user's predetermined menu manipulation, so that image data to be searched may be acquired (S401).

Here, the acquisition of image data means that an object to be recognized in the form of an object is designated. When the entire image data of a predetermined unit is the object of recognition, selection of a specific file including the image data or the camera 121 is performed. It may mean acquisition of image data through photography. Alternatively, when a certain area of the image data is to be recognized, it may mean that the area is specified by the controller 180 or through a user's command input through the user input unit 130. have.

When image data, which is a search target, is acquired (ie, specified), the data may be temporarily stored in the memory unit 160, and the controller 180 recognizes an object shape from the corresponding data and uses the same. In operation S402, object information may be generated.

In more detail, by using the acquired image information, the controller 180 extracts a feature point indicating a point where color / contrast / saturation changes rapidly from the surroundings, and extracts the outline of a specific object in a face recognition function or an image editing application. The object shape can be recognized through an extraction method or an optical character reading (OCR) algorithm. The information about the recognized object shape may be converted into object information of a predetermined format indicating information on the relative / absolute positional relationship between the feature point or the outline. If a letter, number or symbol is recognized in the acquired image information, the object information thereof may be in the form of text.

In order to determine a word corresponding to the generated object information, the controller 180 may perform comparison with a predetermined database including object information of various objects as the corresponding object information (S403).

The comparison results (ie words) may be sorted in a manner that gives higher accuracy as the relative positions of the feature points are similar, and all or a predetermined number of comparison results may be displayed on the display unit 151 in the order of high accuracy. 404.

In this case, when there are a plurality of words included in the comparison result (S405), the user may combine and / or select words to be searched from the corresponding words (S406).

When the search word is determined according to the combination and / or selection of words, the controller 180 can request a search from the search subject using the search word (S407).

Here, the search subject is a search engine that generally provides a search function on the Internet, a service provider server that provides a separate search service, and a database (eg, a dictionary) built in the mobile terminal 100 itself. It is a concept of broad. If the search subject is an embedded database, the controller 180 may directly search for the database.

If there is only one word determined as a result of the comparison, the controller 180 may request a search from the search subject by using the word as a search word (S408).

Thereafter, when the search is completed with the corresponding search word, the controller 180 can display the result on the display unit 151.

If there is no comparison result as a result of step S403, or if the user does not have a desired word in the word displayed in step S404, a request is made to the external object information database connected through the wireless communication unit 110 or the interface unit 170. It may be.

Hereinafter, the concept of image-based search according to the present invention described above will be described in more detail.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating image information and a result of a search object in an image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, it is assumed that image information to be searched is specified as a mug 510 in which the character “LEOH” is printed. The controller 180 may generate the object information 520, which extracts the outline of the mug from the acquired image 510, and the object information 530 of the text type, which recognizes the “LEOH” character. Accordingly, the text type object information 530 may be directly determined as a word to be searched, and the object information 520 extracted from the outline may be determined as a word “cup” compared with the object information database. As a result, the two words "LEOH" and "cup" may be the determined word displayed in step S404 of FIG.

Next, a form in which image-based search is activated in step S401 of FIG. 4 described above with reference to FIG. 6 will be described.

6 is a display state diagram illustrating a specific form in which image-based search is activated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a dedicated application for image-based search may be used. The operation screen of the application includes a menu 610 for selecting a file including image information pre-stored in the memory unit 160 to obtain image information, and a menu 620 for acquiring image information by capturing the camera 121. May be included.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 6, image information for image-based searching is generated in the form of a menu 630 that can be selected when the photographing function through the camera 121 is activated. Image-based search may also be performed.

In addition, when an application such as a file explorer (browser) or a multimedia file viewer is executed as shown in FIG. 6C, an image of the corresponding file is accessed through a shortcut in the form of an additional function menu 650 for the specific file 640. The base search function can be activated.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, a process of selecting a partial region in a specific image as image information to be searched will be described.

7 is a display state diagram illustrating a form of specifying image information to perform image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the mug 710 having the dog shape shown on the side of FIG. 7A is specified as the image information for performing the image-based search, the controller 180 can generate the object information about the dog shape and the mug shape largely. will be.

In this case, the user may designate a partial region in the first obtained image information in order to increase the accuracy of generating the object information of the controller 180 or to reduce the computational burden.

For example, when the display unit 151 is a touch screen, as shown in FIG. 6B, a user may draw an outline 730 of the mug 710 using a pointer such as a touch pen 720. .

Alternatively, when the controller 180 wants to generate only the object information on the puppy part, the approximate area 740 may be designated by the pointer 720 as shown in FIG.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may first generate object information from the image information acquired for the first time of the image, and display the result through a predetermined visual effect, and then allow the user to select the image. For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, an outline 750 showing object information on a dog shape and an outline 760 showing object information on a mug shape may be displayed.

Next, a method of designating a search word using word (s) according to a comparison result of searching a predetermined object information database using the generated object information will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

8 is a display state diagram illustrating a specific form of selecting words determined to perform an image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in FIG. 8A, an image 810 of object information generated by a method of extracting an outline and an object information 820 in a text form generated by a method such as an OCR are displayed. The words 830 determined through the image 810 are displayed. In this case, the user may select at least one of the object information 820 in the text form or the determined words 830 to determine a search word for requesting a search subject as a search word.

In FIG. 8B, additional word menus 851 and 852 are provided in the words 840 determined through the object information. When the user selects an additional word menu for an arbitrary word, an additional search result according to a predetermined criterion such as a synonym or a synonym of the corresponding word may be displayed. For example, when the additional word menu 851 for the cup is selected, the additional search result 860 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 8C.

Meanwhile, in combining words determined through object information into search terms, a menu 870 for selecting a search expression as shown in FIG. 8 (d) and a search expression 880 combined therewith are provided to increase search accuracy. May be displayed further.

The selected search word is transmitted to the search subject through the above-described methods, and the results may be displayed in different forms according to the search subject. This will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

9 illustrates a form in which a search result of an image-based search according to an embodiment of the present invention is displayed.

If the search subject is an internet search engine, the result may be a form in which a search result of a general internet search engine is displayed on a web browser as shown in FIG.

In addition, when the search subject is a dictionary embedded in the memory unit 160 of the mobile terminal 100, the dictionary application may be executed as shown in FIG. 9B to display a dictionary search result for the corresponding search word. have.

Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain a result through a separate application for displaying the result of the image-based search by obtaining only the information output as a result of the search from the search subject regardless of the search subject.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiments, the touch operation using the pointer may be replaced by a command input using a cursor operated through a navigation key or a corresponding key button.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The mobile terminal described above can be applied to not only the configuration and method of the embodiments described above but also all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made to the embodiments It is possible.

Claims (10)

A user input unit for receiving a command from a user;
A display unit; And
When the search target image information is selected as an input through the user input unit, at least one shape is recognized from the selected image information to generate object information on each of the recognized at least one shape, and the generated at least one object information. And a controller for determining a word corresponding to each other, requesting a search subject to search for the at least one predetermined word, and controlling to display the result of the request through the display unit. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And performing the at least one shape through at least one of an outline extraction, a feature point extraction, and an optical character reading (OCR). The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Displaying the determined at least one word on the display unit;
And requesting a search for at least one word selected by a user's input through the user input unit from among at least one word displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 3,
The control unit,
When the recognized shape is a letter, number, or symbol, text object type information is generated, and for the other shapes, object information including a feature point of the recognized shape or a positional relationship of an outline is generated. terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein
The control unit,
And displaying the determined at least one word on the display unit such that an image visualized by the positional relationship included in object information is further displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 3,
The control unit,
When the determined at least one word is displayed on the display, the display unit further controls to display a search menu to which the search subject is assigned at least one search condition for making a search expression for requesting a search. Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising at least one of an interface unit for performing data exchange with the outside and a wireless communication unit for performing data exchange wirelessly,
The search subject,
A mobile terminal comprising an internet search web page, a search service providing server and an external database. The method of claim 1,
In case of further including a memory unit for storing at least one file including image information, the search target image information is selected from at least one file stored in the memory unit,
The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the search target image information is selected from an image captured by the camera. The method of claim 8,
The search target video information,
And at least one area specified by the user through an input through the user input unit in at least one file stored in the memory unit or an image captured by the camera. Receiving selection of search target image information;
Recognizing at least one shape from the image information;
Generating object information for each of the recognized at least one shape;
Determining at least one word corresponding to each of the at least one object information in an object information database;
Requesting a search subject for a search for the determined at least one word; And
And outputting the request result through a display unit.

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