KR20120006170A - Mobile terminal and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and control method thereof are provided to restrict the output of an application in case an application of a mobile terminal user is not properly used. CONSTITUTION: A control unit of a mobile terminal loads the stored user information of a memory(S10). The control unit loads grade information of an application(S20). The control unit compares user information with grade information(S30). The control unit outputs the application if the usage condition of the application is satisfied(S40, S50). The control unit restricts the output of the application(S60).

Description

Mobile terminal and its control method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof capable of limiting output of an application when the user of the mobile terminal is not suitable for using the application.

A terminal such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, or a mobile phone has various functions, for example, a multimedia device having a complex function such as photographing or photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of music or a moving picture file, (Multimedia player).

The terminal can move It may be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal, depending on whether it is present. 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.

In order to support and enhance the functionality of the terminal, it is contemplated to improve the structural and / or software portion of the terminal.

Recently, a variety of terminals including mobile terminals provide a complex and various functions, and the menu structure is also becoming complicated. In addition, a function of displaying various digital documents including a web page is added to a mobile terminal.

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of limiting the output of an application when the user of the mobile terminal is not suitable for using the application and a control method thereof.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal comprising: a first storage device in which user information according to a user is recorded; A second storage device in which data of at least one application including rating information of the application is recorded; And a controller configured to compare the rating information with the user information and selectively limit an output of an application that does not satisfy the condition based on the user information among the at least one application.

In addition, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object, a display; A storage device in which user information according to a user is recorded; A communication unit which receives rating information of at least one application from a server; And a controller configured to compare the rating information with the user information and selectively display information of an application satisfying a condition based on the user information among the at least one application on the display.

In addition, the control method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object, the step of obtaining user information; Obtaining rating information of the application; And if the obtained rating information does not satisfy a condition based on the obtained user information, selectively limiting the output of the application.

The mobile terminal and its control method according to the present invention have the effect of limiting the output of the application when the user of the mobile terminal is not suitable for using the application.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2C and 2D are diagrams illustrating implementation forms and display screens of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.
4 is a block diagram of a CDMA wireless communication system for communicating with the mobile terminal shown in FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an operation between a mobile terminal and a server of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the application of FIG. 5.
8 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating an application execution restriction screen of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram illustrating a user information management screen of a mobile terminal according to an 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, the numbers (eg, first, second, etc.) used in the description process of the present specification are merely identification symbols for distinguishing one component from another component.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

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

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 audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory unit 160, An interface unit 170, a control unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. 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 unit 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 may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory unit 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 used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays and 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 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, a flexible display, a 3D display And 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 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, abbreviated as “touch screen”), the display unit 151 is an output device. 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 unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 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 unit 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 the audio signal can also be output through the display unit 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 unit 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 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 unit 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) 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- Lt; / RTI > type of storage medium. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory unit 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 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 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 may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases such embodiments may be implemented using a controller 180 < / RTI >

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

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

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

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

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

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

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132, the interface 170, and the like are disposed on the 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to the antenna for a call or the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 124 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

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

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

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

2C and 2D illustrate various embodiments of the mobile terminal 100 and the display unit 151.

The display unit 151 may include a first display unit in which display panels are physically divided and a second display unit. In a folding or slide type mobile terminal in which two bodies are hinged or slide, the first display unit (or the main display unit) may be formed on the inner surface or the outer surface of one body, and the second display unit ( Alternatively, the auxiliary display unit and the external display unit may be formed on an inner surface or an outer surface of another body. The secondary display unit is a display unit separate from the mobile terminal, and is detachably connected to the mobile terminal body through an interface means to display data from the mobile terminal 100.

In addition, the display unit 151 may include a first display unit and a second display unit that are logically divided in the display panel as shown in FIG. 2C.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3, when a pointer such as a user's finger is close to the touch screen, the proximity sensor disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor may be configured to output different proximity signals according to a distance between the proximity-touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter referred to as "proximity depth").

A distance at which the proximity signal is output when the pointer approaches the touch screen is referred to as a detection distance. In short, by using a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection distances, the proximity signals output from the proximity sensors are compared, .

In FIG. 3, for example, a cross section of a touch screen on which three proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is disposed is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors that detect less than three or more than four proximity depths are also possible.

Specifically, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d0), it is recognized as a contact touch. If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance less than the distance d1, it is recognized as a proximity touch of the first proximity depth.

If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance d1 or less and less than the distance d2, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of the second proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the d2 distance by more than d3 distance on the touch screen, it is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. If the pointer is located at a distance d3 or more on the touch screen, it is recognized that the proximity touch is released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 can recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity and proximity positions of the pointer to the touch screen, and perform various operation controls according to the various input signals.

Referring to FIG. 4, a CDMA wireless communication system includes a plurality of mobile terminals 100, a plurality of base stations 270, base station controllers BSCs 275, and a mobile switching center. Centers; MSCs, 280). The mobile switching center 280 is configured to be connected to a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) 290. The mobile switching center 280 is also configured to be coupled to the base station controllers 275. The base station controllers 275 are connected to the base stations 270 via backhaul lines. The backhaul lines may be configured according to E1 / T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, or xDSL known to those skilled in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system may include more than one base station controller 275.

Each of the base stations 270 may include one or more sectors and each sector may include an omnidirectional antenna or a specific radially tuned antenna from the base station 270 . Alternatively, each sector may include two antennas for diversity reception. Each base station 270 is configured to accommodate a plurality of frequency assignments, and the frequency assignments may have a specific spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz).

The intersection of sectors and frequency assignments may be referred to as a CDMA channel.

The base stations 27 may also be referred to as base station transceiver subsystems (BTSs). In some instances, the term "base station" may be used to refer collectively to a base station controller 275 and one or more base stations 270. The base stations may also be denoted "cell sites ". Alternatively, individual sectors of a given base station 270 may be referred to as cell sites.

The terrestrial DMB transmitter 295 can broadcast to the mobile terminals 100 operating in the system. The broadcast receiving module 111 of the mobile terminal 100 is generally configured to receive broadcast signals transmitted by the DMB transmitter 295. This may be similarly applied to other types of broadcast and multicast signaling as described above.

4 illustrates various Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites 300. These satellites 300 may track the location of some or all of the mobile terminals 100. Although two satellites are shown, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the location information can be obtained from more or fewer satellites. Other types of location tracking techniques (e.g., location tracking techniques that may be used in place of or in addition to GPS technology) may be used. If desired, some or all of the GPS satellites 300 may be configured to separately or additionally support satellite DMB transmission.

During operation of the wireless communication system, the base stations 270 receive reverse link signals from a plurality of mobile terminals 100. The mobile terminals 100 may be busy, are sending messages, and are performing other communications. Each reverse link signal received by the base station is processed at the base station. The processed data is transmitted to the connected base station controller 275. The base station controller 275 provides call resource allocation and provides mobility management functionality including orchestration of soft handoffs between the base stations 270. [ ). The base station controllers 275 also transmit the received data to the mobile switching centers (MSCs) 280. The mobile switching center 280 provides additional routing services for interfacing with the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 290. Similarly, the public switched telephone network 290 interfaces with the mobile switching center 280 and the mobile switching center interfaces with the base station controllers 275. The base station controllers 275 in turn control the base stations 270 to transmit forward link signals to the mobile terminals 100.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates an operation between the mobile terminal and a server of FIG. 5.

As shown in these figures, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may proceed to loading the user information 160b stored in the memory 160 (S10).

The user information 160b may be information about a user of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the user information 160b may include age information of the user of the mobile terminal 100. The mobile terminal 100 may communicate with other devices through the wireless communication unit 110. For example, it may be possible to communicate with the server (S). The mobile terminal 100 capable of communicating with the server S can receive various data from the server S. FIG. In other words, it means that a variety of content including a still image, a video, an application can be received. In receiving and executing various contents, certain restrictions may be necessary. For example, this may mean that content containing violent or sexual content may be restricted in accordance with the laws of a particular country. In order to propose access, reception, and execution of content based on the age of the user, user information 160b of the user of the mobile terminal 100 may be required.

The user information 160b may be recorded in the storage device of the mobile terminal 100. As will be described in more detail in the corresponding part, the storage device of the mobile terminal 100 may be a memory 160 provided inside the mobile terminal 100. The user of the mobile terminal 100, a protector thereof, or the controller 180 may record the age of the user of the mobile terminal 100 in the memory 160. The user information 160b recorded in the memory 160 may be loaded by a control signal of the controller 180.

In operation S20, loading grade information of the application AL may be performed.

The application AL may be obtained from the server S by the mobile terminal 100. That is, it means that it can be downloaded from the server S through the user's selection or the control operation of the controller 1680. The obtained application AL may perform various contents in the mobile terminal 100. For example, it means that a game or the like can be executed.

The application AL obtained from the server S may include rating information. The rating information may be information indicating an age limit of a person who can use the content included in the application AL. For example, if the application AL is related to sexual content, the rating information may be '19 years of age or older '. Rating information may include regional information as well as age restrictions. For example, even if the application includes the same content, it may correspond to 19 years of age or more in country A, but may correspond to 13 years of age or more in country B. Therefore, the rating information may include direct age restriction and regional information in the form of a table.

Rating information may be included in the application (AL). For example, the rating information may be included in the header (Header of FIG. 7) of the application AL. The grade information included in the application AL may be obtained together with the application AL or may be obtained separately from the application AL.

Acquiring the grade information together with the application AL means that the grade information can be extracted from the obtained application AL after obtaining the application AL from the server S. That is, after downloading the application AL from the server S, it means that the rating information can be obtained from the header (Header of FIG. 7) of the downloaded application AL.

Meaning to obtain the rating information separately from the application (AL), it means that only the rating information of the application (AL) can be obtained separately from the server (S). That is, the rating information of the application AL can be known before downloading the application AL from the server S. Accordingly, the user or the controller 180 may determine whether to download the application AL based on the provided rating information.

Comparing the user information 160b with the rating information (S30) and determining whether the use condition of the application AL is satisfied (S40) may proceed.

User information 160b and rating information may be numeric. For example, if only a user 19 years of age or older can be used, it means that the number '19'. By comparing the numbers, the user information 160b and the rating information can be easily compared. Even when the region information is included in the grade information, since the region information may be represented by a number or a string, comparison with the user information 160b may be easily performed.

Comparing the user information 160b and the rating information, if the use condition of the application AL is satisfied, the step S50 of outputting the application AL may be performed.

The application AL may be output through the output unit 150 of FIG. 1. For example, this means that the application AL is displayed on the display 151 and a sound can be output when necessary. The application AL may be output when the user of the mobile terminal 100 is older than the age at which the application AL can be used.

If the use condition of the application AL is not satisfied, step S60 of limiting the output of the application AL may proceed.

Restriction on the output of the application AL may be performed in the following form. First, the execution of the application AL can be restricted. That is, even when the execution of the application AL is received from the user, the controller 180 may limit the execution of the application AL. Second, the application AL may be removed from the memory 180. The application AL downloaded from the server S may be located in the first area 160a of the memory 160. The controller 180 may delete the application AL when the downloaded application AL contains inappropriate content.

As shown in FIG. 6, an application AL may be stored in the server S. The application AL stored in the server S may vary. In FIG. 6, the title of the application AL is represented by alphabets A, B, C, and the like. Each application AL may include grade information according to age. For example, A may be used by users of all ages, B may be used by users 19 years of age and older, and C may include information indicating that it is available to users 13 years of age and older.

As described above, the rating information of the application AL stored in the server S may be present in the application AL or may be stored separately from the application AL.

The application AL existing in the server S may be downloaded to the memory 160 of the mobile terminal 100 through communication with the mobile terminal 100. For example, it means that the application B selected by the user may be stored in the first area 160a through a communication network.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may compare the grade information of the application B stored in the first area 160a with the user information 160b. The user information 160b may include age information of the user of the mobile terminal 100.

If the user of the mobile terminal 100 is not suitable for executing the application B by comparing the user information 160b and the rating information, the controller 180 may prevent the application B from being executed. In addition, the controller 180 may delete the application B from the first region 160a.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the application of FIG. 5.

As shown in the drawing, the application AL according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body and a header.

Body is actually the part that contains the content of the application AL. For example, a program code, a video, a still image, and the like may be included in a body. The size of the body may be different depending on the type of the application AL.

The header may include information necessary to distinguish the specific application AL from other applications AL or to execute the specific application AL. In the application AL executed in the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a rating information area RI may exist at a specific position of a header. In addition, although not specifically illustrated in the drawing, the rating information area RI according to an embodiment of the present invention may be located in a tail of the application AL.

The rating information area RI may be an area set for the user of the mobile terminal 100. In order for the application AL to be executed in the mobile terminal 100, the application AL should be prepared according to a preset appointment. One of the preset appointments may be a type and location of information recorded in a header. For example, when the application AL is driven in the mobile terminal 100 to which the Android OS is applied, the rating information area RI may be included in a specific xml file of the application. The specific xml file including the rating information area RI may be combined with other files to form one Android Package File Format. However, the specific location and name of the rating information area (RI) may vary depending on the setting.

The rating information area RI may be located in a reserved area in a conventional header. The reserved area may be a data area in which a function is not assigned for future use when defining a header. If you add a function to an area where a specific function is not assigned when defining a header, the operating agent of the server S, the production agent of the mobile terminal 100, and the authoring agent of the operating system (OS) later Even if you add specific features, you can still be compatible with the original application. By placing the grade information area RI in such a reserved area, it is possible to execute an application to which the grade information area RI is added while maintaining compatibility with the existing application AL.

8 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in this, in the mobile terminal 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the user information 200a may be located in a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) 200.

The USIM 200 may store personal supplementary service information together with subscriber information, network information, authentication information, etc. as a subscriber authentication module. The mobile terminal 100 may read subscriber information (IMSI) from the USIM 200 and transmit it to the network. The user information 200a may be located in a specific area of the USIM 200. The controller 180 may load the user information 200a located in a specific area of the USIM 200 and compare the user information 200a with the rating information of the downloaded application B using the loaded user information 200a.

9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating an application execution restriction screen of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in these figures, the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display an information screen related to the execution of the application AL on the display 151.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the execution of the application AL is limited according to the rating information and the user information of the application AL, the fact may be notified to the user through the first pop-up window P1. That is, although the application AL is selected through the user's input, it means that the execution of the selected application AL is limited.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the controller 180 may display a second pop-up window P2 informing the user through the display 151 that the specific application is to be deleted.

11 is a diagram illustrating a user information management screen of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a user of the mobile terminal 100 or a protector of the user may set user information. For example, an executable level of what kind of application AL can be executed and a password for restricting access to the user information setting screen may be input. Since the user information may be set, when the user of the mobile terminal 100 is changed, the limitation of the application AL may be actively released or set.

In the above-described embodiments, a case in which age information is included as grade information has been described as an example. However, the grade information may include gender, country, etc. in addition to age. That is, it means that it is possible to limit the execution of a specific application according to a gender or to restrict the execution of a specific application according to a country where a user is located.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, such modifications or variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
140: sensing unit 151: display unit
180:

Claims (15)

A first storage device in which user information according to a user is recorded;
A second storage device in which data of at least one application including rating information of the application is recorded; And
And a controller configured to compare the rating information with the user information to selectively limit an output of an application that does not satisfy the condition based on the user information among the at least one application. The method of claim 1,
The rating information,
And at least one of information about an age of a user who can use the application, information about a region where the application can be used, and information about a gender that can use the application. The method of claim 1,
The rating information,
And a rating information area recorded in at least one of a header and a tail of the application. The method of claim 3, wherein
The rating information area,
And located in a reserved area of at least one of the header and tail. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And deleting the data of the application that does not satisfy the condition based on the user information from the data of the at least one application to limit the output. The method of claim 1,
And the first storage device is a user subscriber identity module (USIM). display;
A storage device in which user information according to a user is recorded;
A communication unit which receives rating information of at least one application from a server; And
And a controller configured to compare the rating information with the user information and selectively display information of an application satisfying a condition based on the user information among the at least one application on the display. The method of claim 7, wherein
The rating information,
And at least one of information about an age of a user who can use the application, information about a region where the application can be used, and information about a gender that can use the application. The method of claim 7, wherein
The rating information,
And a rating information area recorded in at least one of a header and a tail of the application, wherein the rating information area is located in at least one reserved area of the header and tail. The method of claim 7, wherein
And the storage device is a user subscriber identity module (USIM). Obtaining user information;
Obtaining rating information of the application; And
If the obtained rating information does not satisfy a condition based on the obtained user information, selectively controlling the output of the application. 12. The method of claim 11,
The control method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for obtaining the user information from the USIM. 12. The method of claim 11,
The rating information,
And at least one of information about an age of a user who can use the application, information about a region where the application can be used, and information about a gender that can use the application. . 12. The method of claim 11,
The rating information,
And a rating information area recorded in at least one of a header and a tail of the application, wherein the rating information area is located in a reserved area of at least one of the header and the tail. 12. The method of claim 11,
Setting the user information; And
The control method of the mobile terminal further comprising the step of storing the set information.

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