KR20100123336A - Method of switching user interface mode and mobile terminal using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a user interface mode switching method of a mobile terminal, the method comprising: setting a user interface differently for each mode; Displaying a mode switching screen on a touch screen according to a user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal; And displaying a user interface of a selected mode on the touch screen through the mode switching screen.

Description

How to switch user interface mode and mobile terminal using same {METHOD OF SWITCHING USER INTERFACE MODE AND MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a user interface mode switching method and a mobile terminal using the same.

As terminals, such as personal computers, laptops, and mobile phones, are diversified in functions, multimedia devices having complex functions such as taking pictures or videos, playing music or video files, playing games, and receiving broadcasts are provided. ) Is implemented.

Terminal can move It may be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal, depending on whether it is present. The mobile terminal may be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

In order to support and increase the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

As various terminals including mobile terminals provide complex and various functions, a user interface (UI) including menu display, list display, etc. is becoming more complicated. Recently, three-dimensional user interface technology that can implement a complex menu structure simply and colorfully using three-dimensional graphic images has been applied to mobile terminals.

A user uses a mobile terminal in various usage environments. However, the user interface is not adaptively adjusted according to the use environment, and the items that can be adjusted are limited. As a result, some users use a plurality of mobile terminals, one of which is used in a private use environment and the other in a use environment such as a workplace. In this case, the inconvenience of having to carry two mobile terminals is accompanied, the additional purchase cost of the mobile terminal, the additional fee of the communication service, etc. are generated.

The present invention provides a user interface mode switching method and a mobile terminal using the same so that the basic settings of the user interface and the mobile terminal are adaptively changed according to the use environment.

As an aspect of the present invention, the user interface mode switching method of the present invention comprises the steps of: differently setting the user interface for each mode; Displaying a mode switching screen on the touch screen according to a user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal; And displaying a user interface of a selected mode on the touch screen through the mode switching screen.

As an aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal of the present invention includes a touch screen; A user input unit and a sensing unit which receives a user input; A memory for storing user interfaces differently set for each mode; And displaying a mode switching screen on the touch screen according to a user input input through at least one of the user input unit and the sensing unit, and displaying a user interface of a mode selected through the mode switching screen on the touch screen. A control unit is provided.

The present invention sets the user interface according to various modes and switches the user interface to the selected mode according to the user input. Furthermore, the present invention also changes the basic settings of the mobile terminal in conjunction with the user interface of the selected mode. As a result, the present invention can adaptively change the user interface according to the user environment to implement a user interface that is optimal for each of the various user environments in one mobile terminal.

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In addition, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known function or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation terminal, and the like.

1 illustrates a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, and a memory. The unit 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190 may be included. The configuration of the mobile terminal 100 is not limited to only the components shown in FIG. 1, and more components may be added or some components may be omitted according to a function added or omitted in the mobile terminal.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

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

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

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal using various broadcasting systems, in particular, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), and Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO). ), Digital broadcast signals may be received using digital broadcasting systems such as DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) and ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcast system but also other broadcast system for providing a broadcast signal.

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

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a radio signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data such as voice call signal, video call signal or text / multimedia message transmission and reception.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access. The wireless internet module 113 may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 means a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, etc. may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for confirming or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. A representative example of the location information module is a GPS (Global Position System) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 calculates information about a distance of a point (object) from three or more satellites, and information on a time at which the distance information is measured, and then triangulates the calculated distance information. By applying, three-dimensional position information according to latitude, longitude, and altitude of one point (object) can be calculated in one time. Furthermore, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting the error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is also used. The GPS module 115 may continuously calculate the current position in real time and use the same to calculate speed information.

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

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory unit 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be disposed in the mobile terminal 100.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. In addition, the user input unit 130 may include a trackball, a joystick, and the like. The sensors of the sensing unit 140 may also function as an input unit capable of inputting a user's command for selecting and controlling 3D objects.

The sensing unit 140 may include an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a position of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, change of movement of the mobile terminal, and change of angle of the mobile terminal. By sensing the current state of the mobile terminal 100, such as to generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the sensing unit 140 may generate a sensing signal related to whether the power supply unit 190 supplies power or whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device.

The sensing unit 140 may include a touch screen including a touch sensor embedded in the display module 151 or stacked on the display module 151, the presence or absence of an object within a recognized proximity distance on the display module 151 or the touch screen, and It may include a proximity sensor for detecting the movement or gesture of the object. In addition, the sensing unit 140 may include a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like that detects a change in movement, a change in orientation, and a change in angle of the mobile terminal 100.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory, or tactile, and may include a display module 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. have.

The display module 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display module 151 may display a user interface (UI), a 2D and a 3D graphic user interface (GUI), and the like under the control of the controller 180. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the display module 151 may display an image photographed by the camera 121 or an image received through the wireless communication unit 110.

The display module 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, 3 It may include at least one of a 3D display.

The display module 151 may be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that the outside can be seen through the display panel. In this case, the user may see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display module 151 of the mobile terminal body.

The touch screen may be implemented in a form in which a touch sensor is stacked on the display module 151 or a touch sensor is embedded in the display module 151. The touch screen may be used as an input device that receives a user input in addition to the image output device.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch. When there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the signal (s) corresponding thereto are transmitted to the controller 180. The controller 180 calculates the coordinates of the touch point and the touch pressure from the output signal of the touch sensor. As a result, the controller 180 can know which point is touched on the touch screen and can also know what pressure the touch screen is touched. When the touch sensor is implemented as a capacitive touch sensor, the proximity of the pointer may be sensed by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen may be classified as a proximity sensor.

The proximity sensor may be disposed inside or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors. The proximity sensor may be a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, or the like.

The proximity sensor senses proximity touch and proximity touch patterns (eg, proximity touch distance, proximity touch direction, proximity touch speed, proximity touch time, proximity touch position, proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

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

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, proximity input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may also be output through the display unit 151 or the sound output module 152.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output. In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 has the effect of stimulation by the arrangement of pins vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, the effect of stimulation through the injection force or the suction force of air through the injection or inlet, and the effect by the stimulus that rubs the skin surface. Various effects of tactile sensation may be generated, such as an effect of stimulation through contact of an electrode, an effect of stimulation using an electrostatic force, and an effect of reproducing a sense of cold and warm using an endothermic or heat generating element. The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may realize the haptic effect through the muscle sense of the user's finger or arm.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing various control operations of the controller 180. In addition, the memory 16 stores data of a plurality of user interface modes that are switched under the control of the controller 180, and data such as phonebooks, messages, still images, and videos input / output under the control of the controller 180. Is stored. The memory 16 also stores basic setting data such as a ringtone, ringtone type data, alarm data, alarm type data, calendar data, schedule data, and the like. The memory 160 may store data related to sound effects of various patterns and haptic patterns output during touch input, proximity input, and the like. The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) magnetic memory, Magnetic disk It may include at least one type of storage medium of the optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device to transfer the data to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or to transmit data in the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset port, external charger port, wired / wireless data port, memory card port, identification module card port, audio input / output (I / O) port, video I / O (Input / Output) port, earphone port may be included in the interface unit 170. When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit 170 becomes a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100, or various command signals input from the cradle are moved by a user. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal 100. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted in the cradle.

The identification module is a chip that stores various information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module (SIM). Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. The identification module may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. The identification module may be connected to the terminal 100 through the identification module port of the interface unit 170. The identification module stores a phone number, call information, billing information, and the like.

The controller 180 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 performs related control and processing for voice call, data communication, video call, and the like, and analyzes the outputs of the user input unit 130 and the sensing unit 140 to switch the user interface mode. . The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181. The multimedia module 181 is responsible for signal processing for reproduction of multimedia data. The controller 180 performs pattern recognition processing for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on a touch screen, respectively, as a character and an image, storing the memo, a message, and a graphic image in the form of a wireless communication unit 110 according to a user selection. Can be transmitted to other desired wireless communication subscribers.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

The following embodiments may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using software, hardware or a combination thereof.

As an example of a hardware implementation, the following embodiments include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and processors. (processors), controllers (controllers), micro-controllers (micro-controllers), microprocessors (microprocessors), may be implemented using at least one of the electrical unit for performing a function. In some cases such embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180.

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

2A is a front perspective view of an example of the mobile terminal 100.

The mobile terminal 100 has a terminal body having a bar shape. The present invention is not limited thereto, and it is applicable to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are coupled to be movable relative to each other as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

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

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

The front case 101 may include a display module 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, a plurality of manipulation units 131 and 132, a microphone 122, an interface 170, and the like. have.

The display module 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the first operation unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. . The second operation unit 132, the interface 170, and the like are disposed on the sides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131, 132 can be employed in any manner as long as the manner in which the user is manipulated while making the user feel a change in tactile sense. For example, the manipulation units 131, 132 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad, a jog wheel, a jog switch, a trackball, a joystick, and the like.

Content input by the operation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen. These operation units may include an operation unit for displaying 3D map data, an operation unit for selecting and controlling a 3D object, and the like.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2A.

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

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

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

The sound output unit 152 ′ may be further disposed on the rear surface of the rear case 102. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the front sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

The antenna for receiving a broadcast signal may be additionally disposed on the side of the body of the mobile terminal. An antenna constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 of FIG. 1 may be installed to be pulled out of the mobile terminal body.

The mobile terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

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

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

3 illustrates a user interface applicable to a mobile terminal of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a user interface is divided into a plurality of modes, and each of the user interface modes may be implemented in a 3D cube form including a plurality of user interface standby screens. Here, the mode is a user interface classified according to the user environment, and may be classified into a normal mode, a business mode, a sport mode, a sleep mode, etc. as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the number of modes may be adjusted according to the user setting. .

Each of the user interface modes may include a first standby screen on which widget icons are disposed, a second standby screen on which counterpart subscriber icons selected by a user, a third standby screen on which multimedia content icons are arranged, and shortcut icons ( and a fourth idle screen on which shortcut icons) are arranged. Widget icons displayed on the first standby screen may be selected and edited by the user for each mode, and may include an icon associated with a weather guide website, an icon associated with a stock market related website, and the like. . The counterpart subscriber icon displayed on the second idle screen is an icon of a counterpart icon capable of phone calls, email transmission / reception, and message transmission / reception, such as family, friends, and coworkers, which can be selected and edited by the user in each mode. Each icon is associated with a phone number or email address. The multimedia content icons displayed on the third idle screen are icons that can be selected and edited by the user for each mode and are associated with still image / video video content files and audio content files stored in the memory 160 of the mobile terminal 100. It is also associated with multimedia playback applications. The shortcut icons displayed on the fourth idle screen are icons that can be selected and edited by the user for each mode and are shortcut icons directly linked to lower functions executed through a plurality of submenus subordinated from the main menu screen. When the shortcut icons are selected, the lower function may be directly executed by the supporter of the shortcut icon without going through the menu screen of the upper function.

In each mode, standby screens of the user interface may vary according to user selection. For example, widget icons that may be used for personal purposes may be disposed on the first standby screen in the normal mode, and widget icons that may be used for business purposes may be disposed on the second standby screen in the business mode. In the normal mode, the second idle screen may include icons associated with phone numbers and email addresses of family and friends, and icons associated with phone numbers and email addresses of coworkers, business associates, etc. in business mode. Can be arranged.

The user may change the standby screens in the current mode by using a gesture of a specific type by touching or approaching his or her hand or a stylus pen on the user interface displayed on the touch screen of the mobile terminal 100. In addition, the user may change the current user interface mode to another user interface mode by inputting a gesture different from the gesture when switching the standby screen, or different touch pressure or a specific key within the selected mode.

The controller 180 analyzes the outputs of the touch sensor and the proximity sensor of the touch screen to determine a specific gesture of the user, for example, if the user's gesture is a flicking left or right. Switches the standby screen to another screen. For example, the user may flicker the first idle screen to the left while the user is looking at the first idle screen in the current mode. In this case, the controller 180 recognizes the user's touch gesture and the touch direction according to the output of the touch sensor and / or the proximity sensor, and rotates the 3D cube of the user interface by a predetermined angle to remove the standby screen shown to the user. 2 Switch to the standby screen. The user may be assigned a touch / proximity gesture different from the gesture set to the standby screen switching in the current mode, a touch pressure different from the touch pressure set to the standby screen switching in the current mode, and a user who has been previously given a mode switching selection of the user interface. The mode of the user interface displayed on the touch screen may be switched through a key of the input unit 130, a mode change soft key displayed on the touch screen, and a posture change (geomagnetic sensor) of the mobile terminal 100.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a mode switching method of a user interface. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mode switching method of FIG. 4. 4 and 5 illustrate a mode switching method according to the touch pressure, but as described above, the mode switching method of the user interface is input through a user input unit 130 or a sensing unit 140 of the mobile terminal 100. The mode can be switched according to the user's input. Therefore, it should be noted that the user interface mode switching method of the present invention is not limited to the method of FIGS. 4 and 5.

4 and 5, the user may touch the touch screen shown in the current user interface mode with a finger or a stylus pen. (S41) The controller 180 analyzes the output of the touch sensor and touches it. Calculate the pressure and touch coordinates of the input (S42).

The controller 180 compares the touch input calculated at the time of the touch input with a preset reference value (S43). The reference value may be stored in a ROM or a register in the controller 180 or in the memory 160. As a result of the comparison, when the touch pressure is greater than the reference value, the controller 180 recognizes the current touch input as a mode switching command and displays a mode selection screen showing all the modes of the user interface (GUI). (S45) Mode selection screen May be displayed as a graphic image as shown in FIG. 5.

If the number of modes of the user interface (GUI) set by the user is two, the controller 180 skips step S46 if the touch pressure is greater than the reference value and proceeds to step S47 to touch the user interface GUI of another mode. Mark on.

The user may select any one of the modes displayed on the mode selection screen by input through the user input unit 130 and touch / proximity input through the sensing unit 140 (S46). Then, the controller 180 selects the selected mode. The user interface (GUI) is displayed on the touch screen. (S47)

In operation S44, when it is determined that the user's touch pressure is equal to or less than the reference value, the controller 180 executes an application of a touch command associated with the coordinate value of the touch input.

The user may separate not only the user interface but also basic settings of the mobile terminal 100 according to modes of the user interface. For example, a user may set a schedule stored in the mobile terminal 100 as a schedule related to a family or a friend and select a ringtone type as a ringtone only in a normal mode. Alternatively, the user may set a schedule stored in the mobile terminal 100 as a schedule with a work related person or a work colleague in a business mode and select a ringtone type as vibration. If the basic setting data such as ringtone, ringtone type data, alarm data, alarm type data, calendar data, schedule data and the like are separated for each user interface mode, the controller 180 changes when the user interface is changed to the mode selected in step S47. You can also change the default settings of the mode.

7 is a diagram illustrating a mode selection switch soft key displayed on one side of a touch screen. The user may select the mode selection change soft key displayed on the touch screen through the user input unit 130 or the sensing unit 140. The controller 180 determines whether a mode selection switch soft key is selected according to the output of the user input unit 130 or the sensing unit 140. When the mode selection switch soft key is selected, the user interfaces of all modes currently set are small in size. To be displayed. When the user selects the desired user interface on the touch screen, the controller 180 displays the user interface of the mode selected by the user on the touch screen and changes the basic setting to the basic setting data of the selected mode.

The mobile terminal of the present invention can execute various applications according to the touch pressure. For example, the mobile terminal may convert the trajectory of the touch input or proximity input input on the touch screen into a graphic image or text and store the memo data.

8 to 12 illustrate an example of separately storing a general memo and a secret memo according to a touch pressure. In this example, the controller 180 divides the memo writing screen into virtual first and second layers according to the touch pressure. If it is determined that the pressure at the touch input is lower than the preset reference value, the controller 180 stores the memo input by the touch input in the virtual first layer VL1. On the other hand, if the pressure at the touch input is greater than the reference value, the controller 180 inputs the memo input by the touch input to the second layer.

Referring to FIG. 8, a user may select a memo from the user interface. (S81) If a memo is selected by the user, the controller 180 executes a memo application to execute a memo writing screen (or memo as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). Input screen) is displayed on the touch screen (S82 and S83).

When the user touches the touch screen on which the memo writing screen is displayed (S84), the controller 180 analyzes the output of the touch sensor to calculate the pressure of the touch input and compares the pressure with a predetermined reference value. (S85 and S86 When the touch pressure is a pressure greater than the reference value, the controller 180 converts the trajectory of the touch input, that is, the memo content, into a graphic image or text, and stores it as a secret memo in the second virtual layer VL2 as shown in FIG. 10. On the other hand, if the touch pressure is a relatively small pressure below the reference value, the controller 180 converts the trajectory of the touch input, that is, the memo content, into a graphic image or text and converts it into a graphic first layer as shown in FIG. 9. (S87 and S89) Here, the secret memo is a memo that is played (or exposed) only when a predetermined user input is input through the input unit 130 or the sensing unit 140. . A normal memo is a memo that is automatically played when selected in a memo playback application.

 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of reproducing secret memos and general memos stored by the method of FIGS. 8 to 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, a user may select playback of a memo in the user interface. (S111) When the playback of a memo is selected by the user, the controller 180 executes a memo application and is stored in the virtual first layer as shown in FIG. 12. General memo contents are displayed on the touch screen (S112 and S113).

When the user touches the touch screen on which the general memo is displayed, the controller 180 analyzes the output of the touch sensor to calculate the pressure of the touch input and compares the pressure with a predetermined reference value. (S114 to S116) The controller 180 If the touch pressure is a pressure greater than the reference value, and displays a secret memo stored in the virtual second layer VL2 on the touch screen at a predetermined area near the touch input. (S117 and S118) In step S118, the controller 180 controls When the touch pressure is greater than the reference value, the entire secret memo may be displayed on the touch screen. The controller 180 maintains a general memo display if the touch pressure is a relatively small pressure below the reference value in step S117.

The user interface mode switching method of the present invention described above may be provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium as a program for executing in a computer.

The user interface mode switching method of the present invention can be executed through software. When implemented in software, the constituent means of the present invention are code segments that perform the necessary work. The program or code segments may be stored on a processor readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal coupled with a carrier on a transmission medium or network.

Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording device include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk, optical data storage device, and the like. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed to networked computer devices so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of idle screen sets of a user interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating step by step a control procedure of a user interface mode switching method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a user interface mode switching method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates various modes of a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a user interface mode switching method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating step by step a control procedure of a memo input and storage method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a diagram illustrating general memo input and storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a diagram illustrating a secret memo input and storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a flowchart showing step by step a control procedure of a memo playback method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram schematically showing a memo reproducing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110: wireless communication unit 121: camera

151: display module (touch screen) 160: memory

180: control unit

Claims (16)

Differently setting a user interface of the mobile terminal for each mode; Displaying a mode switching screen on a touch screen of the mobile terminal according to a user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal; And And displaying a user interface of a selected mode on the touch screen through the mode switching screen. The method of claim 1, Displaying the mode switching screen on the touch screen, Analyzing the output of the touch screen to calculate a pressure of a touch input input to the touch chic; And And displaying the mode switching screen on the touch screen when the touch pressure is greater than a predetermined reference value. The method of claim 1, Each of the user interfaces configured differently for each mode is And at least two idle screens. The method of claim 3, wherein Each of the user interfaces configured differently for each mode is implemented as a 3D graphic user interface in which the standby screens are displayed on different surfaces. And the idle screens are rotated in response to at least one of a touch input and a proximity input input to the touch screen. The method of claim 1, Displaying a memo writing screen on the touch screen by executing a memo writing application according to a second user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal; Calculating a pressure of a touch input input to the touch screen on which the memo writing screen is displayed from an output of the touch screen; If the pressure of the touch input is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, storing the memo input through the memo writing screen in a virtual first layer; And If the pressure of the touch input is greater than the reference value, storing the memo input through the memo writing screen in a virtual second layer. The method of claim 5, Executing a memo playback application according to a third user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal to play the memo of the first layer on the touch screen; Calculating a pressure of a touch input input to the touch screen on which the memo of the first layer is displayed from an output of the touch screen; Maintaining memo playback of the first layer if the pressure of the touch input is less than or equal to the reference value; And Playing the memo of the second layer if the pressure of the touch input is greater than the reference value. The method of claim 6, Replaying the memo of the second layer, And playing the memo of the second layer in a size corresponding to a predetermined area near the touch input input at a pressure greater than the reference value. touch screen; A user input unit and a sensing unit which receives a user input; A memory for storing user interfaces differently set for each mode; And A controller for displaying a mode switching screen on the touch screen according to a user input input through at least one of the user input unit and the sensing unit, and displaying a user interface of a mode selected on the touch screen on the touch screen; A mobile terminal comprising a. The method of claim 8, The control unit, Analyzing the output of the touch screen to calculate the pressure of the touch input input to the touch screen, And when the touch pressure is greater than a predetermined reference value, displaying the mode switching screen on the touch screen. The method of claim 8, Each of the user interfaces configured differently for each mode is A mobile terminal comprising at least two idle screens. The method of claim 10, Each of the user interfaces configured differently for each mode is implemented as a 3D graphic user interface in which the standby screens are displayed on different surfaces. The idle screens are rotated in response to at least one of a touch input and a proximity input input to the touch screen under the control of the controller. The method of claim 8, The control unit, Displaying a memo writing screen on the touch screen by executing a memo writing application according to a second user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal; And a pressure of a touch input input to the touch screen on which the memo writing screen is displayed from the output of the touch screen. 13. The method of claim 12, The control unit, When the pressure of the touch input is below a predetermined reference value, the memo input through the memo writing screen is stored in the virtual first layer, And when the pressure of the touch input is greater than the reference value, storing the memo input through the memo writing screen in a virtual second layer. The method of claim 13, The control unit, Playing a memo playback application according to a third user input input through at least one of a user input unit and a sensing unit of the mobile terminal to play the memo of the first layer on the touch screen; And a pressure of a touch input input to the touch screen on which the memo of the first layer is displayed from the output of the touch screen. The method of claim 14, The control unit, If the pressure of the touch input is equal to or less than the reference value, memo reproduction of the first layer is maintained; And when the pressure of the touch input is greater than the reference value, playing the memo of the second layer. The method of claim 15, The control unit, And a memo of the second layer in a size corresponding to a predetermined area near the touch input input at a pressure greater than the reference value.

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