KR20100029611A - Mobile terminal and method for displaying icon thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: It selectively hides the specific icon or the mobile terminal and their icon display method transparently indicate among the icons displayed on stand-by screen. CONSTITUTION: A mobile terminal(100) comprises an A/V(Audio/Video) input unit(120), a user input portion(130), a sensing part(140), an output unit(150), an interface unit(170), and a controller(180). A display unit(151) indicates arbitrary icons according to a preset transparency. As to the user input portion, except the transparency of the icons receives the input of the special signal about control. According to controller is the special signal, the transparency of the specific icon is varied among icons.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ICON THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a method for selectively displaying or hiding an icon and a mobile terminal having the same.

Terminals may be divided into mobile / portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

As the terminal functions are diversified, for example, such a terminal is a multimedia player having a complex function such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, or receiving a broadcast. Is being implemented.

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

Recently, a mobile terminal can display an icon that can directly execute a specific menu on a standby screen. When many icons are displayed on a small display module, it is difficult for a user to view a background image displayed on the standby screen. .

In general, the background image of the standby screen is set as a picture that the user prefers to have the purpose of frequently viewing whenever operating the terminal. However, when the background image is covered by icons, it is difficult for a user to appreciate the background image.

The present invention provides a method for temporarily hiding or transparently displaying icons on a standby screen, and a mobile terminal having the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for selectively hiding a specific icon among icons displayed on a standby screen, and a mobile terminal having the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for selectively and clearly displaying a specific icon among icons displayed on a transparent screen and a mobile terminal having the same.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a method for displaying and adjusting the transparency of the icons displayed on the standby screen differently according to the frequency of selection of each icon, and a mobile terminal having the same.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a display unit for displaying any icon according to a predetermined transparency, an input unit for receiving a specific signal related to the control of the transparency of the icons, the received And a controller for changing the transparency of a specific icon among the icons according to a specific signal.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is to display any icon according to a predetermined transparency, receive a specific signal related to the control of the transparency of the icon, the received specific signal Depending on the specific icon is made to change the transparency.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may selectively hide or transparently display a specific icon among icons displayed on a standby screen, and among the icons displayed transparently on a standby screen. Specific icons can be selectively and clearly displayed.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may display and adjust the transparency of the icons displayed on the standby screen differently according to the selection frequency of each icon.

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 laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules 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, a location information module 115, and the like. .

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, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

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

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

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

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless 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 according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and 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 refers to 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, and the like may be used.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, 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 unit 151.

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

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 dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, and a GUI.

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

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

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

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.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen 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.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by a change in an electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). 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 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 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, 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, and touch input. 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 be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various haptic effects that a user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

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

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data relating to various patterns of vibration and sound output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

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 It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection 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, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as an 'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through a port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

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

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

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

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

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a portable terminal related to the present invention.

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, 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 further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

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

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The audio output unit 151 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces 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 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user is tactile in a tactile manner.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first manipulation unit 131 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second manipulation unit 132 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or displays 151. Command), such as switching to the touch recognition mode.

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

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 ′ has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera 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 on the terminal body to be rotatable or pop-up.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further 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 by using the camera 121 '.

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

The antenna 124 for receiving a broadcast signal may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (refer to FIG. 1) may be installed to be pulled out of the terminal body.

The 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. In this case, 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 also 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.

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

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

The display unit 151 may display various types of visual information. These information may be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

In order to input such information, at least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement so as to be implemented in the form of a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a "soft key."

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

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

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for output or input of information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a soft key 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is displayed on the output window 151a. When the first manipulation unit 131 is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

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

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

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

In addition to the input methods disclosed in the above embodiments, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. By scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, the user may move an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, a cursor or a pointer located at an icon. In addition, when the finger is moved on the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, a path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display unit 151. This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

In response to the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 being touched together within a predetermined time range, one function of the terminal may be executed. When touched together, the user may clamp the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. For example, the function may include activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135.

The proximity sensor 141 described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 4, when a pointer such as a user's finger or pen approaches the touch screen, the proximity sensor 141 disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor 141 may be configured to output different proximity signals according to a distance between the proximity touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter, referred to as “proximity depth”).

In FIG. 4, for example, a cross section of a touch screen on which three proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is disposed is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors can also detect less than three or more than four proximity depths.

In detail, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d0), the pointer is recognized as a touch. When the pointer is positioned below the distance d1 on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a first proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the distance d1 or more and less than d2 on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a second proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the d2 distance by more than d3 distance on the touch screen, it is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. When the pointer is located at a distance greater than or equal to d3 on the touch screen, the proximity touch is recognized as released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 may recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity depth and the proximity position of the pointer, and perform various operation control according to the various input signals.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal according to the present invention, although not shown in the drawings, a slide type including a first body and a second body configured to be slidable in at least one direction on the first body, or a first The swing type may include a folder type including a body, a second body configured to be folded or unfolded at least one side of the first body, a first body, and a second body configured to be swingable with respect to the first body. have. Here, the slide type may refer to an open configuration in which the first body exposes at least a portion of the second body, and the folder type may refer to a closed state in which the second body is configured to be folded. The state in which the second body is configured to be unfolded may be referred to as an open state. In addition, the swing type may refer to a state in which the first body is disposed to overlap the second body, and may be referred to as a closed state, and a state in which a portion of the first body is exposed by swinging the second body may be referred to as an open state.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that a plurality of icons are displayed on the standby screen of the mobile terminal. The icons may be set to different transparency. The idle screen may mean a screen displayed when the terminal is open among the situation-specific screens, but the idle screen may be displayed even in the closed state depending on the terminal. The image selected by the user may be displayed as the background image on the standby screen. The icons selected by the user may be displayed on the background image of the idle screen.

The idle screen has been described as an example of various situation-specific screens of the mobile terminal, and the present invention is not necessarily applicable only to the idle screen. In addition, the icons are only described as one example of various types of objects that can be displayed on the idle screen, and may be applied to other types of objects such as text.

The icons may appear clear, dim, or not visible at all, depending on the transparency of each icon. In the state where the icon is not visible at all, the user cannot select the icon, but only when the icon is visible. That is, the specific function or menu set in the icon can be executed.

Therefore, when the user does not need to select an icon, the user can enjoy the background image by making it invisible on the standby screen. When the user needs to select an icon, the user can improve the convenience by making the icon appear on the idle screen.

Hereinafter, the method of displaying the icon clearly or transparently will be described.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an icon display method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

When the mobile terminal enters the standby screen display state (S101), the controller 180 extracts and displays a preset background image from the memory 160 (S102). Then, the icon to be displayed on the standby screen may be extracted from the memory 160 and displayed, but the transparency set for each icon may be read together, and each icon may be displayed in a transparent, faint, or clear manner according to the transparency (S103).

The transparency may be divided into many stages, and the higher the transparency of the icon, the better the background image is transmitted. The lower the transparency of the icon, the more the background image is hidden.

The transparency of the displayed icon may be directly changed by the user or may be automatically changed by the controller 180.

That is, when a predetermined specific signal is input from the user through the user input unit 130 (S104), the controller 180 may determine the type of the received signal and the time period or number of times or input speed at which the specific signal is input. It is determined (S105). The transparency of the specific icon may be changed according to the determined characteristic of the signal (S106). Alternatively, when a specific signal preset through the sensing unit 140 is input, the controller 160 determines the type of the input signal, the time period or the number of times or the input speed at which the specific signal is input, and the determination. The transparency of a specific icon can be changed according to the characteristics of the signal.

In this case, the transparency changed according to the type of each input signal may be mapped to a table and stored in the memory 160. Accordingly, the controller 160 may change the transparency of a specific icon according to the type of each input signal with reference to the transparency mapping table.

Hereinafter, methods for manually changing the transparency of the icon will be described.

6 is a first exemplary view for explaining a method of manually changing the transparency of an icon according to the present invention. The method shown here is a method in which the user touches a specific icon and then rubs to change transparency.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a user selects a specific icon 314 and rubs it with a fingertip while a plurality of icons 311 to 314 having different transparency are displayed on the standby screen, the controller 180 controls the specific icon ( 314) can be changed higher and higher. That is, the specific icon may be gradually and transparently displayed according to the time (time), the number of times, or the speed at which the user rubs the specific icon.

In this case, when the transparency of the specific icon 314 stops rubbing when the user desires transparency, the controller 180 may maintain the transparency of the specific icon in a changed state. Meanwhile, the changed transparency of the icon may be temporarily or continuously maintained according to a preset option.

In the above embodiment, when the specific icon is rubbed, the transparency of the icon is increased (= when the icon becomes transparent). On the contrary, when the specific icon is rubbed, the transparency of the icon is lowered (= the icon is clear). May be configured to be displayed.

7 is a second exemplary view for explaining a method of manually changing the transparency of an icon according to the present invention. The method shown here is a method in which the user shakes the mobile terminal in a specific direction to change the transparency of the icon.

As shown in the drawing, when the user grabs the mobile terminal and shakes the mobile terminal in a specific direction while a plurality of icons having different transparency are displayed on the standby screen, the controller 180 may gradually change the transparency of the icons displayed on the standby screen. have. That is, icons may be gradually and transparently displayed according to the time, number, or speed at which the user shakes the mobile terminal.

In this case, the direction of shaking the mobile terminal may be left / right directions (first and second directions) or up / down directions (third and fourth directions), and a fifth direction or a sixth direction may be added. . The fifth and sixth directions may be up / down directions of the display module 151.

In this case, when the shaking of the icons stops shaking when the transparency becomes desired by the user, the controller 180 may maintain the transparency of the icons in a changed state. On the other hand, the changed transparency of the icons, depending on the setting may be temporarily or continuously maintained.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when the transparency of the icons increases as the mobile terminal shakes (= when the icons become transparent), the transparency of the icons decreases as the mobile terminal shakes (= the icons are clear). May be configured to be displayed.

For example, when the mobile terminal is placed still on the desk, as the time passes, the transparency of the icons may gradually increase to be displayed transparently. However, when the user moves or shakes the mobile terminal, the transparency of the icons may be gradually lowered and displayed clearly.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the transparency is increased regardless of the direction in which the mobile terminal is shaken is described. However, when the mobile terminal is shaken in a specific direction (for example, the first and second directions), the transparency is changed to a high level and the other specific direction (for example, In the case of shaking in the third and fourth directions, it may be configured to change the transparency lower.

On the other hand, in the case of shaking the terminal as described above, since one icon cannot be specified, the transparency of the entire icons may be changed. Alternatively, the transparency of the preset specific icon may be changed.

8 is a third exemplary view for explaining a method of manually changing the transparency of an icon according to the present invention. The method shown here is a method of changing the transparency of an icon using a specific key input, a voice command input, or a touch.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a user inputs a predetermined hardware key or software key while a plurality of icons having different transparency are displayed on the standby screen, the controller 180 determines a specific icon according to the type of the input key. You can change the transparency of the high or low.

In this case, the user may change the transparency according to the type of the input key or the number of times of input of the key, and the transparency may be sequentially changed by a predetermined unit every time the key is input.

Here, the type of the specific signal includes at least one of a signal input through a key input, a voice command input, a touch input, a proximity touch input, and a gesture.

In addition, when the mobile terminal is provided with a voice command recognition function, the transparency of icons may be changed to be high or low according to a voice command inputted by a user (eg, an icon display, transparent, or clear). In addition, when the user touches a specific area of the idle screen, the controller 180 may change the transparency of the specific icon to be higher or lower according to the position, the number of touches, the touch intensity (or pressure), or the touch area of the touch area.

In addition, as in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the changed transparency of the icons may be temporarily or continuously maintained according to a setting.

Hereinafter, methods for automatically changing the transparency of the icon will be described.

9 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of automatically changing the transparency of an icon according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, when a plurality of icons having different transparency are displayed on the standby screen, whenever the user selects a specific icon (S201), the controller 180 may count the frequency of selecting the specific icon (S201). S202).

Then, the counted total number of times is compared with a predetermined reference number (S203).

According to a result of comparing the number of times of selecting the specific icon with the reference number of times, the transparency of the icon may be changed to the transparency of the reference number corresponding to the counted total number of times (S204).

The reference number of times may be preset in a plurality of reference times according to the step of adjusting the transparency. Transparency corresponding to the reference number may be mapped to the table form 330 and stored in the memory 160.

For example, it is assumed that three reference values (for example, reference 1 (10 or less), reference 2 (10-20), and reference 3 (more than 30)) are preset in the transparency mapping table 300. When the specific icon has been selected a total of 12 times, the specific icon may be changed to transparency corresponding to criterion 2.

On the other hand, the frequency of selection of the particular icon may be counted by setting a predetermined period (for example, one week). The transparency of the specific icon may be changed to a transparency corresponding to a selection frequency counted within the predetermined period. For example, suppose there are two icons with the same frequency of selection, icons with a high frequency of selection in the last week may be displayed clearly, and icons with a low frequency of selection in the last week may be displayed transparently. Can be.

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

The above-described mobile terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. It may be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal associated with one embodiment of the present invention;

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

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

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

4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

5 is a flowchart for explaining an icon display method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a first exemplary view for explaining a method of manually changing a transparency of an icon according to the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 7 is a second exemplary view for explaining a method of manually changing the transparency of an icon according to the present invention; FIG.

8 is a third exemplary view for explaining a method of manually changing the transparency of an icon according to the present invention;

9 is an exemplary view for explaining a method for automatically changing the transparency of the icon in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (15)

A display unit for displaying arbitrary icons according to a predetermined transparency; An input unit configured to receive a specific signal related to transparency control of the icons; And a controller for changing transparency of specific icons among the icons according to the received specific signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the input unit, A user input unit for receiving a specific signal generated by a terminal operation; A mobile terminal comprising a; sensing unit for receiving a specific signal generated by the movement of the terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal, And a memory configured to map and store the type of the specific signal and the transparency changed according to a time period, an input frequency, or an input speed at which the specific signal is input. The method of claim 3, wherein the type of the specific signal, A mobile terminal comprising at least one of a signal input through a key input, a voice command input, a touch input, a proximity touch input, and a gesture. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit And when the transparency of the specific icon is changed, temporarily or continuously maintaining the changed transparency according to a preset option. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And changing transparency of any one of the displayed icons or a specific icon selected from a user according to the input specific signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, Mobile terminal, characterized in that for changing the transparency of the specific icon in accordance with the frequency of the particular icon is selected. The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit, And a frequency of selection of the specific icon by counting a predetermined period. Displaying any icons according to a predetermined transparency; Receiving a specific signal related to transparency control of the icons; And changing the transparency of a specific icon according to the received specific signal. The method of claim 9, wherein the specific signal, Method of displaying an icon of a mobile terminal, characterized in that the signal generated from the movement of the terminal. The method of claim 9, wherein the specific signal, A method for displaying an icon of a mobile terminal, characterized in that the signal is generated by at least one of a key input, a voice command input, and a touch input. The method of claim 9, wherein the transparency, The icon display method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that changed according to the type of the specific signal. The method of claim 9, wherein the transparency, The method of displaying an icon of a mobile terminal, characterized in that the specific signal is changed depending on the time period or the number of times or the input speed. The method of claim 9, wherein the transparency, The method of displaying an icon of a mobile terminal, characterized in that when the terminal shakes in a predetermined specific direction. The method of claim 9, wherein the transparency, The transparency of the specific icon is changed when the specific icon is rubbed by the user.

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