Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same

A mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal and method for controlling same can recognize a first input, which is applied to a first area of the display unit on which a preview image obtained by driving a camera is displayed, as a triggering signal for entering a specific photographing mode and enter the specific photographing mode, upon reception of the first input. According to the present invention, grip of the mobile terminal can be improved by processing an operation of gripping the mobile terminal as a valid input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2015/000569, filed on Jan. 20, 2015, which claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0071022, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal which changes an operation mode according to an input gesture and a method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Efforts are ongoing 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.

Recently, thin mobile terminals have been manufactured and the bezel widths thereof have been reduced in order to extend a display area. Accordingly, it is difficult for users to grip terminals without applying unnecessary input and a noise input applied to a display area during execution of a specific application causes a wrong operation.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem and other problems. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal which recognizes a first input, which is applied to a first area of a display unit displaying a preview screen or content, as a triggering signal for entering a specific photographing mode or a specific mode and a method for controlling the same.

Technical Solution

According to one aspect of the present invention to accomplish the aforementioned object and other objects, there is provided a mobile terminal, including: a camera; a display unit; and a controller configured to recognize a first input, applied to a first area of the display unit on which a preview image obtained by driving the camera is displayed, as a triggering signal for entering a specific photographing mode and to enter the specific photographing mode, upon reception of the first input.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal, including: a display unit; and a controller configured to execute a specific application to display content corresponding to one of an image, video and text on the entire screen of the display unit, to recognize a first input applied to a first area of the display unit as a triggering signal for entering a specific mode and to enter the specific mode upon reception of the first input.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mobile terminal, including: driving a camera to display a preview image on a display unit; receiving a first input applied to a first area of the display unit on which the preview image is displayed; and recognizing the first input as a triggering signal for entering a specific photographing mode and entering the specific photographing mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mobile terminal, including: displaying one of an image, video and text on the entire screen of a display unit; receiving a first input applied to a first area of the display unit; and recognizing the first input as a triggering signal for entering a specific mode and entering the specific mode.

Advantageous Effects

The mobile terminal and the method for controlling the same according to the present invention have the following advantages.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve grip of the mobile terminal and stably hold the mobile terminal by processing a grip gesture of a user during execution of a specific application as a valid input.

In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform photographing or control a specific function key using an operation of gripping the mobile terminal.

Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to dynamically change the size of the bezel region of the mobile terminal as an area to which a grip input is applied dynamically changes.

MODE FOR INVENTION

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected with another element, the element can be connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected with another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless it represents a definitely different meaning from the context. Terms such as include or has are used herein and should be understood that they are intended to indicate an existence of several components, functions or steps, disclosed in the specification, and it is also understood that greater or fewer components, functions, or steps may likewise be utilized.

Reference is now made toFIGS. 1a-1c, whereFIG. 1ais a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure, andFIGS. 1band 1care conceptual views of one example of the mobile terminal, viewed from different directions.

The sensing unit140is typically implemented using one or more sensors configured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, the surrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, and the like. For example, inFIG. 1a, the sensing unit140is shown having a proximity sensor141and an illumination sensor142.

The second camera121bcan include a plurality of lenses arranged along at least one line. The plurality of lenses may also be arranged in a matrix configuration. The cameras may be referred to as an array camera. When the second camera121bis implemented as an array camera, images may be captured in various manners using the plurality of lenses and images with better qualities.

Further preferred embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to additional drawing figures. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the present features can be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure andFIGS. 3 to 10are views for explaining the method for controlling the mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) of the mobile terminal may drive the camera (121ofFIG. 1) to display a preview screen on the display unit (151ofFIG. 1) (S110).

Specifically, the controller may execute a camera application to drive the camera upon reception of touch input applied to an icon indicating the camera application or input applied to an operation key provided to the terminal body.

The controller may display a preview screen of an image input through the front or rear camera on the display unit when the camera is driven. Here, the controller may display at least one of an image input through the front camera and an image input through the rear camera on the preview screen according to setting. In a dual camera mode, the controller may respectively display the images input through the front and rear cameras in allocated areas of the preview screen. In addition, when an image received in real time is changed according to camera operation, the controller may display the changed image through on the preview screen.

Subsequently, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may receive a first input applied to a first area of the display unit (151ofFIG. 1) on which the preview screen is displayed (S120). Here, the first input may be set to touch input fixed to the first area for a reference time or more. The controller may recognize the first input as a triggering signal when the first input is maintained for a predetermined time.

The first area of the display unit may refer to an area including at least one of an edge region of the display unit and a bezel region of the display unit, that is, an area touched by the thumb of a user when the user grips the mobile terminal with a hand. For example, the first area of the display unit can correspond to an edge region of the display unit, in which the joint of the thumb of the user is positioned, and a specific area of the display unit, in which the tip of the nail of the thumb is positioned, when the user's hand grips the mobile terminal. When the edge region of the display unit is not touched by the user's hand when the user grips the mobile terminal with the hand, the first area of the display unit may correspond to a bezel region of the display unit, in which the thumb of the user is positioned, and the specific region of the display unit. That is, the first area of the display unit may refer to an area in the form of the user's thumb when the user's thumb completely comes into contact with the display unit when the user grips the mobile terminal with the hand. When the user's thumb partially comes into contact with the display unit, the first area may refer to the contact area of the display unit.

Upon reception of the first input, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may recognize the first input as a triggering signal for entering a specific photographing mode (S130).

The controller may recognize the first input as a valid input for maintaining a specific photographing mode upon entering the specific photographing mode and set an input received in the specific photographing mode as an input for executing a function different from a function in a normal photographing mode. Upon entering the specific photographing mode, the controller may rearrange function keys related to photographing or reset input patterns for the function keys. For example, the controller can change a photographing icon display position to rearrange a photographing icon in an area above the first area upon entering the specific photographing mode.

The display screen of the display unit may be segmented into a plurality of areas and the preview screen may be displayed in one of the areas other than the first area. Specifically, the controller may recognize the first area as a bezel region and display the preview screen in an area other than the first area in the specific photographing mode. The controller may display at least one of a photographing menu, a photographing function key, a notice and a preview image acquired through a dual camera in an area other than the first area.

Upon simultaneous reception of the first input and an input for turning on the display unit (151ofFIG. 1) when the display unit is turned off, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may display an execution screen of the specific photographing mode on the display unit (151ofFIG. 1). That is, the controller may perform shortcut to the specific photographing mode execution screen.

Upon release of the first input applied to the first area, the controller may change the specific photographing mode to the normal photographing mode. The controller may display the rearranged photographing related function keys at the initial positions thereof and recover the input patterns for the function keys upon switching of the specific photographing mode to the normal photographing mode.

Upon reception of the first input, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may display a pop-up window for guiding switching to the specific photographing mode and release of the specific photographing mode, on the display unit (151ofFIG. 1).

A description will be given of the method for controlling the mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference toFIGS. 3 to 10.

Referring toFIG. 3, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may execute the camera application upon reception of touch input applied to an icon (a) which indicates the camera application.

Upon execution of the camera application, the controller may drive the camera to display a preview image, input through the camera, on the display unit. The controller may be configured to enter the normal photographing mode upon execution of the camera application and display photographing related function keys on the preview image in the normal photographing mode.

FIGS. 4a, 4band 4care views for explaining a method of receiving the first input in the mobile terminal according to the present invention. The controller (180ofFIG. 1) may receive the first input applied to the first area of the display unit, which includes one of a bezel region and an edge region of the display unit.

Specifically, referring toFIG. 4a, the controller may receive the first input applied to an area including the bezel region of the display unit. Referring toFIGS. 4band 4c, the controller may receive the first input applied to an area including the edge region of the display unit. Here, one or more inputs may be received as the first input.

FIGS. 5a, 5band 5care views for explaining the first area I1in the mobile terminal according to the present invention. The controller (180ofFIG. 1) may recognize an area including one of the bezel region and edge region of the display unit, which is touched when the user grips the mobile terminal with a hand, as the first area I1.

Specifically, referring toFIGS. 5a, 5band 5c, the controller may determine an area of the display unit, which is touched by a user's thumb when the user grips the mobile terminal with a hand, as the first area I1. In addition, the controller may determine a specific area including the area of the display unit, which is touched by the user's thumb, as the first area I1.

FIGS. 6a, 6band 6care views for explaining a method of entering a specific photographing mode upon reception of the first input in the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 6a, 6band 6c, upon reception of the first input applied to the first area of the display unit on which a preview image is displayed, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may recognize the first input as a triggering signal for entering the specific photographing mode and switch the normal photographing mode to the specific photographing mode.

Upon switching to the specific photographing mode, the controller may display an indicator (e.g. a character, a symbol or the like) indicating the specific photographing mode on the preview image and rearrange a function key related to photographing. Specifically, the controller may display a guide emoticon G for inducing a second input for executing a photographing function in an upper region of the first area.

FIGS. 7a, 7band 7care views for explaining the method for controlling the mobile terminal according to the present invention when the mobile terminal enters the specific photographing mode.

Referring toFIGS. 7a, 7band 7c, upon entering the specific photographing mode, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may segment the display screen of the display unit into a plurality of areas A1, A2and A3and display a preview image in one area A2other than the first area A1and A3.

Here, the controller may visually display boundaries of the areas A1, A2and A3. The controller may segment the display screen into an area for receiving the first input and an area for displaying a preview image. The controller may reduce an image input through the camera on the basis of the size of the area for displaying a preview image and display the reduced image in the area.

FIG. 8is a view for explaining a method of controlling the size of the first area in the specific photographing mode of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, upon entering the specific photographing mode, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may adjust the size of the first area A1through drag input I2applied to the first area A1. For example, the controller can magnify the first area A1through left drag input I2applied to the first area A1so as to display a changed first area A1′.

The controller may adjust the size of the area for displaying a preview image in response to the changed size of the first area A1.

FIG. 9is a view for explaining a method of controlling the display unit in the specific photographing mode of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, upon entering the specific photographing mode, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) of the mobile terminal may segment the display screen of the display unit (151ofFIG. 1) into a plurality of areas A1to A4and display at least one of a photographing menu, a photographing function key, a notice and a preview image acquired through a dual camera, in the areas A1to A4.

Specifically, the controller may segment the display screen into four areas A1to A4and display a preview image, the photographing menu and the photographing function key in the three areas A2, A3and A4other than the first area A1. The method of segmenting the display screen is exemplary and the controller may segment the display screen into five or more areas.

FIG. 10is a view for explaining a method of displaying a pop-up window W for guiding switching to the specific photographing mode and release of the specific photographing mode in the mobile terminal100according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, upon reception of the first input, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) of the mobile terminal may display, on the display unit151, the pop-up window W for indicating switching from the normal photographing mode to the specific photographing mode and guiding a method of performing photographing in the specific photographing mode.

Upon release of the first input, the controller may display, on the display unit, a pop-up window (not shown) for indicating switching from the specific photographing mode to the normal photographing mode and guiding a method of performing photographing in the normal photographing mode.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention andFIGS. 12 to 15are views for explaining the method for controlling mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) of the mobile terminal may receive a second input applied to an area other than the first area while the first input is maintained (S140).

When an icon for guiding the second input is displayed on the display unit, the controller may receive the second input through the icon. When the photographing function key is not displayed, the controller may receive the second input through an arbitrary area other than the first area.

The second input may include at least one of touch input, drag input, touch release input and drag release input and the controller may execute a function depending on the type, direction and magnitude of the second input.

Upon reception of the second input corresponding to drag input or drag release input, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may control a specific function of the camera (S150). Specifically, when the second input is drag input or drag release input, the controller may control at least one of zoom-in, zoom-out, brightness, focus, photographing mode and resolution of the camera on the basis of the direction or magnitude of the second input.

In addition, when the second input corresponds to touch input or touch release input with respect to the photographing function key, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may control a preview image to be photographed (S160).

The controller may control a specific function to be executed upon reception of touch input or drag input and control a specific function to be executed upon reception of touch release input or drag release input.

The method for controlling the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 12 to 15.

Referring toFIG. 12, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may receive the second input I2, which is applied to a second area located above the first area using a user's index finger, when the user grips the first area including the edge region of the display unit with a thumb (I1). Here, the second input corresponds to touch input fixed to the second area.

The controller may switch the photographing mode to the specific photographing mode when the user grips the first area, which includes the edge region of the display unit displaying a preview image, with the thumb (I1) and control the preview image to be photographed when the user touches the second area (I2) using the index finger in the specific photographing mode.

Referring toFIG. 13, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may receive the second input I2, which is applied to an arbitrary area other than the first area using a different finger of the user, while the user grips the first area including the edge region of the display unit with the thumb (I1).

The controller may switch the photographing mode to the specific photographing mode when the user grips the first area including the edge region of the display unit displaying the preview image, with the thumb (I1) and control the preview image to be photographed when the user touches the second area (I2) using a different finger in the specific photographing mode.

Referring toFIG. 14, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may receive the second input I2, which is applied to the second area located above the first area using the index finger, while the user grips the first area including the edge region of the display unit with the thumb (I1). Here, the second input I2corresponds to drag input applied to the second area.

The controller may switch the photographing mode to the specific photographing mode when the user grips the first area including the edge region of the display unit displaying the preview image with the thumb (I1) and control the preview image to be photographed when the user drags the second area (I2) using the index finger in the specific photographing mode.

Referring toFIG. 15, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may zoom in the preview image upon reception of the second input corresponding to downward drag input and photograph the zoomed preview image upon reception of drag release input.

In addition, the controller may match a camera function to the type, direction and magnitude of the second input and store the camera function. The controller may control a zoom-in level of the preview image or execute other functions such as zoom out, brightness control and the like on the basis of the type, direction and magnitude of the second input. Upon reception of the second input, the controller may photograph only the preview image displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 16is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention andFIGS. 17 and 18are views for explaining the method for controlling the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 16, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) of the mobile terminal may display one of an image, video and text on the entire screen of the display unit (151ofFIG. 1) (S210).

Specifically, the controller may execute one of a video play application, a text viewer application and a gallery application and display content on the entire screen of the display unit.

The controller (180ofFIG. 1) may receive the first input applied to the first area of the display unit (151ofFIG. 1) (S220) and recognize the first input as a triggering mode for entering a specific mode.

The first input may be set to touch input fixed to the first area for a reference time or more. The controller may recognize the first input as the triggering signal when the first input is maintained for a predetermined time.

The first area of the display unit may include an area to which at least one of the edge region and the bezel region of the display unit belongs and an area in which content is displayed. Specifically, the first area of the display unit refers to an area including a region of the display unit, which is touched by a user's thumb when the user grips the mobile terminal with a hand, and the area in which content is displayed. For example, the first area of the display unit can correspond to an edge region of the display unit, in which the joint of the thumb of the user is positioned, and a specific area of the display unit, in which the tip of the nail of the thumb is positioned, when the user's hand grips the mobile terminal. When the edge region of the display unit is not touched by the user's hand when the user grips the mobile terminal with the hand, the first area of the display unit may correspond to a bezel region of the display unit, in which the thumb of the user is positioned, and the specific region of the display unit. That is, the first area of the display unit may refer to an area in the form of the user's thumb when the user's thumb completely comes into contact with the display unit when the user grips the mobile terminal with the hand. When the user's thumb partially comes into contact with the display unit, the first area may refer to the contact area of the display unit.

Upon entering a specific mode, the controller may recognize the first input as a valid input for maintaining the specific mode and set an input received in the specific mode such that the input is used to execute a function different from a function in a content display mode.

Upon entering the specific mode, the controller may segment the display screen of the display unit into a plurality of areas and display content in one of the areas other than the first area. Specifically, the controller may determine one area other than the first area as a content display area, adjust the size of content on the basis of the size of the determined area and display the content in the area. In addition, the controller may display at least one of a function key for controlling content playback, a content play menu and a notice in an area other than the first area. For example, the controller can segment the display screen into first, second and third areas, display content in the third area and display the function key for controlling content playback in the second area.

Upon release of the first input applied to the first area, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may release the specific mode and switch the specific mode to the content display mode. Upon reception of the first input, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may display, on the display unit (151ofFIG. 1), a pop-up window for guiding switching to the specific mode and release of the specific mode.

A description will be given of the method for controlling the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention with reference toFIGS. 17 and 18.

Referring toFIG. 17, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may display a video on the entire screen of the display unit151and receive the first input applied to the first area of the display unit151.

Specifically, the controller may receive the first input applied to the first area including the edge region of the display unit151and an arbitrary area in which the video is displayed. Here, the arbitrary area refers to an area in which a function key related to video playback is not displayed.

Upon reception of the first input for a reference time or more, the controller may recognize the first input as a triggering signal for entering the specific mode, instead of noise. The controller may determine that functions are executed in the specific mode while the first input is maintained and determine that the specific mode is switched to the content playback mode upon release of the first input.

Referring toFIG. 18, upon entering the specific mode, the controller (180ofFIG. 1) may segment the display screen of the display unit151into a plurality of areas A1, A2and A3and display content in one area other than the first area A1.

Upon switching to the specific mode, the controller may segment the display screen of the display unit into the first area A1to which the first input is applied, the second area A2for displaying a video and the third area A3for displaying the function key related to video playback.

In addition, upon entering the specific mode, the controller may segment the display screen into four or more areas and control menus related to content playback, a notice and the like to be displayed in areas other than the first area.

When shortcut to a content display application is set while the display unit is turned off, the controller may directly enter the specific mode upon simultaneous reception of the first input applied to the display unit and an input for turning on the display unit. Accordingly, the controller may turn on the display unit and display content in one of the segmented areas of the display screen other than the first area.

The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of methods and apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.