KR20150062085A - Mobile terminal and control method for the mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof capable of sensing a tap, which is a tapping on a display unit in a state of the display unit inactivated, comprising: a terminal body; a display unit arranged in a front surface of the body; a sensing unit which senses a tap on the body in a state of the display unit inactivated; and a control unit which releases a locking state which restricts a reception of a control command from a user, if a pattern of the sensed tap corresponds to a previously set pattern, converts the display unit from an inactivated state to an activated state, and displays previously set screen information on the display unit.

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE MOBILE TERMINAL [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of detecting a tap that taps the display unit in a state in which the display unit is inactivated, and a control method thereof.

A terminal can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the terminal is movable. 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.

As the functions of such terminals are diversified, they are implemented in the form of a multimedia player having complex functions such as photographing and photographing of movies, reproduction of music and video files, games, and broadcasting reception .

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

Further, there is an increasing demand for a new user interface that can easily control the functions of the terminal through a simple operation on the terminal even when the display unit is inactive.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of controlling a terminal by applying a tap for tapping an object to an inactive display unit, and a control method thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal having a user interface of a new method different from the conventional one.

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of detecting a tap tapped on the display unit in a state in which the display unit is inactivated, and a control method thereof, the mobile terminal including a terminal body, a display unit disposed on a front surface of the body, When the pattern of the detected tap corresponds to a preset pattern, the control unit releases the lock state in which the reception of the control command by the user is restricted, and the display unit And a control unit for switching the display unit from the inactive state to the active state, and displaying the preset screen information on the display unit.

In one embodiment, the control unit maintains the inactive state and the locked state of the display unit when the detected pattern of the tabs does not match the predetermined pattern.

In one embodiment, the control unit controls the display unit to receive password information for releasing the locked state from the user when the tabs that do not match the preset pattern are detected on the display unit a predetermined number of times or more, And displays a lock screen associated with the input of the password information on the display unit.

In one embodiment, the controller outputs guide information for guiding that a tab that is inconsistent with the predetermined pattern is applied, on the lock screen.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal may further include a memory unit for storing a plurality of predetermined tap patterns for unlocking, and the control unit may be configured such that the tabs applied to the display unit are selected among the plurality of predetermined tap patterns And different screen information is output depending on which tab pattern corresponds.

In one embodiment, when the tab pattern corresponding to one of the plurality of predetermined tap patterns is applied to the display unit, the control unit releases the locked state, And outputs corresponding screen information to the display unit.

In one embodiment, any one of the plurality of preset patterns is a pattern for outputting a home screen page on the display unit at the time of unlocking.

In one embodiment, the control unit maintains the lock state when at least one of the visual, tactile, and audible modes is used when the tabs applied to the display unit do not match the plurality of preset patterns And outputs notification information indicating that the tabs applied to the display unit are inconsistent with the tabs for unlocking.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal may further include a light emitting unit for outputting the notification information in a visual manner, and the control unit may be configured to, when the tabs applied to the display unit do not coincide with the predetermined patterns , And the light emitting unit is lit for a reference time.

In one embodiment, one of the plurality of preset patterns may include one or more graphic objects corresponding to different functions around the detected position of the last tab corresponding to the one pattern, And is displayed on the display unit.

In one embodiment, when the tab corresponding to any one of the patterns is applied on the display unit, the control unit displays the one or more graphics And processes the function corresponding to any one of the graphic objects when a drag input, which is started from a touch corresponding to the last tab, is detected toward any one of the one or more graphic objects, do.

In one embodiment, one of the one or more graphic objects is associated with a home screen page output function.

In one embodiment, the control unit executes at least one application according to the drag input.

Meanwhile, a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of sensing a tap to hit the display unit in a state in which the display unit is inactivated, determining whether a pattern of the detected tap corresponds to a set pattern Step and

When the pattern of the detected tap corresponds to the set pattern, the control unit releases the lock state in which reception of the control command by the user is restricted, switches the display unit from the inactive state to the active state, And displaying the screen information.

In one embodiment, the inactive state and the locked state of the display unit are maintained when the detected pattern of the tabs is inconsistent with the predetermined pattern.

In one embodiment, when a tab that is not consistent with a predetermined pattern on the display unit is detected more than a predetermined number of times, the display unit is switched to an active state so that password information for canceling the locked state can be input from the user And a lock screen related to the input of the password information is displayed on the display unit.

In one embodiment, in the displaying of the predetermined screen information, different screen information is output according to the type of the tap pattern corresponding to the tab sensed on the display unit.

In one embodiment, the screen information outputable according to the type of the tab pattern is an execution screen of a home screen page or an application.

In one embodiment, when the tab detected on the display unit corresponds to a tab pattern that causes an execution screen of an application to be output, the locked state is released and a tab pattern corresponding to the detected tab Is executed.

In one embodiment, when the tab corresponding to the predetermined tap pattern is applied on the display unit, the one or more graphic objects are displayed around the position where the last tab corresponding to the tab pattern is detected, A function corresponding to one of the graphic objects is processed when a drag input started from a touch corresponding to the last tab is detected toward any one of the one or more graphic objects, And information corresponding to the processed function.

The mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention releases the lock state according to the tab pattern applied to the main body in a state in which the display unit is inactivated, and displays a predetermined lock screen on the display unit 151. At this time, since the locked state is released only when the detected pattern of the tap matches the predetermined pattern, the user can release the locked state by a simple method of tapping the object. This makes it possible to provide a new type of user convenience.

In addition, in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the touch sensor, which senses a touch when the display unit is inactivated, is periodically activated or deactivated. At this time, if the first tab is detected on the inactive display unit, the touch sensor is fully activated to detect the second tab to be subsequently applied. Therefore, not only the pattern of the tab can be accurately calculated, Consumption can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to one embodiment disclosed herein;
2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to the present invention,
FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the control method shown in FIG.
5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating various tab patterns that can be applied to a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method of releasing a locked state in response to a tab and displaying different screen information in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case where a pattern of a tap detected by a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention does not match a predetermined pattern
8A and 8B are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method of setting a tab pattern for releasing the lock state in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment disclosed in this specification
9A and 9B illustrate a method of dividing a display unit into a plurality of regions in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention and releasing a lock based on the position of a region to which a tab is applied and the order in which the tab is applied Drawings for
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a method of setting the plurality of areas described in FIGS. 9A and 9B
11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a method of unlocking by tap and drag in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention
12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13A, 13B and 14 illustrate a method of controlling a mobile terminal in response to tapping of a mobile terminal in a specific situation in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Conceptual illustration to illustrate
FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for explaining a method of displaying different curtain windows according to positions of tabs in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. 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. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of related arts will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein may be blurred. In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical idea disclosed in the present specification by the attached drawings.

The mobile terminal described in this specification includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a slate PC, , Tablet PC, Ultra Book, and so on. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless the configuration is applicable only to a mobile terminal.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

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 broadcast signals 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, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) 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 mobile communication module 112 is configured to implement a video communication mode and a voice communication mode. The video call mode refers to a state of talking while viewing a video of the other party, and the voice call mode refers to a state in which a call is made without viewing the other party's video. In order to implement the video communication mode and the voice communication mode, the mobile communication module 112 is configured to transmit and receive at least one of voice and image.

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. 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 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 communication 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 may be provided depending on the usage 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, a dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), 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 is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. It is also possible to sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like.

The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154, for example, for generating output related to visual, auditory, have.

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 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, a 3D display, and an e-ink 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 the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the 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 each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

(Hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen') in which a display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') form a mutual layer structure, It 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. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched or the like.

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

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. 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 recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch" The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch. &Quot; 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 audio 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 mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, 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 hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may include a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact with an electrode, And various tactile effects such as an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using an endothermic or exothermic element can be generated.

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. At least two haptic modules 154 may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a 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), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read- 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 usage 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.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit 170 may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100, or various commands A signal may be a path through which the signal is 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 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. [

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

In addition, if the state of the mobile terminal meets a set condition, the controller 180 can execute a lock state for restricting input of a control command of the user to the applications. Also, the controller 180 can control the lock screen displayed in the locked state based on the touch input sensed through the display unit (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch screen') 151 in the locked state.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 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 , Microprocessors, microprocessors, microprocessors, and other electronic units for carrying out other functions. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein.

The software code may 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. [

Hereinafter, a structure of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal in which components of the mobile terminal or the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 are arranged will be described.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 includes 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.

In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal body 100 (hereinafter, referred to as 'body') has a front surface, a side surface, and a rear surface. Further, the body has both ends formed along the longitudinal direction.

The body 100 includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) that forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front surface (hereinafter referred to as a 'front case') 101 and a rear surface (hereinafter referred to as a 'rear case'). 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 injection molding a synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti) or the like.

The terminal body 100 mainly includes a display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, a user input unit 130, a microphone 122, an interface 170, a light emitting unit 156, and the like.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 152 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 130 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 130 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. On the other hand, the microphone 122 is disposed at the other end of the body 100.

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal, 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.

The light emitting unit 156 is disposed in an upper region of the front surface of the body 100 and includes at least one light emitting diode (LED). The light emitting unit 156 emits light in various manners under the control of the controller 180. At this time, various methods include different colors of illumination, a cycle of blinking, and brightness.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102, may further include an acoustic output unit 152 '. 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.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be 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.

In addition, a camera 121 'may be additionally mounted on the rear case 102 of the terminal body. The camera 121 may be a camera having a different image from the camera 121, having a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A) mounted on the front case of 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 can be made to have a high number of pixels. The camera 121 'may be installed in the terminal body 100 to be rotatable or pop-upable.

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

An acoustic output unit 252 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 252 'may implement the stereo function together with the sound output unit 252 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used for the implementation of the speakerphone mode in a call.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be 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.

The touch pad 135 operates in correlation with the display portion 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can include at least one of the above-described components, includes a sensing unit that senses a tap for tapping the main body while the display unit is inactive. The mobile terminal releases the locked state of the terminal, activates the display unit, and displays predetermined screen information on the display unit when the pattern of the taps sensed by the sensing unit matches the predetermined pattern. The user can release the locked state of the mobile terminal with a simple gesture to knock an object. Therefore, the user can omit the process of turning on the display unit and inputting the password using the virtual keypad.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal capable of providing a new user interface based on a tap pattern in a state in which the display unit is inactivated and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal 100 includes a sensing unit 140, a display unit 151, and a controller 180.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, a step of detecting a tab tapping the main body of the terminal while the display unit 151 is inactive is performed (S310).

Here, the "state in which the display unit 151 is inactivated" means that the illumination provided inside the display unit 151 is off. That is, no information or graphic image is displayed on the display unit 151 when the display unit 151 is inactivated.

On the other hand, the sensing unit 140 senses a tab applied to the main body regardless of whether the display unit 151 is activated or not.

Here, a tap or tap gesture may mean a gesture of tapping the main body 100 or an object of the mobile terminal. More specifically, the tab may be understood as an operation of lightly tapping the mobile terminal body 100 or an object with a tap object such as a finger, or an operation of lightly touching the tap object with the mobile terminal body 100 or an object.

The tap object to which the tab is applied may be an object that can apply an external force to the mobile terminal body 100 or an object. For example, the tap object may include a finger (a part with a fingerprint), a stylus pen, a pen, a pointer, a fist (finger joint), and the like. Meanwhile, the tap object is not limited to an object which can input a touch input to the mobile terminal according to the present invention, but it is irrelevant if it is an object that can apply an external force to the mobile terminal body 100 or an object.

On the other hand, the object to which the tab is attached may include at least one of the terminal main body and the point where it exits the main body. That is, the input area of the mobile terminal can be extended outside the terminal body. Accordingly, a point at which the tap can be detected at a point outside the terminal main body becomes a virtual input region.

In addition, the virtual input area may vary depending on the place where the terminal is placed, the object, or the strength of the tab. For example, when the terminal is placed on a table or the like, when the user hits the table, movement of the terminal occurs and the tab can be detected through the movement. Thus, when the intensity of the tapping becomes large, the virtual input area becomes larger. As another example, if the user holds the terminal body, the virtual input area may disappear.

On the other hand, in the tap sensing step, it can be determined that a "tap (or knock-on)" for the purpose of controlling the mobile terminal is detected only when at least two or more tapes are applied within the time limit. For example, when one tab is applied to the display unit 151 by the touch object capable of touching the display unit 151, the controller 180 recognizes the one tab as the touch input . That is, since the reception of the control command by the user is restricted in the locked state, when the user input is recognized as a touch input rather than a tap, the controller 180 can ignore the user input.

Accordingly, the sensing unit 140 (or sensing unit) can compare the pattern of the sensed taps with a preset pattern only when at least two or more taps are applied continuously within a time limit.

That is, at least two or more taps are consecutively sensed within a time limit is referred to as "knock-on ". For example, if the second tap is detected within the time limit from the time when the first tap is detected, it can be seen that the "tap" is detected. Accordingly, in the following description, "tapping " means that the tapping of the object at the point of departure from the terminal body or the body may be detected substantially plural times.

Meanwhile, when the sensing unit 140 corresponds to the touch sensor, the sensing unit 140 may sense 'touch' according to whether the display unit 151 is activated or not. For example, when the display unit 151 is activated, the touch sensor needs to be able to react immediately to a user input, so that the touch sensor can perform an active mode of maintaining the activated state. Alternatively, when the display unit 151 is inactivated, the touch sensor may perform a doze mode in which the active state and the inactive state are switched to a predetermined cycle in order to save the battery. That is, when the display unit 151 is inactivated, the touch sensor executes the doze mode and can be activated every predetermined period.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the shorter the cycle in which the touch sensor is activated, the faster the sensing of the 'touch' applied to the display unit 151, but the power consumed by the touch sensor becomes larger. In contrast, the longer the period in which the touch sensor is activated, the smaller the power consumed by the sensing unit 140, but the slower the sensing speed of the touch applied to the display unit 151 is.

Accordingly, the predetermined period may be set so that the sensing speed is not so high as to be sensed by the user in detecting the touch applied to the display unit 151, and the power consumption efficiency is increased. For example, the predetermined period may be set so that the touch sensor is activated 30 times (30 Hz) per second. This may correspond to a minimum current level at which the touch can be recognized while the display unit 151 is inactivated.

On the other hand, the touch sensor executes the doze mode in a state in which the display unit 151 is inactivated, and can execute the active mode when the first tab is applied to the display unit 151. [ That is, when it is determined that the tab is applied while the display unit 151 is in the inactive state, the touch sensor can execute the active mode so as to more accurately detect the tab to be applied later. For example, when the active mode is executed, the touch sensor may be set to be activated 120 times per second (120 Hz).

Meanwhile, if the second tab is not sensed within the reference time from the time when the first tab is applied, the controller 180 may switch the active mode to the doze mode. This is to prevent a malfunction from occurring in the terminal because the tap is unintended by the user.

The sensing unit 140 may include not only a touch sensor but also an acceleration sensor that senses a tap using movement of the main body, a sound sensor that senses a tap using a sound generated around the main body, And a pressure sensor for sensing the tab using the pressure applied to the main body.

As with the touch sensor, the remaining sensors included in the sensing unit 140 may be inactivated or activated at a predetermined period in a state in which the display unit 151 is inactivated. This is to reduce the power consumption by the sensors.

That is, when the first tab is sensed while the display unit 151 is in the inactive state, the controller 180 controls the first and second tabs, More sensors can be activated. The one or more sensors include a touch sensor, a microphone sensor, a proximity sensor, an RGB sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like. The pattern of "touch" (position of the tap / position of the tap / time interval between the first tap and the second tap / The intensity of the object / tab / the area of the tab / the area of the tab, etc.).

For example, the touch sensor is disposed in the main body, and can detect the tab using a touch generated in the main body. Also, the touch sensor can calculate a position where the tab is applied, and can identify the object (e.g., finger, nail, palm, etc.) of the tab using the area to which the tab is touched.

As another example, a microphone sensor can sense a tap using sound generated around the main body. Further, since the sound has its own frequency characteristic, it is possible to distinguish a target object (e.g., a finger, a nail, a palm, a pen, etc.) of the tab and a tap using the frequency characteristics of the received voice information.

As another example, even if "tokotk" is detected by the acceleration sensor, the controller 180 can reject the "tokotk" when the proximity sensor detects an object adjacent to the front of the body. This is because the mobile terminal 100 in the bag may malfunction due to the shaking of the bag.

As another example, the RGB sensor can sense the color of the target object of the tab and distinguish the type of object by using the sensed color. That is, the present invention can distinguish the finger from the touch pen by the RGB sensor.

As another example, the pressure sensor can sense the tab using the pressure applied to the main body, and the strength of the pressure generated by the tab can be calculated.

As another example, a piezo sensor (or a shock sensor) that utilizes the property of generating electricity at the surface of a crystal when a pressure is applied in a specific direction can sense the tab. If the accelerometer senses movement in the hundreds of hertz (Hz), the piezo sensor can sense movement in the thousands of hertz (kHz), so that it can more accurately sense the movement (or shock) of the terminal.

In addition, the controller 180 can grasp the target object and the pattern of the tab by using the piezo sensor. More specifically, since the physical sensor has a physical pattern that varies depending on the pattern of the object or the tap that generates an impact on the object, the pattern of the object and the tab of the tap can be grasped by using the physical pattern acquired experimentally . The empirically obtained physical pattern may be created at the factory release stage and stored in the memory 160, periodically updated, or changed by the user.

Meanwhile, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, in order to detect the tab of the mobile terminal body, only one of the acceleration sensor and the touch sensor is used, or the acceleration sensor and the touch sensor are sequentially used, Can be used simultaneously. On the other hand, in order to sense a tap, a mode using only an acceleration sensor may be named as a first mode, a mode using a touch sensor may be referred to as a second mode, and both the acceleration sensor and the touch sensor may be used Mode) may be referred to as a third mode or a hybrid mode. In addition, the control unit 180 may comprehensively consider the sensing signals generated in the above-described sensors to determine whether "touch" is sensed. This makes it possible to more accurately grasp the characteristics of the tab such as the position at which the tab is detected.

Next, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, it is determined whether the detected tap pattern corresponds to a predetermined pattern (S320).

The control unit 180 can determine whether the pattern of the detected " tokotk "matches the pattern stored in the memory 160 (or preset) when the" tap "

The predetermined pattern is formed by a plurality of taps. In this case, the number of times the taps are applied, the absolute / relative position of the taps, the input speed (or the end) of the taps, the order in which the taps are applied, For example, a predetermined pattern may be set in accordance with an area of the tab, a strength of the tab, a tap and hold of contact with the main body by the tab, or the like. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, embodiments in which a predetermined pattern is set by the first and second taps will be described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the pattern may be set by two or more taps, such as a third tap.

In an embodiment, the controller 180 may identify the pattern of taps detected based on the absolute position of the taps. For example, the predetermined pattern may include a second point at which the main body or the main body escapes from the main body after a first time elapses from when the first tab is tapped once to tap the first point out of the main body or the main body Or by applying a second tap to tap once. At this time, the control unit 180 may set a pattern on the basis of the absolute positions of the first and second points, assuming that a virtual area in which the front surface of the terminal body extends outward is a two-dimensional coordinate plane. That is, only when the first and second taps are correctly applied to the first and second points, the controller 180 can determine that the detected tap pattern corresponds to a predetermined pattern.

In an embodiment, the controller 180 may identify patterns of taps detected based on the relative positions of the first tap and the second tap. When the second tab is applied to a position that satisfies a preset distance and angle from the position of the first applied first tap with reference to a virtual reference axis based on the direction of gravity, It can be determined that the pattern corresponds to the predetermined pattern. For example, a position where the first tab is 5 cm away from the sensed first position, the first position is the origin, and the position forming the 30 degree angle with respect to the imaginary reference axis with respect to the gravity direction is the second tab It can be set to the second position to be sensed. As described above, when the set pattern is based on the relative position, the position to which the second tab is to be applied varies depending on the position where the first tab is applied.

In an embodiment, the controller 180 may identify the pattern of taps detected based on the time difference between the first tap and the second tap. That is, different patterns may be set according to the speed (or the short end) at which the tab is input. For example, a pattern in which a tab is input twice and a pattern input in three times in a second corresponds to a different pattern.

In addition, the control unit 180 can classify the detected tap pattern based on whether or not the touch of the tap object is released, such as Morse code. For example, an operation of tapping an object corresponds to a dot (dot) of a Morse code, and an operation of not touching the object for a predetermined period of time in contact with the object (hereinafter referred to as tap and hold Can be regarded as corresponding to a dash (line) of the Morse code. For example, 'Tok', 'Tok-Tok', and 'Tok-Tok' are cases where two tabs are applied, but they correspond to different patterns.

Also, the control unit 180 can calculate the number of tap objects contained in one tap. For example, if you are tapping with two fingers, you can have two tab objects in one tab. The control unit 180 can classify the tab patterns based on the number of tab objects to be calculated.

In addition, you can identify patterns of detected tabs based on the strength of the tab (strong or weak), the type of tab object (finger or touch pen), the area of the tab (thumb or index), the order of tabs, have.

Next, when the pattern of the detected tab corresponds to the predetermined pattern, the controller 180 releases the locked state, switches the display unit from the inactive state to the active state, and displays the predetermined screen information (S330).

Here, the preset pattern may be related to at least one of the number of times the tab is applied, the position, the speed, the strength, the area, the type and number of the tap object.

Here, the locked state refers to a state in which reception of a control command by a user is restricted, and refers to a state in which a lock is released only when a password set by a specific person is input. In this locked state, when the display portion 151 is activated, a lock screen formed to input a password can be displayed.

When the lock screen is displayed, the user can apply a predetermined type of touch on the screen information for unlocking displayed on the lock screen to release the lock status. For example, the predetermined type of touch may be a touch that draws a path from the first point to the second point different from the first point of the area of the display unit 151. [ That is, the predetermined type of touch may be a touch that draws a pattern according to the movement path of the touch. When the touch for unlocking is completed, the controller 180 switches the locked state to the released state and outputs the home screen page to the display unit 151. [ That is, as the locked state is switched to the released state, it is possible to enter a mode in which at least a part of a plurality of applications installed in the mobile terminal can be executed.

The controller 180 may compare the detected tap pattern with a preset pattern based on at least one of the number of times the tap has been applied, the position, the speed, the strength, the area, the type and number of the tap object. The control unit 180 can digitize the matching rate according to the comparison result, and can determine that the detected tap pattern corresponds to a predetermined pattern when the matching rate is larger than the reference value.

On the other hand, if the detected pattern corresponds to a preset pattern, the controller 180 switches the locked state to the released state and displays the set screen on the display unit 151 instead of the locked screen. The predetermined screen may be, for example, a home screen page. The home screen page includes at least one object, which may be an icon or widget of an application installed in the mobile terminal. On the other hand, when switching to the released state, the screen displayed at the earliest time is not necessarily a home screen page. For example, before the lock state is executed, the screen information that was most recently output on the display unit 151 may be displayed as preset screen information.

In the present invention, the memory unit 160 may store information on a plurality of tab patterns for switching the locked state to the released state when the mobile terminal is in the locked state. The tap patterns may be a plurality of predetermined pattern inputs. Control information for displaying different screen information on the display unit 151 may be associated with each of the plurality of predetermined patterns.

At this time, the memory unit 160 may store control information for displaying different screen information corresponding to each of the plurality of preset patterns. That is, the screen information displayed on the display unit 151 may vary depending on the type of the predetermined pattern. When the first pattern is detected, the first screen information is displayed on the display unit 151. When a second pattern different from the first pattern is detected, the second screen information different from the first screen information is displayed on the display unit 151. [ (151). For example, any one of a plurality of predetermined patterns may be a pattern for entering a home screen page.

One of the plurality of predetermined patterns may be a pattern for displaying one or more graphic objects corresponding to different functions around the detected position of the last tab on the display unit. At this time, the controller 180 may process a function corresponding to any one of the graphic objects when a drag input, which is started from a touch corresponding to the last tab, is detected toward any one of the graphic objects. The control unit 180 may execute at least one application corresponding to the drag input when the detected plurality of tabs correspond to predetermined conditions. For example, when a pattern for displaying a graphic object corresponding to a photo application is input, the control unit 180 releases the locked state, activates at least one area of the display unit 151, And may display the graphic object. Subsequently, when the drag input is detected, starting from the touch corresponding to the last tab and moving to the graphic object, the photo application can be executed.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, when the display unit 151 is in a deactivated state, the tap is detected, but the detected tap pattern may not match the predetermined pattern. In this case, the control unit 180 does not release the locked state and keeps the display unit 151 in an inactivated state. That is, the controller 180 ignores the detected tab. However, in order to notify the user that the tab has been mistakenly informed, there is no function that can be executed by using the light emitting unit (or the pattern of the tab is erroneously input). For example, the light emitting portion may blink the red light a plurality of times to indicate that the pattern of the tab is erroneously input.

On the other hand, "tokotk" which does not correspond to the preset pattern can be continuously detected. That is, unmatched taps can be repeated by a reference number within the reference time. In this case, the control unit 180 displays a lock screen that is formed to activate the display unit 151 and receive the password, while maintaining the locked state. The case where the failure case is repeated corresponds to the case where the user mis-knows the touch trajectory, so the control unit 180 displays a lock screen on the display unit 151 that can release the lock. Thereafter, the user can enter the password using the virtual keypad of the lock screen instead of "tap ", and switch the locked state to the released state.

On the other hand, the pattern of the tab for releasing the locked state and displaying the predetermined screen can be stored in the factory default memory 160 or added, deleted and edited by the user of the terminal. A method by which the user adds the touch trajectory will be described later with reference to Figs. 8A and 8B.

According to the driving method as described above, since the locked state can be released based on the tab pattern while the display unit 151 is inactive, a simple user interface is realized.

In the related art, there is a disadvantage in that the display unit 151 is activated by using a button or the like in order to release the locked state, and a password is input by using the virtual keypad included in the lock screen. However, do.

Thus, the user can control the terminal in a new form even when the display unit is inactivated.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the mobile terminal according to the control method shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the control method shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating various tab patterns that can be applied to a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the illumination of the display unit 151 is turned off as in the state in which the display unit 151 is deactivated, When a plurality of tabs are applied by the user in a state in which one or more of them are kept on, a specific function based on the user's selection can be immediately executed. And wherein the plurality of taps may be sensed from at least one of a touch sensor and an acceleration sensor.

Therefore, when a plurality of taps are applied to the body of the mobile terminal 100, even if the display unit 151 is in the inactive state, the controller 180 can recognize the taps through at least one of the acceleration sensor and the touch sensor have.

The plurality of tabs may be directly applied to the main body of the mobile terminal 100 or at least one tab applied to an object positioned sufficiently close to the mobile terminal 100. That is, the plurality of taps may be directly applied to the main body of the mobile terminal 100, or may be all applied to an object around the mobile terminal 100. Alternatively, the plurality of taps may be partly applied to the body of the mobile terminal 100, and the remaining part may be applied to an object around the mobile terminal 100.

The control unit 180 can detect a tap directly applied to the main body of the mobile terminal 100 by using a touch sensor. In addition, the controller 180 can sense the vibration generated due to the taps applied to the object positioned sufficiently close to the mobile terminal 100 using the acceleration sensor. That is, the control unit 180 controls the first mode using only the acceleration sensor or the second mode using only the touch sensor or the hybrid mode using both the acceleration sensor and the touch sensor based on the type of the plurality of taps, Lt; / RTI >

The controller 180 can also activate the display unit 151 based on a plurality of taps when a plurality of taps are applied. That is, the control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention senses the first tab when the display unit 151 is off, for example, in the doze mode, It is possible to detect whether or not the additional tab is added and determine whether the display unit is activated or not.

The control unit 180 may analyze the pattern of the detected tap when a plurality of tabs ('tap') are applied while the display unit 151 is in the inactive state. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when a tab is applied by the first finger (1), the second finger (2), and the third finger (3), the controller 180 controls the number of times, The detected tap pattern can be compared with a preset pattern based on at least one of the order, position, speed, intensity, area, type and number of tap objects. If the detected tab pattern matches the preset pattern, the controller 180 cancels the locked state and displays the predetermined screen information 410 on the display unit 151. [

4B, when a tab is applied to a region 420 corresponding to a position where the power button is disposed in a state in which the display portion 151 is inactivated, the controller 180 May display a lock screen on the display unit 151. [ Here, the power button activates the display unit 151 as the power button is pressed (or selected) regardless of the state of the mobile terminal. That is, the controller 180 may display the screen information on the display unit 151 when the power button is pressed, touched, or tapped. At this time, the controller 180 may display different screen information according to the locked state / the released state. The power button may be implemented as a hardware key or a virtual key.

That is, the control unit 180 can not only release the lock state based on the tab pattern but also output the lock screen in a state in which the lock state is maintained.

Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the characteristics of the tab are simplified and expressed in a circle shape as shown in Fig. The numbers in the original figure indicate the order in which the tabs are applied, and the positions shown in the circle figures correspond to the positions where the tabs are applied. For example, referring to FIG. 5, a total of seven tabs have been applied to the mobile terminal. In FIG. 5, (1) indicates that the first tab is a multi-tap applied by the two tab bodies and is detected in the upper region of the display unit. In the case of (2), the circumference of the original figure is shown to be thick, which means that the second tab that strikes the main body does not release the contact with the main body and maintains the contact for a certain period of time (tap and hold). (3), which is larger than the other circle shapes, means that the strength of the third tab is stronger than that of the other tabs. That is, the size of the original figure is shown in proportion to the strength of the tab. 4, and 5 mean that the fourth tap and the fifth tab are sequentially applied to the same position. ⑥ and ⑦ means that the sixth and seventh taps are sequentially applied to different points out of the main body.

Meanwhile, in the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller 180 outputs guide information (or guide information) related to the detected tap pattern to the display unit 151 as the "tap" . The guide information may be information for guiding whether or not the tab is correctly input, and may be information for guiding the reference time at which the tab should be applied, and the position and order at which the tab is applied. Such guide information can be output through at least one of a visual, auditory, and tactile sense. For example, the control unit 180 may display a circle-shaped image on the display unit 151 as shown in FIG. 5 as the tab is detected. Also, the control unit 180 can output a voice message such as "first tab is detected, please press second tab ", using a speaker.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings referred to below, based on the above-described drawings.

6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method of releasing a locked state in response to a tab and displaying different screen information in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the pattern of the detected tab matches the predetermined pattern, the controller 180 cancels the locked state, activates the display unit 151, On the display unit 151, the screen information corresponding to the pattern of FIG. That is, the screen information displayed on the display unit 151 when the locked state is released may vary according to the type of the predetermined pattern.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, any one of a plurality of predetermined patterns stored in the memory unit 160 may be a first pattern for entering a home screen page. When the first pattern is detected, the controller 180 cancels the locked state, activates the display unit 151, and displays the home screen page 610 as screen information.

6B, one of the plurality of predetermined patterns stored in the memory unit 160 may include one or more graphics corresponding to different functions around the detected position of the last tab, And a second pattern for displaying the objects on the display unit.

Here, the second pattern may be a pattern different from the first pattern. For example, the last tab (second tab) of the first pattern shown in (a) of FIG. 6A is a gesture for tapping the main body, but the last tab of the second pattern shown in (a) Tab) is a gesture of tap and hold, the first and second patterns are different.

Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 6A (b), in response to the second pattern, the controller 180 can release the locked state and activate at least a part of the display area. At this time, the activated region is variable according to the position where the last tap is detected, and includes the detected position of the last tab. The controller 180 may display one or more graphic objects 622-628 around the position where the last tab is detected in the activated at least partial area.

The graphic objects 622-628 may include at least one graphic object corresponding to a different function, displayed around the detected position of the last tab among the plurality of tabs included in the second panthe have.

Here, a different function means a menu including at least one function executable in the mobile terminal 100. [ That is, the different functions may mean all kinds of functions that can be executed or driven by the mobile terminal 100. [ For example, the executable function may be an application installed in the mobile terminal 100. Alternatively, the executable function may be a function for changing the setting information of the mobile terminal 100 or a function for outputting a notification panel for displaying an unidentified event, Lt; / RTI > For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 6, the controller 180 may generate a screen capture function, a call function, a calendar output function, And graphic objects corresponding to the camera functions can be displayed on the display unit 151, respectively.

Subsequently, the control unit 180 can select one of the graphic objects 622-628 from the user. More specifically, the control unit 180 can select any one of the graphic objects from the user based on the drag input that starts from the position corresponding to the last tab and continuously moves. For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 6B, when the drag input started from the touch corresponding to the last tab is directed to the direction in which the graphic object 626 corresponding to the telephone function is located, The controller 180 may determine that a function corresponding to the graphic object 626, that is, a call function, is selected by the user.

When any one of the graphic objects is selected, the control unit 180 executes the selected function. Then, the application corresponding to the selected function is executed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), when a call function is selected, an execution screen corresponding to the selected function may be displayed in the entire area of the display unit 151.

On the other hand, when the display unit 151 is in a deactivated state, it is detected that the tap pattern is not matched with the predetermined pattern. This case will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a case where a tap pattern detected by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention does not match a preset pattern.

In a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the pattern of taps sensed by the sensing unit 140 does not match a plurality of predetermined patterns stored in the memory 160, And outputs notification information indicating that the tabs assigned to the display unit are inconsistent with the tabs for unlocking, using at least one of visual, tactile, and auditory methods.

That is, there may occur a case where a touch is applied to the display unit 151 in the locked state, but there is no function matched to the touch trajectory even though "touch" is detected (hereinafter, this situation is referred to as a "failure case" ). In this case, the control unit 180 notifies the user that there is no function that can be performed using the light emitting unit 156 (or an incorrect touch trajectory is input) when "touch" is applied.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the control unit 180 keeps the display unit 151 in an inactive state in response to "tokot" It may be blinking. The light emitting unit 156 is disposed at an upper end region of the front surface of the terminal body 100 and includes at least one light emitting diode (LED). The light emitting unit 156 emits light in various manners under the control of the controller 180. At this time, various methods include different colors of illumination, a cycle of blinking, and brightness.

On the other hand, when the failure case is repeated by the reference number of times, the control unit 180 activates the display unit 151 and displays a lock screen formed to receive the password, as shown in Fig. 7C. If the user repeats the failure case, the control unit 180 displays a lock screen on the display unit 151 to release the lock.

At this time, the lock screen may include notification information indicating that the tab assigned to the display unit, such as "tab is wrongly authorized, " is inconsistent with the tab for unlocking.

8A and 8B, a method of registering a pattern for releasing the lock and a method of setting an application corresponding to a plurality of patterns will be described. 8A and 8B are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method of setting a tab pattern for releasing a lock state in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

6A and 6B, the mobile terminal and its control method according to an embodiment of the present invention can cancel a locked state using a tap pattern, and simultaneously display a different screen corresponding to a plurality of patterns Information on the display unit 151 can be displayed.

Meanwhile, the above-mentioned pattern can be set by the user, and the screen information corresponding to each pattern can be selected by the user.

Although not shown in the drawing, when an application for setting a lock pattern is executed, already set patterns and objects corresponding to the respective patterns can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ In addition, the user can add a new pattern. At this time, a screen for adding a new pattern can be displayed on the display unit 151, as shown in Fig. 8A. That is, the control unit 180 outputs a window 810 in which a tab pattern can be set.

On the other hand, the control unit 180 displays information related to the detected tap characteristics on the display unit 151 every time a tap is sensed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, information related to at least one of the number, the position, the speed, the intensity, the area, the type and the number of the tab objects may be displayed on the display unit 151. The method of displaying the tab-related information on the display unit 151 has been described above with reference to FIG.

At this time, the window 810 in which the tab pattern can be set may include an image 820 indicating the characteristics of the tab inputted from the user according to the passage of time. The image 820 may be, for example, a progress bar with time as a variable. A pointer 822 indicating the flow of time may be displayed on the progress bar. At this time, graphic objects 832 and 834 indicating the strength, speed, short end, etc. of the tab may be displayed on the progress bar 820. For example, when the second tap is input more strongly than the first tap, the magnitude of the circle shape can be used to express the strength of the tab. Also, a short end of the tab (for example, a tap-tap-tap tap tap) may be represented on the progress bar 820 having a time as a variable.

Meanwhile, in the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 151 may be divided into a plurality of areas. The plurality of divided regions may be used as virtual pads for inputting a password. A specific embodiment in which the areas of the display unit 151 are used as encryption pads will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 9A, 9B and 10.

9A and 9B illustrate a method of dividing a display unit into a plurality of regions in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention and releasing a lock based on the position of a region to which a tab is applied and the order in which the tab is applied FIG.

9A, in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 180 displays a password input window (or a PIN code input window) on the display unit 151 when switching from the released state to the locked state Can be displayed. At this time, the user can select a number for use as a password. The control unit 180 sets a password based on the selected number, and divides the display unit 151 into a plurality of areas.

For example, when the number input by the user is "1324 ", the control unit 180 sets the number" 1324 " In addition, the control unit 180 divides the display unit 151 based on the highest number ("4") among the inputted numbers. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the control unit 180 may divide the display unit 151 into four quadrants 1-4. In the state in which the display unit 151 is inactivated, information related to a plurality of regions can not be output. However, for convenience of explanation, a virtual line dividing an area and a number 1 -4). ≪ / RTI > For example, when the number input by the user is "92 ", the control unit 180 sets the number" 92 "input by the user to a password pattern for unlocking and divides the display unit into nine regions . At this time, the user can release the lock only by inputting the first tab and the second tab in order into the 9 region and the 2 region in order to release the lock.

Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to dividing the entire area of the display unit 151 into four quadrants, and it is possible to divide a plurality of regions into a plurality of quadrants by dividing the upper and lower quadrants, have.

Thereafter, when the display unit 151 is inactivated, the controller 180 determines whether a tab pattern sensed based on the divided areas of the display unit 151 matches a preset password pattern. For example, referring to FIG. 9A, the lock state can be released only when the first to fourth tabs (1, 2, 3, and 4) are sequentially input in one area? Three areas? Two areas? Four areas. That is, the areas to be divided may serve as an encryption pad for inputting a password.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the figure, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal may activate a knock-on mode based on user input, which can release the locked state by the tap pattern. When the knock-on mode is activated, as shown in FIG. 9A, the control unit 180 determines whether the tap pattern sensed based on the divided regions matches a preset password pattern. At this time, the display unit 151 remains in an inactive state, and the lock can be released only when the predetermined pattern matches the tab pattern.

Alternatively, when the knock-on mode is deactivated, a lock screen formed to input a password may be displayed, as shown in FIG. 9B. At this time, the lock screen may include a virtual keypad for inputting alphanumeric characters. That is, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, various types of lock screens that can release the lock can be displayed on the display unit 151.

On the other hand, when the lock screen shown in FIG. 9B is displayed, the user can input a pattern set in the knock-on mode with a password. As described with reference to FIG. 9A, when the tap pattern is set in the order of 1 area? 3 areas? 2 areas? 4 areas, the user can release the locked state by sequentially inputting the number "1324" using the virtual keypad.

9A and 9B can be set by a user, and a plurality of regions for applying a tap can also be set by the user.

For example, if the user desires to divide the entire area of the display unit 151 into a plurality of areas, the user can touch the number pad corresponding to the total number of areas to be created. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when '6' is inputted by the user input, the control unit 180 divides the display unit 151 into six regions , And an identification number (1-6) for each area can be given. The control unit 180 can display information on each area on the display unit 151. [

Next, the user confirms the information on the area displayed on the display unit 151, and can sequentially input the tap pattern for unlocking. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first to fourth tabs (1, 2, 3, and 4) can be sequentially applied to one region, five regions, four regions, and six regions . In response to this, the control unit 180 can newly set "1546" as the password for unlocking.

On the other hand, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, the user can cancel the locked state by tapping and dragging. That is, the user can tap the main body by the reference number in a state in which the display unit 151 is inactivated, and input a touch for releasing the locked state.

On the other hand,

11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a method of releasing a lock by tap and drag in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The control unit 180 may switch the locked state to the released state based on a user's request to release the locked state of the mobile terminal in the locked state. For example, the user's request for releasing the locked state can be performed by various methods such as touch command, fingerprint recognition, face recognition, and gesture command. That is, the present invention can detect various user requests for releasing the locked state and perform different controls according to the posture of the body when the various touches are sensed.

Hereinafter, a method of using a touch command as a request of a user switching the locked state to the released state will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a method of fingerprint recognition, a method of recognizing a face, Lt; / RTI >

The controller 180 may switch the lock state to the released state when a predetermined type of touch is applied to the screen information for releasing the locked state. For example, the predetermined type of touch may be dragging in a predetermined direction, dragging for a specific graphic object displayed on the lock screen, pattern input of a predetermined type, and the like. Here, the pattern input of the predetermined type may be a movement path of the touch moving from the first point to the second point different from the first point of the display unit. In addition, the touch of the preset method may be preset or may be set by a user's selection.

On the other hand, when the display unit 151 is inactivated, the screen information for releasing the locked state can not be displayed as shown in FIG. 11A. However, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, when the controller 180 knocks the main body by the reference number of times and the touch of the last tab is not released, when the user moves continuously, the display unit 151 receives a touch for unlocking, And display the screen information for releasing the locked state.

At this time, the output position of the screen information for releasing the locked state may vary according to at least one of the position where the last tab is applied and the posture of the terminal body. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the last tab is applied to one point on the upper end of the terminal, the controller 180 outputs screen information for releasing the lock state around one point where the last tap is applied can do.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, the output position and size of the screen information for releasing the locked state may be changed according to the posture of the terminal body. The control unit 180 calculates the rotation angle of the main body, the rotation direction of the main body, the rotation speed of the main body, the rotation acceleration of the main body, and the like using a gravity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an inertial sensor, a gyro sensor, , The posture of the main body can be judged. The control unit 180 can determine the output position and size of the screen information for releasing the locked state based on the posture of the main body and the position where the last tab is applied.

Thus, according to the present invention, not only the lock can be released according to the pattern of "touch" but also the lock can be released by dragging the touch applied after "touch". This allows the user to release the locked state of the terminal in various ways.

Although not shown in the drawing, the controller 180 may sense a tap that taps the main body by a predetermined number of times while the display unit 151 is inactivated, and may sense a touch that continuously moves at a position where the last tab is sensed . At this time, the control unit 180 can track the touch trajectory while keeping the display unit 151 in an inactive state.

On the other hand, when the touch is released, the controller 180 can determine whether the shape formed by the touch trajectory matches the movement path of the predetermined touch to release the locked state. At this time, the controller 180 does not consider the size of the touch trajectory or the position where the touch trajectory starts. That is, if the shape of the touch trajectory matches the shape of the predetermined movement path, the locked state can be released. For example, if the movement path of the predetermined touch is "A ", and the sensed touch trajectory coincides with" A ", the controller 180 releases the lock state.

Hereinafter, a method for controlling a function corresponding to a specific situation when the mobile terminal is struck in a state where the display unit 151 is inactivated will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13A, 13B and 14 illustrate a method of controlling a mobile terminal in response to tapping of a mobile terminal in a specific situation in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

In the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 151 can perform a function matched to the corresponding attribute according to an attribute of a tab object or a tab attribute in a disabled state.

For example, when the music playback function is being executed while the display unit 151 is turned off, the control unit 180 can control the music playback function in response to the tab applied to the display unit 151 . For example, the control unit 180 may adjust the sound (or volume) of the music to be played back or may switch the music to be played back to another music in response to the taps applied to the terminal body or the object. Further, when the controller 180 detects a drag input that is tapped and continuously moves from the initial position where the tap is applied, the controller 180 can control the music playback function in various ways based on the detected drag direction. These inputs are referred to as " tap and drag ".

For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, when a first tap is applied by two tap objects and a drag input that continuously moves from a position where the first tap is first applied to the lower end of the display unit 151 When switched, the control unit 180 can lower the volume (or volume). In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the first tab is switched from the applied position to the drag input continuously moving to the upper end of the display unit 151, the controller 180 may raise the volume.

At this time, the amount of change in the volume can be controlled differently based on the distance the drag input moves. That is, the volume can be raised or lowered in proportion to the moving distance of the drag input.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, the first tap is applied by the two tap objects, and the first tap is switched from the first applied position to the drag input continuously moving to the right end of the display portion 151 The control unit 180 can directly switch the music to be reproduced next to the music currently being reproduced. 12D, when the first tab is switched to the drag input that continuously moves from the first applied position to the left end of the display unit 151, the controller 180 determines whether the currently played music The music that has been reproduced before being reproduced can be reproduced again.

As described above, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, different controls can be performed according to the drag direction of the tap and drag. In addition, the drag direction may be a direction that the user can perceive normally and ideally, and the controller 180 may provide a more user-friendly UX (User Experience) to the user.

In another example, the controller 180 may adjust the sound of the music being played back based on the tap and hold input, or may switch the music being played back to another music. The tap and hold means that the second tap is sensed within the reference time after the first tap is sensed and the second tab is not released for a predetermined time in a state where the second tab is in contact with the main body. 13A, if a tap-and-hold type second tap is applied to the right area based on the position where the first tap is applied, the controller 180 switches the music to be reproduced next to the music currently being played . 13B, if a tap-and-hold type second tap is applied to the left area based on the position where the first tab is applied, the controller 180 determines that the currently played music Can be reproduced again.

14, the control unit 180 detects the first tap by the two tap objects, detects the second tap by the two tap objects within a predetermined time from the time when the first tap is sensed, If a tap is detected, the music playback can be stopped.

Although not shown in the drawing, when the function being controlled by the tab pattern is controlled, the control unit 180 can output the information of the function to be controlled by at least one of visual, auditory, and tactile. For example, when the volume of the music is increased by using a light emitting portion (for example, a light emitting diode) disposed on the front surface of the terminal main body, when the blue lighting is turned on and the volume of the music is lowered, . In this case, it is possible to provide an intuitive interface to the user by using the color of the illumination or the blinking according to the step of increasing or decreasing the volume. In addition, the controller 180 controls the brightness of the light emitting unit 156 to be brighter as the volume increases, and controls the brightness to gradually decrease as the volume is lowered. In addition, when there is no function to be controlled, the light emitting unit 156 may be blinked a plurality of times with red illumination to inform the user that there is no function to be controlled.

If the multi-tap is detected at one end of the display unit 151 while the display unit 151 is in the inactive state, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 in response to a touch sensed at one end of the display unit 151, at least a part of the curtain window can be output to the display unit 151.

When the detected tap object continuously moves from the sensed position to the other end direction, the controller 180 may change the display area of the curtain window based on the movement of the tap object. For example, when the touch continuously moves downward from the upper end of the display unit 151, the display area of the curtain window can be enlarged from the upper end of the display unit 151 to the end of the touch. That is, the animation effect can be generated as if the curtain window descends from the top.

Meanwhile, in the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 180 may display different execution screens according to whether the multi-tap is detected at one of the upper and lower ends of the display unit 151 . For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, if a multi-tap is detected at the upper end and the tap object is dragged from the upper end to the lower end, a setting screen can be displayed. The setting screen is for changing a setting value related to the terminal, and may include objects that can be easily changed using a touch, for example, a Wi-Fi mode or a Bluetooth mode. In addition, notification information may be included to notify a user of an event when a terminal receives a character reception, a missed call, or the like.

Further, as shown in Fig. 15B, when a multi-tap is detected at the bottom and the tap object is dragged from the bottom to the top, icons of the executable application can be displayed together with the image.

As described above, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, it is possible to release the lock state based on the tab pattern detected while the display unit 151 is in the inactive state, and to display the screen information corresponding to the pattern of the tab have. A new user interface is provided because the user can switch the locked state to the unlocked state with a simple method of tapping the object. Thus, user convenience can be improved.

According to the embodiment disclosed herein, 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.

Claims (20)

A terminal body;
A display unit disposed on a front surface of the main body;
A sensing unit for sensing a tap to tap the main body in a state in which the display unit is inactivated; And
When the pattern of the detected tap corresponds to a predetermined pattern, the control unit releases the locked state in which reception of the control command by the user is restricted, switches the display unit from the inactive state to the active state, And a control unit for displaying screen information. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
Wherein the control unit maintains the inactive state and the locked state of the display unit when the detected pattern of the tabs does not match the preset pattern. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein,
Wherein the control unit switches the display unit to an active state so as to receive the password information for canceling the lock state when the tabs of the disagreeable pattern are detected on the display unit a predetermined number of times or more, And displays a lock screen associated with the input on the display unit. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit outputs guide information for guiding that a tab mismatching with the preset pattern is authorized, on the lock screen. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a memory section for storing a plurality of predetermined tap patterns for unlocking,
Wherein the control unit outputs different screen information according to which tap pattern among the plurality of predetermined tap patterns is applied to the display unit. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the control unit releases the lock state when a tab pattern corresponding to one of the plurality of predetermined tap patterns is applied to the display unit and displays screen information corresponding to the one of the tab patterns, And outputs it to the display unit. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein one of the plurality of predetermined patterns is a pattern for outputting a home screen page on the display unit upon unlocking. 6. The method of claim 5,
The control unit
When the tabs applied to the display unit do not coincide with the predetermined patterns,
Wherein the display unit outputs notification information indicating that a tab applied to the display unit is inconsistent with a tab for unlocking, using at least one of a visual, tactile, and audible method. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a light emitting unit for outputting the notification information in a visual manner,
Wherein the control unit lights the light emitting unit for a predetermined time when the tabs applied to the display unit do not match the predetermined patterns. 6. The method of claim 5,
One of the plurality of preset patterns displays one or more graphic objects corresponding to different functions around the detected position of the last tab corresponding to the one pattern on the display unit Pattern. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein,
And displaying the one or more graphic objects around a position where a last tab corresponding to the one pattern is sensed when a tab corresponding to the one pattern is applied on the display unit,
Wherein the function corresponding to any one of the graphic objects is processed when a drag input started from a touch corresponding to the last tab is detected toward any one of the one or more graphic objects. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein one of the one or more graphical objects is associated with a home screen page output function. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11,
And executes at least one application according to the drag input. Sensing a tap to tap the display unit with the display unit disabled;
Determining whether the detected tap pattern corresponds to a set pattern; And
When the pattern of the detected tap corresponds to the set pattern, the control unit releases the lock state in which reception of the control command by the user is restricted, switches the display unit from the inactive state to the active state, And displaying the screen information. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the inactive state and the locked state of the display unit are maintained when the detected pattern of the taps is inconsistent with the preset pattern. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the control unit switches the display unit to an active state so that the user can input password information for canceling the lock state when a tab that does not match the predetermined pattern is detected on the display unit more than a predetermined number of times, And a lock screen associated with the input is displayed on the display unit. 15. The method of claim 14,
In the step of displaying the predetermined screen information,
And outputting different screen information according to a type of the tap pattern corresponding to the tab detected on the display unit. 18. The method of claim 17,
The screen information that can be output according to the type of the tap pattern is,
A home screen page, or an execution screen of an application. 19. The method of claim 18,
When the tab detected on the display unit corresponds to a tab pattern for outputting an execution screen of an application,
Wherein the locked state is released and an application associated with the tab pattern corresponding to the detected tap is executed. 15. The method of claim 14,
The one or more graphic objects are displayed around a position where a last tab corresponding to the tab pattern is detected when a tab corresponding to the predetermined tab pattern is applied on the display unit,
A function corresponding to one of the graphic objects is processed when a drag input started from a touch corresponding to the last tab is detected toward any one of the one or more graphic objects,
Wherein the predetermined screen information includes information corresponding to the processed function.

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