U.S. patent application number 14/010339 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for mobile terminal and controlling method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Choonjae LEE, Minjeong LEE, Jiyen SON, Younghoon SONG.
Application Number | 20140055251 14/010339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48914150 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140055251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SON; Jiyen ; et al. |
February 27, 2014 |
MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed.
The present invention includes a touchscreen; a memory configured
to store access point (AP) information; a 1.sup.st wireless
communication unit configured to perform a communication with an AP
(access point); and a controller configured to control a user
interface for remotely controlling an external device to be
displayed on the touchscreen or to be in a displayable state when
the AP connected to the 1.sup.st wireless communication unit
matches the stored AP information.
Inventors: |
SON; Jiyen; (Seoul, KR)
; SONG; Younghoon; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE;
Choonjae; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Minjeong; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
48914150 |
Appl. No.: |
14/010339 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61693756 |
Aug 27, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/12.54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20130101;
G08C 2201/30 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; H04M 1/72533
20130101; G08C 23/04 20130101; H04M 1/67 20130101; G06F 3/04842
20130101; H04M 2250/06 20130101; G08C 2201/92 20130101; G06F 3/016
20130101; H04W 88/08 20130101; G08C 2201/93 20130101; G08C 2201/50
20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/12.54 |
International
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20060101
G08C017/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0094585 |
Claims
1. A mobile terminal comprising: a touchscreen; a memory configured
to store access point (AP) information; a 1.sup.st wireless
communication unit configured to perform a communication with an AP
(access point); and a controller configured to control a user
interface for remotely controlling an external device to be
displayed on the touchscreen or to be in a displayable state when
the AP connected to the 1.sup.st wireless communication unit
matches the stored AP information.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein if the mobile terminal
escapes from a power saving mode while the 1.sup.st wireless
communication unit is connected to the AP, the controller
configured to control the user interface to be displayed or to be
in the displayable state while the touchscreen is in locked
state.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein, if a prescribed user
input is applied to the user interface while the touchscreen is in
the locked state, the controller controls the touchscreen to be
escaped from the locked state.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein if a prescribed user
input is applied to a status bar for displaying an state of the
mobile terminal when the user infterface is in the displayable
state, the controller controls the user interface to be displayed
on the touchscreen.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller generates
a control signal for remotely controlling the external device based
on a user input to the user interface.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, further comprising a 2.sup.nd
wireless communication unit configured to communicate with the
external device.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the controller transmits
the control signal using either the 1.sup.st wireless communication
unit or the 2.sup.nd wireless communication unit.
8. The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein if the touchscreen is
set to a landscape mode, the controller controls the control signal
to be transmitted via the 1.sup.st wireless communication unit and
wherein if the touchscreen is set to a portrait mode, the
controller controls the control signal to be transmitted via the
2.sup.nd wireless communication unit.
9. The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein the 1.sup.st wireless
communication unit comprises a wireless LAN (WLAN) communication
module and wherein the 2.sup.nd wireless communication unit
comprises an infrared communication (IrDA) module.
10. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the controller controls
a feedback to be outputted in response to the user input to the
user interface.
11. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the feedback comprises
at least one selected from the group consisting of an output of
vibration, an output of an alarm sound and a flickering of an
LED.
12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the user interface
comprises a tab button region for selecting a kind of the external
device to control and a control button region for generating a
control signal for remotely controlling the external device.
13. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the AP information
comprises at least one of an service set identifier (SSID) and a
network address.
14. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein if the 1.sup.st
wireless communication unit is disconnected from the AP, the
controller controls an output of the user interface to be
ended.
15. A method of controlling a mobile terminal, comprising the steps
of: saving access point (AP) information; requesting an access to
an AP (access point); determining whether the AP matches the AP
information; and if the AP matches the AP information, displaying a
user interface for remotely controlling an operation of an external
device or enabling the user interface to be in a displayable state.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Per 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119, this application claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/693,756, filed on Aug. 27,
2012 and also claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right
of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2012-0094585, filed on
Aug. 28, 2012, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by
references herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more
particularly, to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof.
Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of
applications, it is particularly suitable for controlling an
operation of an external device remotely.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] A mobile terminal is a device which may be configured to
perform various functions. Examples of such functions include data
and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera,
recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a
speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display.
[0006] Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals
and stationary terminals according to a presence or non-presence of
mobility. And, the mobile terminals can be further classified into
handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to
availability for hand-carry.
[0007] There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the
functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software
and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in
the structural components which form the mobile terminal
[0008] As functions of a terminal tend to expand, many attempts to
use the terminal for everyday life are increasing. One of the
attempts is to utilize a mobile terminal as a TV remote controller.
In order to utilize a mobile terminal as a TV remote controller, a
user installs a remote controller application on the mobile
terminal, thereby utilizing the mobile terminal as a remote
controller of a TV, an air conditioner and the like. However, in
case that a remote controller application is installed on a mobile
terminal, it is inconvenient for a user to activate the remote
controller application each time intending to use the mobile
terminal as a remote controller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile
terminal and controlling method thereof that substantially obviate
one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the
related art.
[0010] One object of the present invention is to provide a mobile
terminal and controlling method thereof, by which user's
convenience in using the mobile terminal is enhanced.
[0011] In particular, if a mobile terminal according to the present
invention enters a preset network, the mobile terminal can
automatically function as a remote controller for controlling
operations of an external terminal
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which an
operation of an external terminal can be easily controlled while a
screen of the mobile terminal is locked or another job is being
performed via the mobile terminal
[0013] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0014] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a mobile terminal according to the
present invention includes a touchscreen; a memory configured to
store access point (AP) information; a 1.sup.st wireless
communication unit configured to perform a communication with an AP
(access point); and a controller configured to control a user
interface for remotely controlling an external device to be
displayed on the touchscreen or to be in a displayable state when
the AP connected to the 1.sup.st wireless communication unit
matches the stored AP information.
[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of
controlling a mobile terminal includes the steps of saving access
point (AP) information, requesting an access to an AP (access
point), determining whether the AP matches the AP information, and
if the AP matches the AP information, displaying a user interface
for remotely controlling an operation of an external device or
enabling the user interface to be in a displayable state.
[0016] Effects and/or advantages obtainable from the present
invention are non-limited the above mentioned effect. And, other
unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the following
description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field
to which the present invention pertains.
[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective diagram of a mobile terminal
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams for one example to describe a
remote controller program according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram for one example of a screen provided to
specify a manufacturer of an external device;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for controlling a mobile terminal
according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram for one example to describe an AP
registering process;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram for one example to describe a process
for displaying a control board on a status bar; and
[0027] FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams for one example to describe a
process for displaying a locked screen including a control
board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and
which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the
invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in
this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized,
and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.
[0029] As used herein, the suffixes `module`, `unit` and `part` are
used for elements in order to facilitate the disclosure only.
Therefore, significant meanings or roles are not given to the
suffixes themselves and it is understood that the `module`, `unit`
and `part` can be used together or interchangeably.
[0030] The present invention can be applicable to a various types
of mobile terminals. Examples of such terminals include mobile
phones, user equipments, smart phones, digital broadcast receivers,
personal digital assistants, laptop computers, portable multimedia
players (PMP), navigators and the like.
[0031] Yet, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a
configuration according to an embodiment disclosed in this
specification is applicable to such a fixed terminal as a digital
TV, a desktop computer and the like as well as a mobile
terminal
[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1
shows the mobile terminal 100 according to one embodiment of the
present invention includes a wireless communication unit 110, an
A/V (audio/video) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing
unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170,
a controller 180, a power supply unit 190 and the like. FIG. 1
shows the mobile terminal 100 having various components, but it is
understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is
not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively be
implemented.
[0033] In the following description, the above elements of the
mobile terminal 100 are explained in sequence.
[0034] First of all, the wireless communication unit 110 typically
includes one or more components which permits wireless
communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless
communication system or network within which the mobile terminal
100 is located. For instance, the wireless communication unit 110
can include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile
communication module 112, a wireless internet module 113, a
short-range communication module 114, a position-location module
115 and the like.
[0035] The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast
signal and/or broadcast associated information from an external
broadcast managing server via a broadcast channel. The broadcast
channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel.
At least two broadcast receiving modules 111 can be provided to the
mobile terminal 100 in pursuit of simultaneous receptions of at
least two broadcast channels or broadcast channel switching
facilitation.
[0036] The broadcast managing server generally refers to a server
which generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast
associated information or a server which is provided with a
previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated
information and then transmits the provided signal or information
to a terminal The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV
broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast
signal, among others. If desired, the broadcast signal may further
include a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast
signal.
[0037] The broadcast associated information includes information
associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a
broadcast service provider, etc. And, the broadcast associated
information can be provided via a mobile communication network. In
this case, the broadcast associated information can be received by
the mobile communication module 112.
[0038] The broadcast associated information can be implemented in
various forms. For instance, broadcast associated information may
include an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia
broadcasting (DMB) and electronic service guide (ESG) of digital
video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).
[0039] The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to
receive broadcast signals transmitted from various types of
broadcast systems. By nonlimiting example, such broadcasting
systems include digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial
(DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital
video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), Convergence of Broadcasting and
Mobile Service (DVB-CBMS), Open Mobile Alliance-BroadCAST
(OMA-BCAST), China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB), Mobile
Broadcasting Business Management System (MBBMS), the data
broadcasting system known as media forward link only
(MediaFLO.RTM.) and integrated services digital
broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T). Optionally, the broadcast receiving
module 111 can be configured suitable for other broadcasting
systems as well as the above-explained digital broadcasting
systems.
[0040] The broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information
received by the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in a
suitable device, such as a memory 160.
[0041] The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives
wireless signals to/from one or more network entities (e.g., base
station, external terminal, server, etc.) via a mobile network such
as GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code
Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA) and so on. Such
wireless signals may represent audio, video, and data according to
text/multimedia message transceivings, among others.
[0042] The wireless internet module 113 supports Internet access
for the mobile terminal 100. This module may be internally or
externally coupled to the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the
wireless Internet technology can include WLAN (Wireless LAN)
(Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability
for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access),
GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) etc.
[0043] Wireless internet access by Wibro, HSPDA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA,
LTE or the like is achieved via a mobile communication network. In
this aspect, the wireless internet module 113 configured to perform
the wireless internet access via the mobile communication network
can be understood as a sort of the mobile communication module
112.
[0044] The short-range communication module 114 facilitates
relatively short-range communications. Suitable technologies for
implementing this module include radio frequency identification
(RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), as
well at the networking technologies commonly referred to as
Bluetooth and ZigBee, to name a few.
[0045] The position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise
obtains the location of the mobile terminal 100. If desired, this
module may be implemented with a global positioning system (GPS)
module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 is
able to precisely calculate current 3-dimensional position
information based on at least one of longitude, latitude and
altitude and direction (or orientation) by calculating distance
information and precise time information from at least three
satellites and then applying triangulation to the calculated
information. Currently, location and time informations are
calculated using three satellites, and errors of the calculated
location position and time informations are then amended using
another satellite. Besides, the GPS module 115 is able to calculate
speed information by continuously calculating a real-time current
location.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the audio/video (AN) input unit 120 is
configured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobile
terminal 100. As shown, the AN input unit 120 includes a camera 121
and a microphone 122. The camera 121 receives and processes image
frames of still pictures or video, which are obtained by an image
sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. And, the
processed image frames can be displayed on the display 151.
[0047] The image frames processed by the camera 121 can be stored
in the memory 160 or can be externally transmitted via the wireless
communication unit 110. Optionally, at least two cameras 121 can be
provided to the mobile terminal 100 according to environment of
usage.
[0048] The microphone 122 receives an external audio signal while
the portable device is in a particular mode, such as phone call
mode, recording mode and voice recognition. This audio signal is
processed and converted into electric audio data. The processed
audio data is transformed into a format transmittable to a mobile
communication base station via the mobile communication module 112
in case of a call mode. The microphone 122 typically includes
assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise generated in the
course of receiving the external audio signal.
[0049] The user input unit 130 generates input data responsive to
user manipulation of an associated input device or devices.
Examples of such devices include a button 136 provided to
front/rear/lateral side of the mobile terminal 100 and a touch
sensor (constant pressure/electrostatic) 137 and may further
include a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch and the
like [not shown in the drawing].
[0050] The sensing unit 140 provides sensing signals for
controlling operations of the mobile terminal 100 using status
measurements of various aspects of the mobile terminal For
instance, the sensing unit 140 may detect an open/close status of
the mobile terminal 100, relative positioning of components (e.g.,
a display and keypad) of the mobile terminal 100, a change of
position of the mobile terminal 100 or a component of the mobile
terminal 100, a presence or absence of user contact with the mobile
terminal 100, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the
mobile terminal 100. By nonlimiting example, such sensing unit 140
include, gyro sensor, accelerate sensor, geomagnetic sensor.
[0051] As an example, consider the mobile terminal 100 being
configured as a slide-type mobile terminal In this configuration,
the sensing unit 140 may sense whether a sliding portion of the
mobile terminal is open or closed. Other examples include the
sensing unit 140 sensing the presence or absence of power provided
by the power supply 190, the presence or absence of a coupling or
other connection between the interface unit 170 and an external
device. And, the sensing unit 140 can include a proximity sensor
141.
[0052] The output unit 150 generates outputs relevant to the senses
of sight, hearing, touch and the like. And, the output unit 150
includes the display 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit
153, and a haptic module 154 and the like.
[0053] The display 151 is typically implemented to visually display
(output) information associated with the mobile terminal 100. For
instance, if the mobile terminal is operating in a phone call mode,
the display will generally provide a user interface (UI) or
graphical user interface (GUI) which includes information
associated with placing, conducting, and terminating a phone call.
As another example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call
mode or a photographing mode, the display 151 may additionally or
alternatively display images which are associated with these modes,
the UI or the GUI.
[0054] The display module 151 may be implemented using known
display technologies including, for example, a liquid crystal
display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display
(TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), a
flexible display and a three-dimensional display. The mobile
terminal 100 may include one or more of such displays.
[0055] Some of the above displays can be implemented in a
transparent or optical transmittive type, which can be named a
transparent display. As a representative example for the
transparent display, there is TOLED (transparent OLED) or the like.
A rear configuration of the display 151 can be implemented in the
optical transmittive type as well. In this configuration, a user is
able to see an object in rear of a terminal body via the area
occupied by the display 151 of the terminal body.
[0056] At least two displays 151 can be provided to the mobile
terminal 100 in accordance with the implemented configuration of
the mobile terminal 100. For instance, a plurality of displays can
be arranged on a single face of the mobile terminal 100 in a manner
of being spaced apart from each other or being built in one body.
Alternatively, a plurality of displays can be arranged on different
faces of the mobile terminal 100.
[0057] In case that the display 151 and the touch sensor 137
configures a mutual layer structure (hereinafter called `touch
screen`), it is able to use the display 151 as an input device as
well as an output device. In this case, the touch sensor can be
configured as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touchpad or the
like.
[0058] The touch sensor 137 can be configured to convert a pressure
applied to a specific portion of the display 151 or a variation of
a capacitance generated from a specific portion of the display 151
to an electric input signal. Moreover, it is able to configure the
touch sensor 137 to detect a pressure of a touch as well as a
touched position or size.
[0059] If a touch input is made to the touch sensor 137, signal(s)
corresponding to the touch is transferred to a touch controller.
The touch controller processes the signal(s) and then transfers the
processed signal(s) to the controller 180. Therefore, the
controller 180 is able to know whether a prescribed portion of the
display 151 is touched.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, a proximity sensor (141) can be
provided to an internal area of the mobile terminal 100 enclosed by
the touchscreen or around the touchscreen. The proximity sensor is
the sensor that detects a presence or non-presence of an object
approaching a prescribed detecting surface or an object existing
around the proximity sensor using an electromagnetic field strength
or infrared ray without mechanical contact. Hence, the proximity
sensor has durability longer than that of a contact type sensor and
also has utility wider than that of the contact type sensor.
[0061] The proximity sensor can include one of a transmittive
photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a
mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a radio frequency
oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacity proximity
sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor
and the like. In case that the touchscreen includes the
electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, it is configured to detect
the proximity of a pointer using a variation of electric field
according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the
touchscreen (touch sensor) can be classified as the proximity
sensor.
[0062] For clarity and convenience of the following description, as
a pointer becomes proximate to a touchscreen without coming into
contact with the touchscreen, if the pointer is perceived as
situated over the touchscreen, such an action shall be named
`proximity touch`. If a pointer actually comes into contact with a
touchscreen, such an action shall be named `contact touch`. A
proximity-touched position over the touchscreen with the pointer
may mean a position at which the pointer vertically opposes the
touchscreen when the touchscreen is proximity-touched with the
pointer.
[0063] The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a
proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a
proximity touch duration, a proximity touch position, a proximity
touch shift state, etc.). And, information corresponding to the
detected proximity touch action and the detected proximity touch
pattern can be outputted to the touchscreen.
[0064] The audio output module 152 functions in various modes
including a call-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording
mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode and the
like to output audio data which is received from the wireless
communication unit 110 or is stored in the memory 160. During
operation, the audio output module 152 outputs audio relating to a
particular function (e.g., call received, message received, etc.).
The audio output module 152 is often implemented using one or more
speakers, buzzers, other audio producing devices, and combinations
thereof
[0065] The alarm unit 153 is output a signal for announcing the
occurrence of a particular event associated with the mobile
terminal 100. Typical events include a call received event, a
message received event and a touch input received event. The alarm
unit 153 is able to output a signal for announcing the event
occurrence by way of vibration as well as video or audio signal.
The video or audio signal can be outputted via the display 151 or
the audio output unit 152. Hence, the display 151 or the audio
output module 152 can be regarded as a part of the alarm unit
153.
[0066] The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that
can be sensed by a user. Vibration is a representative one of the
tactile effects generated by the haptic module 154. Strength and
pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are
controllable. For instance, different vibrations can be outputted
in a manner of being synthesized together or can be outputted in
sequence.
[0067] The haptic module 154 is able to generate various tactile
effects as well as the vibration. For instance, the haptic module
154 generates the effect attributed to the arrangement of pins
vertically moving against a contact skin surface, the effect
attributed to the injection/suction power of air though an
injection/suction hole, the effect attributed to the skim over a
skin surface, the effect attributed to the contact with electrode,
the effect attributed to the electrostatic force, the effect
attributed to the representation of hold/cold sense using an
endothermic or exothermic device and the like.
[0068] The haptic module 154 can be implemented to enable a user to
sense the tactile effect through a muscle sense of finger, arm or
the like as well as to transfer the tactile effect through a direct
contact. Optionally, at least two haptic modules 154 can be
provided to the mobile terminal 100 in accordance with the
corresponding configuration type of the mobile terminal 100.
[0069] The memory unit 160 is generally used to store various types
of data to support the processing, control, and storage
requirements of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of such data
include program instructions for applications operating on the
mobile terminal 100, contact data, phonebook data, messages, audio,
still pictures (or photo), moving pictures, etc. And, a recent use
history or a cumulative use frequency of each data (e.g., use
frequency for each phonebook, each message or each multimedia) can
be stored in the memory unit 160. Moreover, data for various
patterns of vibration and/or sound outputted in case of a touch
input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memory unit 160.
[0070] The memory 160 may be implemented using any type or
combination of suitable volatile and non-volatile memory or storage
devices including hard disk, random access memory (RAM), static
random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory
(ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk,
multimedia card micro type memory, card-type memory (e.g., SD
memory, XD memory, etc.), or other similar memory or data storage
device. And, the mobile terminal 100 is able to operate in
association with a web storage for performing a storage function of
the memory 160 on Internet.
[0071] The interface unit 170 is often implemented to couple the
mobile terminal 100 with external devices. The interface unit 170
receives data from the external devices or is supplied with the
power and then transfers the data or power to the respective
elements of the mobile terminal 100 or enables data within the
mobile terminal 100 to be transferred to the external devices. The
interface unit 170 may be configured using a wired/wireless headset
port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a
memory card port, a port for coupling to a device having an
identity module, audio input/output ports, video input/output
ports, an earphone port and/or the like.
[0072] The identity module is the chip for storing various kinds of
information for authenticating a use authority of the mobile
terminal 100 and can include User Identify Module (UIM), Subscriber
Identify Module (SIM), Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)
and/or the like. A device having the identity module (hereinafter
called `identity device`) can be manufactured as a smart card.
Therefore, the identity device is connectible to the mobile
terminal 100 via the corresponding port.
[0073] When the mobile terminal 110 is connected to an external
cradle, the interface unit 170 becomes a passage for supplying the
mobile terminal 100 with a power from the cradle or a passage for
delivering various command signals inputted from the cradle by a
user to the mobile terminal 100. Each of the various command
signals inputted from the cradle or the power can operate as a
signal enabling the mobile terminal 100 to recognize that it is
correctly loaded in the cradle.
[0074] The controller 180 typically controls the overall operations
of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180
performs the control and processing associated with voice calls,
data communications, video calls, etc. The controller 180 may
include a multimedia module 181 that provides multimedia playback.
The multimedia module 181 may be configured as part of the
controller 180, or implemented as a separate component.
[0075] Moreover, the controller 180 is able to perform a pattern
(or image) recognizing process for recognizing a writing input and
a picture drawing input carried out on the touchscreen as
characters or images, respectively.
[0076] The power supply unit 190 provides power required by the
various components for the mobile terminal 100. The power may be
internal power, external power, or combinations thereof.
[0077] A battery may include a built-in rechargeable battery and
may be detachably attached to the terminal body for a charging and
the like. A connecting port may be configured as one example of the
interface 170 via which an external charger for supplying a power
of a battery charging is electrically connected.
[0078] Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a
computer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,
hardware, or some combination thereof.
[0079] For a hardware implementation, the embodiments described
herein may be implemented within one or more application specific
integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs),
digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic
devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors,
controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic
units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a
selective combination thereof. Such embodiments may also be
implemented by the controller 180.
[0080] For a software implementation, the embodiments described
herein may be implemented with separate software modules, such as
procedures and functions, each of which perform one or more of the
functions and operations described herein. The software codes can
be implemented with a software application written in any suitable
programming language and may be stored in memory such as the memory
160, and executed by a controller or processor, such as the
controller 180.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0082] The mobile terminal 100 shown in the drawing has a bar type
terminal body. Yet, the mobile terminal 100 may be implemented in a
variety of different configurations.
[0083] Examples of such configurations include folder-type,
slide-type, rotational-type, swing-type and combinations thereof
For clarity, further disclosure will primarily relate to a bar-type
mobile terminal 100. However such teachings apply equally to other
types of mobile terminals.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal 100 includes a
case (101, 102, 103) configuring an exterior thereof In the present
embodiment, the case can be divided into a front case 101 and a
rear case 102. Various electric/electronic parts are loaded in a
space provided between the front and rear cases 101 and 102.
[0085] Occasionally, electronic components can be mounted on a
surface of the rear case 102. The electronic part mounted on the
surface of the rear case 102 may include such a detachable part as
a battery, a USIM card, a memory card and the like. In doing so,
the rear case 102 may further include a backside cover 103
configured to cover the surface of the rear case 102. In
particular, the backside cover 103 has a detachable configuration
for user's convenience. If the backside cover 103 is detached from
the rear case 102, the surface of the rear case 102 is exposed.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 2, if the backside cover 103 is attached
to the rear case 102, a lateral side of the rear case 102 may be
exposed in part. If a size of the backside cover 103 is decreased,
a rear side of the rear case 102 may be exposed in part. If the
backside cover 103 covers the whole rear side of the rear case 102,
it may include an opening 103' configured to expose a camera 121'
or an audio output unit 152' externally.
[0087] The cases 101, 102 and 103 are formed by injection molding
of synthetic resin or can be formed of metal substance such as
stainless steel (STS), titanium (Ti) or the like for example.
[0088] A display 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, user
input units 130/131 and 132, a microphone 122, an interface 180 and
the like can be provided to the case 101 or 102.
[0089] The display 151 occupies most of a main face of the front
case 101. The audio output unit 152 and the camera 121 are provided
to an area adjacent to one of both end portions of the display 151,
while the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are provided
to another area adjacent to the other end portion of the display
151. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 can be provided
to lateral sides of the front and rear cases 101 and 102.
[0090] The input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for
controlling an operation of the terminal 100. And, the input unit
130 is able to include a plurality of manipulating units 131 and
132. The manipulating units 131 and 132 can be named a manipulating
portion and may adopt any mechanism of a tactile manner that
enables a user to perform a manipulation action by experiencing a
tactile feeling.
[0091] Content inputted by the first or second manipulating unit
131 or 132 can be diversely set. For instance, such a command as
start, end, scroll and the like is inputted to the first
manipulating unit 131. And, a command for a volume adjustment of
sound outputted from the audio output unit 152 and the like can be
inputted to the second manipulating unit 132, a command for a
switching to a touch recognizing mode of the display 151 and the
like can be inputted to the second manipulating unit 133.
[0092] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a backside of the
terminal shown in FIG. 2.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 121' can be additionally
provided to a backside of the terminal body, and more particularly,
to the rear case 102. The camera 121 has a photographing direction
that is substantially opposite to that of the former camera 121
shown in FIG. 2 and may have pixels differing from those of the
firmer camera 121.
[0094] Preferably, for instance, the former camera 121 has low
pixels enough to capture and transmit a picture of user's face for
a video call, while the latter camera 121' has high pixels for
capturing a general subject for photography without transmitting
the captured subject. And, each of the cameras 121 and 121' can be
installed at the terminal body to be rotated or popped up.
[0095] A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are additionally provided
adjacent to the camera 121'. The flash 123 projects light toward a
subject in case of photographing the subject using the camera 121'.
In case that a user attempts to take a picture of the user
(self-photography) using the camera 121', the mirror 124 enables
the user to view user's face reflected by the mirror 124.
[0096] An additional audio output unit 152' can be provided to the
backside of the terminal body. The additional audio output unit
152' is able to implement a stereo function together with the
former audio output unit 152 shown in FIG. 2A and may be used for
implementation of a speakerphone mode in talking over the
terminal
[0097] A broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 can be additionally
provided to the lateral side of the terminal body as well as an
antenna for communication or the like. The antenna 116 constructing
a portion of the broadcast receiving module 111 shown in FIG. 1 can
be retractably provided to the terminal body.
[0098] For clarity and convenience of the following description,
assume that a mobile terminal mentioned in the following
description includes at least one of the components shown in FIG.
1. In particular, assume that a mobile terminal 100 according to
the present invention includes the wireless communication unit 110,
the display unit 151, the memory 160 and the controller 180 among
the components shown in FIG. 1. The mobile terminal 100 according
to the present invention may include the wireless internet module
113 and the short range communication module 114 configured to
perform a short range communication in the wireless communication
unit 110 shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the wireless internet
module 113 may be configured to perform an access to an access
point (AP) and the short range communication module 114 may be
configured to deliver a control signal for controlling an operation
of an external device. The wireless internet module 113 may include
a WLAN communication module configured to perform Wi-Fi
communication and the short range communication module 114 may
include an infrared communication module configured to perform an
infrared communication (IrDA), by which the present invention may
be non-limited.
[0099] In the mobile terminal 100 according to the present
invention, if the display unit 151 includes a touchscreen, it may
facilitate implementation of the present invention. Hence, in the
following description, assume that the display unit 151 includes
the touchscreen.
[0100] Prior to describing operations of the mobile terminal 100
according to the present invention, a remote controller program for
remotely controlling an external terminal is described as
follows.
[0101] First of all, a remote controller program is configured to
remotely control operations of an external device. And, the
controller 180 is able to generate a control signal for remotely
controlling the external device via the remote controller program.
Using the remote controller program, the mobile terminal 100 can be
used as a traditional remote controller. Once the remote controller
program is active, the controller 180 can control a control board
for controlling operations of the external device externally to be
displayed. This is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 as
follows.
[0102] FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams for one example to describe a
remote controller program according to the present invention.
[0103] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, once a remote controller
program is activated, the controller 180 can control a control
board 400, which is configured to control operations of an external
device, to be displayed. In this case, the control board 400 may
mean a user interface (hereinafter abbreviated UI) in which buttons
for remotely controlling the operations of the external device are
put together. Based on a user input to the control board 400, the
controller 180 generates a control signal for remotely controlling
an operation of the external device. The controller 180 then
transmits the generated control signal to the external device,
thereby controlling the external device to operate based on the
corresponding control signal.
[0104] In FIGS. 4A to 4D, the control board 400 may include tab
button regions 412, 414, 416 and 418 for selecting external devices
to control remotely and a control button region 420 for controlling
operations of the external devices. If a user applies a touch input
to one of the tab buttons 412, 414, 416 and 418, the user can
specify the external device to remotely control. Once the external
device to be remotely controlled is specified, the controller 180
can control the specified external device to be identified through
an indicator. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, a star-shape indicator 430 is
displayed on an activation tab for example, thereby enabling the
specified external device to become identifiable. For instance, in
FIGS. 4A to 4D, the tab buttons 412, 414, 416 and 418 of a TV, a
settop box, an audio system and an air conditioner are in active
states, respectively. Hence, through the control boards 400 shown
in FIGS. 4A to 4D, operations of the TV, settop box, audio system
and air conditioner can be controlled individually and
remotely.
[0105] The control board 400 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D shall be
sequentially described as follows.
[0106] First of all, referring to FIG. 4A, a power button, a volume
adjust button, a channel adjust button, a mute button and an
external input button are displayed on the TV control board 400 for
controlling the TV for example. The power button shown in FIG. 4A
may be understood as provided to remotely control power ON/OFF of
the TV, the volume adjust button may be understood as provided to
remotely control a volume of the TV, and the channel adjust button
may be understood as provided to remotely control a channel of the
TV. Moreover, the mute button may be understood as provided to set
the TV to enter a mute state and the external input button may be
understood as provided to adjust whether to activate a TV external
input terminal channel.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 4B, a power button, a volume adjust
button, a channel adjust button, a mute button, an external input
button and a numeral button are displayed on the settop box control
board 400 for controlling the settop box for example. The power
button shown in FIG. 4B may be understood as provided to remotely
control power ON/OFF of the settop box, the volume adjust button
may be understood as provided to remotely control a volume of the
settop box, and the channel adjust button may be understood as
provided to remotely control a channel of the settop box. Moreover,
the mute button may be understood as provided to set the settop box
to enter a mute state and the external input button may be
understood as provided to adjust whether to activate a settop box
external input terminal channel. The numeral button shown in FIG.
4B may be understood as provided to page a numeral button. If the
numeral button is paged, a user can adjust a channel of the settop
box by manipulating the numeral button.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 4C, a power button, a volume adjust
button, a mute button, a mode adjust button, a play/pause button, a
skip button and a rewinder button are displayed on the audio system
control board 400 for controlling the audio system for example. The
power button shown in FIG. 4C may be understood as provided to
remotely control power ON/OFF of the audio system and the volume
adjust button may be understood as provided to remotely control a
volume of the audio system. Moreover, the mute button may be
understood as provided to set the audio system to enter a mute
state and the mode adjust button may be understood as provided to
adjust a play mode of the audio system. For instance, the play mode
of the audio system may be set to at least one of a tape play mode,
a CD play mode, a DVD play mode, a radio mode, an external device
connect mode, and a Bluetooth play mode. The play/pause button, the
skip button and the rewinder button may be understood as provided
to adjust a play/pause, a skip and a rewinder of a multimedia
content outputted via the audio system, respectively.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 4D, a power button, a temperature adjust
button, a mode adjust button and an airflow adjust button are
displayed on the air conditioner control board 400 for controlling
the air conditioner for example. The power button shown in FIG. 4D
may be understood as provided to remotely control power ON/OFF of
the air conditioner and the temperature adjust button may be
understood as provided to remotely adjust a desired temperature in
case of activating the air conditioner. Moreover, the airflow
adjust button may be understood as provided to adjust an air
conditioner airflow level and the mode adjust button may be
understood as provided to adjust an operating mode of the air
conditioner. For instance, the operating mode of the air
conditioner may be set to one of a normal mode and a power-saving
mode.
[0110] The types of the external devices shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D
and the types of the control buttons displayed on the control
boards 400 are provided for clarity and convenience of the
description only, by which the present invention may be
non-limited. It is a matter of course that the present invention is
applicable to remotely controlling external devices of which types
are different from those of the former external devices shown in
FIGS. 4A to 4D. And, it is a matter of course that buttons
different from those shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D can configure the
control boards 400. For instance, the mobile terminal 100 according
to the present invention may be utilized as a remote controller
configured to remotely adjust operations of at least one of an
illumination device, a washer, a microwave oven and the like. And,
a keypad for inputting text rings can be displayed on the control
board 400. Moreover, it may be unnecessary for the control board
400 to include the tab button region and the control button region,
as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. For instance, if there is only one
external device of a type selectable as a control target, the tab
button region can be omitted from being displayed. The number
and/or types of control buttons displayable on the control board
400 may be changeable depending on a state of an external device.
For instance, if the external device in OFF state, the controller
180 controls the power button to be displayed on the control board
400. In doing so, if the external device enters ON state, the
controller 180 then controls additional control button(s) (e.g., a
channel adjust button, a volume adjust button, etc.) to be
displayed.
[0111] A remote controller program explained in the description of
the present invention may support widgets. Hence, the control board
400 mentioned in the foregoing description may be displayed as a
full screen on the touchscreen 151. Alternatively, the control
board 400 may be displayed as a widget in a manner of overlaying a
home screen (e.g., a basic screen appearing on pressing a home
button of a mobile terminal) or the like.
[0112] After the external device to be remotely controller has been
specified, if a user input is applied via the control board 400,
the controller 180 generates a control signal for controlling an
operation of the external device and is then able to remotely
control the operation of the external device by transmitting the
generated control signal to the external device. In particular, the
controller 180 can transmit the control signal to the external
device via the wireless internet module 113 or the short range
communication module 114. In case that the control signal is
transmitted via the wireless internet module 113, a network address
of the external device is set as a destination to provide the
control signal to the external device. In particular, the control
signal may be transmitted using TCP/IP (transmission control
protocol/internet protocol) communication. In case that the
external device is remotely controlled using the TCP/IP
communication, the mobile terminal 100 may receive feedback
information on the control signal from the external device. In this
case, the feedback information may mean operating state information
of the external device and an operating state changed by the
control signal may be handled as the feedback information.
[0113] For instance, if the control signal is the signal for
turning on/off the TV, the feedback information may be related to
the power ON/OFF state of the TV. If the control signal is the
signal for changing a channel of the TV, the feedback information
may include the information on the changed channel of the TV. In
order to transmit the control signal via the short range
communication module 114 using infrared (IrDA) communication, the
short range communication module 14 of the mobile terminal 100
should be situated to face the external device (particularly, an
infrared port of the external device) while the mobile terminal 100
maintains a sufficiently close distance from the external device.
If bidirectional IrDA communication is used, the mobile terminal
100 can receive the feedback information on the control signal from
the external device.
[0114] The controller 180 of the present invention can determine a
state of an external device based on at least one of a feedback
information and a manipulation history of the external device.
[0115] For instance, if the controller 180 can receive the feedback
information from the external device, the controller 180 may be
able to determine whether the external device is in ON/OFF based on
the received feedback information. Even if the controller 180 does
not receive the feedback information from the external device, the
controller 180 may be able to determine an operating state of the
external device based on a history of user's manipulation on the
control board. For instance, if a user initially applies a power
ON/OFF input of the control board once, the controller 180
recognizes the initial input as applied to turn on the external
device. If the user applies the power ON/OFF input twice, the
controller 180 determines it as inputted to turn off the external
device. And, the controller 180 can determine that the external
device in ON state until receiving the 2.sup.nd power ON/OFF input
since the reception of the 1.sup.st power ON/OFF input.
[0116] In case of attempting to transmit a control signal using the
IrDA communication, it may be necessary to specify an external
device manufacturer. Since the compatibility of IrDA varies
depending on a difference of IR code, a control signal compatible
with an external device of a 1.sup.st manufacturer is not always
compatible with an external device of a 2.sup.nd manufacturer.
Hence, before a control signal is transmitted by IrDA, a process
for specifying a manufacturer of an external device needs to be
performed in advance in order to check the compatibility of a
previous IR code. The process for specifying the manufacturer of
the external device is described in detail with reference to FIG. 5
as follows.
[0117] FIG. 5 is a diagram for one example of a screen provided to
specify a manufacturer of an external device.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 5, if a user input is applied to the
setting button 440 of the control board shown in FIG. 4, the
controller 180 can control a setting screen of a remote controller
program to be displayed [FIG. 5 (a)]. On the setting screen shown
in FIG. 5 (a), a device setting tab 520 and a feedback setting tab
530 are displayed together with an auto display setting region 510
for example. An operation of the mobile terminal 100 related to the
display setting region 510 shall be described later.
[0119] The device setting tab 520 shown in FIG. 5 (a) enumerates
types of external terminals remotely controllable via the mobile
terminal 100 and is provided to select at least one of the
enumerated external terminals as a target of a remote control. For
instance, if a user applies a touch input to each of `TV`, `settop
box`, `audio` and `air conditioner` regions shown in FIG. 5 (a),
the controller 180 can control outputs of check boxes 521 to 524
each of which whether a corresponding external device is selected.
Thereafter, based on the selected external device, the controller
180 can adjust an active tab configuration of the control board.
For instance, referring to FIG. 5 (a), if the TV and the settop box
are selected [cf. `521`, `524`], the controller 180 can configure
the control board to remotely control the TV and the settop box
only. In this case, unlike the former example shown in FIG. 4
showing that the activation tabs of the TV, settop box, audio
system and air conditioner are displayed, the controller 180 can
control the activation tabs of the TV and the settop box to be
displayed only.
[0120] Moreover, a user can select manufacturers of the external
devices enumerated on the device setting tab 520. For instance, if
a user input is applied to the TV setting button 525 [FIG. 5 (a)],
the controller 180 can control a selection screen, on which a list
of TV manufacturers is enumerated, to be displayed [FIG. 5 (b)]. If
the user selects one of the manufacturers from the list, the user
can select the corresponding TV manufacturer.
[0121] Once the user selects the TV manufacturer, the controller
180 can read out an IR code of the selected TV manufacturer from
the memory 160. Thereafter, the controller 180 generates a test
control signal using the read-out IR code and is then able to text
a presence or non-presence of compatibility between the generated
control signal and the external device. In particular, the
controller 180 displays a text page of the example shown in FIG. 5
(c), generates a text control signal with an IR code that matches
the TV manufacturer, and is then able to transmit the generated
text control signal to the external device. The user is then able
to complete the setting of the IR code by checking whether the text
control signal is compatible with the external terminal
[0122] Yet, although an external device is released by the same
manufacturer, it is not necessary to use the same IR code. If IR
codes are different despite the same manufacturer, a plurality of
test control signals may be generated by changing the IR codes.
[0123] Besides, manufacturers can be selected for various external
devices including a settop box, an audio system, an air conditioner
and the like as well as a TV.
[0124] The `auto display` region shown in FIG. 5 (a) is provided to
adjust whether to activate an auto display function. The auto
display function is to adjust an auto running of a remote
controller program when the mobile terminal 100 enters a preset
network. While the auto display function is active, if the mobile
terminal 100 enters the preset network, the controller 180 can
automatically activate the remote controller program. For instance,
when the preset network is a home network, if the mobile terminal
100 enters the preset home network, the controller 180
automatically activates the remote controller program, thereby
enabling a user to remotely control an operation of an external
device through the mobile terminal 100. The settings of the home
network can be performed in a manner of registering AP information
in advance, like the example which will be described with reference
to FIG. 6 later.
[0125] The activation of the auto display function can be triggered
after a manufacturer of an external device becoming a target of a
remote control has been selected. Before the selection of the
external device manufacturer, even if the auto display function is
activated, it is unable to secure compatibility of a control signal
using IrDA. A user can manually adjust whether to activate the auto
display function. If the manufacturer of the external device is
selected, the controller 180 can control the auto display function
to be automatically activated.
[0126] The feedback setting tab 530 shown in FIG. 5 (a) is provided
to adjust a feedback output in response to a user input applied to
a control board. While a touch sound item shown in FIG. 5 (a) is
set active, if a touch input is applied to a control board, the
controller 180 can control sound data to be outputted in response
to the touch input to the control board. While a vibration item
shown in FIG. 5 (a) is set active, if a touch input is applied to a
control board, the controller 180 can control vibration to be
outputted in response to the touch input to the control board.
[0127] Although the sound and vibration are taken as examples of
feedback types, they are just provided for clarity and convenience
of the description. And, the present invention may be non-limited
by the sound and vibration. Alternatively, instead of the sound and
vibration types, a feedback can be outputted in type of LED
flickering, color change of a touched point or the like. Moreover,
it is a matter of course that a feedback can be outputted in a
manner of combining at least two of the above-enumerated feedback
types.
[0128] In the following description, an operation of the mobile
terminal 100 according to the present invention is explained based
on the above-mentioned remote controller program.
[0129] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for controlling a mobile terminal
according to the present invention. For clarity of the following
description, assume that a state of an auto display function of a
remote controller program is set to an active state.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 180 can register an AP
(access point) based on a user input [S601]. In particular, the
controller 180 controls AP information to be saved in the memory
160 based on the user input, thereby completing the registration of
the AP. In this case, the AP information may include at least one
of a service set identifier (SSID) of the AP and a network address
of the AP, by which the present invention may be non-limited. How
the controller 180 registers the AP based on the user input is
described with reference to FIG. 7 as follows.
[0131] FIG. 7 is a diagram for one example to describe an AP
registering process.
[0132] Referring to FIG. 7, in an auto display setting region 710,
if a touch input is applied to a setting button 712 for adjusting
detailed settings of an auto display function [FIG. 7 (a)], the
controller 180 can control an AP list to be displayed [FIG. 7 (b)].
In the AP list, an AP currently transmitting a beacon signal to the
mobile terminal and AP(s) having transmitted a beacon signal to the
mobile terminal can be included.
[0133] FIG. 7 (b) shows one example that an AP having an SSID set
to AP1 and an AP having an SSID set to AP2 are included in the AP
list. The controller 180 saves AP information of the AP selected by
a user in the memory 160, thereby completing AP registration. Since
the AP1 is selected in FIG. 7 (b), the AP registration may be
completed by saving the AP information of the AP1 in the memory
160. In this case, the AP information may include at least one of
an SSI of the AP and a network address of the AP. In particular,
the network address of the AP may include an IP address of the AP
and/or a MAC address of the AP.
[0134] One example for registering an AP is described with
reference to FIG. 7, by which the present invention may be
non-limited. And, it is apparent that the AP registering process
can be performed by various methods devisable by those skilled in
the art as well as by the process shown in FIG. 7.
[0135] Referring now to FIG. 6, if the wireless internet module 113
accesses a random AP [S602], the controller 180 can determine
whether the AP (hereinafter named an accessed AP) accessed by the
wireless internet module 113 is a previously registered AP [S603].
In particular, the controller 180 determines whether an SSID and/or
network address of the accessed AP is identical to the previously
registered AP information, thereby determining whether the accessed
AP matches the previously registered AP information.
[0136] If the accessed AP is the previously registered AP, the
controller 180 can control a control board for remotely controlling
an external device to be displayed or may control the control board
to enter an displayable state [S604]. In this case, if the control
board is displayed, it may mean that the control board is displayed
as a full screen by activating a remote controller program or that
the control board is displayed as a widget of the remote controller
program. Moreover, if the control board enters the displayable
state, it may mean that the control board is in a displayable state
by receiving a prescribed user input.
[0137] Thus, the controller 180 can output the control board as the
full screen or the widget. The control board of the widget type can
be outputted to a home screen, a status board, a locked screen and
the like.
[0138] In case that a prescribed touch input is applied to a status
bar for displaying an operating state of the mobile terminal 100,
the status board may be provided to adjust ON/OFF of various
modules of the mobile terminal 100 and to display various
indication informations. The controller 180 controls the control
board of the widget type to be displayed on the status board,
thereby increasing user's accessibility to the control board. A
process for outputting the control board to the status board is
described with reference to FIG. 8 as follows.
[0139] FIG. 8 is a diagram for one example to describe a process
for displaying a control board on a status bar.
[0140] Referring to FIG. 8 (a), the controller 180 can control a
status bar 810, which is provided to display an operating state of
the mobile terminal 100, to be displayed on one side (e.g., a top
end of the touchscreen 151 shown in FIG. 8 (a)) of the touchscreen
151. On the status bar 810, such an operating state information of
the mobile terminal 100 as an absent call indication, a new text
message reception indication, a vibration/sound mode setting
indication, a current hour, a remaining battery level, a strength
of signal received from a base station and the like can be
displayed.
[0141] While the mobile terminal 100 accesses a previously
registered AP, if a prescribed touch input 820 (e.g., an action of
dragging the status bar in bottom direction) is applied to the
status bar 810 [FIG. 8 (a)], the controller 180 displays a status
board [FIG. 8 (b)] and then controls a control board 830, which is
provided to adjust an operation of an external device, to be
displayed on the status board.
[0142] If the status bar is exposed, the status board can be paged
at any time. Hence, user's accessibility to the control board 830
can be enhanced. For instance, although such an operation as a web
browser display, a music play, a video play, a camera photographing
and the like is being performed, if a user applies a prescribed
touch input to the status bar 810, it is able to remotely control
an operation of an external device by paging the status board and
the above-mentioned control board 830.
[0143] The controller 180 may control a control board to be
displayed on a locked screen. Prior to describing a process for
displaying a control board on a locked screen, the locked screen is
described as follows.
[0144] First of all, if a prescribed condition is met, the
controller 180 may control the mobile terminal 100 to enter a power
saving mode. In this case, the power saving mode is to deactivate a
touchscreen having high power consumption in order to raise battery
power efficiency. For instance, if a touch input is not applied to
the touchscreen 151 for a prescribed duration or a user applies a
user input to an external button, the controller 180 may control
the mobile terminal 100 to enter the power saving mode. While a
mode of the mobile terminal 100 is set to the power saving mode, if
a prescribed user input is applied, the controller 180 may control
a locked screen to be displayed on the touchscreen 151. The locked
screen ignores touch inputs other than a preset meaningful touch
input, thereby preventing wrong inputs applied by a user.
[0145] If the power saving mode of the mobile terminal 100 having
accessed the previously registered AP is cancelled, the controller
180 of the present invention can control a control board to be
displayed on a locked screen. A process for displaying a control
board on a locked screen is described in detail with reference to
FIG. 9 as follows.
[0146] FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams for one example to describe a
process for displaying a locked screen including a control
board.
[0147] Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9C, as the touchscreen 151 is
turned off in the mobile terminal 100 in a power saving state, any
information is not displayed [FIG. 9A].
[0148] Thereafter, if a prescribed user input 910 is applied to the
mobile terminal 100 (e.g., a user input is applied to an external
key in FIG. 9A), the controller 180 turns on the touchscreen 151
and is then able to control a locked screen to be outputted [FIG.
9B]. In doing so, if the mobile terminal 100 is currently connected
to a previously registered AP, the controller 180 can control a
control board 920 to be displayed on the locked screen [FIG.
9B].
[0149] The controller 180 handles a user touch input to the control
board 920 as a meaningful input, thereby enabling a user to
remotely control an operation of an external device without
unlocking the touchscreen 151. And, the user may select a type of
an external device to control through a tab button provided to the
control board 920.
[0150] Unlike the example shown in FIG. 9B, if a plurality of
external devices are set as remote control targets (cf. the device
setting tab 520 shown in FIG. 5 (a)), the controller 180 may
control a plurality of control boards to be displayed to control a
plurality of remote devices selected as the remote control targets,
respectively.
[0151] For instance, if there are two remote devices (e.g., TV and
settop box) selected as the remote control targets, referring to
FIG. 9C, the controller 180 can control two control boards 922 and
924 to be displayed. Thus, if there are N remote devices selected
as the remote control targets, the controller 180 may control N
control boards to be simultaneously displayed.
[0152] If a touch is inputted to a close button 930 of the control
board 920, the controller 180 may control the control board to stop
being displayed. In particular, a user can control the control
board to stop being displayed at any time.
[0153] While the locked screen is displayed, if a prescribed touch
input is applied to the control board 920, the controller 180 may
control the locked screen of the touchscreen to be cancelled (i.e.,
unlocked). For instance, referring to FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, if a
touch input for dragging a handler 940 displayed on one end of the
control board 920 in a prescribed direction is received, the
controller 180 may control the locked screen of the touchscreen 151
to be cancelled.
[0154] Of course, without using the control board 920, it is able
to cancel the locked screen of the touchscreen 151 by a
conventional method (e.g., a prescribed touch input applied onto a
lock icon 950).
[0155] Once the locked screen of the touchscreen 151 is cancelled,
the controller 180 may control a control board to be re-displayed
as a widget on the home screen or the status board or may control
the control board to be outputted as a full screen.
[0156] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the controller 180 can determine whether to keep running a remote
controller program depending on a method of cancelling a locked
screen of the touchscreen 151. In particular, the controller
discriminates a case of cancelling a locked screen based on a touch
input applied to the control board 920 from a case of cancelling a
locked screen based on a touch input applied to an outside of the
control board 920 and is then able to determine whether to keep
running the remote controller program.
[0157] For instance, as a touch input is applied to the handler 940
of the control board 920, if the locked screen is cancelled, the
controller 180 determines that the control board 920 is intended to
keep being used after the cancellation of the locked screen of the
touchscreen 151 and may control the control board 920 to keep being
displayed. On the other hand, if the locked screen is cancelled
based on a touch input to the lock icon 950, the controller 180
determines that the control board 920 is intended not to keep being
used and may control the control board 920 to stop being displayed
after the cancellation of the locked screen of the touchscreen
151.
[0158] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, if a prescribed
user input is applied to the touchscreen 151 in a power saving
state, the controller 180 turns on the touchscreen 151 and a locked
screen having the control board 920 displayed thereon is outputted.
According to another example of the present invention, while a
locked screen is outputted through the touchscreen 151, if a
prescribed user input (e.g., a push to a home button) is applied,
the controller 180 may control the control board 920 to be
displayed on the locked screen.
[0159] While the mobile terminal 100 is connected to a previously
registered AP, a control board is displayed, or a control board
displayable state is maintained, if there is an incoming call to
the mobile terminal 100 or a user answers an incoming call, the
controller 180 can transmit a control signal, which is generated to
automatically lower (or mute) a volume of such an audio output
device as a TV, an audio system and the like, to an external
device. If determining that the phone call is ended, the controller
180 may control the volume of the audio output device such as the
TV, the audio system and the like to automatically return to the
previous volume. While a phone call is made, the controller 180 may
control a voice in the phone call to be outputted through the TV,
the audio system or the like.
[0160] While the mobile terminal 100 is connected to a previously
registered AP or a control board displayable state is maintained,
if there is an incoming video call to the mobile terminal 100, the
controller 180 may control the video call to be displayed through
such a video output device as a TV and the like.
[0161] If the wireless internet module 113 cancels the access to
the previously registered AP [S605], the controller 180 stops
displaying the control board and may control the remote controller
program to be automatically ended [S606].
[0162] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the activation or
termination of the remote controller program is automatically
adjusted depending on the access to the previously registered AP or
the cancellation of the access. Yet, it may not be mandatory for
the activation or termination of the remote controller program to
be automatically performed. The controller 180 may control the
activation or termination of the remote controller program based on
a user's input. In doing so, an activate/end button of the remote
controller program may be provided as a quick icon that is paged
from the status bar.
[0163] For instance, referring to FIG. 8 (b), based on a touch
input to a quick icon button 840 named `remote controller`, the
controller 180 can control activation and termination of the remote
controller program. Even if the mobile terminal 100 is not
connected to the previously registered AP, the controller 180 may
control the remote controller program to be activated through a
touch input to the quick icon button 840. On the contrary, even if
the mobile terminal 100 is currently connected to the previously
registered AP, the controller 180 may control the remote controller
program to be terminated through a touch input to the quick icon
button 840.
[0164] In the above-described example, the mobile terminal 100
according to the present invention is able to transmit a control
signal to an external device using at least one of the wireless
internet module 13 and the short range communication module 114. In
case of transmitting a control signal using the short range
communication module 114 by IrDA communication, there is such a
limitation that the short range communication module 114 should
face the external device. Yet, in case of transmitting a control
signal using the wireless internet module 113, there is no such
limitation.
[0165] In case that the mobile terminal 100 is able to transmit a
control signal using both of the wireless internet module 113 and
the short range communication module 114, the controller 180 may
control the control signal to be transmitted by selecting one of
the communication modules depending on directionality of the mobile
terminal 100. In particular, in case of detecting that the mobile
terminal 100 has inclined over a prescribed angle through the
sensing unit 140, the controller 180 can transmit the control
signal via the wireless internet module 113. Otherwise, the
controller 180 can transmit the control signal via the short range
communication module 114.
[0166] For another instance, in case that a control signal is
generated while an output mode of the touchscreen 151 is set to a
landscape mode, the controller 180 can control the control signal
to be transmitted using the wireless internet module 113. For
another instance, in case that a control signal is generated while
an output mode of the touchscreen 151 is set to a portrait mode,
the controller 180 can control the control signal to be transmitted
using the short range communication module 114.
[0167] In particular, as the mobile terminal 100 inclines over the
prescribed angle, if the output mode of the touchscreen 151 is set
to the landscape mode, the controller 180 determines that the short
range communication module 114 of the mobile terminal 100 does not
face the external device. Hence, the controller 180 transmits the
control signal of no directionality using the wireless internet
module 113.
[0168] On the contrary, while the output mode of the touchscreen
151 is set to the landscape mode, the short range communication
module 114 may be set available. Moreover, while the output mode of
the touchscreen 151 is set to the portrait mode, the wireless
internet module 113 may be set available.
[0169] In case that the mobile terminal 100 is able to transmit a
control signal via the short range communication module 1143 only
(e.g., a network address of an external device is unknown or the
mobile terminal 100 or the external terminal is not in a wireless
internet accessed state), if the output mode of the touchscreen 151
is switched to the landscape mode from the portrait mode, the
controller 180 can control the remote controller program to be
automatically ended. In particular, if the mobile terminal 100 is
determined as not facing the external device, the controller 180
determines that the external device is intended not to be remotely
controlled any more, the remote controller program can be
automatically ended.
[0170] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
above-described method (flowchart) can be implemented in a program
recorded medium as processor-readable codes. The processor-readable
media include all kinds of recording devices in which data readable
by a processor are stored. The processor-readable media include
ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy discs, optical data
storage devices, and the like for example and also include
carrier-wave type implementations (e.g., transmission via
Internet).
[0171] The aforementioned embodiments are achieved by combination
of structural elements and features of the present invention in a
predetermined type. Each of the structural elements or features
should be considered selectively unless specified separately. Each
of the structural elements or features may be carried out without
being combined with other structural elements or features. Also,
some structural elements and/or features may be combined with one
another to constitute the embodiments of the present invention.
[0172] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following
advantages and/or features.
[0173] First of all, the present invention provides a mobile
terminal, by which user's convenience in manipulating the mobile
terminal is enhanced.
[0174] Secondly, if a mobile terminal according to the present
invention enters a preset network, the mobile terminal can
automatically function as a remote controller for controlling
operations of an external terminal, thereby enhancing user's
convenience.
[0175] Thirdly, the present invention facilitates an operation of
an external terminal to be controlled while a screen of the mobile
terminal is locked or another job is being performed via the mobile
terminal
[0176] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *