Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof

A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present disclosure includes a touchscreen configured to recognize at least one touch point at a same timing point and a controller, if a touch pattern for releasing a lock is received through the touchscreen, releasing a lock state of the touchscreen and outputting a preset screen. And, the touch pattern includes a preset touch pattern corresponding to the number of the at least one touch point recognized at the same timing point. Accordingly, a lock is released in response to a command for releasing a lock screen of a touchscreen, various informations are outputted, and a function is launched, simultaneously.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119, to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0116018, filed Sep. 2, 2014, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof. Although the present disclosure is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for facilitating the use of a terminal in further consideration of user's convenience.

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. Some terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other terminals are also configured as multimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of contents, such as videos and television programs.

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.

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.

A mobile terminal uses a touchscreen. When the mobile terminal is not in use, it can output a lock screen to the touchscreen to prevent an incorrect input and to enhance security of the mobile terminal. While the lock screen is active, if a touch input is received, since the mobile terminal does not handle the received touch input as a user's command, no function is performed. Thus, the lock screen outputted state can be called a lock mode of the mobile terminal.

Currently, various kinds of methods of unlocking the lock mode are used in various ways. However, these methods are used to unlock a screen only but fail to provide additional functions.

Thus, the demand for a control method of running various functions simultaneously by cancelling a lock mode is increasingly rising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are 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.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which a specific user mode can be entered as soon as a lock screen of the mobile terminal having a plurality of users registered thereat is unlocked.

Technical tasks obtainable from the present disclosure are non-limited by the above-mentioned technical tasks. And, other unmentioned technical tasks can be clearly understood from the following description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in the disclosure herein as well as the accompanying drawings. Such aspects may also be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touchscreen configured to recognize at least one touch point at a same timing point and a controller, if a touch pattern for releasing a lock is received through the touchscreen, releasing a lock state of the touchscreen and outputting a preset screen, wherein the touch pattern includes a preset touch pattern corresponding to the number of the at least one touch point recognized at the same timing point.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touchscreen configured to recognize touch points including a 1st touch point and a 2nd touch point and a controller outputting a 1st circular indicator and a 2nd circular indicator with reference to the 1st touch point and the 2nd touch point, respectively, the controller outputting a 1st object to a region having the 1st and 2nd circular indicators overlap each other, the controller, if a touch gesture for moving either the 1st touch point or the 2nd touch point is received, releasing a lock of the touchscreen.

In further aspect of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to further embodiment of the present disclosure may include the steps of recognizing touch points including a 1st touch point and a 2nd touch point, outputting a 1st circular indicator and a 2nd circular indicator with reference to the 1st touch point and the 2nd touch point, respectively, outputting a 1st object to a region having the 1st and 2nd circular indicators overlap each other, and if a touch gesture for moving either the 1st touch point or the 2nd touch point is received, releasing a lock of the touchscreen.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The mobile terminal100is shown having components such as a wireless communication unit110, an input unit120, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, an interface unit160, a memory170, a controller180, and a power supply unit190. It is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented. Referring now toFIG. 1A, the mobile terminal100is shown having wireless communication unit110configured with several commonly implemented components.

The controller180typically functions to control overall operation of the mobile terminal100, in addition to the operations associated with the application programs. The controller180processes signals, data, informations and the like inputted or outputted through the above-mentioned components and/or runs application programs saved in the memory170, thereby processing or providing a user with appropriate informations and/or functions.

At least one portion of the respective components mentioned in the foregoing description can cooperatively operate to embody operations, controls or controlling methods of the mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure mentioned in the following description. Moreover, the operations, controls or controlling methods of the mobile terminal can be embodied in the mobile terminal by running at least one or more application programs saved in the memory170.

Referring still toFIG. 1A, various components depicted in this figure will now be described in more detail.

The mobile communication module112can transmit and/or receive wireless signals to and from one or more network entities. Typical examples of a network entity include a base station, an external mobile terminal, a server, and the like.

Such network entities form part of a mobile communication network, which is constructed according to technical standards or communication methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like).

A touch sensor can sense a touch applied to the touch screen, such as display unit151, using any of a variety of touch methods. Examples of such touch methods include a resistive type, a capacitive type, an infrared type, and a magnetic field type, among others. As one example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of pressure applied to a specific part of the display unit151, or convert capacitance occurring at a specific part of the display unit151, into electric input signals. The touch sensor may also be configured to sense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also touch pressure and/or touch capacitance. A touch object is generally used to apply a touch input to the touch sensor. Examples of typical touch objects include a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer, or the like.

In some embodiments, the display unit151may be implemented as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images.

The mobile terminal100will generally include a case (for example, frame, housing, cover, and the like) forming the appearance of the terminal.

In this embodiment, the case is formed using a front case101and a rear case102. Various electronic components are incorporated into a space formed between the front case101and the rear case102. At least one middle case may be additionally positioned between the front case101and the rear case102.

The mobile terminal100may be provided with the display unit151, the 1st audio output unit152a, the 2nd audio output unit152b, the proximity sensor141, the illumination sensor142, the light output unit154, the 1st camera121a, the 2nd camera121b, the 1st manipulating unit123a, the 2nd manipulating unit123b, the microphone122, the interface unit160, and the like.

FIGS. 1B and 1Cdepict certain components as arranged on the mobile terminal.

The display unit151outputs information processed in the mobile terminal100. The display unit151may be implemented using one or more suitable display devices.

Examples of such suitable display devices include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3-dimensional (3D) display, an e-ink display, and combinations thereof.

A power supply unit190for supplying power to the mobile terminal100may include a battery191, which is mounted in the terminal body or detachably coupled to an outside of the terminal body. The battery191may receive power via a power source cable connected to the interface unit160.

Also, the battery191can be recharged in a wireless manner using a wireless charger. Wireless charging may be implemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

A communication system which is operable with the variously described mobile terminals will now be described in more detail.

Such a communication system may be configured to utilize any of a variety of different air interfaces and/or physical layers. Examples of such air interfaces utilized by the communication system include Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) (including, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced)), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the like.

By way of a non-limiting example only, further description will relate to a CDMA communication system, but such teachings apply equally to other system types including a CDMA wireless communication system as well as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) wireless communication system.

A CDMA wireless communication system generally includes one or more mobile terminals (MT or User Equipment, UE)100, one or more base stations (BSs, NodeB, or evolved NodeB), one or more base station controllers (BSCs), and a mobile switching center (MSC). The MSC is configured to interface with a conventional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the BSCs. The BSCs are coupled to the base stations via backhaul lines. The backhaul lines may be configured in accordance with any of several known interfaces including, for example, E1/T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, or xDSL. Hence, the plurality of BSCs can be included in the CDMA wireless communication system.

Each base station may include one or more sectors, each sector having an omni-directional antenna or an antenna pointed in a particular direction radially away from the base station. Alternatively, each sector may include two or more different antennas. Each base station may be configured to support a plurality of frequency assignments, with each frequency assignment having a particular spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sector and frequency assignment may be referred to as a CDMA channel. The base stations may also be referred to as Base Station Transceiver Subsystems (BTSs). In some cases, the term “base station” may be used to refer collectively to a BSC, and one or more base stations. The base stations may also be denoted as “cell sites.” Alternatively, individual sectors of a given base station may be referred to as cell sites.

A broadcasting transmitter (BT) transmits a broadcast signal to the mobile terminals100operating within the system. The broadcast receiving module111of FIG.1A is typically configured inside the mobile terminal100to receive broadcast signals transmitted by the BT.

Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites for locating the position of the mobile terminal100, for example, may cooperate with the CDMA wireless communication system. Useful position information may be obtained with greater or fewer satellites than two satellites. It is to be appreciated that other types of position detection technology, (i.e., location technology that may be used in addition to or instead of GPS location technology) may alternatively be implemented. If desired, at least one of the GPS satellites may alternatively or additionally be configured to provide satellite DMB transmissions.

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.

When a touchscreen is not in use, it can operate in lock mode for the prevention of malfunction and the security. In this case, the lock mode means an operating mode for not receiving a touch command from a user (or, an operating mode for not performing a function despite receiving a touch command for the function from a user). And, a lock screen may mean a screen outputted in the lock mode.

There are various methods for releasing the lock mode. For instance, if a password or a preset touch drag pattern is inputted or a preset tapping pattern is recognized, a lock mode is released and a preset screen can be outputted.

Yet, according to the above-described method, since the lock mode or the lock screen released only, it is disadvantageous in failing to provide a user with convenience in displaying various informations or running an appropriate function.

As the number of convenience functions through a mobile terminal increases gradually, security becomes important. Particularly, when several users share a mobile terminal of a tablet type with each other, since a use history of a specific user can be read by another user, it is disadvantageous in that privacy protection gets vulnerable.

Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a lock mode is released, it is proposed to perform a specific function as well. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is intended to provide a control method for providing various functions runnable on a lock screen. Such embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 2is a flowchart of a process for loading an individual user screen based on a touch pattern inputted to a lock screen according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 3andFIG. 4are diagrams of configurations of a control method for loading an individual user screen based on a touch pattern inputted to a lock screen according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The following description shall be made with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4.

First of all, referring toFIGS. 2 to 4, the touchscreen151of one embodiment of the present disclosure can recognize a multi-touch capable of recognizing a plurality of touch points at the same timing point as well as a single touch capable of recognizing a prescribed touch point. In a step S201, the controller180can recognize a user's touch input through the touchscreen. In doing so, the step S201may include a step S201-1of recognizing a single touch for recognizing a prescribed touch point and a step S201-2of recognizing a multi-touch for recognizing a plurality of touch points simultaneously. Optionally, the single touch recognizing step S201-1and the multi-touch recognizing step S201-2may not be distinguished from each other separately.

In a step S202, if a touch pattern for releasing a lock mode of the touchscreen151is received, the controller180can release a lock of the touchscreen151.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch pattern for releasing the lock mode of the touchscreen151can distinguish the number of finger(s) (i.e., touch object(s)) for a touch of a prescribed portion of the touch pattern at least.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a situation that a plurality of users currently use a single mobile terminal100, it is proposed to distinguish the users by distinguishing the touch pattern. For instance, if a 1st touch pattern is inputted, the corresponding user can be determined as a 1st user. For another instance, if a 2nd touch pattern is inputted, the corresponding user can be determined as a 2nd user.

Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is proposed to distinguish users by distinguishing the number of touch point(s) for inputting a touch pattern. In particular, this is to facilitate the distinguishment by differentiating the number of finger(s) (i.e., touch object(s) for inputting a touch pattern for releasing a lock per user.

In particular, in setting up a touch pattern individually, a user is able to set up the touch pattern together with the number of touch points.

So to speak, the touch pattern may correspond to the number of the touch points [S202-1].

Table 1 in the following contains one example of a touch pattern set up for each user.

One example of a control method for entering a user mode for the 1st or 2nd user contained in Table 1 is described in detail with reference toFIG. 3orFIG. 4as follows.

Referring toFIG. 3, when the number of the touch point(s) is a 1st number, if a 1st touch pattern is applied, the controller180can enter a 1st user mode. According to the example shown inFIG. 3, since the 1st touch pattern is applied using a single finger, the number of the touch point may be 1.

In this case, the touch pattern may include a plurality of touch inputs sequentially applied to at least one of a plurality of virtual regions generated from partitioning the touchscreen based on a preset order [FIG. 3 (a)]. According to the example shown inFIG. 3, after the whole touchscreen151has been partitioned into 4 virtual regions, the touch pattern may include a plurality of touch inputs (e.g.,1→2→3→4) applied in a manner of sequentially touching at least one of the partitioned regions. In this case, the virtual regions are denoted by being numbered as 1 to 4, respectively.

The above-mentioned partitioning method is just one example only, by which the present disclosure is non-limited.

In a step S203, the controller180releases the lock screen and is also able to output a preset screen simultaneously. One example of the preset screen may include an output of a home screen. In the following description, the home screen is further explained in detail.

First of all, the home screen800may be generally defined as a screen initially displayed on the touchscreen151when a locked state of the touchscreen151is released. At least one icon or widget for running an application or an internal function may be displayed on the home screen800. Optionally, at least two home screens800may exist in the mobile terminal100. In this case, when a prescribed touch gesture is performed on the touchscreen151, the at least two home screens800may sequentially displayed one by one. Different icons (widgets) may be disposed on the home screens800, respectively.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the 1st user mode is entered, the controller180can output a 1st individual user screen to which settings for the 1st user are loaded [S203-1].

In this case, the user settings may include a disposition of an application launch icon on the home screen, a use authority of an application, an authority for changing the mobile terminal settings, a reading authority of a folder containing contents, a background screen, a contact loaded on a contact application, a transceiving agent of a message application, a font, a font size and the like.

Referring toFIG. 4, when the number of the touch points is a 2nd number, if a 2nd touch pattern (e.g.,1→3→2→4) is applied, the controller180can enter a 2nd user mode. According to the example shown inFIG. 4, since the 2nd touch pattern is applied using two fingers, the number of the touch points may be 2.

In this case, since a user can be distinguished from the number of the touch point(s), it is able to use the 1st touch pattern and the 2nd touch pattern independently.

Likewise, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the 2nd user mode is entered inFIG. 4, the controller180can output a 2nd individual user screen to which settings for the 2nd user are loaded [S203-1].

Like the example mentioned in the above description, it is advantageous that a user can be easily distinguished using the number of finger(s) for a touch.

According to the example shown inFIG. 4, it is able to being an advantageous effect in that a user can be easily distinguished using the number of the touching fingers.

For convenience, according to the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 4, the case that the number of the touch points is 2 is taken as an example. And, various modified methods are possible. For instance, if the number of the touch points equal to or more than the set number in the input of a touch pattern is 2, the controller180can recognize it as distinguished from a touch pattern having an input of every touch pattern include a single touch point. For another instance, if the number of touch points of a set turn (e.g., a 3rd touch input in a 4-digit touch pattern) in an input of a touch pattern is 2, the controller180can recognize it as distinguished from a touch pattern having an input of the set turn include a single touch point. This method can provide the advantageous effects as follows. First of all, it is able to increase the number of passwords settable using the number of the touching fingers. Secondly, it is able to distinguish users.

For instance, if the number of a touch point is 1, the controller180recognizes the touch inputs to the partitioned virtual regions as1,2,3and4, as shown inFIG. 3 (a). Yet, if the number of touch points is 2, the controller180recognizes the touch inputs to the partitioned virtual regions as5,6,7and8. In particular, if the number of the touch points in each of the regions1to4is 2, as shown inFIG. 3 (a), the controller180recognizes the touch inputs as5,6,7and8, respectively. Therefore, by combining multi-touch points with a touch pattern, more passwords can be set to enhance security.

The above-described user settings may include a guest setting of applying a hide/security setting to a prescribed launch icon or restricting a launch authority on a prescribed function.

Other embodiments for entering various modes using the multiple touches are described in detail with reference toFIG. 5andFIG. 6as follows.

FIG. 5andFIG. 6are diagrams for a control method for entering a different mode using a multi-touch in inputting a touch pattern for releasing a lock screen according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

InFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the mobile terminal100currently outputs a lock screen. And, assume that a touch pattern for outputting the lock screen is set to1→3→2→4in advance. In this case, as mentioned in the foregoing description, each numeral means the numbering of a virtual region resulting from partitioning the touchscreen151. In particular, if the partitioned virtual regions are touched in order of1→3→2→4, the controller180can release the lock screen.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if a touch pattern is inputted by maintaining (holding) a touch for a prescribed turn in a preset touch pattern, it is proposed to enter a distinguished mode.

Referring toFIG. 5, in sequentially inputting a preset touch pattern ‘1→3→2→4’, a user applies touch inputs to ‘2’ and ‘4’ for a 3rd turn and a 4th turn by maintaining (holding) a touch to ‘3’ for a 2nd turn. If such a touch pattern is inputted, the controller180releases a lock mode and is also able to enter a 1st operating mode simultaneously.

Referring toFIG. 6, in sequentially inputting a preset touch pattern ‘1→3→2→4’, a user applies a touch input to ‘4’ for a 4th turn by maintaining (holding) a touch to ‘2’ for a 3rd turn. If such a touch pattern is inputted, the controller180releases a lock mode and is also able to enter a 2nd operating mode simultaneously.

In the drawings, one hand for maintaining a touch and the other hand for inputting a pattern are distinguished from each other. Moreover, it is obvious that the same input can be performed using a single hand.

The operating mode may mean an individual user mode described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4or a mode (e.g., a guest mode, a 1st level security mode, a 2nd level security mode, etc.) distinguished in accordance with a security level.

In the following description, with reference toFIG. 7, another touch pattern using a multi-touch is proposed.

FIG. 7is a diagram for a touch pattern to release a lock using a multi-touch according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure related toFIG. 7, a lock mode is released in response to an input of a touch drag10areceived together with a multi-touch. And, it is proposed to enter a mode distinguished depending on a relative location among a plurality of touch points configuring the multi-touch.

Particularly, according to this embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-touch can be used as if inputting a guitar code. For instance, if a multi-touch is applied as if inputting a 1st code701-1, a 1st mode can be entered. For another instance, if a multi-touch is applied as if inputting a 1st code701-2, a 2nd mode can be entered.

According to the above-described embodiments, a prescribed mode is entered as soon as a lock mode is released. Yet, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, proposed is a control method of running a prescribed application directly as soon as releasing a lock mode. Such an embodiment shall be described in detail with reference toFIG. 8andFIG. 9as follows.

FIG. 8is a diagram for a control method of running a prescribed application together with a release of a lock mode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 8 (a), the mobile terminal100currently outputs a lock screen through the touchscreen151. And, a user's touch input10busing a single finger is currently maintained on the lock screen.

While the touch is maintained, the controller180can dispose 1st to 4th application launch icons801-1to801-4in prescribed directions (e.g., top, bottom, right and left directions) on the touchscreen151.

After a touch input10cof dragging to the 1st application launch icon801-1has been received, if the touch input10cis released from the 1st application launch icon801-1, the controller180releases a lock mode and is also able to launch an application corresponding to the 1st application launch icon801-1simultaneously. In particular, referring toFIG. 8 (b)andFIG. 8 (c), after the a touch drag10chas been applied to a camera launch icon801-1, if a corresponding touch is released, the controller180releases a lock mode and is also able to launch a camera application simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the application launch icons801-1to801-4may be able to output icons previously set by a user or system.

Moreover, the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 8may be implemented in association with the touch pattern inputs described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4. In particular, after a prescribed touch pattern for releasing a lock mode has been inputted, if a corresponding touch is held instead of being released, as shown inFIG. 8 (a), the embodiment related toFIG. 8can be implemented by outputting the application launch icons801-1to801-4.

FIG. 9is a diagram for a running example distinguished in accordance with the number of touch points recognized at the same timing point.

Referring toFIG. 9 (a), unlikeFIG. 8 (a), two touch points are currently recognized. If the two touch points are recognized, the controller180can output 5th to 8th application launch icons801-5to801-8. LikeFIG. 8, after an input of a drag to a prescribed icon has been performed by holding a touch, if the input is released, a function corresponding to the prescribed icon is launched and a lock mode can be released as well.

Unlike the example shown inFIG. 9 (a), if two touch points are recognized, referring toFIG. 9 (b), the controller180can output a detailed information901.

In particular, depending on the number of touch points recognized at the same timing point, it may be able to distinguish an output of an icon and an output of a prescribed information from each other.

According to the embodiment described so far, proposed is a control method of launching a different mode depending on the number of touch point(s) in case of a single touch/multi-touch and outputting information. In the following description of an embodiment, a control method of facilitating an access to a prescribed function based on a multi-touch by outputting a virtual circular indicator and controlling the outputted indicator is described.

FIG. 10is a flowchart for a control method of controlling a lock screen by outputting virtual circular indicators to touch points of a multi-touch according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 10, in a step S1001, the controller180recognizes a touch input of a user through the touchscreen151. In this case, the step S1001may further include a step S1001-1of recognizing a multi-touch capable of recognizing a plurality of touch points simultaneously.

In a step S1002, the controller180can output a 1st circular indicator and a 2nd circular indicator with reference to a 1st touch point and a 2nd touch point, respectively.

Theses circular indicators shall be further described in detail with reference toFIG. 11as follows.

FIG. 11is a diagram for one example of a circular indicator outputted with reference to a touch point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 11 (b), a user's multi-touch is applied to a 1st touch point1100-1and a 2nd touch point1100-2on a lock screen of the touchscreen151. If this multi-touch is applied in lock mode, it is proposed that the controller180outputs circular indicators1101-1and1101-2with reference to the 1st touch point1100-1and the 2nd touch point1100-2, respectively.

A control method for facilitating an access to a prescribed function by releasing the lock mode by controlling the outputted virtual circular indicators shall be described later.

Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, after the touchscreen151has been partitioned into a plurality of virtual regions, if a preset region included in a plurality of the partitioned virtual regions is touched, it is proposed to output the circular indicator. In particular, each of the 1st touch point and the 2nd touch point may include a touch applied to a preset virtual region included in a plurality of the virtual regions [S1002-1][cf. flowchart shown inFIG. 10].

Referring toFIG. 11 (a), a whole region of the touchscreen151is partitioned into 4 virtual regions. And, each of the virtual regions is numbered in the drawing. According to the example shown in the drawing, assume that a region {circle around (1)} and a region {circle around (4)} among the 4 virtual regions are set in advance.

Referring toFIG. 11 (a), if each touch point is not located in a preset region (e.g., a region {circle around (1)} and a region {circle around (2)}), the controller180may not output circular indicators. Referring toFIG. 11 (b), if each touch point is located in a preset region (e.g., a region {circle around (1)} and a region {circle around (4)}), the controller180may output a 1st circular indicator1100-1and a 2nd circular indicator1100-2.

For clarity of the following drawings, a touch point and a hand for designating the touch point are omitted but a circular indicator may be illustrated only.

Referring now toFIG. 10, in a step S1003, the controller180can output a 1st object to a region in which the 1st circular indicator and the 2nd circular indicator overlap each other. In this case, the 1st object may include at least one of an application launch icon, a schedule notification object, a missed call notification object, and an application widget. The object output and the inter-object switching shall be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 12 to 16.

In a step S1004, the controller180can release the lock mode of the touchscreen if receiving a prescribed touch gesture for moving the 1st or 2nd touch point. In this case, the prescribed touch gesture for moving the 1st or 2nd touch point may include an input of a drag by holding a touch.

Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if a lock release condition is met by a prescribed touch gesture, the controller180can release a lock mode. If a touch is released in a state that the lock release condition is not met, the controller180may maintain the lock mode intact.

For example, the lock release condition may include a condition described as follows. First of all, a size of an overlapping area between the outputted 1st and 2nd circular indicators is changed by a touch gesture. Secondly, a touch is released in a state that the changed size of the corresponding region belongs to a prescribed range. While the condition is not met (e.g., the 1st and 2nd circular indicators fail to overlap each other at all), if the touch is released, the controller180can maintain the lock mode intact.

It is obvious that the condition for releasing the touch in the state that the size of the overlapping region belongs to the prescribed range can be substituted with a condition for releasing the touch in a state that a distance between the touch gestures belongs to a prescribed range.

In a step S1005, if the touch gesture is received in the step S1004, the controller180unlocks the touchscreen and is also able to launch a function corresponding to the outputted 1st object simultaneously.

The steps S1003to S1005are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 12andFIG. 13are diagrams for one example of an object outputtable to an overlapping region of a circular indicator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 12 (a), touch points by a multi-touch are located in a region {circle around (1)} and a region {circle around (4)} corresponding to the preset regions included in a plurality of virtual regions obtained from partitioning the touchscreen151. Hence, the controller180can output a circular indicator with reference to each of the touch points.

Meanwhile, a multi-touch input applied to the touchscreen151may include a touch input received after receiving a touch gesture (cf.FIGS. 3 to 7) for releasing a lock of the touchscreen151. The multi-touch input applied to the touchscreen151may include a touch input received to release a lock in a state that the touchscreen151is turned off. In this case, the lock may mean a state that a password (cf.FIGS. 3 to 7) has been set or a state before entering a home screen in a state that a password is not set. For instance, while the touchscreen151of the terminal is turned off, if an input of a power key is received, the controller180turns on the touchscreen151and is then able to display a lock screen. In this case, the lock screen is different from a home screen and may mean a screen prior to entering the home screen despite displaying an icon, a widget and the like. If a password is set, the controller180can receive the password through a combination of a touch and drag set on a lock screen. If the set password is received, the controller180releases the lock and displays the home screen. If a password is not set, the controller180can receive an input for a release of a lock without the password through a combination of a touch and drag set on a lock screen. In this case, the input for the lock release without the password may include an input of a drag applied over a predetermined distance for example. If the set lock release input is received, the controller180releases the lock and displays the home screen.

As the touch points are moved, if the 1st circular indicator1101-1and the 2nd circular indicator1101-2overlap each other, the controller180can output a 1st object1201-1to an overlapping region1200-2. According to the example shown inFIG. 12, the 1st object1201-1is a launch icon of a prescribed application. And, the prescribed application may include an application previously set by a user, an application launched most recently, or an application used most frequently.

Additional objects1201-1to1201-5and additional objects1202-1to1202-3can be outputted to the region1200-1and the region1200-3failing to overlap each other in the whole regions of the 1st circular indicator1101-1and the 2nd circular indicator1101-2, respectively. Among the additional objects, the objects1201-2to1201-5outputted to the 1st circular indicator1101-1are application launch icons and the objects1202-1to1202-3outputted to the 2nd circular indicator1101-2are notification objects. In particular, by disposing objects of different types on the 1st circular indicator1101-1and the 2nd circular indicator1101-2, respectively, it is proposed to enable a user to select a desired object easily.

Besides, a control method of switching the output of the 1st object1201-1to the output of the 2nd object among the additional objects shall be described later.

While the prescribed object is selected (i.e., the object is located in the overlapping region), if the touch is released, the controller180can launch an application or function corresponding to the corresponding object. For instance, referring toFIG. 12(b), while the launch icon1201-1of a camera application is selected, if a touch is released, the controller180releases a lock of the touchscreen151and is also able to launch the corresponding camera application.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is proposed to output an object distinguished in accordance with a touch point location of a multi-touch. According to the example shown inFIG. 12, since the touch points of the multi-touch are located in the region {circle around (1)} and the region {circle around (4)}, the application launch icon and the notification object are outputted. According to the example shown inFIG. 13, since touch points of a multi-touch are located in the region {circle around (2)} and the region {circle around (3)}, widget objects1301-1to1301-3and home screen objects1302-1to1302-3are outputted. Thus, in case that the outputted objects or the types of the objects are distinguished in accordance with a location of a touch point from which a user starts the multi-touch, it is advantageous in that the user can easily access a desired object.

The widget object may include at least one of a missed call notification widget, a message notification widget, a time guide widget, a schedule widget, a weather widget, an SNS (social network service) widget, a messenger widget, a game notification widget and the like.

While the prescribed widget object is selected (e.g., the object is located in the overlapping region), if the touch is released, the controller180releases a lock of the touchscreen151and is also able to launch a function corresponding to the widget.

Likewise, while the prescribed home screen object is selected (e.g., the object is located in the overlapping region), if the touch is released, the controller180releases a lock of the touchscreen151and is also able to output the corresponding home screen.

One example of a different object type possibly disposed on a circular indicator is described in detail with reference toFIG. 14as follows.

FIG. 14is a diagram for one example of a different object type possibly disposed on a circular indicator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 14 (a), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, notification objects1202-1to1202-3are currently outputted through a 1st circular indicator1101-1. And, detailed content objects1401-1and1401-2including details of the notification are currently outputted through a 2nd circular indicator1101-2.

While a prescribed detailed content object is selected, if a touch is released, the controller180releases a lock mode of the touchscreen151and is also able to output a screen for checking a prescribed detailed content. For instance, while the 1st detailed content object1401-1including a missed call list is selected, if a touch is released, the controller180can output a screen for checking a corresponding missed call.

Referring toFIG. 14 (b), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, schedule objects1402-1and1402-3are currently outputted through a 2nd circular indicator1101-1. And, missed call notification objects1403-1to1403-3are currently outputted through a 2nd circular indicator1101-2.

Meanwhile, the object outputting method shown in the drawing is one example only, by which the present disclosure is non-limited.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a single object is disposed on the overlapping region1200-2, as a lock mode of the touchscreen151is released, it is proposed to launch a function/application corresponding to the single object. Hence, in order for a user to launch a desired function/application, an inter-object switching control method is required. Such an embodiment is described in detail with reference toFIG. 15andFIG. 16as follows.

FIG. 15andFIG. 16are diagrams for a control method of switching an object outputted through an overlapping region to a different object according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is proposed to distinguish two circular indicators (e.g., a fixed circular object and a movable circular object) from each other. In particular, if a location of one of the two circular indicators is changed by a touch drag input, the location changed circular indicator can be distinguished as the movable circular indicator and the other can be distinguished as the fixed circular indicator. And, it is proposed to sequentially output objects existing in the movable circular indicator to the overlapping region1200-2.

In particular, if one of two touch points is moved, the controller180can sequentially output objects, which are outputted to the circular indicator corresponding to the moved touch point, to the overlapping region1200-2.

Referring toFIG. 15 (a)andFIG. 16 (a), an object A1501-A to an object D1501-D are outputted to a 1st circular indicator1101-1. 1st to 3rd objects1502-1to1502-3are outputted to a 2nd circular indicator1101-2.

If a touch gesture for moving the 1st circular indicator1101-1in a direction of the 2nd circular indicator1101-2is received, the controller180can switch the object A1501-A outputted to the overlapping region1200-2to the object B1501-B, the object C1501-C and the object D1501-D in sequence [FIG. 15 (b)].

On the other hand, if a touch gesture for moving the 2nd circular indicator1101-2in a direction of the 1st circular indicator1101-1is received, the controller180can switch the object A1501-A outputted to the overlapping region1200-2to the 1st object1502-1, the 2nd object1502-2and the 3rd object1502-3in sequence [FIG. 16(b)].

In particular, according to the above-described embodiment, objects of different types are outputted to the 1st circular indicator1101-1and the 2nd circular indicator1101-2, respectively. Hence, it is advantageous in that an object to be launched can be easily selected depending on applying a user's touch drag to a prescribed touch point.

According to the above-described embodiment, prescribed objects are outputted to the 1st circular indicator and the 2nd circular indicator all. In the following description, a control method of outputting an object to a single circular indicator only according to an embodiment is described in detail.

FIG. 17is a diagram for a control method of displaying details of a prescribed object displayed on a circular indicator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment related toFIG. 17, after prescribed objects have been disposed on a 1st circular indicator1101-1, it is proposed to display details of a selected object in response to a received prescribed touch gesture.

As a control method of selecting an object is identical to the former control method described in the foregoing description, its details shall be omitted from the following description.

Referring toFIG. 17 (a), 1st to 3rd application launch objects1701-1to1701-3are outputted through a 1st circular indicator1101-1. As the 1st circular indicator1101-1is moved in a direction of a 2nd circular indicator1101-2, a selected object can be switched to one of the 1st to 3rd application launch objects1701-1to1701-3.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to a touch gesture for moving the 2nd circular indicator1101-2, it is proposed to output a detailed content1704of the selected object. In this case, the moving direction of the 2nd circular indicator1101-2may include a direction of a movement in a direction for the 2nd circular indicator1101-2to get closer to the 1st circular indicator1101-1.

While the detailed content is outputted, if a corresponding touch is released, the controller180releases a lock mode of the touchscreen151and is able to output a screen of the corresponding detailed content.

According to the embodiments described so far, control methods of launching a prescribed function/application as soon as releasing a lock mode using a multi-touch are described. In the following description, a method of releasing a lock with security using a multi-touch is described in detail as follows.

FIG. 18andFIG. 19are diagrams for a control method of releasing a lock with security using a multi-touch according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 18 (a)andFIG. 19 (a), a 1st circular indicator1101-1and a 2nd circular indicator1101-2are currently outputted through the touchscreen151. In response to a touch drag input to the 2nd circular indicator1101-2, while the 1st circular indicator1101-1and the 2nd circular indicator1101-2contact each other, if a corresponding touch is released, the controller180can release a lock mode of the touchscreen151.

In response to a touch drag input to the 2nd circular indicator1101-2, while a most outer circle1901of the 1st circular indicator1101-1and an inner circle of the 2nd circular indicator1101-2contact each other, if a corresponding touch is released, the controller180can release a lock mode of the touchscreen151.

In particular, according to the above-described embodiment, a relative location or state between two circular indicators can be utilized as a security key for a lock release.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide various effects and/or features.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is advantageous in launching a specific function as soon as releasing a lock screen.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is advantageous in providing various lock release methods.

Various embodiments may be implemented using a machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform various methods presented herein. Examples of possible machine-readable mediums include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Disk), SDD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, the other types of storage mediums presented herein, and combinations thereof. If desired, the machine-readable medium may be realized in the form of a carrier wave (for example, a transmission over the Internet). The processor may include the controller180of the mobile terminal. 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. As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.