KR20130058177A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal and a control method thereof are provided to reduce the consumption of a battery by including a part screen display state which controls an area of a display unit. CONSTITUTION: A touch screen displays processing information on a portable terminal through an output area. A control unit(180) controls the touch screen. The control unit determines a condition for controlling an output area from the whole output area. When the condition is satisfied, the control unit determines the output area by controlling the output operation of output devices. [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; (141) Proximity sensor; (150) Output unit; (151) Display unit; (152) Sound output module; (153) Alarm unit; (154) Haptic module; (155) Projector module; (160) Memory; (170) Interface unit; (180) Control unit; (181) Multimedia module; (190) Power supplying unit

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for turning on and off a part of a display area and a control method thereof.

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

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

In order to support and enhance the functionality of such terminals, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software parts of the terminal.

Recently, terminals have been able to perform various functions through high performance hardware such as smart phones. In other words, it is now possible to implement various programs that can be used only in a desktop computer through a terminal. At the same time, however, as the terminal performs various functions, the battery consumption required for the terminal to perform various functions has been correspondingly increased.

Therefore, there is an increasing need for a technology capable of preventing battery consumption while performing a function of a high performance terminal.

The present invention provides a mobile terminal having a partial screen display state that can turn off a portion of the display and turn on only a portion of the display in order to reduce power consumption (battery) of the terminal and a control method thereof. It is for.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of displaying various functions of the terminal on the basis of a part of the screen display area turned on by the display and a control method thereof.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, unless further departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be possible.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above problem is a touch screen for displaying the processing information to be processed through an output area, the touch screen is composed of a plurality of output elements for outputting the processing information, An output operation of each of the plurality of output elements is individually turned on and off, and the output area is a control unit for controlling the touch screen and the touch screen, which are determined corresponding to the output elements on which the output operation is turned on. It is determined whether the condition for adjusting the output area from the entire output area to the partial output area is satisfied, and if the condition is satisfied, the partial output area is determined by controlling the output operation of each of the plurality of output elements. And the control unit, wherein the entire output area includes the plurality of control units. The corresponding area on the touch screen to the whole of the force element, the part of the output area is an area on the touch screen corresponding to the particular output device which outputs the operation of a plurality of output elements on the. Here, each of the plurality of output elements is characterized in that the LED (Light Emitting Diode).

The controller determines a range of the processing information corresponding to the partial output area. In addition, when the output operation of the output element is turned off, the controller cuts off power supply to the output element.

When the touch screen receives a touch drag operation for forming a specific area on the touch screen, the controller determines that the condition is satisfied and only a plurality of output elements belonging to the specific area by the touch drag operation. The partial output area is determined as the specific area by turning on.

Alternatively, when the touch screen receives a touch operation for selecting a specific application execution window displayed on the touch screen, the controller turns on only a plurality of output elements belonging to a display area of the specific application execution window. The partial output area is determined as a display area of the specific application execution window.

The controller controls the touch screen to set a touch lock state of an area except the partial output area of the entire output area of the touch screen.

The control unit controls to set the partial output area to a preset specific area when it is determined that the power state of the mobile terminal is less than or equal to a predetermined predetermined level.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a mobile terminal, the process information being processed by a mobile terminal being displayed through an output area of a touch screen, the output area comprising a plurality of constituting the touch screen. Determining whether the display satisfies a condition for adjusting the output area from an entire output area to a partial output area, determined by the output operation of the output elements of the output element, and if the condition is met, the partial output area. Determining the partial output area by turning on an output operation of only specific output elements of the plurality of output elements, wherein the entire output area comprises the plurality of output elements. Areas on the touch screen corresponding to all of the Output unit area is an area on the touch screen corresponding to the particular output device which outputs the operation of a plurality of output elements on the.

The determining step may determine that the condition is satisfied when a touch drag operation for forming a specific area is received on the touch screen, and the adjusting step includes a plurality of output elements belonging to a specific area by the touch drag operation. By turning on only those parts, the partial output area is determined as the specific area.

In the determining step, when a touch operation for selecting a specific application execution window displayed on the touch screen is received, it is determined that the condition is satisfied. The adjusting step includes a plurality of adjustments belonging to a display area of the specific application execution window. By turning on only the output elements, the partial output area is determined as the display area of the specific application execution window.

The determining step determines that the condition is satisfied when the power state of the mobile terminal is equal to or less than a predetermined level, and the adjusting step determines the partial output area as a predetermined specific area.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above has an effect of reducing the power of the mobile terminal by operating only a part of the display unit.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above has an effect of displaying various functions of the mobile terminal through a partial region in which the display function of the display unit operates.

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

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 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 one embodiment of the present invention;
3A and 3B are front views of a mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method for controlling a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention.
5A and 5B illustrate the operation of adjusting the output area of a touch screen in connection with the present invention.
6A-6D illustrate various control schemes for some output regions in connection with the present invention.
7A and 7B illustrate a touch operation on a display screen area associated with a touch lock state in accordance with the present invention.
8A and 8B illustrate, through some output regions, a particular application execution operation in connection with the present invention.
9 illustrates a state of operating a plurality of some output regions in connection with the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates an operation of enlarging some output regions as a whole in connection with the present invention; FIG.

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 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 in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation. 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 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 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 for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the 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 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 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.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only And a Digital Broadcasting System (ISDB-T) (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

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

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to 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 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 may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

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. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in 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 dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

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. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output relating to visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an acoustic output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, 155, and the like.

The display unit 151 displays (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. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 is a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display (flexible) and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an 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 embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

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

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of 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 transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal 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 photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. 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 pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

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 detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, 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 notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

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

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

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

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

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and temporarily store the input / output data (e.g., telephone directory, message, audio, For example. The memory unit 160 may also store the frequency of use of each of the data (for example, each telephone number, each message, and frequency of use for each multimedia). In addition, the memory unit 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when the touch is input on the touch screen.

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 A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the 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 for storing 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 general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. 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 controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. 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 an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

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 include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

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

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled.

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. [ A variety of electronic components are embedded 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 sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, and the like may be disposed in the front body 101 have.

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

The user input unit 130 is operated 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 operation units 131 and 132 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates in a tactile manner.

The contents inputted by the first or second operation unit 131 or 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 further mounted on the rear surface 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 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to shoot himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 '.

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

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

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 further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may also be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output time information on both sides, the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. The information output on both sides may be all 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 as well.

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

3A and 3B are front views of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

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

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

3A illustrates receiving a touch applied to the virtual keypad through the front of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate as an entire area or may be divided into a plurality of areas and operated. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a virtual keypad 151c is displayed in which a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is displayed. When the virtual keypad 151c is touched, numbers and the like corresponding to the touched virtual keypad are displayed on the output window 151a. When the first operation unit 131 is operated, call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

3B illustrates receiving a touch applied to the virtual keypad through the rear of the terminal body. If FIG. 3A is a portrait in which the terminal body is arranged vertically, FIG. 3B illustrates a landscape in which the terminal body is arranged horizontally. The display unit 151 may be configured to convert the output screen according to the arrangement direction of the terminal body.

3B shows that the text input mode is activated in the mobile terminal. The display unit 151 displays an output window 151a 'and an input window 151b'. A plurality of virtual keypads 151c 'displaying at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers may be arranged in the input window 151b'. The virtual keypads 151c 'may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the virtual keypads 151c 'are touched through the touch pad 135 (refer to FIG. 2B), letters, numbers, and symbols corresponding to the touched virtual keypads are displayed on the output window 151a'. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 has an advantage of preventing the virtual keypad 151c 'from being covered by the finger when touched, as compared with the touch input through the display unit 151. When the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 are transparent, the fingers located at the rear of the terminal body can be visually checked, and thus more accurate touch input is possible.

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

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

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the mobile terminal referred to below includes at least one of the components shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method for controlling a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention.

The touch screen 151 displays processing information processed in the mobile terminal through the entire output area (S410). The controller 180 determines whether the condition for adjusting the entire output area to the partial output area is met (S420). The controller 180 determines some output regions by controlling operations of each of the output elements constituting the touch screen 151 (S430).

As used herein, the term "total output area" is an output area on the touch screen 151 corresponding to all of the plurality of output elements performing an output operation, and "some output area" is an area that belongs to the entire output area. An output area on the touch screen 151 corresponding to the output devices of which the output operation is turned on among the output devices.

The touch screen 151 of the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention may display various information processed by the mobile terminal 100. The information processed in the mobile terminal 100 may be information representing an execution operation of various programs or applications, and may include background image information, icon information associated with specific applications, information indicating a current time, information indicating a current reception sensitivity, It may include various event information received from the counterpart terminal, and all types of information that may be displayed on the screen of the touch screen 151 may correspond to this. Because this information is displayed visually, it is usually provided in the form of an image.

Meanwhile, in connection with the present invention, in the touch screen 151 displaying the information, some areas may be turned on and others may be turned off. In general, although the information processed in the mobile terminal is displayed on the entire display screen of the touch screen 151, that is, the entire output area, the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention is a part of the entire output area of the touch screen 151, That is, only a part of the output area may be turned on to output information, and the remaining area may be turned off to stop the operation.

In this regard, the touch screen 151 of the present invention may be composed of a plurality of output elements in connection with an output operation for outputting information. That is, in the output operation, it is not composed of one output element but is composed of a plurality of output elements, each output element outputs a part of the information to be output, and consequently in terms of overall operation of the plurality of output elements. If you look at it, you can print the entire information. Here, the number of the plurality of output elements is not limited, and the larger the number, the more detailed information can be displayed, but there are problems in terms of cost and manufacturing difficulty.

Since each of the plurality of output elements gathers to determine the output area of the touch screen 151, the arrangement of the plurality of output elements may be determined according to the shape of the output area.

Here, it is preferable that the output element consists of a LED (Light Emitting Diode) element. In the case of LED, since each device is easy to control the output operation individually, when the output elements constituting the touch screen 151 are composed of LED elements, the output area of the touch screen 151 is partially output. Adjusting to the area can be more easily controlled.

LEDs are light emitting diodes and are a type of diode that emits light when current flows. Briefly explaining the principle, when a forward voltage is applied to an electrode of a light emitting diode (LED) formed by joining a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor to each other, holes that are p-type majority carriers are n regions and electrons that are n-type majority carriers Is diffused into the p region, where light having a wavelength corresponding to an energy gap is emitted when electrons and holes recombine with each other near the junction. At this time, the wavelength of the emitted light depends on the material used, and in general, the light emitting efficiency of the direct transition semiconductor is excellent. In the optical communication field, LEDs made of gallium, arsenic, phosphorus, or the like may be used as the light source.

The touch screen 151 of the present invention may be configured with a plurality of elements for performing an output operation, and each output element may individually perform an on / off operation under the control of the controller 180. Therefore, information can be output through some output regions in which the output elements are turned on and output, but information is not output when the output elements are turned off.

Since the mobile terminal 100 of the present invention can be configured with a plurality of output elements that can individually turn on and off the output operation, the output region can be adjusted to some output region through the on / off operation of the output elements. There is a characteristic.

For example, if the power of the mobile terminal 100 falls below 10% while outputting processing information processed by the mobile terminal 100 through the touch screen 151, the controller 180 changes the output area. It can be reduced to some output area which is 50% area and turned off the other area.

5A and 5B illustrate an operation of adjusting an output area of a touch screen in accordance with the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, it is possible to set a condition under which an output area is determined as some output area. For example, when the user performs a user operation for setting a specific area as a part of the output area, or when the power of the mobile terminal 100 falls below a certain level, the output area may be determined as the part of the output area. However, examples of the above conditions are exemplary and may be set to various conditions.

5A illustrates a state in which some output regions are determined by a user's touch operation.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 5A, a state in which the entire output area of the touch screen 151 displays various information as a display screen area is illustrated. The touch screen 151 displays a background image, along with a number of application icons 522-528. In addition, the indicator bar 510 may display a power state, a communication sensitivity state, a time, and the like of the mobile terminal 100. In FIG. 5A (a), the display screen area of the touch screen 151 is displayed in the entire area, which is a general display screen state.

Referring to FIG. 5A (b), it shows a case in which a specific region 530 is set through the user's touch operation 532. When a specific region is determined by a touch operation under a preset condition, and when the specific region 530 is determined by the operation, the controller 180 recognizes the operation as a user command for determining some output regions. Therefore, the controller 180 determines that the condition for outputting from the entire output area to the partial output area is satisfied. In order to adjust the output area, only the output elements disposed in a region corresponding to a specific region 530 among the plurality of output elements constituting the touch screen 151 are turned on and disposed in the regions except the region. Output elements can be turned off.

Referring to FIG. 5A (c), it shows a state in which information is output through the determined partial output area 530. When the user determines the specific region 530 according to the touch operation, only the specific region is determined as a part of the output region, and the remaining region 540 is turned off. Accordingly, the background image or icons are displayed only in the specific area 530, and the remaining area 540 remains off.

On the other hand, the indicator bar 510 may be output as it is even if the output area is adjusted to a part of the output area, this is optional, the output elements corresponding to the indicator bar 510 may also be turned off.

5B shows a state in which an output operation to some output regions is started in accordance with the power state of the mobile terminal 100.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 5B, the mobile terminal 100 may confirm through the notification window 550 that the power reaches a specific level (for example, 10%). It can be seen that the power state 512 of the indicator bar 510 also represents 10%. When the power of the mobile terminal 100 falls below a certain level, it may be set to turn off some of the output elements in order to reduce the power reduction rate. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the power supply falls below a specific level, the controller 180 may perform an operation for outputting from the entire output area to the partial output area.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 5B, when the power is dropped below a predetermined level, the output area of the touch screen 151 is reduced to a predetermined specific area. Herein, the preset specific area may be set at various positions of the touch screen 151, and the area thereof may also be variously set. The information displayed in the predetermined specific area, that is, the partial output area 530 may be changed according to the degree to which the output area is adjusted. Since the power has fallen below a certain level, the output image can be moved and displayed in some output area 530 where the icons are adjusted to minimize and display only the information needed by the user.

6A-6D illustrate various control schemes for some output regions in connection with the present invention.

When the output area of the touch screen 151 is adjusted from the entire output area to the partial output area, the partial output area 530 is adjustable. For example, the area of some output region 530 may be adjusted and the position may be adjusted. In addition, the shape of some output region 530 may also be variously selected.

On the other hand, the various adjustment of the some output area 530 means that the on / off operation of the output elements constituting the touch screen 151 is controlled accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 6A, an operation of adjusting the size of some output regions 530 is illustrated.

In FIG. 6A (a), some output area 530 'is set and displayed in a specific area of the touch screen 151. FIG.

In FIG. 6A (b), a state is adjusted from the previous partial output region 530 'to the later partial output region 530' '. An operation of adjusting the size of some output regions may exist in various ways. However, in the drawing, the size of the display screen region is adjusted through a user's touch operation. That is, when performing an operation of enlarging a part of the output area according to the touch drag operation, the controller 180 may adjust the size of the part of the output area and correspondingly output information through the part of the output area 530. .

Referring to FIG. 6B, an operation in which some output regions 530 are moved is illustrated.

In FIG. 6B (a), some output regions 530 are shown set in specific regions of the touch screen 151.

In FIG. 6B (b), when there is a user touch drag operation for moving some output regions 530, the controller 180 may move some output regions 530 in response to the touch drag operation. As some output regions 530 are moved, information displayed in some output regions 530 may be changed as shown in the figure. However, optionally, even if some output area 530 is moved, the displayed information may be adjusted as it is. For example, when only the minimum information is displayed in some output area 530, even if some output area 530 is moved, the minimum information may be displayed as it is.

Referring to FIG. 6C, an operation of setting some output regions 530 to various shapes is illustrated.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 6C, an operation in which the touch screen 151 receives a user's touch drag operation with respect to the touch screen 151 is illustrated. In this case, when the closed shape is formed on the touch screen 151 through the touch drag operation 610, the controller 180 designates the output region 530 as the touch drag operation to perform the output operation of the partial region. It can be recognized as a command to turn off.

The shape formed through the touch drag operation is not limited to a specific type, and the shape may be variously set according to a user's selection.

Referring to FIG. 6C, a portion of the output area 530 is determined to have a shape formed through the touch drag operation 610. Accordingly, the touch screen 151 is divided into a portion of the output area 530 and the output off area 540 of a specific shape. Only a part of the output area 530 of the specific shape is turned on, and the information displayed correspondingly is adjusted and displayed.

Referring to FIG. 6D, an operation of operating a plurality of some output regions is illustrated.

In FIG. 6D (a), some output regions 530a and output off regions 540 are shown. Herein, the touch screen 151 receives an input of a user's touch operation forming a new closed area 530b. When the touch operation is input, the controller 180 recognizes a new partial output area 530b as a command for setting.

In (b) of FIG. 6D, two partial output regions 530a and 530b are displayed when a new partial output region is formed according to a touch operation. Information is displayed through the newly formed partial output region 530b in addition to the previously formed partial output region 530a. Here, the output operation of the output elements of the touch screen 151 is controlled corresponding to the display screen areas.

Meanwhile, in relation to the above descriptions, the display screen area 530 may be adjusted in various ways, but some output areas 530 once set may be set to be fixed.

7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a touch operation on some output areas associated with a touch lock state in accordance with the present invention.

In connection with the above descriptions, when the output area of the touch screen 151 is determined as a partial output area from the entire output area, the screen itself for outputting information is adjusted to the partial output area. However, with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the output area is adjusted to some output area, the touch lock state of the touch screen 151 may also be adjusted to respond correspondingly. Although the touch screen 151 is also in charge of the information output function, the touch screen 151 may include a touch panel to receive a user's touch operation. Therefore, even if information is output to some output area, the entire area of the touch screen 151 may receive a user's touch operation regardless of that. In that regard, a way of associating a touch lock state with some output area is described.

7A and 7B, an area set to some output area 530 is set to receive a user's touch operation normally in a touch unlock state, and an area set to an output off area 540 instead of some output area. The touch lock state may be set to not receive a touch operation of the user. That is, the output area and the touch recognition area may be set to match.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the touch operation is performed to the output off area 540 instead of the partial output area 530. As in FIG. 7A (a), even if the user makes a touch operation to the output off area 540, since the output off area is set to the touch lock state as well as the output off, no reaction is performed. Thus, as in FIG. 7A (b), the touch screen 151 displays only icons and background images through some output area 530.

Referring to FIG. 7B, one of various icons 722 to 726 displayed on the partial output area 530 is selected. In FIG. 7B (a), some output regions 530 may normally receive a user's touch operation as the touch unlocking region. Therefore, when the user selects a specific icon 722 among the icons output to the partial output area 530, the controller 180 controls to execute an application related to the specific icon 722. In FIG. 7B (b), the internet application may be displayed in some output area 530 as the application related to the specific icon 722.

On the other hand, as described above, some of the output area and the touch lock area can be set at all separately, even if the output off area is touched rather than some output area, the controller 180 recognizes this as a meaningful user command to recognize the corresponding function. It can also be done. Also, optionally, when a plurality of some output regions are set, some of the some output regions may be set to operate in a touch lock state, while some of the other output regions may be set to operate in a touch unlock state.

8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a specific application execution operation through some output regions in accordance with the present invention.

When using the specific function of the mobile terminal 100, the touch screen 151 may also display other functions in addition to the specific function. Only certain functions to be performed according to the preferences of the user may be needed and the display of the other functions may not be necessary. Therefore, the following describes a manner in which the user determines some output areas in order to display only specific functions or applications.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the execution window region of a specific widget application is set as a partial output region.

Referring to FIG. 8A (a), when the output area of the touch screen 151 is set to the entire output area, the clock widget application 812 and the icons 814 to 818 are displayed. In this case, when the user selects the clock widget application 812, the controller 180 may set a partial output area to display only the execution window of the clock widget application 812.

Referring to FIG. 8A (b), it shows a state in which the execution window of the selected clock widget application 812 is set and displayed as some output area. Since the display desired by the user is the clock widget application 812, some output regions are set to display only the execution window of the corresponding clock widget application 812, and the remaining regions are output off to cut off power.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the execution window region of a specific music application is set as a partial output region.

Referring to FIG. 8B (a), when the output area of the touch screen 151 is set to the entire output area, a plurality of icons 814 to 818 and an execution state window 820 of the music playing application are displayed. . That is, the running state of the current music playback application is displayed through the execution status window 820. Thus, other information may be unnecessary for the user. In this case, when the user performs a touch drag operation to form the region 830 including the execution status window 820 through the touch screen 151, the controller 180 may execute the execution state included in the corresponding region 830. Recognize window 820 as a command to set some output area. That is, when the user forms a closed area through a touch drag operation, another meaningful execution window or image included in the closed area may be determined and some output areas may be determined according to the determination result.

Referring to FIG. 8B (b), when the output area of the touch screen 151 is adjusted to a partial output area, the execution state window 820 of the music reproduction application is shown through the partial output area. . Therefore, the information other than the partial output area set as the execution status window 820 of the music reproduction application is not output to the output off area.

9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of some output regions are operated in connection with the present invention.

When the output area of the touch screen 151 is determined as part of the output area, the range of information displayed on the part of the output area may be adjusted. For example, if there was an A image displayed through the entire output area of the touch screen 151, the A image may be reduced and displayed when adjusted to some output areas, or alternatively, a part of the entire output area. Only the portion that was displayed in the region where the output region is located may be displayed in some output regions and the remaining regions may not be displayed. Here, the former case is the case of FIG. 9A, and the latter case is the case of FIG. 5A (c).

Referring to FIG. 9A, information is divided into some output regions 530 and output off regions 540, and only information is displayed through some output regions 530. The output of some output area 530 is set to reduce the power reduction rate, and the user may want to receive the displayed image or information as it is. Accordingly, the image or information previously output in the entire output area may be adjusted to fit the partial output area and output as shown in the drawing.

Referring to FIG. 9B, a plurality of some output regions 530a and 530b are operated. The information processed by the mobile terminal is output through the first partial output region 530a and the second partial output region 530b, the output operation of the output elements corresponding to the remaining output off region 540 is turned off, and the power is Is blocked.

Here, when several partial output regions are operated, each partial output region may be operated separately. For example, the first partial output region 530a and the second partial output region 530b may each display specific portions of information displayed in the entire output region. Alternatively, the first partial output region 530a and the second partial output region 530b may each individually execute execution states or different images of different applications. In FIG. 9B, the first partial output area 530a may display a background state image of the mobile terminal, and the second partial output area 530b may display an execution screen of the Internet application.

10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of returning to the entire output area in accordance with the present invention.

In the above descriptions, an operation of displaying information by setting the output area of the touch screen 151 to a part of the output area has been described. However, if necessary, the output region may be selected as the entire output region again.

Referring to FIG. 10A, an output area of the touch screen 151 is divided into a partial output area 530 and an output off area 540. Therefore, information such as an image is displayed only through the partial output area 530. In this case, when the user performs the entire touch drag operation from the top to the bottom, the controller 180 recognizes the user operation as a user command to return the output area back to the entire output area.

Meanwhile, the touch drag operation is an example of a user action for returning to the entire output area, and is not limited to a specific action. For example, a part of the output area may be returned to the entire output area through a preset button of the mobile terminal 100 or through a touch operation for a predetermined time or more.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the output area of the touch screen 151 returns from the partial output area to the entire output area. Accordingly, the background image and the icons 522 to 528 may be displayed through the entire output area of the touch screen 151.

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

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.

100 mobile terminal 151 touch screen
180 control unit 530 partial output area
540 output off area

Claims (12)

A touch screen for displaying processing information processed in a mobile terminal through an output area, wherein the touch screen is composed of a plurality of output elements for outputting the processing information, and the output operation of each of the plurality of output elements is individually. The touch screen turned on / off, wherein the output area is determined corresponding to output elements on which an output operation is turned on, and
The controller controls the touch screen to determine whether a condition for adjusting the output area from an entire output area to a partial output area is met, and if the condition is satisfied, controlling the output operation of each of the plurality of output elements. And controlling the control unit to determine the partial output region by
The entire output area is an area on the touch screen that corresponds to the entirety of the plurality of output elements, and the partial output area is on the touch screen corresponding to particular output elements from which the output operation is turned on among the plurality of output elements. Realm,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
Each of the plurality of output elements is characterized in that the LED (Light Emitting Diode),
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Determining a range of the processing information corresponding to the partial output area,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
When the output operation of the output element is turned off, to cut off the power supply to the output element,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
When the touch screen receives a touch drag operation for forming a specific area on the touch screen,
The control unit,
Determine that the above conditions are met,
Determining the partial output area as the specific area by turning on only a plurality of output elements belonging to the specific area by the touch drag operation;
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
When the touch screen receives a touch action of selecting a specific application execution window displayed on the touch screen,
The control unit,
Determining the partial output area as the display area of the specific application execution window by turning on only a plurality of output elements belonging to the display area of the specific application execution window;
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls the touch screen to set a touch lock state of an area except the partial output area of the entire output area of the touch screen.
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
If it is determined that the power state of the mobile terminal is less than a predetermined predetermined level, controlling to set the partial output area to a predetermined specific area,
Mobile terminal. Displaying processing information processed in the mobile terminal through an output area of the touch screen, wherein the output area is determined by an output operation of a plurality of output elements constituting the touch screen;
Determining whether the condition for adjusting the output area from the entire output area to the partial output area is satisfied; And
Determining the partial output region when the condition is satisfied, and determining the partial output region by turning on an output operation of only specific output elements of the plurality of output elements,
The entire output area is an area on the touch screen corresponding to all of the plurality of output elements, and the partial output area is the touch screen corresponding to the specific output elements on which an output operation is turned on among the plurality of output elements. Area of the jacket,
Mobile terminal control method. The method of claim 9,
In the determining step, when the touch drag operation for forming a specific region is received on the touch screen, the determination is made that the condition is satisfied.
The adjusting may include determining the partial output area as the specific area by turning on only a plurality of output elements belonging to the specific area by the touch drag operation.
Mobile terminal control method. The method of claim 9,
In the determining step, if a touch operation for selecting a specific application execution window displayed on the touch screen is received, it is determined that the condition is satisfied.
The adjusting may include determining the partial output area as the display area of the specific application execution window by turning on only a plurality of output elements belonging to the display area of the specific application execution window.
Mobile terminal control method. The method of claim 9,
In the determining step, when the power state of the mobile terminal is less than a predetermined level, it is determined that the condition is satisfied.
The adjusting may include determining the partial output area as a preset specific area.
Mobile terminal control method.

Images