KR20160031305A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal which can be bent and folded and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal includes: a flexible display unit displaying image information; a detection unit detecting bending of the flexible display unit; and a control unit dividing the flexible display unit into a plurality of regions in accordance with the bending of the flexible display unit and displaying different image information in the divided regions individually. The control unit controls the flexible display unit to enable the image information to be displayed at least one of the regions based on a touch input of a user for a bent region.

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of bending or folding, and a control method of the mobile terminal.

A terminal can be divided into a mobile terminal (mobile / portable terminal) and a stationary terminal according to whether the terminal can be moved. The mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mounted terminal according to whether the user can directly carry the mobile terminal.

The functions of mobile terminals are diversified. For example, there are data and voice communication, photographing and video shooting through a camera, voice recording, music file playback through a speaker system, and outputting an image or video on a display unit. Some terminals are equipped with an electronic game play function or a multimedia player function. In particular, modern mobile terminals can receive multicast signals that provide visual content such as broadcast and video or television programs.

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

To support and enhance the functionality of this terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software portions of the terminal.

In addition, the present mobile terminal 200 may be manufactured in the form of a flexible display due to the development of technology. Here, flexible display means a display which can be bent or bent by an external force, or can be twisted, folded or curled. For example, a flexible display can be a display made on a thin, flexible substrate that can be bent, bent, folded or rolled like paper while maintaining the display characteristics of conventional flat panel displays.

Due to these developments, there is a growing need for UX / UI associated with mobile terminals including the above-mentioned curled or curled flexible display portion.

An object of the present invention is to provide appropriate screen information according to a warp characteristic of a flexible display unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of controlling various functions that can be executed in a mobile terminal according to warping characteristics of a flexible display unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal including a flexible display unit for displaying image information, a sensing unit for sensing bending of the flexible display unit, And a control unit for dividing the flexible display unit into a plurality of areas according to bending of the flexible display unit and displaying different image information in the plurality of areas, And controls the flexible display unit so that image information is displayed in at least one of the plurality of areas based on the touch input.

In one embodiment, when the flexible display unit is bent by an external force, the control unit detects an arbitrary straight line serving as a center of the bending, forms a first area around the detected straight line, And the flexible display unit is divided into a plurality of areas based on the first area.

In one embodiment, when the flexible display unit is in an inactive state and is bent by the external force, the control unit controls the display unit based on a plurality of touch inputs applied to at least one of the first area and the divided areas. And activating any one of the divided regions.

In one embodiment, when the first touch input is applied to the first area, if the second touch input is applied to at least one of the divided areas, the second touch input is applied to the area And activates any one of the divided regions based on the received information.

In one embodiment, the second touch input is a plurality of tabs tapping any one of the divided areas, and when the mobile terminal is in a locked state, The mobile terminal is released from the locked state on the basis of whether or not the operation pattern of the user formed by the first touch input and the predetermined operation pattern coincide with each other, Is activated in any one of the regions.

In one embodiment, when the flexible display unit is bent by the external force in a state where the flexible display unit is activated, based on a plurality of touch inputs applied to at least one of the first region and the divided regions, And inactivates any one of the divided regions.

In one embodiment, the controller determines the size of the first area according to the degree of bending of the flexible display unit, and determines the size of the first area based on the determined size of the first area, So that the displayed image information is changed.

In one embodiment, the controller displays information related to image information displayed in any one of the divided areas in the first area, and based on whether the size of the first area is greater than or equal to a predetermined level , The related information is displayed in the first area in the form of a thumbnail image or a text.

In one embodiment, the controller divides the divided areas into a main area and a sub area according to a user's selection, and transmits information related to image information displayed in the main area to the first area and the sub area And the information displayed in at least one of the first area and the sub area is changed according to the degree of bending of the flexible display part.

In one embodiment, the control unit displays image information related to reproduction of sound source data in the main area, and a control menu including a different number of control functions according to the degree of bending of the flexible display unit, On the display unit.

In one embodiment, if the degree of bending of the flexible display unit is less than a predetermined level, the control unit may be configured to display a playlist of sound source data currently set in the first area, a memory provided in the mobile terminal, And displays information on the sound recording albums stored in the external server.

In one embodiment, the control unit displays any one of the images stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or the pre-stored external server in the main area, and displays the pre-stored image according to the degree of bending of the flexible display unit In the first area in the form of a text or a thumbnail image.

In one embodiment, the controller displays a list of image albums of the pre-stored images on the sub-area based on the degree of bending of the flexible display unit, and corresponds to images included in any one of the image album lists And displaying the thumbnail images in the first area.

In one embodiment, the controller displays on the main area a screen in which any one of the video data stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or the pre-set external server is reproduced, and the degree of bending of the flexible display portion And a control menu including different functions related to moving picture data reproduced in the main area is displayed in the first area.

In one embodiment, the control unit further displays still cut images for each time interval extracted from the moving image data to be reproduced in the first area, based on the degree of bending of the flexible display unit .

In one embodiment, the control unit divides a web page accessed by a user into a text portion and a multimedia content portion based on bending of the flexible display unit and displays the web page on the main area and the sub area respectively Or a different part of the web page is displayed in the main area and the sub area.

In one embodiment, the control unit controls the functions executed in the mobile terminal differently based on the degree of bending of the flexible display unit, and controls the image information related to the controlled state based on bending of the flexible display unit, On the at least one of the regions.

In one embodiment, the control unit displays image information related to different functions executable in the mobile terminal in each of the divided areas, and the shared information generated in the first area And controls the flexible display unit so that image information displayed in the first area is displayed in the second area based on the user's selection.

In one embodiment, when the screen on which the moving picture data is reproduced is displayed in the first area, the control unit displays the moving picture data corresponding to a predetermined time before and after the point of time when the touch input of the user is applied to the first area. And controls the flexible display unit to reproduce a part of the moving picture data corresponding to the predetermined time period in the second area when the shared information is selected. do.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a mobile terminal, including: sensing a bending of the flexible display unit; and determining a degree of bending of the flexible display unit The method comprising the steps of: dividing the flexible display unit into a plurality of areas; displaying image information according to at least one operation state executed by the mobile terminal in each of the divided areas of the flexible display unit; And changing the image information displayed in each of the divided regions based on the change when the bent state is changed.

Effects of the mobile terminal and the control method according to the present invention will be described as follows.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention can detect the bent state of the display unit and display the image information based on the bent state of the display unit, so that the user can bend the display unit, So that it can be displayed.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the display unit is divided into a plurality of areas based on a state in which the display unit is bent, and the image information is displayed in the plurality of areas in accordance with the bent state and the touch input of the user So that the user can utilize the display unit more efficiently.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention allows at least one function that is executable on the current mobile terminal to be controlled based on a state in which the display unit is bent, so that the user simply changes the bent state of the display unit, There is an advantage that the desired function is controlled.

1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams illustrating an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention in different directions.
FIG. 2 shows an example in which the mobile terminal according to the present invention is deformed in shape by an external force.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 is an exemplary view showing an example in which a mobile terminal according to the present invention is modified by an external force.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of dividing the display unit into a plurality of regions in the processes shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of switching a display unit in an inactive state to an active state in a mobile terminal related to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of changing image information displayed in a plurality of divided display areas when the bent state of the display part is changed among the processes shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of displaying image information in a bent area of a display unit in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart showing another operation process of displaying image information in a bent area of a display section in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
10 is an exemplary view illustrating an example in which a specific area is activated according to a user's selection among a plurality of areas classified according to bending of a display unit in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
11 is an exemplary view showing an example in which image information is displayed in a plurality of areas divided on the basis of the bent state of the display section in the mobile terminal according to the present invention.
12 is an exemplary view showing an example in which image information displayed in at least one of the plurality of areas is changed based on a touch input of a user in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E are diagrams for explaining a case where different image information related to the operating state of the mobile terminal is displayed in the plurality of areas according to the bent state of the display section These are examples showing an example.
FIG. 13F is an exemplary view illustrating an example in which the operation state of the mobile terminal is controlled according to the bent state of the display unit in the mobile terminal related to the present invention.
14A and 14B are views illustrating an example in which, in a mobile terminal according to the present invention, image information displayed in different areas of the display unit are shared with each other by utilizing a bent area of the display unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, 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. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. , ≪ / RTI > equivalents, and alternatives.

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 A tablet PC, an ultrabook, a wearable device such as a smartwatch, a smart glass, and a head mounted display (HMD). have.

However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to fixed terminals such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, a digital signage, and the like, .

1A to 1C are block diagrams for explaining a mobile terminal according to the present invention, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention in different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a control unit 180, ), And the like. The components shown in FIG. 1A are not essential for implementing a mobile terminal, so that the mobile terminal described herein may have more or fewer components than the components listed above.

The wireless communication unit 110 may be connected between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100 or between the mobile terminal 100 and the external server 100. [ Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > wireless < / RTI > In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for connecting the mobile terminal 100 to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short distance communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 or an image input unit for inputting a video signal, a microphone 122 for inputting an audio signal, an audio input unit, a user input unit 123 for receiving information from a user A touch key, a mechanical key, and the like). The voice data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed by a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include at least one sensor for sensing at least one of information in the mobile terminal, surrounding environment information surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, A G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared sensor, a finger scan sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, A microphone 226, a battery gauge, an environmental sensor (for example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, A thermal sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), a chemical sensor (e.g., an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the mobile terminal disclosed in the present specification can combine and utilize information sensed by at least two of the sensors.

The output unit 150 includes at least one of a display unit 151, an acoustic output unit 152, a haptic tip module 153, and a light output unit 154 to generate an output related to visual, auditory, can do. The display unit 151 may have a mutual layer structure with the touch sensor or may be integrally formed to realize a touch screen. The touch screen may function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user and may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

The interface unit 160 serves as a path to various types of external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 is connected to a device having a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, And may include at least one of a port, an audio I / O port, a video I / O port, and an earphone port. In the mobile terminal 100, corresponding to the connection of the external device to the interface unit 160, it is possible to perform appropriate control related to the connected external device.

In addition, the memory 170 stores data supporting various functions of the mobile terminal 100. The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs or applications running on the mobile terminal 100, data for operation of the mobile terminal 100, and commands. At least some of these applications may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. Also, at least a part of these application programs may exist on the mobile terminal 100 from the time of shipment for the basic functions (e.g., telephone call receiving function, message receiving function, and calling function) of the mobile terminal 100. Meanwhile, the application program may be stored in the memory 170, installed on the mobile terminal 100, and may be operated by the control unit 180 to perform the operation (or function) of the mobile terminal.

In addition to the operations related to the application program, the control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. The control unit 180 may process or process signals, data, information, and the like input or output through the above-mentioned components, or may drive an application program stored in the memory 170 to provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user.

In addition, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1A in order to drive an application program stored in the memory 170. FIG. In addition, the controller 180 may operate at least two of the components included in the mobile terminal 100 in combination with each other for driving the application program.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power to the components included in the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, which may be an internal battery or a replaceable battery.

At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with one another to implement a method of operation, control, or control of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments described below. In addition, the operation, control, or control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170. [

Hereinafter, the various components of the mobile terminal 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1A.

First, referring to the wireless communication unit 110, the broadcast receiving module 111 of the wireless communication unit 110 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. Two or more broadcast receiving modules may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 for simultaneous broadcast reception or broadcast channel switching for at least two broadcast channels.

The mobile communication module 112 may be a mobile communication module or a mobile communication module such as a mobile communication module or a mobile communication module that uses technology standards or a communication method (e.g., Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), Code Division Multi Access 2000 (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) And an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network established according to a long term evolution (e. G., Long Term Evolution-Advanced).

The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet module 113 is configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

Wireless Internet technologies include, for example, wireless LAN (WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro Interoperability for Microwave Access, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) 113 transmit and receive data according to at least one wireless Internet technology, including Internet technologies not listed above.

The wireless Internet module 113 for performing a wireless Internet connection through the mobile communication network can be used for wireless Internet access by WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or LTE- May be understood as a kind of the mobile communication module 112.

The short-range communication module 114 is for short-range communication, and includes Bluetooth ™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB) (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technology. The short-range communication module 114 is connected to the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system through the wireless area networks, between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobile terminal 100 ) And the other mobile terminal 100 (or the external server). The short-range wireless communication network may be a short-range wireless personal area network.

Here, the other mobile terminal 100 may be a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, a smart glass, etc.) capable of interchanging data with the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display)). The short range communication module 114 may detect (or recognize) a wearable device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 100 around the mobile terminal 100. [ If the detected wearable device is a device authenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, the control unit 180 may transmit at least a part of the data processed by the mobile terminal 100 to the short- 114 to the wearable device. Therefore, the user of the wearable device can use the data processed by the mobile terminal 100 through the wearable device. For example, according to this, when a telephone is received in the mobile terminal 100, the user performs a telephone conversation via the wearable device, or when a message is received in the mobile terminal 100, It is possible to check the message.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position (or current position) of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Positioning System (GPS) module or a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) module. For example, when the mobile terminal utilizes the GPS module, it can acquire the position of the mobile terminal by using a signal transmitted from the GPS satellite. As another example, when the mobile terminal utilizes the Wi-Fi module, it can acquire the position of the mobile terminal based on information of a wireless access point (AP) that transmits or receives the wireless signal with the Wi-Fi module. Optionally, the location information module 115 may perform any of the other functions of the wireless communication unit 110 to obtain data relating to the location of the mobile terminal, in addition or alternatively. The location information module 115 is a module used to obtain the location (or current location) of the mobile terminal, and is not limited to a module that directly calculates or obtains the location of the mobile terminal.

Next, the input unit 120 is for inputting image information (or signal), audio information (or signal), data, or information input from a user. For inputting image information, Or a plurality of cameras 121 may be provided. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or moving image obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151 or stored in the memory 170. [ A plurality of cameras 121 provided in the mobile terminal 100 may be arranged to have a matrix structure and various angles or foci may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 through the camera 121 having the matrix structure A plurality of pieces of image information can be input. In addition, the plurality of cameras 121 may be arranged in a stereo structure to acquire a left image and a right image for realizing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 processes the external acoustic signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be utilized variously according to a function (or a running application program) being executed in the mobile terminal 100. Meanwhile, the microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 123 is for receiving information from a user and when the information is inputted through the user input unit 123, the control unit 180 can control the operation of the mobile terminal 100 to correspond to the input information . The user input unit 123 may include a mechanical input unit or a mechanical key such as a button located on the rear or side of the mobile terminal 100, a dome switch, a jog wheel, Jog switches, etc.) and touch-type input means. For example, the touch-type input means may comprise a virtual key, a soft key or a visual key displayed on the touch screen through software processing, And a touch key disposed on the touch panel. Meanwhile, the virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on a touch screen having various forms, for example, a graphic, a text, an icon, a video, As shown in FIG.

Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 senses at least one of information in the mobile terminal, surrounding environment information surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information, and generates a corresponding sensing signal. The control unit 180 may control the driving or operation of the mobile terminal 100 or may perform data processing, function or operation related to the application program installed in the mobile terminal 100 based on the sensing signal. Representative sensors among various sensors that may be included in the sensing unit 140 will be described in more detail.

First, the proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface, or the presence of an object in the vicinity of the detection surface, without mechanical contact by using electromagnetic force or infrared rays. The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in the inner area of the mobile terminal or in proximity to the touch screen, which is covered by the touch screen.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 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. In the case where the touch screen is electrostatic, the proximity sensor 141 can be configured to detect the proximity of the object with a change of the electric field along the proximity of the object having conductivity. In this case, the touch screen (or touch sensor) itself may be classified as a proximity sensor.

On the other hand, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the object is located on the touch screen in proximity with no object touching the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch & The act of actually touching an object on the screen is called a "contact touch. &Quot; The position at which the object is closely touched on the touch screen means a position where the object corresponds to the touch screen vertically when the object is touched. The proximity sensor 141 can detect 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, have. Meanwhile, the control unit 180 processes data (or information) corresponding to the proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern sensed through the proximity sensor 141 as described above, and further provides visual information corresponding to the processed data It can be output on the touch screen. Furthermore, the control unit 180 can control the mobile terminal 100 such that different operations or data (or information) are processed according to whether the touch to the same point on the touch screen is a proximity touch or a touch touch .

The touch sensor senses a touch (or touch input) applied to the touch screen (or the display unit 151) by using at least one of various touch methods such as a resistance film type, a capacitive type, an infrared type, an ultrasonic type, do.

For example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the touch screen or a capacitance generated in a specific portion to an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect a position, an area, a pressure at the time of touch, a capacitance at the time of touch, and the like where a touch object touching the touch screen is touched on the touch sensor. Here, the touch object may be a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer, or the like as an object to which a touch is applied to the touch sensor.

Thus, when 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. Here, the touch controller may be a separate component from the control unit 180, and may be the control unit 180 itself.

On the other hand, the control unit 180 may perform different controls or perform the same control according to the type of the touch object touching the touch screen (or a touch key provided on the touch screen). Whether to perform different controls or to perform the same control according to the type of the touch object may be determined according to the current state of the mobile terminal 100 or an application program being executed.

On the other hand, the touch sensors and the proximity sensors discussed above can be used independently or in combination to provide a short touch (touch), a long touch, a multi touch, a drag touch ), Flick touch, pinch-in touch, pinch-out touch, swipe touch, hovering touch, and the like. Touch can be sensed.

The ultrasonic sensor can recognize the position information of the object to be sensed by using ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, the controller 180 can calculate the position of the wave generating source through the information sensed by the optical sensor and the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The position of the wave source can be calculated using the fact that the light is much faster than the ultrasonic wave, that is, the time when the light reaches the optical sensor is much faster than the time the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. More specifically, the position of the wave generating source can be calculated using the time difference with the time when the ultrasonic wave reaches the reference signal.

The camera 121 includes at least one of a camera sensor (for example, a CCD, a CMOS, etc.), a photo sensor (or an image sensor), and a laser sensor.

The camera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined with each other to sense a touch of the sensing object with respect to the three-dimensional stereoscopic image. The photosensor can be laminated to the display element, which is adapted to scan the movement of the object to be detected proximate to the touch screen. More specifically, the photosensor mounts photo diodes and TRs (Transistors) in a row / column and scans the contents loaded on the photosensor using an electrical signal that varies according to the amount of light applied to the photo diode. That is, the photo sensor performs coordinate calculation of the object to be sensed according to the amount of change of light, and position information of the object to be sensed can be obtained through the calculation.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven by the mobile terminal 100 or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to the execution screen information .

Also, the display unit 151 may be configured as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying a stereoscopic image.

In the stereoscopic display unit, a three-dimensional display system such as a stereoscopic system (glasses system), an autostereoscopic system (no-glasses system), and a projection system (holographic system) can be applied.

The sound output unit 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 170 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output unit 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 unit 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The haptic module 153 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 153 may be vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated in the haptic module 153 can be controlled by the user's selection or the setting of the control unit. For example, the haptic module 153 may synthesize and output different vibrations or sequentially output the vibrations.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 153 may be configured to perform various functions such as 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, 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 153 can transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact, and the tactile effect can be felt by the user through the muscles of the finger or arm. The haptic module 153 may include two or more haptic modules 153 according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The light output unit 154 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event using the light of the light source of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal 100 may include message reception, call signal reception, missed call, alarm, schedule notification, email reception, information reception through an application, and the like.

The signal output from the light output unit 154 is implemented as the mobile terminal emits light of a single color or a plurality of colors to the front or rear surface. The signal output may be terminated by the mobile terminal detecting the event confirmation of the user.

The interface unit 160 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data in the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a port for connecting a device equipped with a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, an audio I / O port, a video I / O port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 160.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM) A 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 interface unit 160. [

The interface unit 160 may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, And various command signals may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 100. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The memory 170 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 170 may store data related to vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 170 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type (Silicon Disk Drive type), a multimedia card micro type ), Card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read memory, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs the storage function of the memory 170 on the Internet.

Meanwhile, as described above, the control unit 180 controls the operations related to the application program and the general operation of the mobile terminal 100. [ For example, when the state of the mobile terminal meets a set condition, the control unit 180 can execute or release a lock state for restricting input of a user's control command to applications.

In addition, the control unit 180 performs control and processing related to voice communication, data communication, video call, or the like, or performs pattern recognition processing to recognize handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively . Further, the controller 180 may control any one or a plurality of the above-described components in order to implement various embodiments described below on the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention.

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 power supply unit 190 includes a battery, the battery may be an internal battery configured to be chargeable, and may be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging or the like.

In addition, the power supply unit 190 may include a connection port, and the connection port may be configured as an example of an interface 160 through which an external charger for supplying power for charging the battery is electrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit 190 may be configured to charge the battery in a wireless manner without using the connection port. In this case, the power supply unit 190 may use at least one of an inductive coupling method based on a magnetic induction phenomenon from an external wireless power transmission apparatus and a magnetic resonance coupling method based on an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon Power can be delivered.

In the following, various embodiments may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, a structure of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal in which components of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A is arranged will be described with reference to FIGS. 1B and 1C.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, 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 folder type, a flip type, a slide type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which a watch type, a clip type, a glass type or two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled . A description of a particular type of mobile terminal, although relevant to a particular type of mobile terminal, is generally applicable to other types of mobile terminals.

Here, the terminal body can be understood as a concept of referring to the mobile terminal 100 as at least one aggregate.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a case (for example, a frame, a housing, a cover, and the like) that forms an appearance. As shown, the mobile terminal 100 may include a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are disposed in the inner space formed by the combination of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one middle case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

A display unit 151 is disposed on a front surface of the terminal body to output information. The window 151a of the display unit 151 may be mounted on the front case 101 to form a front surface of the terminal body together with the front case 101. [

In some cases, electronic components may also be mounted on the rear case 102. Electronic parts that can be mounted on the rear case 102 include detachable batteries, an identification module, a memory card, and the like. In this case, a rear cover 103 for covering the mounted electronic components can be detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Therefore, when the rear cover 103 is separated from the rear case 102, the electronic parts mounted on the rear case 102 are exposed to the outside.

As shown, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102, a side portion of the rear case 102 can be exposed. In some cases, the rear case 102 may be completely covered by the rear cover 103 during the engagement. Meanwhile, the rear cover 103 may be provided with an opening for exposing the camera 121b and the sound output unit 152b to the outside.

These cases 101, 102, and 103 may be formed by injection molding of synthetic resin or may be formed of metal such as stainless steel (STS), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

The mobile terminal 100 may be configured such that one case provides the internal space, unlike the above example in which a plurality of cases provide an internal space for accommodating various electronic components. In this case, a unibody mobile terminal 100 in which synthetic resin or metal is connected from the side to the rear side can be realized.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproof unit (not shown) for preventing water from penetrating into the terminal body. For example, the waterproof portion is provided between the window 151a and the front case 101, between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rear case 102 and the rear cover 103, And a waterproof member for sealing the inside space of the oven.

The mobile terminal 100 is provided with a display unit 151, first and second sound output units 152a and 152b, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, a light output unit 154, Cameras 121a and 121b, first and second operation units 123a and 123b, a microphone 122, an interface unit 160, and the like.

1B and 1C, a display unit 151, a first sound output unit 152a, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, an optical output unit (not shown) A second operation unit 123b, a microphone 122 and an interface unit 160 are disposed on a side surface of the terminal body, And a mobile terminal 100 having a second sound output unit 152b and a second camera 121b disposed on a rear surface thereof.

However, these configurations are not limited to this arrangement. These configurations may be excluded or replaced as needed, or placed on different planes. For example, the first operation unit 123a may not be provided on the front surface of the terminal body, and the second sound output unit 152b may be provided on the side surface of the terminal body rather than the rear surface of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven by the mobile terminal 100 or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to the execution screen information .

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.

In addition, the display unit 151 may exist in two or more depending on the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a plurality of display portions spaced apart from each other or disposed integrally with one another, or may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor that senses a touch with respect to the display unit 151 so that a control command can be received by a touch method. When a touch is made to the display unit 151, the touch sensor senses the touch, and the control unit 180 generates a control command corresponding to the touch based on the touch. The content input by the touch method may be a letter or a number, an instruction in various modes, a menu item which can be designated, and the like.

The touch sensor may be a film having a touch pattern and disposed between the window 151a and a display (not shown) on the rear surface of the window 151a, or may be a metal wire . Alternatively, the touch sensor may be formed integrally with the display. For example, the touch sensor may be disposed on a substrate of the display or inside the display.

In this way, the display unit 151 can form a touch screen together with the touch sensor. In this case, the touch screen can function as a user input unit 123 (see FIG. 1A). In some cases, the touch screen may replace at least some functions of the first operation unit 123a.

The first sound output unit 152a may be implemented as a receiver for transmitting a call sound to a user's ear and the second sound output unit 152b may be implemented as a loud speaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds. ). ≪ / RTI >

The window 151a of the display unit 151 may be provided with an acoustic hole for emitting the sound generated from the first acoustic output unit 152a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sound may be configured to be emitted along an assembly gap (for example, a gap between the window 151a and the front case 101) between the structures. In this case, the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 can be made more simple because the hole formed independently for the apparent acoustic output is hidden or hidden.

The optical output unit 154 is configured to output light for notifying the occurrence of an event. Examples of the event include a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notification, an email reception, and reception of information through an application. The control unit 180 may control the light output unit 154 to terminate the light output when the event confirmation of the user is detected.

The first camera 121a processes an image frame of a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in the photographing mode or the video communication mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151 and can be stored in the memory 170. [

The first and second operation units 123a and 123b may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion as an example of a user input unit 123 operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 have. The first and second operation units 123a and 123b can be employed in any manner as long as the user is in a tactile manner such as touch, push, scroll, or the like. In addition, the first and second operation units 123a and 123b may be employed in a manner that the user operates the apparatus without touching the user through a proximity touch, a hovering touch, or the like.

In this figure, the first operation unit 123a is a touch key, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first operation unit 123a may be a mechanical key or a combination of a touch key and a touch key.

The contents input by the first and second operation units 123a and 123b can be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 123a receives a command such as a menu, a home key, a cancellation, a search, and the like, and the second operation unit 123b receives a command from the first or second sound output unit 152a or 152b The size of the sound, and the change of the display unit 151 to the touch recognition mode.

On the other hand, a rear input unit (not shown) may be provided on the rear surface of the terminal body as another example of the user input unit 123. The rear input unit is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and input contents may be variously set. For example, commands such as power on / off, start, end, scrolling, and the like, the size adjustment of the sound output from the first and second sound output units 152a and 152b, And the like can be inputted. The rear input unit may be implemented as a touch input, a push input, or a combination thereof.

The rear input unit may be disposed so as to overlap with the front display unit 151 in the thickness direction of the terminal body. For example, the rear input unit may be disposed at the rear upper end of the terminal body such that when the user holds the terminal body with one hand, the rear input unit can be easily manipulated using the index finger. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position of the rear input unit may be changed.

When a rear input unit is provided on the rear surface of the terminal body, a new type of user interface using the rear input unit can be realized. When the first operation unit 123a is not disposed on the front surface of the terminal body in place of at least a part of the functions of the first operation unit 123a provided on the front surface of the terminal body, The display unit 151 may be configured as a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a fingerprint recognition sensor for recognizing the fingerprint of the user, and the controller 180 may use the fingerprint information sensed through the fingerprint recognition sensor as authentication means. The fingerprint recognition sensor may be embedded in the display unit 151 or the user input unit 123.

The microphone 122 is configured to receive the user's voice, other sounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be provided at a plurality of locations to receive stereophonic sound.

The interface unit 160 is a path through which the mobile terminal 100 can be connected to an external device. For example, the interface unit 160 may include a connection terminal for connection with another device (for example, an earphone or an external speaker), a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA Port), a Bluetooth port A wireless LAN port, or the like), or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented as a socket for receiving an external card such as a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) or a UIM (User Identity Module) or a memory card for storing information.

And a second camera 121b may be disposed on a rear surface of the terminal body. In this case, the second camera 121b has a photographing direction which is substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a.

The second camera 121b may include a plurality of lenses arranged along at least one line. The plurality of lenses may be arranged in a matrix form. Such a camera can be named an 'array camera'. When the second camera 121b is configured as an array camera, images can be taken in various ways using a plurality of lenses, and a better quality image can be obtained.

The flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. The flash 124 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera 121b.

And a second sound output unit 152b may be additionally disposed in the terminal body. The second sound output unit 152b may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 152a and may be used for implementing a speakerphone mode in a call.

The terminal body may be provided with at least one antenna for wireless communication. The antenna may be embedded in the terminal body or formed in the case. For example, an antenna constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1A) may be configured to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body. Alternatively, the antenna may be formed in a film type and attached to the inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case including a conductive material may be configured to function as an antenna.

The terminal body is provided with a power supply unit 190 (see FIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery 191 built in the terminal body or detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may be configured to receive power through a power cable connected to the interface unit 160. In addition, the battery 191 may be configured to be wirelessly chargeable through a wireless charger. The wireless charging may be implemented by a magnetic induction method or a resonance method (magnetic resonance method).

The rear cover 103 is configured to be coupled to the rear case 102 so as to cover the battery 191 to restrict the release of the battery 191 and to protect the battery 191 from external impact and foreign matter . When the battery 191 is detachably attached to the terminal body, the rear cover 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

The mobile terminal 100 may be provided with an accessory that protects the appearance or supports or expands the function of the mobile terminal 100. [ One example of such an accessory is a cover or pouch that covers or accommodates at least one side of the mobile terminal 100. [ The cover or pouch may be configured to interlock with the display unit 151 to expand the function of the mobile terminal 100. Another example of an accessory is a touch pen for supplementing or extending a touch input to the touch screen.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, information processed in the mobile terminal can be displayed using a flexible display. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example of the mobile terminal 200 according to the present invention.

As shown, the display unit 251 may be configured to be deformable by an external force. The deformation may be at least one of warping, bending, folding, twisting, and curling of the display portion 251. The deformable display portion 251 may be referred to as a " flexible display portion ". Here, the flexible display unit 251 may include both a general flexible display, e-paper, and combinations thereof. In general, mobile terminal 200 may include features of mobile terminal 100 of Figures 1A-1C or similar features.

A typical flexible display refers to a sturdy display that is lightweight and does not break easily, such as paper, formed on a thin, flexible substrate that can flex, bend, fold, twist, or curl like a conventional flat panel display.

In addition, the electronic paper is a display technology to which general ink characteristics are applied, and the point that the reflected light is used is different from the conventional flat panel display. The electronic paper can be changed by using a twist ball or electrophoresis (electrophoresis) using a capsule.

In a state in which the flexible display portion 251 is not deformed (for example, a state having an infinite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a first state), the display area of the flexible display portion 251 is flat. In the first state, the display area may be a curved surface in a state deformed by an external force (for example, a state having a finite radius of curvature, hereinafter referred to as a second state). As shown in the figure, the information displayed in the second state may be time information output on the curved surface. Such visual information is realized by independently controlling the emission of a sub-pixel arranged in a matrix form. The unit pixel means a minimum unit for implementing one color.

The flexible display unit 251 may be placed in a bent state (for example, a vertical state or a left-to-right bent state) instead of a flat state in the first state. In this case, if an external force is applied to the flexible display portion 251, the flexible display portion 251 may be deformed into a flat state (or a less bent state) or a more bent state.

Meanwhile, the flexible display unit 251 may be combined with a touch sensor to implement a flexible touch screen. When a touch is made to the flexible touch screen, the control unit 180 (see FIG. 1A) can perform control corresponding to the touch input. The flexible touch screen may be configured to sense the touch input in the first state as well as the second state.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 200 according to the present modification may be provided with a deformation detecting means capable of detecting deformation of the flexible display unit 251. The deformation detecting means may be included in the sensing unit 140 (see FIG. 1A).

The deformation detecting unit may be provided in the flexible display unit 251 or the case 201 to sense information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit 251. Here, the information related to the deformation may be the direction in which the flexible display unit 251 is deformed, the degree of deformation, the deformation position, the deformation time, and the acceleration at which the deformed flexible display unit 251 is restored, In addition, the flexible display unit 251 may be various information that can be detected due to the bending of the flexible display unit 251.

The control unit 180 may change the information displayed on the flexible display unit 251 or change the information displayed on the flexible display unit 251 based on the information related to the deformation of the flexible display unit 251, It is possible to generate a control signal for controlling the function of the controller.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 200 according to the present modification may include a case 201 that accommodates the flexible display unit 251. The case 201 may be configured to be deformable together with the flexible display unit 251 by an external force in consideration of the characteristics of the flexible display unit 251.

In addition, the battery (not shown) included in the mobile terminal 200 may be configured to be deformable together with the flexible display unit 251 by an external force in consideration of the characteristics of the flexible display unit 251. In order to implement the battery, a stack and folding method in which battery cells are stacked on top of one another may be applied.

The state change of the flexible display unit 251 is not limited to an external force. For example, when the flexible display unit 251 has the first state, it may be transformed to the second state by a command of the user or the application.

Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a sensor for detecting a change in shape of the display unit 151 due to an external force. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a sensor for sensing an area on the display unit 151 where the bending occurs when the display unit 151 is bent by an external force, and a sensor for detecting a bending angle of the display unit 151 And may further include a sensor for sensing.

For example, the sensing unit 140 may further include a sensor that detects a predetermined region of the display unit 151 that is within a predetermined distance from the display unit 151 due to the bending. That is, when the display unit 251 is bent by an external force, the control unit 180 controls the display unit 251 to display a predetermined portion of the display unit 251, for example, A distance between a plurality of predetermined points at the end portion may be measured and the degree of bending of the display portion 251 may be detected according to the measured result.

When the bending of the display unit 251 is sensed, the controller 180 may detect an arbitrary straight line that is the center of the bending based on the area where the bend is detected. Then, the control unit 180 forms a specific region (hereinafter, referred to as a reference region) around the detected straight line (hereinafter, referred to as a center line) based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251 . When the reference area is formed, the controller 180 may divide the display area 251 into a plurality of areas including the formed reference area. For example, the controller 180 may divide an area on the display unit 251 located on both sides of the reference area into different areas (a first area and a second area) based on the formed reference area.

Meanwhile, if the display unit 251 is divided into a plurality of areas, the controller 180 may display various image information in the plurality of divided areas. For example, when the display unit 251 is in an inactive state, the controller 180 may display image information in only one of a plurality of regions classified according to the bending, based on the touch input of the user. Alternatively, the control unit 180 may operate the power saving mode or the inactive state of any one of the plurality of areas on the display unit 251 in the active state based on the touch input of the user.

In addition, the control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can display at least one piece of image information related to the operation state currently being executed in the mobile terminal 200 in the plurality of regions. In this case, the controller 180 determines the size of the reference area and other areas classified based on the reference area according to the bent state of the display part 251, It is possible to change the type or form of the image information.

In addition, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can control various functions that the mobile terminal 200 can perform according to the angle of the display unit 251 bent. For example, the control unit 180 may change the time at which the alarm sounds according to the angle of the display unit 251, or may change the direction in which the image information is scrolled. Alternatively, the control unit 180 may perform different functions that the mobile terminal 200 can provide based on the angle of the display unit 251 bent.

In addition, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may utilize the bent region of the display unit 251, that is, the reference region in various ways. For example, the control unit 180 may display different image information in different regions classified on the basis of the reference region, and image information displayed in the different regions may be displayed between the different regions They may be shared with each other.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in a mobile terminal configured as above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the mobile terminal 200 related to the present invention. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing examples in which the mobile terminal 200 related to the present invention is modified by an external force.

3, the control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can detect a bending of the flexible display unit 251 due to an external force (S300) . And can be deformed into various shapes according to such bending. Here, the external force may mean a force for changing the shape of the flexible display unit 251, for example, a force applied from the user.

When the external force is applied, the flexible display portion 251 can be deformed as shown in Figs. 4 (b), 4 (c) and 4 (d). That is, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when an external force is applied, the flexible display unit 251 can be bent in correspondence with the applied external force, (d), it can be folded in various forms according to the bent angle. 4 (b), 4 (c) and 4 (d), when the flexible display portion 251 is folded, the mobile terminal 200 is rotated in the direction in which the two different corners touch the ground May be mounted in a form.

In this case, the control unit 180 may divide the display unit 251 into a plurality of areas based on the area where the bending of the display unit 251 is detected. For example, the control unit 180 may divide the curved region and the non-curved regions of the display unit 251 into different regions based on the degree of curvature of the display unit 251. The operation of the controller 180 dividing the display unit 251 into a plurality of regions based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

If the display unit 251 is divided into a plurality of areas based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251, the controller 180 determines image information to be displayed in at least one of the divided areas S304). When the image information is determined in step S304, the control unit 180 allows the determined image information to be displayed in at least one of the plurality of areas of the divided display unit 251 (step S306) .

In step S304 and step S306, when the display unit 251 is in the inactive state and the bending occurs, the control unit 180 may activate any one of the plurality of areas divided by the bending operation according to the user's selection have. Alternatively, the controller 180 may switch any one of the plurality of regions divided by the bending to the inactive state according to the user's selection.

If the display unit 251 is divided into a plurality of areas by the bending of the display unit 251 in the activated state, the controller 180 displays the image information displayed in the plurality of areas, (251) can be made different depending on the degree of bending. For example, the control unit 180 may display information related to image information displayed in any one of the areas on the divided display unit 251 in different areas on the basis of the degree of bending of the display unit 251 Can be displayed.

Alternatively, the control unit 180 may sense touch input from a plurality of users from the respective regions of the divided display unit 251, and may perform a plurality of different functions based on the sensed touch inputs. In this case, the control unit 180 may display image information related to different functions corresponding to the touch inputs on different areas on the display unit 251. [ According to the selection of the users, image information displayed in any one of the areas may be displayed in another area using the bent area on the display part 251. [

Or the control unit 180 may perform at least one function executable in the mobile terminal 200 based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251. [ The image information related to the executed function can be displayed on at least one of a plurality of areas on the divided display unit 251. [ Alternatively, the control unit 180 may control the current operation state of the mobile terminal 200 to be changed based on the degree of bending, and the information related to the changed operation state may be transmitted to the divided areas of the display unit 251 May be displayed on at least one of them.

Hereinafter, the operation of activating or deactivating any one of the areas on the divided display unit 251, or the operation of displaying the image to be displayed on the areas on the divided display unit 251 based on the bent state of the display unit 251 The operation of determining information will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

Meanwhile, FIG. 5 illustrates in detail the operation of dividing the display unit 251 into a plurality of regions in the processes shown in FIG.

The control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention detects the bending of the display unit 251 due to an external force and can detect the bending of the display unit 251 in step S300. The control unit 180 may detect a center line that is the center of the bending based on the area where the bending is detected.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 4C, and 4D, when the display unit 251 is bent, the control unit 180 detects any straight line that is the center of the bending . The control unit 180 may recognize the detected straight line 400 as the center of curvature of the display unit 251.

The controller 180 may detect the degree of bending of the display unit 251 (S502). For example, the control unit 180 may detect that the distance between the opposite end edges of the display unit 251 is approaching due to bending of the display unit 251. For this, the sensing unit 140 may be provided with a sensor for sensing the distance between the opposite ends of the display unit 251. For example, a magnetic flux sensor capable of detecting a change in magnetic flux or an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor capable of measuring the distance between the edges of the display unit 251 may be provided at both ends of the display unit 251. Alternatively, the sensing unit 140 may include a bending sensor for determining the degree of bending, and the bending sensor may include a pressure sensor, a strain gauge, or the like.

Based on the detection results of the sensors, the controller 180 may sense the degree of bending of the display unit 251. If the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is detected in step S502, the controller 180 displays the area corresponding to the degree of bending of the display unit 251 around the center line 400 on the display unit 251, (S504). Accordingly, the size of the area 410 formed on the display unit 251 may vary according to the bent state of the display unit 251.

4 (b), 4 (c), and 4 (d), when the display portion 251 is severely curved, the area 410 formed around the center line 400 The size of the area 410 formed around the center line 400 may become larger as the display unit 251 is bent.

In the following description, it is assumed that the display unit 251 is bent at a high level as the display unit 251 is bent in a severely bent state, and the display unit 251 is bent at a bent level as the display unit 251 is bent. Is low '.

If the area 410 corresponding to the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is formed around the center line 400 and the center line 400, , The display unit 251 can be divided into a plurality of areas (S506). For example, the control unit 180 may divide the regions around the formed region 410 into different regions with reference to the formed region 410.

4 (b), 4 (c), and 4 (d), when the display unit 251 has one bent region, the controller 180 forms the center line 400 as a center And regions 402 and 404 on both sides of the region 410. As shown in FIG. In this case, the controller 180 may display different image information in the areas 400, 402, and 404, respectively, based on the bent state of the display unit 251 in step S304. Hereinafter, an area 410 corresponding to the degree of bending of the display unit 251 will be referred to as a 'reference area'.

Meanwhile, if the display unit 251 is divided into a plurality of areas as described above, the controller 180 can determine image information to be displayed in at least one of the plurality of areas in step S304. When the display unit 251 is in an inactive state, the controller 180 activates only one of the plurality of regions, or, conversely, the plurality of divided regions of the display unit 251 , It is possible to deactivate any one of the regions.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of switching one of a plurality of divided regions of a display unit in an inactive state to an active state according to a user's selection in the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

For example, the mobile terminal 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects a touch input on the display unit 251, Or in a specific mode where power is consumed. This particular mode may be referred to as a 'doze mode'.

For example, in the doze mode, in a touch screen structure in which a touch sensor and a display unit 251 have a mutual layer structure, only a light emitting element for outputting a screen in the display unit 251 is turned off, The sensor may be in the on-state state. Or the doze mode may be a mode in which the display unit 251 is turned off and at least one of the touch sensor or the acceleration sensor for sensing the touch input is kept on.

Therefore, in the doze mode state, that is, when the display unit 251 is turned off, or when the display unit 251 is turned off (the display unit 251 is inactive) When the touch input is applied to at least one point on the mobile terminal 200 or a specific point of the main body of the mobile terminal 200, it is detected that the touch input is applied from the user through at least one of the on- .

Therefore, even if the display unit 251 is divided into a plurality of areas, the controller 180 can display the touch input of the user applied to any one of the plurality of divided areas of the inactive display unit 251 (S600). In operation S602, only one of the plurality of regions corresponding to the touch input of the user may be activated. The control unit 180 may display image information corresponding to the activated state of the mobile terminal 200, that is, image information corresponding to a standby screen or a predetermined operation state, in the activated region (S604).

On the other hand, the control unit 180 may activate only one region of the plurality of regions in which the user's touch input is sensed, It is of course possible to activate only the region. For example, when a touch input of a user is detected in any one of the plurality of areas, the controller 180 recognizes that the touch input is for activating the display unit 251 in the inactive state And may activate only one of the plurality of divided regions based on another touch input applied subsequent to the touch input.

Here, the predetermined area may be the reference area 410, and the areas 402 and 404 classified into different areas with reference to the reference area 410 may be image information As shown in FIG. In this case, when there is a touch input of the user applied to the reference area 410, the control unit 180 controls the touch area based on the drag input applied to any one of the other areas 402 and 404 following the touch input, It is possible to activate only one of the areas 402 and 404 and display image information corresponding thereto.

Meanwhile, when the touch input of the user to the reference area 410 is sensed, the controller 180 may select an area for displaying the image information in a manner different from the above-described method. For example, when the user touches the reference area 410, the controller 180 determines whether the user touches the reference area 410 based on the number of times of touch input next to the touch input or the area of the area where the other touch input is sensed It may determine the area to be activated.

For example, the touch input of the user applied to the reference area 410 may be a user placing a hand on the reference area 410. In this case, the user's palm may be closely attached to the reference region 410, and the controller 180 may recognize the user's touch input to the reference region 410. In this state, the user can touch different areas (402, 404) separated by the reference area (410) with other fingers except for the thumb and the thumb according to the direction in which the hand is placed . For example, in a state in which the user places his / her hand on the reference area 410, a touch input is applied to the first area 402 using a thumb, and other fingers The touch input may be applied to the first area 402 and the second area 404 with different numbers or different areas.

In this case, the control unit 180 may activate any one of the divided regions 402 and 404 based on the number of touch inputs or the area to which the touch input is applied. For example, the control unit 180 can select a region to which a touch input is applied a smaller number of times or a region to which a touch input with a smaller area is applied, and activate the region. In this case, the area 402 to which the user has applied the touch input using the thumb can be selected by the user, and the selected area can be activated.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can switch the display unit 251 to the inactive state when entering the locked state. In this case, when the operation pattern of the user formed by a plurality of tabs tapping the display unit 251 matches the predetermined unlocking operation pattern, the controller 180 cancels the locking state, The display unit 251 can be switched to the active state.

Meanwhile, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the current state of the display unit 251 is bent by an external force, the mobile terminal 200 may distinguish the display unit 251 from a plurality of regions according to the bent state, A plurality of tabs can be input through any one of the areas of the divided display unit 251. In this case, the control unit 180 may determine an area to be activated based on an area on the display unit 251 to which the plurality of tabs are applied.

For example, as described above, when the user places different areas (the first area 402, the second area 402, and the second area 402) classified by the reference area 410 in a state in which the user's palm is in close contact with the reference area 410, The touch input sensed in the area 404 may be recognized as the plurality of taps when the touch input is applied to the thumb and finger other than the thumb.

In this case, the controller 180 may determine whether the operation patterns formed by the plurality of tabs match a predetermined pattern for unlocking the mobile terminal 200. If the patterns match, the control unit 180 can switch any one of the first region 402 and the second region 404 to the active state.

Here, the control unit 180 may determine an area to be activated based on the number of touch inputs subsequent to the touch input. For example, the control unit 180 controls the second region 404 when the tap input is activated, that is, when the tap is activated more frequently, 1 < / RTI >

Meanwhile, when the user grasps the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the user's palm is closely attached to the reference region 410, the first region 402, It is positioned in the opposite direction. Accordingly, when the control unit 180 selects the area to be activated according to the detection result of the plurality of taps, the area where the touch input of a smaller area is applied, the area where a smaller number of touch inputs are applied, It may be preferable to select another region to which the tab of the first region is not applied.

On the other hand, if a plurality of regions are selected in accordance with the bent state of the display unit 251, the controller 180 may perform a process similar to that shown in FIG. 6, Only one of the regions may be switched to the inactive state. For example, if there is a user's touch input to the reference area 410, the controller 180 recognizes that the touch input is for inactivating any one of the areas of the currently active display 251 have. Also, the controller 180 may switch only one of the activated areas to an inactive state based on another touch input (for example, a drag input) subsequent to the touch input.

In addition, the controller 180 may switch an area determined according to the touch input of the user to a power saving mode mode among the divided areas. Here, the power saving mode refers to an operation mode that is driven with a minimum power. The power saving mode may be an operation mode that is driven with brightness less than a preset level, and may also include a clock application, an operation state in which a calendar application is driven, And may be in a state of operating in a preset operation mode.

According to the above description, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 251 displays different image information in the divided areas based on the bent state, It has been mentioned that the image information displayed in the areas can be changed based on the degree of division of the area 251. In this case, the control unit 180 may detect whether the bent state of the display unit 251 is changed and change the image information as described above.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of changing image information displayed in a plurality of divided display sub-areas in detail when the bent state of the display unit is changed as described above.

7, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays different image information related to the current operation state of the mobile terminal 200 according to the bent state of the display unit 251, Are displayed in the plurality of divided areas, respectively (S700). For example, the control unit 180 extracts information related to image information displayed in any one of the areas divided according to the bending of the display unit 251, and outputs the extracted information to another Area.

That is, when the display unit 251 is bent by an external force, the controller 180 controls the main areas and the sub areas of the plurality of areas, except for the reference area, sub area. In this case, the controller 180 may display image information corresponding to an operation state currently being executed by the mobile terminal 200 in an area set as a main area of the divided areas, and an area set as a reference area and a sub area Additional information related to the image information currently displayed in the main area can be displayed.

For example, when the image information displayed in the main area is an electronic newspaper including multimedia contents, the control unit 180 can display the contents of the electronic newspaper corresponding to the web address currently set in the main area. In this case, thumbnail information of various multimedia contents included in the electronic newspaper may be displayed in the reference area. Also, the sub-area may include contents related to specific multimedia contents corresponding to the user's selection among the multimedia contents included in the electronic newspaper.

Alternatively, assuming that the current operation state of the mobile terminal 200 is a state in which the multimedia contents are reproduced, image information corresponding to the multimedia contents to be reproduced can be displayed in the main area, A control menu for controlling the multimedia contents may be displayed. In addition, a list of other contents included in the folder where the multimedia contents are stored may be displayed in the sub area.

On the other hand, the image information displayed in each of the divided regions may vary depending on the degree of bending of the display unit 251. For example, the control unit 180 may display different kinds of image information, display direction, or shape in different areas according to the degree of bending of the display unit 251.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the level of the display unit 251 is less than a predetermined level (less than a predetermined first level), the controller 180 controls the first area 402 and the second area 404 so that information related to the first area 402 and the second area 404 is displayed in the reference area 410, You may. In this case, the image information displayed in the first area 402 and the second area 404 may be displayed in one direction (for example, the direction from the first area 402 to the second area 404) , And can be scrolled in the same direction. 4 (b), if the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is not severe, the user confirms the first area 402 and the second area 404 all at once This is possible.

4 (c), when the bent level of the display unit 251 corresponds to a certain level (a predetermined first level or higher and a predetermined second level or lower) The controller 180 causes the image information related to the image information displayed in either the first area 402 or the second area 404 to be displayed in the other areas 410, 402, and 404 as described above It is possible. For example, when the first area 402 is set as the main area, the controller 180 controls the information related to the image information displayed in the main area in the reference area 410 and the second area 404 Can be displayed. In this case, the image information in the first area 402 and the second area 404 may be displayed in the direction in which the reference area 410 is located, that is, in directions opposite to each other, The image information can be scrolled in the first area 402 and the second area 404.

4 (d), when the bent level of the display unit 251 exceeds a predetermined level (the second level or higher), the controller 180 controls the first area 402) or the second area (404). Alternatively, the control unit 180 may display image information in only one of the first area 402 and the second area 404, and may display additional information related to the image information in the reference area 410 .

4 (b), 4 (c), and 4 (d), on the assumption that the display unit 251 has predetermined threshold values, that is, first and second levels, depending on the degree of bending, The image information is displayed in the state shown in FIG. 3B, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the first level and the second level are only for explaining the operation according to the bending of the display portion 251 for convenience of explanation, and there may be fewer or more thresholds related to the bending of the display portion 251 Of course it is. These threshold values related to the degree of bending of the display portion 251 are used by the controller 180 to determine the image information displayed in the first region 402, the second region 404, and the reference region 410 Or may be used to determine the size of the reference area 410.

When different image information related to the current operation state of the mobile terminal 200 is displayed in the divided area according to the bending state of the display unit 251, the controller 180 controls the bending state of the display unit 251 Is changed (S702). If it is determined in step S702 that the bent state of the display unit 251 has not been changed, the current image information is maintained in the displayed state in each of the areas 402, 404, and 410.

However, if it is determined in step S702 that the bent state of the display unit 251 is changed, the controller 180 detects the degree of change of the bent state of the display unit 251, The size of the region formed based on the center line of the bent, that is, the size of the reference region can be changed (S704).

When the size of the reference area 410 is changed, the size of the first area 402 and the second area 404, which are divided by the reference area 410, may also be changed. In this case, the controller 180 may change image information displayed in each of the areas based on the sizes of the changed areas, that is, the reference area 410, the first area 402, and the second area 404 S706).

For example, when the size of the reference area 410 is larger, the control unit 180 may display a control menu including the more control functions in the reference area 410. When the size of the reference area 410 is larger than the size of the reference area 410, the controller 180 determines whether the size of the reference area 410 is larger than the size of the image displayed in the current main area (e.g., the first area 402), such as thumbnail information Other information related to the information may also be displayed.

The control menu including fewer control functions may be displayed in the reference area 410. If the related information displayed in the form of a thumbnail image is displayed in the text area 410, Or may be displayed in the reference area more briefly in the form of tag information.

In the above description, it is assumed that any one of the first area 402 and the second area 404 is set as a main area and the remaining area is set as a sub area, It goes without saying that the image information related to the functions of the different mobile terminals 200 may be displayed in the first area 402 and the second area 404. In this case, the controller 180 may sense the touch input applied to the first area 402 and the second area 404, respectively, and perform functions corresponding to the touch input, respectively. Accordingly, the controller 180 may display image information related to different functions in the first area 402 and the second area 404, respectively.

In this case, the reference region 410 may be used in various forms in different forms. For example, when the image information related to the functions of the different mobile terminals 200 is displayed in the first area 402 and the second area 404 as described above, Image information according to a function selected by each of a plurality of users may be displayed in the first area 402 and the second area 404, respectively. In this case, a plurality of users can use the bent area of the display unit 251, that is, the reference area 410 as an area for sharing information with each other.

For example, the control unit 180 may transmit information related to information displayed in any one of the first area 402 and the second area 404 to the reference area 410 ), And information corresponding to the related information can be displayed in another area according to the user's selection.

The control unit 180 can change the image information displayed in each of the areas based on the bent state of the display unit 251. For example, if the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the controller 180 may display information related to information displayed in any one of the first area 402 and the second area 404, It can be displayed in format or tag format. However, if the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is less than a certain level, the controller 180 may display information related to the information displayed in either the first area 402 or the second area 404 as a thumbnail image It can also be displayed in the form of the same image.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a screen in which one of the areas of the divided display unit 251 is set as the main area and the additional information related to the image information displayed in the main area is displayed in the other areas The operation of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. In the following description, the main area is detected by the first area 402, the sub area is the second area 404 of FIG. 4, and the reference area is detected by bending of the display part 251 And the area 410 is formed based on the center line.

8, when any one of the areas of the divided display unit 251 is set as the main area 402, the control unit 180 displays the image displayed in the main area of the currently- Related information based on the information (S800). For example, the controller 180 can display the overall contents of the web page in the main area 402 when the current operation state indicates a web page including the multimedia contents. In step S800, the control unit 180 may extract the multimedia contents included in the web page as the related information.

If the related information is extracted in step S800, the controller 180 may display the extracted information on the reference area 410 and the sub area 404 based on the bent state of the display part 251 S802). If the degree of bend of the display unit 251 is less than a predetermined level, the controller 180 generates thumbnail images corresponding to the extracted information, and displays the generated thumbnail images on the reference area 410 .

In this case, the controller 180 detects whether the user touches the reference area 410 (S804). As a result of the detection in step S804, if there is a user's touch input for any one of related information displayed in the reference area 410, corresponding image information can be displayed in the sub area 404 (S806 ). If there is a selection of one of the thumbnail images displayed in the reference area 410, the multimedia content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image can be reproduced in the sub area 404.

On the other hand, when some text included in the web page displayed in the main area 402 includes link information to another web page, the information of the web page corresponding to the link information is also extracted as the related information . In this case, the control unit 180 displays information related to the web page corresponding to the link information in the reference area 410 as an image, such as text information or thumbnail image, based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251 Can be displayed. If any one of the related information is selected by the user, the controller 180 may move to a web page corresponding to the link information and display a screen of the corresponding web page in the main area 402. In this case, the controller 180 may extract information related to the changed web page, that is, information such as multimedia content or other linked web pages, and display the extracted information in the reference area 410 as related information.

In addition, the control unit 180 may use history information as information related to a web page currently displayed in the main area 402. [ Here, the history information may be information on web pages that the user has visited in the past when surfing the web. In this case, when any one of the history information indicated by the related information is selected, the control unit 180 moves to a web page corresponding to the selected history information, and displays a screen of the corresponding web page in the main area 402 .

Meanwhile, if the current state of the mobile terminal 200 is a state in which the multimedia contents such as moving pictures or sound source contents are played back, the related information extracted in step S800 may be stored in the memory 170, And information about contents stored in an external server (for example, a cloud server). In this case, the controller 180 extracts a list of contents stored in the memory 170 or the external server and displays the list of contents in the reference area 410 and the sub area 404 according to the bent state of the display part 251 .

Here, the controller 180 may display different related information in the sub area 404 and the reference area 410. For example, when the extracted contents have an album form including a plurality of different multimedia contents, the controller 180 displays the information about the albums in the sub-area 404, A list of contents included in the album selected by the user can be displayed in the reference area.

Alternatively, when the contents stored in the memory 170 or the predetermined external server are video contents, the controller 180 may display thumbnail images of the video contents in the sub area 404 as related information. Then, the moving picture content corresponding to any one of the thumbnail images displayed in the sub area 404 is reproduced (displayed in the main area 402), and relevant information on the current moving picture content is recorded in the reference area 410 ). ≪ / RTI >

Here, the related information displayed in the reference area 410 may be various. For example, still cut images for the currently playing video content, or a graphic object in the form of a time line separated by a predetermined time interval. The control unit 180 may determine the display form of the related information based on the bent state of the display unit 251 and display the related information as the still-cut image or the graphic object in the form of a timeline have.

Alternatively, the control unit 180 may display a control menu for controlling the extracted content information in the sub area 404 and the multimedia content currently being played in the main area in the reference area 410. [ In this case, the control unit 180 may display a control menu including the different control functions on the reference area 410 based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251.

Meanwhile, according to the above description, the controller 180 may display image information related to different functions in the divided areas, and image information displayed in the different areas using the reference area may be displayed in different And may be shared among the regions. In the following description, it is assumed that information is shared between the first user using the first area 402 and the second user using the second area 404 for convenience of explanation through the reference area .

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the mobile terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

The display unit 251 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may have a reference area centered on a center line and the display unit 251 may be divided into a first area 402, And a second area 404. In this case, the controller 180 may display image information corresponding to different functions executable in the mobile terminal 200 in the first area 402 and the second area 404, respectively.

In this case, when there is a selection of the first user in the first area 402 among the divided areas, the control unit 180 can generate the shared information from the image information displayed in the first area 402 (S900).

Here, the shared information may be variously generated. For example, when the image information displayed in the first area is image information related to a function of outputting a pre-stored still image, the shared information is stored in the first area 402 or the still image displayed in the first area 402 And may include address information of the memory 170 or an external server. Or when the image information displayed in the first area is image information related to a function of outputting a web page or text information, the shared information may be generated including the address of the web page or the text information.

In this case, the control unit 180 may display the generated shared information in the reference area 410. [ The control unit 180 may display the shared information generated in step S900 in the form of a thumbnail image if the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is less than a predetermined level. However, if the degree of bend of the display unit 251 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the controller 180 may display the shared information generated in operation 900 in the form of text information or tag information.

Meanwhile, if the shared information is displayed in the reference area 410, the controller 180 may sense touch input of the second user with respect to the shared information (S904). If there is the touch input as a result of the detection in step S904, the image information displayed in the first area 402 may be displayed in the second area 404 using the shared information corresponding to the touch input . In this case, the same image information can be displayed in the first area 402 and the second area 404, so that the first and second users can share the same image information with each other.

In the above description, the shared information about the still image, the web page, or the text information is generated. However, it is needless to say that the moving image contents may also be shared among a plurality of users in the form of the shared information.

For example, when the moving picture contents are displayed in the first area 402, the control unit 180 displays the moving picture contents corresponding to the moving picture contents displayed in the first area 402 on the basis of the touch input of the first user Information can be generated. For example, the shared information may be moving picture information corresponding to a predetermined time before or after a point of time when a touch input is detected from a first user, among moving picture contents reproduced in the first area 402. [ That is, when the predetermined period of time is 10 seconds, the control unit 180 determines whether or not information corresponding to the portion corresponding to five seconds to five seconds after the touch input of the first user is detected from the moving picture content to be played back in the first region 402 As the shared information.

Here, the shared information may be information obtained by recording a portion corresponding to a predetermined time before or after the touch input is detected, or may include address information of moving picture content to be played back in the first area 402, And may be information on a reproduction start point and a reproduction end point.

Accordingly, when the second user selects to share the shared information, for example, when the second user drags the shared information displayed in the reference area 410 to the second area 404, In the second area 404, moving picture information corresponding to a portion corresponding to the shared information, i.e., a time point at which a touch input of the first user is applied is reproduced for a predetermined time before and after the moving picture content reproduced in the first area 402 .

In addition, the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can utilize various areas of the divided area according to the bending of the display part 251. For example, the control unit 180 may perform different functions based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251. In addition, when the display unit 251 is bent, the control unit 180 may control the currently operating states to be different from each other based on the change.

The operation of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the flowcharts.

Hereinafter, examples of displaying different image information or changing displayed image information according to the bent state of the display unit 251 in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail Let's take a look.

10 illustrates an example in which, in a mobile terminal according to the present invention, a specific area is activated according to a selection of a user among a plurality of areas divided according to bending of the display unit.

For example, the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be bent as shown in FIG. 10 (a) by an external force in a state in which the display portion 251 is inactive. In this case, the control unit 180 may include a reference area 1000 and two other areas (first area 1002, second area 1004, and second area 1002) formed on the basis of the center line of the bend, ).

In this state, the controller 180 may activate at least one of the plurality of regions 1002 and 1004 based on the touch input of the user. For example, when the touch input is sensed in the reference area 1000, the controller 180 determines whether the touch input is detected based on the number and / or area of the touch input sensed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 So that the area of the display unit 251 to be activated can be determined. 10 (b), the controller 180 senses the touch input applied to the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 at the same time, and detects the touch input applied to the first area 1002 and the second area 1004, It is possible to activate any one of the second regions 1004.

In this case, the control unit 180 determines that the first area 1002, which is a region to which a smaller number of touch inputs are sensed and / or a touch input is applied to a smaller area, is activated by the touch input This is because the area of the display section 251 corresponding to the position of the thumb 1014, that is, the first area 1002, is located in the direction facing the user.

On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 200 is in the locked state, the control unit 180 can release the locked state based on the plurality of tabs applied on the display unit 251, And determine the area to be activated based on a plurality of taps.

For example, when the user grasps the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the controller 180 controls the touch input for releasing the locked state from the fingers 1012 . In this case, when the finger 1012 matches a predetermined unlocking operation pattern with an operation pattern formed by a plurality of tabs tapping the second area 1004, And can switch any one of the divided regions of the display unit 251 to the active state.

In this case, it may be more preferable that the control unit 180 determines that the first region 1002, which is the region where the plurality of taps are not applied, is determined to be activated by the plurality of taps, , That is, the first area 1002 is located in the direction facing the user.

Alternatively, the area of the display unit 251 to be activated may be selected in a different manner. 10 (c), when the user applies the touch input 1020 to the reference area 1000 and applies the drag input 1022 subsequent to the touch input 1020, The specific area may be activated based on the touch input. 10 (c), if the drag input is applied to the first area 1002 following the touch input 1020 of the user applied to the reference area 1000, The first area 1002 can be determined as the area selected by the user.

On the other hand, when the first area 1002 is determined as an area on the display unit 251 to be activated through the methods shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, Only the first region 1002 among the divided regions of the display unit 251 can be activated. FIG. 10 (d) shows an example of such a case.

Meanwhile, according to the above-described description, the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the image information displayed in each area and the direction or type in which the image information is displayed to be changed on the basis of the bent state of the display part 251 I have mentioned the possibility.

11 shows an example in which image information is displayed in a plurality of areas divided on the basis of the bent state of the display unit 251 in the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

11, (a), (b) and (c) of FIG. 11 show examples in which the degree of bending of the display portion 251 is different from each other. 11 (a) shows an example of a case where the degree of bending of the display portion 251 is the greatest, and Fig. 11 (c) shows an example of a case where the degree of bending of the display portion 251 is the weakest It is. Hereinafter, the case where the degree of bending of the display portion 251 is the most severe is referred to as a first state, and the case where the degree of bending is the weakest is referred to as a third state. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), a case in which a bend corresponding to the intermediate degree between the first state and the third state is referred to as a second state.

First, in the first state in which the display portion 251 is most severely bent, the reference region 1000 may be formed to be the smallest as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the controller 180 can display only simple text information such as address information of the currently connected web page on the display unit 251. 11 (a), the control unit 180 activates only the first area 1002 and the reference area 1000, when the different areas of the display unit 251 are completely folded to contact each other , The second area 1004 may be kept in the inactive state.

Meanwhile, when the bend of the display unit 251 is changed to the second state in this state, the controller 180 controls the display unit 251 to display the image information displayed in the divided regions on the basis of the bend of the changed display unit 251 It can also be changed. That is, the control unit 180 can expand the size of the reference area based on the degree of bending of the display unit 251 as shown in the second state. 11 (b), the controller 180 extracts relevant information from the image information displayed in the current main area, i.e., the first area 1002, and extracts the extracted related information from the reference area 1000) in the form of an image. The extracted related information may include multimedia contents included in a web page displayed in the main area 1002 or another web page linked to a part of the text of the web page or other web pages visited by a user in the past History information).

In this case, the controller 180 may display information about any one of the extracted related information in the second area 1004. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the control unit 180 may be configured to select one of the related information 1112, 1114, 1116, and 1118 displayed in the reference area 1000, The corresponding information 1120 can be displayed in the second area 1004.

In this case, the controller 180 may output the image information displayed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 in opposite directions with respect to the reference area 1000. That is, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the controller 180 determines that the image information displayed in the first area 1002 and the image information displayed in the second area 1004 may be displayed. Here, the upward direction of the image information may mean a direction in which the graphic objects included in the image information displayed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004, i.e., the upper part of the text or the image, .

Accordingly, when the display unit 251 is bent to a certain level (second state) as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the controller 180 determines that the image information to be displayed in the second area 1004, That is, rotated 180 degrees. Accordingly, the image information displayed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 can be displayed in opposite directions with respect to the reference area 1000. 11 (b), when the display unit 251 is bent and held at a predetermined level or more, the image information displayed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 are displayed on different users I can watch it. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), image information is displayed with the direction in which the reference area 1000 is located as an upward direction, so that the image information is displayed on the opposite side of the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 The control unit 180 can display the image information of the second area 1004 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the image information is displayed in the first area 1002 since the user can view the image information that is not inverted.

On the other hand, when the bending of the display unit 251 is more relaxed than the second state, the controller 180 can display information related to one content in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 . That is, the control unit 180 may display one web page in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004, as shown in FIG. 11 (c). When the user enters a third state in which bending of the display unit 251 is relaxed as shown in (c) of FIG. 11, when the user touches the divided areas 1000, 1002, and 1004 of the mobile terminal 200 all at once So that the areas of the display unit 251 can be written more efficiently. In this case, different parts of the web page currently connected to the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 may be displayed. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 11C, information related to the image information currently displayed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 may be displayed in the reference area 1000.

11 (c), when the bending of the display portion 251 is alleviated as shown in the third state, the controller 180 controls the second region The image information displayed on the display unit 1004 can be changed back to the original display direction. This is because the user can confirm all of the divided areas 1000, 1002, and 1004 of the mobile terminal 200 at once, as described above, when the bend of the display unit 251 is relaxed as in the third state. Accordingly, the controller 180 determines whether the direction in which the image information is displayed in the second area 1004 is the same as the direction in which the image information is displayed in the first area 1002, that is, 1004 may be rotated again by 180 degrees and output.

Meanwhile, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the display unit 251 is bent as in the second state, if any one of the information displayed in the reference region 1000 is selected, The image information corresponding to the selected information can be displayed in the second area 1004. If the selected information is link information related to another web page, the control unit 180 may move to another web page and display image information corresponding thereto.

Here, the controller 180 extracts information related to the image information displayed in the first area 1002 set as the main area, and outputs information related to the extracted information to other areas, that is, the reference area 1000 and the second area (1004). ≪ / RTI > If the image information displayed in the main area 1002 is a web page, the related information extracted may be link information or history information set in the multimedia contents included in the web page or the text of the web page I have mentioned.

FIG. 12 shows an example of image information displayed in each of the bent areas of the display unit 251 in this case.

For example, when the display unit 251 is bent over a certain level (for example, the second state), if the image information displayed in the main area 1002 is a web page, The related information can be extracted. In this case, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the contents of the web page can be displayed separately from the text portion and the multimedia contents portion. 12 (a), the controller 180 displays a text portion of the web page in the main area 1002, and displays any one of the multimedia contents included in the web page in the sub area ( 1004). The control unit 180 may display information related to the multimedia contents extracted from the web page in the reference area 1000 in the form of a thumbnail image. In this case, the image information displayed in the sub-area 1004 may be multimedia content corresponding to the image 1210 selected by the user's touch input 1200 among the thumbnail images displayed in the reference area 1000.

In this state, if the user touches the images displayed in the reference area 1000, the control unit 180 displays the image information displayed on the main area 1002 and the sub area 1004, Lt; / RTI > 12 (b), when the user applies the drag input 1202 in a state in which the touch input 1200 is applied to the first image 1210 displayed in the reference area 1000, The second image 1212 may be selected by the drag input 1202. [

In this case, the controller 180 may determine that the user has selected the second image 1212, and may display the multimedia content corresponding to the selected second image 1212 in the sub area 1004. However, if the second image 1212 does not correspond to the multimedia contents included in the web page currently displayed in the main area 1002 but is related information corresponding to another web page, The web page corresponding to the second image 1212 can be moved to display the image information on the moved web page in the main area 1002. [ In this case, various related information is extracted from the currently moved web page, and thumbnail images corresponding to the extracted information can be displayed in the reference area 1000. In this state, if the degree of bending of the display unit 251 is changed, the controller 180 changes the information displayed in the reference area 1000 to a text form (the display unit 251 is bent more heavily The display area 251 displays a single web page screen in which the multimedia contents are not separated in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 without distinguishing between the main area and the sub area Of course).

Meanwhile, the control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention changes the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1002 according to the bending state of the display part 251 I have mentioned that it is possible. In addition, it has been mentioned that the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1002 can be determined according to the operation state executed in the mobile terminal 200. [

13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E are diagrams for explaining a case where different image information related to the operating state of the mobile terminal is displayed in the plurality of areas according to the bent state of the display section These are examples showing an example.

13A, when the mobile terminal 200 performs a function of reproducing sound source data, the display unit 251 is moved to each area of each display unit 251 according to the bent state And the image information to be displayed is changed.

For example, when the display unit 251 is severely bent, the controller 180 may activate only the first area 1002 currently set as the main area, activate only the first area 1002 and the reference area 1000 have. 13A, the control unit 180 converts the image information on the sound source data currently reproduced in the main area 1002 into the function currently reproduced in the reference area 1000, that is, the sound source data It is possible to display the control menu related to the reproduction of the image. In addition, the controller 180 may operate in a power saving mode in which time information and weather information are displayed in the sub area, i.e., the second area 1004.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is stretched over a certain level, the controller 180 may change the size of the reference area 1000 based on the change in the bending state of the display unit 251. Accordingly, the controller 180 may display more information on the reference area 1000 according to the size of the reference area 1000. For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 13A, the control unit 180 may display a control menu including more control functions in the reference area 1000 according to the size change of the reference area 1000 . When the size of the reference area 1000 is increased, the image information displayed in the main area 1002 and the sub area 1004 can be changed accordingly.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is expanded more than a certain level, the controller 180 can change the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1004 accordingly. For example, the control unit 180 may display a list 1312 of sound source data currently set in a wider reference area 1000 as shown in (c) of FIG. 13 (a) Album information 1310 related to the sound source data to be reproduced can be displayed. 13 (c), when the display unit 251 is bent slightly, the user can see the first region 1002 and the second region 1004 at a glance even when the mobile terminal 200 is stationary, As shown in FIG.

13B, when the mobile terminal 200 performs a function of displaying pre-stored images, the display unit 251 may display the image of each region of each display unit 251 according to the bent state, The image information to be displayed on the display unit is changed.

For example, when the display unit 251 is severely bent, the control unit 180 displays one of the images selected by the user in the main area 1002 and a list of the plurality of images in the reference area 1000, Lt; / RTI > In addition, the controller 180 may operate in a power saving mode in which time information and weather information are displayed in the sub area, i.e., the second area 1004.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is stretched over a certain level, the controller 180 may change the size of the reference area 1000 based on the change in the bending state of the display unit 251. 13B, the control unit 180 not only displays thumbnail images corresponding to a plurality of images, but also information relating to the images, for example, information 1320 about the shooting time of the images May be displayed in the reference area 1000. [ When the size of the reference area 1000 is increased, the image information displayed in the main area 1002 and the sub area 1004 can be changed accordingly.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is expanded more than a certain level, the controller 180 can change the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1004 accordingly. For example, the control unit 180 may display a thumbnail image corresponding to a larger number of images in a wider reference area 1000, as shown in (c) of FIG. 13 (b) Information about the albums 1322 including images of the album may be displayed. Here, the thumbnail images displayed in the reference area 1000 may be images included in any one of the albums 1322 displayed in the sub area 1004. The image information displayed in the main area 1002 may be an image corresponding to one of the thumbnail images displayed in the reference area 1000 according to the user's selection.

13B, when the mobile terminal 200 performs the function of playing back the previously stored moving picture contents, the display unit 251 may display the area of each of the display units 251 according to the bent state, The image information to be displayed on the display unit is changed.

For example, when the display unit 251 is severely bent, the controller 180 displays a screen in which one of the video contents selected by the user is reproduced in the main area 1002, A control menu including functions for controlling playback can be displayed. In addition, the controller 180 may operate in a power saving mode in which time information and weather information are displayed in the sub area, i.e., the second area 1004.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is stretched over a certain level, the controller 180 may change the size of the reference area 1000 based on the change in the bending state of the display unit 251. 13 (b), the control unit 180 may cause the control menu corresponding to the more functions that can control the currently reproduced moving picture content to be displayed in the reference area 1000 have. For example, the control unit 180 may extract the still cuts 1330 for each time interval of the currently reproduced moving picture content and further display the still cuts 1330 in the reference area 1000. When the size of the reference area 1000 is increased, the image information displayed in the main area 1002 and the sub area 1004 can be changed accordingly.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is expanded more than a certain level, the controller 180 can change the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1004 accordingly. For example, the control unit 180 may display a control menu including more control functions in a wider reference area 1000, as shown in (c) of FIG. 13c. In this case, the control unit 180 displays a time line 1332 related to the moving picture content currently being played in addition to the still cuts 1330 in the reference area 1000, More time information may be displayed. The control unit 180 may display the memory 170 or a list 1334 of other video contents stored in the predetermined external server in the sub area 1004.

On the other hand, FIG. 13D shows an example in which different calendar information is displayed in the respective areas of the display units 251 according to the bent state of the display unit 251.

For example, when the display unit 251 is severely bent, the controller 180 may activate only the first area 1002 currently set as the main area, activate only the first area 1002 and the reference area 1000 have. In this case, as shown in (a) of FIG. 13D, the control unit 180 can display calendar information in which the dates including the schedules are distinguished only in the main area 1002.

In this state, if the display unit 251 is extended beyond a predetermined level, the controller 180 controls the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1004 based on the change of the bending state of the display unit 251 It is possible to display schedule information more variously. For example, the control unit 180 may display the current date in the reference area 1000 and display simple calendar information in the sub area 1004, as shown in (b) of FIG. 13d. Also, schedule information 1342 corresponding to the current date may be displayed in the main area 1002, which is mainly confirmed by the user.

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is expanded more than a certain level, the controller 180 can change the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1004 accordingly. For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 13A, the control unit 180 may display only the date information detected in the reference area 1000 according to a specific condition. 13D, the controller 180 extracts only the dates on which the schedule is set by the user from the calendar information, and extracts information 1342 on the extracted date from the reference area 1000, Can be displayed. In this case, when any one of the date information 1342 displayed in the reference area 1000 is selected from the user, the controller 180 may display the schedule set on the date in the main area 1002. [ FIG. 13D (c) shows this example.

On the other hand, FIG. 13E shows different image information in the regions 1000, 1002, and 1004 based on the bent state of the display unit 251 when the operation state of the mobile terminal 200 is a function of transmitting and receiving a text message It is an example that shows.

When the display unit 251 is severely bent, the controller 180 may activate only the first region 1002 that is currently set as the main region, or may activate only the first region 1002 and the reference region 1000. 13E, the control unit 180 activates only the main area 1002 and the reference area 1000 to display image information related to transmission and reception of the text message in the main area 1002 And only the information related to the receiver may be displayed in the reference area 1000. [

Meanwhile, in this state, when the display unit 251 is stretched beyond a certain level, the controller 180 can change the image information displayed in the reference area 1000 and the sub area 1004 accordingly. For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 13E, the control unit 180 displays image information related to an IME (Input Message Editor) capable of inputting characters in the main area 1002, 1000), a character string input from the user may be displayed. In the sub-area 1004, information on messages transmitted or received by the user may be displayed. This is because when the display unit 251 is bent slightly as shown in (c) of FIG. 13 (e), even when the user holds the mobile terminal 200 at a glance, the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 The user can utilize both the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 without changing the direction in which the mobile terminal 200 is placed.

According to the above description, the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be described as being capable of changing the current operation state of the mobile terminal 200 based on the state of the display unit 251 being bent There is one. For example, when the function currently executed in the mobile terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an alarm function, the control unit 180 controls the display unit 251 to select one of a plurality of divided regions It is possible to display the operation state of the mobile terminal, that is, image information related to the alarm function.

FIG. 13F illustrates an example in which the operating state of the mobile terminal is controlled according to the bent state of the display unit in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The control unit 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can display the image information 1370 related to the alarm function in the main area 1002 have. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13F, information on the alarm time 1372 set by the user may be displayed in the image information displayed in the main area 1002.

Meanwhile, in this state, the controller 180 can detect when the bending of the display unit 251 is changed by the external force. 13B, if the bending of the display unit 251 is expanded by an external force, the control unit 180 controls the display unit 251 based on the bending angle of the display unit 251, The function being executed in the control unit 200 may be controlled.

For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 13F, the control unit 180 can change the currently set alarm time based on the changed angle of the display unit 251. That is, in a state in which the display portion 251 is bent by the angle 1360 shown in FIG. 13F (a), the display portion 251 is bent by the external force to the angle 1362 shown in FIG. 13F (b) The control unit 180 may set the time at which the alarm is set to a time longer than the time set in (a) of FIG. 13 (f). FIG. 13F shows this example, and it is shown that the alarm time 1372 set in FIG. 13F (a) is set to a longer alarm time 1374.

In this state, if the bending of the display unit 251 is changed again, the controller 180 may change the alarm time according to the change. That is, in a state where the display portion 251 is bent as shown in Fig. 13F (b) and is further expanded by the external force so that the state shown in Fig. 13F (c) The alarm time can be changed according to this state. That is, FIG. 13C shows a state in which the bending is more elongated than the display portion 251 shown in FIG. 13B, that is, the angle 1364 between the first region 1002 and the second region 1004, The control unit 180 may cause the currently set alarm time to be longer based on the changed angle 1364. In this case, FIG. 13F (c) shows this example.

13 (a), the alarm time 1372 set by the user is displayed in the main area 1002. Alternatively, the display unit 251 may display the alarm time 1372 1360, the time of the alarm can be determined. 13 (a), the controller 180 determines whether the display area 251 is bent between the first area 1002 and the second area 1004 of the display part 251 according to the bent state of the display part 251, The alarm time corresponding to the angle 1360 (for example, 30 degrees) of the alarm clock 1360 may be automatically set. If the bending of the display unit 251 is changed as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the alarm times corresponding to the angles 1362 and 1364, which are changed accordingly, may be automatically set Of course.

According to the above description, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention is capable of displaying image information related to different functions in each of the regions divided by the bending of the display portion 251 And it is noted that different users may use the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention for different purposes at the same time. In this case, the control unit 180 controls the display unit 251 so that different users using the two regions (the first region and the second region) using the region formed by the bending of the display unit 251, And to share information.

14A and 14B show an example in which image information displayed in different areas of the display unit are shared with each other by utilizing a bent area of the display unit in the mobile terminal related to the present invention in this case.

First, referring to FIG. 14A, FIG. 14A shows an example in which image information for different web pages is displayed in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004. Hereinafter, a user using the first area 1002 will be referred to as a first user, and a user using the second area 1004 will be referred to as a second user.

In this case, the first user can select any one of the image information 1412 displayed in the first area 1002 at present. That is, when the first user applies the touch input to the image information currently displayed in the first area 1002 for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 180 controls the second user 1102 based on the touch input 1410 of the first user, And the shared information 1412 for sharing the image information displayed in the first area 1002 can be generated.

For example, the controller 180 may generate a thumbnail image corresponding to the image information currently displayed in the first area 1002 based on the touch input 1410 as the shared information. 14A, when the user selects any of the image information displayed in the first area 1002 (for example, the image information included in the web page displayed in the first area 1002) Multimedia content), a thumbnail image corresponding to the selected information may be generated as the shared information 1412.

In this case, the controller 180 may display the generated shared information 1412 on the reference area 1000 based on the drag input applied subsequent to the touch input 1410. In this case, the shared information 1412 may be displayed in the reference area 1000 as shown in FIG. 14 (c). Here, the shared information 1412 may be displayed based on the other party of the sharing and the user who has not generated the sharing information (the second user). Accordingly, the shared information 1412 can be displayed in a normal state in the direction in which the second user looks, and in a state in which the shared information 1412 is turned upside down in the direction in which the first user looks, as shown in (c) .

When the sharing information 1412 is displayed in the reference area 1000, the controller 180 controls the image information corresponding to the sharing information 1412 according to the selection of the user, i.e., the second user, 1004). That is, when the second user applies the touch input 1430 to the second area 1004 with respect to the shared information 1412 displayed in the reference area 1000, It can be determined that the user has selected to display the image information according to the shared information 1412 in the second area 1004. The control unit 180 may display the image information corresponding to the shared information 1412 in the second area 1004 so that the first area 1002 is displayed as shown in FIG. Image information such as image information displayed in the second area 1004 can be displayed.

On the other hand, in the case of image information such as a still image or text, the first user and the second user can share information in the same manner as shown in FIG. 14A. However, in the case of multimedia contents such as moving images and sound source data, May be shared between the first user and the second user. For example, when generation of the shared information is selected from the first user, the controller 180 may generate the shared information corresponding to the multimedia contents currently reproduced in the first area. That is, the shared information may be the multimedia content itself currently reproduced in the first area 1002, or information including address information of the memory 170 or the external server in which the multimedia contents are stored. In this case, based on the selection of the second user for the shared information, the controller 180 may cause the multimedia contents identical to the multimedia contents to be reproduced in the first area 1002 to be reproduced in the second area 1004 .

However, it is needless to say that, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, only the multimedia contents for a specific section designated by the user may be shared among the first and second users.

FIG. 14B illustrates an example in which only the multimedia contents corresponding to a section selected by the user are shared among users in this case. In the description of FIG. 14B, it is assumed that the multimedia content reproduced in the first area 1002 is moving picture data for convenience of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 14B, the controller 180 may display image information related to different functions in the first area 1002 and the second area 1004, respectively, according to the user's selection . In this case, the first area 1002 may display the moving picture data playback screen, and the first user may apply the touch input 1450 to the one point of the first area 1002 in which the moving picture data is reproduced for a predetermined period of time have.

In this case, the controller 180 may generate the shared information 1452 related to the moving picture data to be reproduced in the first area 1002 based on the touch input 1450. Here, the control unit 180 determines whether the touch input 1450 is applied to the first region 1002 for a predetermined time before or after the touch input 1450, for example, before or after the touch input 1450 is applied. 5 seconds before the touch input 1450 is applied, and 5 seconds after the touch input 1450 is applied). And can generate it as shared information.

Meanwhile, when the shared information 1452 is generated as described above, the controller 180 may display the thumbnail image 1452 corresponding to the shared information in the reference area 1000. Here, the shared information may be displayed based on the other party of the sharing and the user who has not generated the sharing information (the second user).

If the thumbnail image 1452 corresponding to the shared information is displayed in the reference area 1000, the second user can select the thumbnail image 1452. [ For example, the second user may apply a touch input 1460 to any one thumbnail image 1452 displayed in the reference area 1000, as shown in Figure 14b, To the second area 1004, as shown in FIG. In this case, the controller 180 can display the image information corresponding to the thumbnail image 1452 in the second area 1004, and thus the shared information, that is, the touch input of the user 1450 may be displayed in the second area 1004, for example.

Accordingly, in the mobile terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, while different users use different divided areas of the display unit 251 as different functions, Only the moving picture data of the section corresponding to the time point can be shared with other users. In the above description, it has been assumed that only moving picture data is used. However, it is needless to say that the sound source data may be wholly or partially shared among the users in a similar manner as described above.

Meanwhile, as sharing information for sharing multimedia contents among the users, multimedia contents corresponding to a predetermined section selected by a specific user (first user) are recorded or recorded, and multimedia contents of a section corresponding to a time point selected by the user But may be generated in a different manner.

That is, when the generation of the sharing information for the currently reproduced multimedia content is selected from the specific user, the controller 180 displays the address information of the memory 170 or the external server storing the currently reproduced multimedia content, It is also possible to generate the shared information as information including the information of the interval. In this case, when the second user selects the information displayed in the reference area 1000, the controller 180 reads the multimedia contents based on the address information from the shared information corresponding to the selected information, It is also possible to display a screen in which the corresponding part of the read multimedia contents is reproduced in the second area 1004.

In the above description, it is assumed that the first user corresponding to the first area 1002 first generates the shared information. However, this is merely for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, both the first user and the second user can freely generate the shared information, display information corresponding to the generated shared information in the reference area 1000, and use the first area 1002 and the second area 1002 2 area 1004 may be shared with each other.

In the above description, the thumbnail image corresponding to the generated shared information is displayed on the reference area 1000, but the thumbnail image may be changed according to the bent state of the display unit 251. That is, if the size of the reference area 1000 becomes small enough that the thumbnail image can not be displayed as the display unit 251 is bent over a certain level, the controller 180 may display the shared information, It is needless to say that it may be displayed by text information or tag information instead of a thumbnail image. Alternatively, when the size of the reference area 1000 is increased as the bent display part 251 is expanded, the controller 180 may further include information related to a larger thumbnail image or a currently generated thumbnail image, It is of course also possible to display the shared information.

The present invention described above can be embodied as computer-readable codes on a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer readable medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state disk (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, , And may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet). Also, the computer may include a control unit 180 of the terminal. Accordingly, the above description should not be construed in a limiting sense in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

A flexible display unit for displaying image information;
A sensing unit for sensing bending of the flexible display unit; And
And a control unit for dividing the flexible display unit into a plurality of areas according to bending of the flexible display unit and displaying different image information in the plurality of areas,
Wherein,
Wherein the control unit controls the flexible display unit such that image information is displayed in at least one of the plurality of areas based on a touch input of a user with respect to the bent area of the flexible display unit.
The apparatus of claim 1,
Wherein when the flexible display portion is bent by an external force, a certain straight line serving as a center of the bending is detected, a first region is formed around the detected straight line,
And the flexible display unit is divided into a plurality of areas based on the first area.
3. The apparatus of claim 2,
Wherein when the flexible display unit is in an inactive state and is bent by the external force, any one of the divided regions is selected based on a plurality of touch inputs applied to at least one of the first region and the divided regions And activating the mobile terminal.
The apparatus of claim 3,
When a second touch input is applied to at least one of the divided areas in a state in which the first touch input is applied to the first area, Of the mobile terminal is activated.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the second touch input comprises:
A plurality of tabs for tapping any one of the divided regions,
Wherein,
When the mobile terminal is in the locked state, releases the locked state of the mobile terminal based on whether the operation pattern of the user formed by the second touch input coincides with the predetermined operation pattern, And activates any one of the divided areas based on the area to which the second touch input is applied.
3. The apparatus of claim 2,
Wherein when the flexible display unit is bendable by the external force in a state in which the flexible display unit is activated, any one of the divided regions, based on a plurality of touch inputs applied to at least one of the first region and the divided regions, Is inactivated.
3. The apparatus of claim 2,
The size of the first area is determined according to the degree of bending of the flexible display unit,
The image information displayed in the first area and the divided areas is changed based on the determined size of the first area.
8. The apparatus of claim 7,
Displaying information related to image information displayed in any one of the divided areas in the first area,
And displays the related information in the first area in a thumbnail image or text form based on whether the size of the first area is equal to or greater than a predetermined level.
3. The apparatus of claim 2,
And displaying the information related to the image information displayed in the main area in at least one of the first area and the sub area,
Wherein the flexible display unit changes the information displayed in at least one of the first area and the sub area according to a degree of bending of the flexible display unit.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9,
And display control menu in the first area, wherein the control menu includes a different number of control functions according to the degree of bending of the flexible display part.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10,
Wherein when the degree of bending of the flexible display unit is less than a predetermined level, a reproduction list of sound source data currently set in the first area, information on sound source albums stored in a memory provided in the mobile terminal, To the mobile terminal.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9,
Displays in the main area any one of images stored in a memory provided in the mobile terminal or a predetermined external server,
And displays information corresponding to the pre-stored images in the form of a text or thumbnail image in the first area according to a degree of bending of the flexible display unit.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12,
Displaying a list of image albums of the pre-stored images on the sub area based on the degree of bending of the flexible display part, displaying thumbnail images corresponding to images included in any one of the image album lists in the first area And the mobile terminal.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9,
Displaying a screen in which one of the video data stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or the predetermined external server is reproduced in the main area,
Wherein the control unit displays a control menu including different functions related to moving picture data reproduced in the main area in the first area according to the degree of bending of the flexible display unit.
15. The apparatus of claim 14,
Further displays still cut images for each time interval extracted from the moving picture data to be reproduced on the first area based on the degree of bending of the flexible display unit.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9,
A web page accessed by a user is divided into a text portion and a multimedia content portion and displayed on the main area and the sub area respectively based on bending of the flexible display part, So that different parts of the web page are displayed.
The apparatus of claim 1,
And controls the functions executed in the mobile terminal differently based on the degree of bending of the flexible display unit,
And displays image information related to the controlled state on at least one of the divided areas based on bending of the flexible display part.
The apparatus of claim 1,
Displaying image information related to different functions executable in the mobile terminal in each of the divided regions,
And controls the flexible display unit such that image information displayed in the first area is displayed in the second area based on a user's selection of shared information generated in the first area from among the divided areas. .
19. The apparatus of claim 18,
When the screen in which the moving picture data is reproduced is displayed in the first area, information related to a part of the moving picture data corresponding to a predetermined time before and after the time when the user's touch input is applied to the first area is generated as the shared information and,
And controls the flexible display unit to reproduce a portion of the moving picture data corresponding to the predetermined time period in the second area when there is a selection of the shared information.
A method of controlling a mobile terminal including a flexible display unit,
Sensing bending of the flexible display unit;
Dividing the flexible display unit into a plurality of regions based on a degree of bending of the flexible display unit;
Displaying image information according to at least one operation state executed by the mobile terminal in each of the divided areas of the flexible display unit; And
And changing the image information displayed in each of the divided areas based on the change when the flex state of the flexible display unit is changed.

Images