KR20130045111A - Mobile terminal and operation control method using back cover touch thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal and an operation control method using the same are provided to control various operations of the portable terminal. CONSTITUTION: A memory(160) stores information related to a location in which a hand locates on a rear cover. When a touch input is sensed in the rear surface cover, a control unit(180) controls the execution of a specific function using information mapped on the corresponding touch location. The specific function includes an application, content, a web, a camera, an SMS(Short Message Service), and a playback function. The mapped information executes a scroll mode, a mode search mode, and a rear cover location display mode. [Reference numerals] (110) Wireless communication unit; (111) Broadcasting reception module; (112) Mobile communication module; (113) Wireless Internet module; (114) Local area communication module; (115) Location information module; (120) A/V input unit; (121) Camera; (122) Microphone; (130) User input unit; (140) Sensing unit; (150) Output unit; (151) Display unit; (152) Sound output module; (153) Alarm unit; (160) Memory; (170) Interface unit; (180) Control unit; (181) Multimedia module; (190) Power supplying unit

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND OPERATION CONTROL METHOD USING BACK COVER TOUCH THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of executing various functions through a rear cover touch of the mobile terminal and a method for controlling its operation.

The mobile terminal may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such various functions include a data and voice communication function, a function of photographing a video or a moving image through a camera, a voice storage function, a music file playback function through a speaker system, and an image or video display function. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality to play games, while others are implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent mobile terminals can receive broadcast or multicast signals to watch video or television programs.

Further, efforts for supporting and increasing the functions of the mobile terminal continue. The foregoing efforts include not only changes and improvements in the structural components forming the mobile terminal, but also improvements in software or hardware. Among them, the touch function of the mobile terminal allows a user who is unfamiliar with the button / key input to conveniently perform the operation of the terminal by using the touch screen. In recent years, not only simple input but also user interface (UI) Is becoming an important function of Accordingly, as the touch function is applied to a mobile terminal in various forms, development of a user interface (UI) corresponding thereto is further demanded.

In general, the mobile terminal includes a cover (case) forming an appearance. The cover may be divided into a front cover and a rear cover, and various electronic circuits are built in a space formed between the front cover and the rear cover. The covers may be formed by injecting a synthetic resin or a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

Various circuits (display unit, sensor unit, sound output unit, camera, user input unit, microphone and interface, etc.) are arranged on the front cover, so that the user can execute various applications and contents of the mobile terminal or execute a specific function ( Web, Camera, Music player, Movie Player and others).

A battery for supplying power to the terminal may be mounted on the rear cover, that is, the rear of the terminal body, and may further include a camera and an audio output unit.

As such, the front cover of the mobile terminal is mainly used for a user to execute applications and contents, and the rear cover is simply used to protect an internal circuit or to install a battery.

As described above, all inputs (touch or key input) of the user are made only through the display unit and the user input unit mounted on the front cover, but not through the rear cover. As a result, when a user is carrying a bag in one hand and needs to carry out a specific function with the other hand, the user needs to put down the bag or change his posture, especially when playing a game while holding the device with both hands. There is a hassle of having to lift one hand to enter a command and then perform the input.

In addition, if the operation of the terminal is controlled by the input through the rear cover, it is possible to execute a specific function of the mobile terminal more conveniently by various input combinations of the user, but the utilization method using the rear cover has not yet been specifically presented. It is true.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and an operation control method thereof capable of controlling various operations of the mobile terminal through a rear cover touch.

In order to achieve the above object, an operation control method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of executing a specific function on a screen; Sensing a touch input on a rear cover while executing the function; And executing a mode mapped to a position of the touch input to control the executing specific function.

The specific function includes an application, a content, a web, a camera, an SMS, a music play, and an image play function, and the mapped modes include a scroll mode, a mode search mode, and a rear cover position display mode.

When a specific function is mapped to the position of the touch input, the first touch input is an entry signal of a corresponding mode, and the second touch input is a signal for controlling the specific function.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling an operation of a mobile terminal, comprising: setting a position where a hand is placed on a rear cover; Mapping a specific mode of the mobile terminal to the set position; And storing corresponding mapping information in a memory.

When the screen on which the specific function is executed and the rear cover are simultaneously touched, the display enters the zoom mode and performs zoom in or zoom out according to the movement of a finger touching the rear cover.

In order to achieve the above object, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a memory for storing information related to the position of the hand on the rear cover; If a touch input is detected from the rear cover when a specific function is executed on the screen, a controller for controlling the execution of the specific function using information mapped to the corresponding touch position.

The specific function includes an application, content, web, camera, SMS, music playback, and video playback function. The mapped information is information for executing a scroll mode, a mode search mode, and a rear cover position display mode.

When a specific mode is mapped to a specific location, the controller recognizes the first touch input as an entry signal of the corresponding mode and the second touch input as a signal for controlling the specific function.

The controller enters different modes according to the form of the first touch input, and execution of a specific function according to the mapped information includes scrolling, capturing, switching images, and starting / stopping playback.

The controller enters a zoom mode when the screen and the rear cover are touched at the same time, and performs zoom in or zoom out according to the movement of a finger touching the rear cover.

The present invention can use the mobile terminal in a stable state by touching the rear cover to control the operation of various applications and contents displayed on the front display, and in particular, it is more convenient with various input combinations by the rear cover without searching for a separate menu. May execute a specific function of the mobile terminal. In addition, the present invention can solve the disadvantage that the application and the content is covered by the finger, because the touch of the rear cover to control the function of the mobile terminal.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system in which a mobile terminal may operate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual diagram of utilizing a rear cover of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
4A and 4B illustrate examples of performing a scroll operation on a specific content or an application by using a rear cover.
5 is an example of a control operation through the rear cover when using the camera.
6 is an example of controlling a camera function by touching a rear cover;
7 is an example of displaying the touch position of the rear cover on the screen.
8A and 8B illustrate an example of controlling an enlargement / reduction of an image according to a touch of a rear cover.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a mobile terminal using a rear cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for components used in the following description are given merely for convenience of description, and do not give special significance or role in themselves. Therefore, it should be noted that the "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably with each other.

The terminal may be implemented in various forms. For example, a terminal described herein includes a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, and the like. And fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like. In the following description, it is assumed that the terminal is a mobile terminal. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the following description may be applied to the fixed terminal, except for components specifically configured for mobile use.

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 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. 1 shows a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are required. A mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or a mobile terminal may be implemented by fewer components.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more components that allow wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a network on 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 refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

Meanwhile, the broadcast related information may be provided through a mobile communication network, and 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 receives broadcasting signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcasting receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S) Only Digital Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured to be suitable for all broadcasting systems that provide broadcasting signals as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

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

In addition, the mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module 113 can be built in or externally. WLAN (Wi-Fi), 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. Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as the short distance communication technology.

The location information module 115 is a module for confirming or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. A typical example of the position information module 115 is a Global Position System (GPS) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module calculates distance information and accurate time information from three or more satellites, and then applies trigonometry to the calculated information to obtain three-dimensional current position information according to latitude, longitude, and altitude It can be calculated accurately. At present, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting an error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is widely used. In addition, the GPS module can calculate speed information by continuously calculating the current position in real time.

An audio / video (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 an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. Then, the processed image frame can be displayed on the display module 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as 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 be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. Particularly, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display module 151 described later, it can be called a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates 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. Also, it is responsible for a sensing function related to whether or not the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. This will be discussed later in connection with touch screens.

The sensing unit 140 includes a geomagnetic sensor for calculating a moving direction when a user moves, a gyro sensor for calculating a rotating direction, and an acceleration sensor.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. 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, Video input / output (I / O) ports, earphone ports, and the like.

Here, the identification module is a chip that stores various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM) ), A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (" USIM "), and the like. In addition, an apparatus having an identification module (hereinafter referred to as 'identification device') can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port. The interface unit 170 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.

The interface unit 170 may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, Various command signals may be transmitted to the mobile terminal. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 may include a display module 151, an audio output module 152, and an alarm unit 153.

The display module 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display module 151 and the touch pad have a mutual layer structure to constitute a touch screen, the display module 151 can be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display module 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display 3D display). Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent so that they can be viewed from outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A typical example of the transparent display is a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) or the like. In addition, there may be two or more display modules 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with an external display module (not shown) and an internal display module (not shown) at the same time. The touch screen may be configured to detect not only the touch input position and area but also the touch input pressure.

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

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for informing occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, it is possible to output a signal in a vibration mode. When a call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm unit 153 can output a vibration to notify it. Alternatively, when the key signal is input, the alarm unit 153 can output the vibration by the feedback to the key signal input. The user can recognize the occurrence of an event through the vibration output as described above. Of course, a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event may also be output through the display module 151 or the sound output module 152.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 and may provide a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done. In addition, the memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read- And an optical disc. Also, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage for performing a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. In addition, the control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the control unit 180 as a battery, and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied 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, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases, And may be implemented by the control unit 180.

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

The terminal 100 shown in Fig. 1 is configured to be operable in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system .

Hereinafter, a communication system capable of operating a terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The communication system may use different air interfaces and / or physical layers. For example, wireless interfaces that can be used by communication systems include, but are not limited to, Frequency Division Multiple Access ('FDMA'), Time Division Multiple Access ('TDMA'), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (especially Long Term Evolution (LTE)), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) . Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the description will be limited to CDMA. However, the present invention is applicable to all communication systems including CDMA wireless communication systems.

2, the CDMA wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminals 100, a plurality of base stations (BSs) 270, and base station controllers (BSCs) 275 , And a mobile switching center ('MSC') 280. The MSC 280 is configured to be connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 290 and is also configured to be connected to BSCs 275. BSCs 275 may be coupled in pairs with BS 270 through a backhaul line. The backhaul line may be provided according to at least one of E1 / T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, or xDSL. Thus, a plurality of BSCs 275 may be included in the system shown in FIG.

Each BS 270 may comprise at least one sector, and each sector may comprise an omnidirectional antenna or an antenna pointing to a particular direction of radial from BS 270. [ In addition, each sector may include two or more antennas of various types. Each BS 270 may be configured to support a plurality of frequency assignments, each of which has a specific spectrum (eg, 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sectors and frequency assignments may be called a CDMA channel. BS 270 may be referred to as a Base Station Transceiver Subsystem (BTSs). In this case, the word "base station" may be referred to as a combination of one BSC 275 and at least one BS 270. [ The base station may also indicate “cell site”. Alternatively, each of the plurality of sectors for a particular BS 270 may be referred to as a plurality of cell sites.

2, a broadcasting transmitter (BT) 295 transmits a broadcasting signal to the terminals 100 operating in the system. The broadcast receiving module 111 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the terminal 100 to receive a broadcast signal transmitted by the BT 295.

In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates several Global Positioning System ('GPS') satellites 300. The satellites 300 help to locate at least one of the plurality of terminals 100. Although two satellites are shown in FIG. 2, useful location information may be obtained by two or more satellites. The location information module 115 shown in FIG. 1 cooperates with satellites 300 to obtain desired location information. Here, the location can be tracked using not only the GPS tracking technology but also all the technologies that can track the location. Also, at least one of the GPS satellites 300 may optionally or additionally be responsible for satellite DMB transmission.

Among the typical operations of a wireless communication system, the BS 270 receives a reverse link signal from the various terminals 100. At this time, the terminals 100 are connecting a call, transmitting or receiving a message, or performing another communication operation. Each of the reverse link signals received by the particular base station 270 is processed by the particular base station 270. The data resulting from the processing is transmitted to the connected BSC 275. The BSC 275 provides call resource allocation and mobility management functions, including the organization of soft handoffs between the base stations 270. The BSC 275 also transmits the received data to the MSC 280 and the MSC 280 provides additional transmission services for connection with the PSTN 290. [ Similarly, the PSTN 290 connects to the MSC 280, the MSC 280 connects to the BSCs 275, and the BSCs 275 communicate with the BSs 270 ).

The present invention proposes a method for executing various functions of a mobile terminal by detecting a user's touch input connected to the rear cover using a rear sensor of the mobile terminal. That is, the present invention focuses on the fact that when the user executes an application or executes a specific function using the mobile terminal, the user's hand is always placed at a certain position, and after setting the position at which the hand is placed on the back of the mobile terminal, By mapping specific functions, you can perform the desired functions (scrolling, shooting, video transition, start / stop playback, etc.) by touching the back side.

In particular, the present invention performs a commonly used function (up, down, left, right scroll movement) receives only the user's hand position. In addition, the present invention displays the position of the hand on the back of the phone on the display unit on the front or controls the operation of the content or application displayed on the display unit according to the position of the hand.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating utilization of a rear cover of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the user grabs the terminal, the index finger is located at the left side of the rear cover. In one embodiment of the present invention, the scrolling function is mapped to the left portion (rear cover) of the rear cover on which the index finger is placed. In this state, the user can enter the scroll mode by pressing the home key or touching the thumb up and down (touch & drag) while holding the terminal. The controller 180 recognizes a user's touch & drag as a scroll mode entry signal, operates a rear sensor located on a rear cover, and displays a scroll bar according to a predetermined content or application type displayed on the screen. The scroll bar includes both horizontal or vertical scroll bars.

When the user enters the scroll mode, the user scrolls the left part of the back cover up and down (or left and right) again to move the scroll bar or move the cursor to scroll the content or application currently displayed on the screen. Can be done. In this case, the touch input area for moving the scroll bar may be set to be the same as or different from the touch input area for entering the scroll mode. For example, the touch input for moving the scroll bar may be limited to the upper partial region where the index finger is frequently located among the entire touch input regions for entering the scroll mode.

After the scrolling operation for the content or the application is completed, the user inputs the touch input, that is, the scroll mode entry signal again, when the user enters the initial scroll mode, and the controller 180 returns the rear surface according to the input scroll mode entry signal again. Stop the sensor and release scroll mode.

4A and 4B illustrate an example of performing a scroll operation on a specific content or an application by using a rear cover. 4A illustrates an example of performing a scrolling operation through a rear cover when using an internet browser.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the user inputs a scroll mode entry signal to the left side of the rear cover while accessing a specific web site. Once the scroll mode entry signal is input, the controller 180 operates the rear sensor and generates and displays a new scroll bar 50 on an item in which a plurality of pieces of information are displayed in a list form, for example, a living information item, on the whip page. .

Therefore, the user scrolls the left part of the rear cover using the index finger, and the controller 180 detects the index scrolling through the rear sensor and moves the scroll bar 50 displayed on the screen so that the user can search for the desired information. do.

4B is an example of a scrolling operation through a rear cover when using SMS.

In general, a scrolling operation means a scroll bar or a cursor movement. That is, although scrolling of a web page is performed by moving the scroll bar in FIG. 4A, the scrolling operation may be performed by moving the cursor.

While the text message (SMS) creation screen is displayed, the user inputs a scroll mode entry signal by pressing the home key or touching the left side of the rear cover up and down with the index finger. At this time, the controller 180 operates the rear sensor according to the scroll mode entry signal and switches the mode of the mobile terminal to the scroll mode.

Once the user enters the scroll mode, the user inputs an operation of scrolling the upper and lower sides of the rear cover up and down using the index finger to move the cursor displayed on the current SMS writing screen up or down or left and right. Accordingly, the user may input and modify the text message by moving up, down, left, or right between texts on the text message creation screen by a touch input of the rear cover.

5 is an example of a control operation through a rear cover when using a camera.

The present invention can control various operations of the mobile terminal by the touch operation of the rear cover in addition to the simple scrolling operation. The various operations include a control function (zoom in / out) for camera shooting, video playback, and display screen.

The user draws a certain shape on the rear cover with a finger while holding the camera with both hands (or one hand). The shape may be input in a circular or other form, and the controller 180 recognizes the input as a rear sensor input mode (mode search function). In this state, when the user rotates the finger counterclockwise, the controller 180 activates each mode one by one in response to the rotation touch (displayed in yellow).

If the user selects a specific mode among the activated modes and then touches the rear cover again, the controller 180 executes a function related to the corresponding mode.

6 illustrates an example of controlling a camera function by touching a rear cover.

In the camera mode, the photographing operation of the subject is basically performed by the photographing button displayed on the display unit 151. However, when the rear sensor mode is executed, a photographing operation is performed by using a predetermined touch input, for example, a double touch or a long touch, or the rear cover is touched by about one finger length as shown in the left figure of FIG. 6A. You can perform the operation. In addition, in the present invention, switching between still images (pictures) and video shooting can also be performed by touching the rear cover. For example, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6A, the user may enter the video mode by moving his / her fingers in the oblique direction of the rear cover or enter the photo mode by moving the fingers in the diagonal direction of the rear cover. The release of is performed by moving a finger in a direction opposite to the gypsy.

7 illustrates an example of displaying a touch position of a rear cover on a screen.

When a predetermined shape (circle, triangle, etc.) is touched on the rear cover while a notepad or a drawing web is displayed, the controller 180 displays the touch position on the rear cover on the front display unit 151. Recognize it as a signal. In this state, if the user touches a specific part of the rear cover and does not take his or her hand away, the position of the corresponding part is displayed on the front display unit 151. Then, when releasing the touched part, the controller 180 inserts a function of clicking the corresponding position. If the page turns, etc., delete the click function.

8A and 8B illustrate an example of controlling enlargement / reduction of an image according to a touch of a rear cover.

As described above, a sensor for detecting a touch input is disposed on the rear cover. Therefore, the touch input to the rear cover may be made substantially the same as the touch input on the front display unit 151.

In the present invention, the zoom-in or zoom-out mode is entered by simultaneously touching the front and rear surfaces of the terminal. At this time, the finger (for example, the thumb) touching the front side corresponds to the center point (position) of the zooming, and the shape of the finger (for example, the index and middle finger) touching the back side is the degree of zooming and the zooming ( extent). In this case, the simultaneous touch also includes touching the back side within a predetermined time after touching the front side.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, when a predetermined position of the image is touched with a thumb, and the rear cover is touched in a state where the index finger and the middle finger are collected (zoom in mode signal input), the controller 180 enters the zoom in mode. Enter. Thereafter, when the index finger and middle finger touched the rear cover are opened to both sides, the image displayed on the current screen is enlarged based on the center point set by the thumb. The magnification of the image is determined by the degree of spreading the finger.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the rear cover is touched (a zoom out mode signal input) while the index finger and the middle finger are opened while the predetermined position of the image is touched with the thumb, the controller 180 is in the zoom out mode. To enter. In this state, when the user collects the open index finger and the middle finger inward, the image displayed on the current screen is reduced based on the center point set by the thumb. The reduction of the image is also determined by the extent of pinching the finger.

As described above, the present invention senses a user's touch input through a rear sensor disposed on the rear cover, and controls various operations of the mobile terminal according to the detected touch input. In the present invention, the user sets the position on the rear cover and maps a specific function of the mobile terminal to the set position. In particular, even if the user does not manually set the position of the hand on the rear cover, the mobile terminal may check the position where the hand is repeatedly released when a specific function is performed and inform the user of the corresponding area.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a mobile terminal using a rear cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order to control the operation of an application or content displayed on the front display unit 151 through the rear cover, the user first determines a position where the hand is placed on the rear cover (S10) and then maps a specific function of the mobile terminal to each position (S11). ). The location and function mapping is performed through the rear sensor setting item of the user menu. In this case, functions commonly used in all applications or contents (eg, zoom in / out) are performed according to the hand position without setting the position separately. Once a specific function is mapped to a predetermined position of the rear sensor, the corresponding mapping information is stored in the memory 160.

Thereafter, the user executes an application or content using a mobile terminal or executes a specific function (whipped browser, camera, music player, movie player) (S12). In the state where the various functions of the mobile terminal are being executed, the controller 180 detects a touch input on the rear cover through a rear sensor (S13).

When a touch input is detected on the rear cover, the controller 180 searches for a function stored in the memory 160 according to the touch position and shape and executes the corresponding function (S14). The touch is divided into a first touch for entering a specific mode (or function) and a second touch for executing an actual application or content in the corresponding mode, and the shape represents, for example, a finger movement for zooming in and out. .

Thereafter, when a touch for releasing the corresponding function is input, the controller 1800 stops the operation of the rear sensor and ends the control through the rear cover (S15). When the next touch is detected, the controller 1800 returns to step S13 to execute the next function. do.

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can use the mobile terminal in a stable state by controlling the operation of various applications and contents displayed on the front display by touching the rear cover, and various input combinations of the user regardless of the displayed applications and contents. It is possible to execute a specific function of the mobile terminal more conveniently.

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

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.

110: wireless communication unit 111: broadcast receiving module
112: mobile communication module 113; Wireless Internet Module
140; Sensing unit 150: output unit
151: display unit 160: memory
180:

Claims (13)

Executing a specific function of the mobile terminal;
Sensing a touch input on a rear cover while executing the function; And
Controlling the execution of a specific function by executing a mode mapped to a position of the touch input. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific function
Method for controlling the operation of a mobile terminal, including application, content, web, camera, SMS, music playback and video playback. The method of claim 1, wherein the mapped mode is
An operation control method of a mobile terminal including a scroll mode, a mode search mode, and a rear cover position display mode. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein when a specific function is mapped to a position of the touch input, the first touch input is an entry signal of a corresponding mode, and the second touch input is a signal for controlling the specific function. Operation control method. The method of claim 1, further comprising: setting a position where a hand is placed on the rear cover;
Mapping a specific mode of the mobile terminal to the set position; And
And storing the mapping information in a memory. The method of claim 5, wherein the position of the hand and the specific mode are set by a user in a menu or the terminal automatically learns and notifies the user when the specific function is repeatedly performed. The method of claim 1, wherein when the screen on which the specific function is executed and the rear cover are simultaneously touched, the user enters a zoom mode and performs zoom in or zoom out according to a movement of a finger touching the rear cover. . A memory for storing information relating to the position of the hand on the back cover;
And a controller configured to control execution of the specific function by using information mapped to the touch position when a touch input is detected at the rear cover when the specific function is executed on the screen. The method of claim 8, wherein the specific function is
Mobile terminal including application, content, web, camera, SMS, music playback and video playback. The method of claim 8, wherein the mapped information is
A mobile terminal comprising: information for executing a scroll mode, a mode search mode, and a rear cover position display mode. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit
When a specific mode is mapped to a specific location, the first touch input is an entrance signal of the corresponding mode, and the second touch input is recognized as a signal for controlling the specific function. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the control unit
The mobile terminal enters different modes according to the form of the first touch input, and execution of a specific function according to the mapped information includes scrolling, photographing, image switching, and playback start / end. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit
The mobile terminal enters a zoom mode when the screen and the back cover are touched at the same time, and performs zoom in or zoom out according to the movement of a finger touching the back cover.

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