Abstract:
A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication and method therein is provided. The mobile terminal includes a terminal body configured to house a mobile communication module to engage in the wireless communication, a touch input device disposed in the terminal body, the touch input device including a touch detection area configured to recognize an external contact, a vibrator coupled to the terminal body and is configured to allow tactile detection by a user, and a controller to control the touch input device and the vibrator, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate in response to detecting the external contact on the touch detection area and other mobile terminal functions that require a tactile alert.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date and right of priority of Patent Application No. 10-2006-0127376 filed in Republic of Korea on Dec. 13, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a mobile terminal and, more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of providing an effective user interface (UI) by providing feedback through vibration. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Conventional mobile terminals generally include a vibration motor. By means of the vibration motor, the mobile terminal can provide tactile information according to vibration instead of audible information through a sound. For example, when a call or message is received, if the received call or message is informed to a user through a bell sound or voice in an area where people are requested to be quiet, the audible sound would be rude and make other people uncomfortable. Thus, in order to avoid such an embarrassing situation, the mobile terminal may be previously set in a vibration mode, so that the user can be informed of the received call or message through vibration. 
     However, the vibration motor of the related art mobile terminal is used only in the vibration mode of the mobile terminal, causing a problem that its usage range is limited. 
     Recently, mobile terminals equipped with a touch input device that senses an external contact as an input signal have been marketed to provide a fresh UI to users. However, the mobile terminals having the touch input device are disadvantaged in that when the user manipulates the touch input device, they cannot get feedback as to whether the input of information has been properly completed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one general aspect of the present invention configured for use in a wireless communication includes a terminal body configured to house a mobile communication module to engage in the wireless communication, a touch input device disposed in the terminal body, the touch input device including a touch detection area configured to recognize an external contact, a vibrator coupled to the terminal body and is configured to allow tactile detection by a user, and a controller to control the touch input device and the vibrator, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate in response to detecting the external contact on the touch detection area and other mobile terminal functions that require a tactile alert. 
     It is contemplated that the vibrator is disposed in a non-direct contact with the touch input device. It is further contemplated that the terminal body comprises a first body and a second body that are coupled to each other, the first body housing the touch input device and the second body housing the vibrator. 
     It is contemplated that the controller controls the vibrator to vibrate for a predetermined time in response to detecting the external contact. It is further contemplated that the controller controls the vibrator to vibrate while the external contact is detected. 
     It is contemplated that the other mobile terminal functions that require a tactile alert comprises at least one of incoming and outgoing calls, messages, alarm, and games. It is further contemplated that the controller controls vibration intensity of the vibrator in response to different mobile terminal functions. 
     It is contemplated that the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate at one of a plurality of intensity and duration in response to different touch locations. It is further contemplated that the external contact comprises activities that require a user interface. 
     In another general aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a user interface in a mobile terminal for a wireless communication is provided, the method includes recognizing a touch input in a touch detection area of a touch input device configured to recognize external contact, generating a vibration and allowing tactile detection by a user when external contact is recognized, wherein the vibration is generated from a vibrator disposed in a terminal body, and controlling the touch input device and the vibrator via a controller, wherein the controller causes the vibrator to vibrate in response to detecting the external contact on the touch detection area and other mobile terminal functions that require a tactile alert. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The implementation of this document will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like numerals refer to like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are left and right side views of the mobile terminal according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts the interior of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of a vibration motor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the process for providing user interface (UI) in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating another process for providing a UI in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to one an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , basic functions of the elements of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 
     The mobile terminal  100  in accordance with the present invention includes a controller  10 , a memory unit  11 , a display unit  12 , an audio processor unit  13 , a key input unit  14 , a touch input device  15 , and a vibrator  16 . Respective elements are connected by a bus  18 . 
     The memory unit  11  stores a certain program controlling a general operation of the mobile terminal  100 , and also stores various data inputted and outputted or processed when the general operation of the mobile terminal  100  is performed under the control of the controller  10 . 
     The display unit  12  may display a state of the mobile terminal  100  and various information according to a control signal outputted from the controller  10 . 
     The audio processor unit  13  processes audio signals such that sounds can be inputted or outputted via a microphone MIC and a speaker SPK. For example, the audio processor unit  13  processes audio signals such that various processing and controlling operations of the mobile terminal  100  can be outputted as sounds via the speaker SPK. The audio processor also processes audio signals such that various information or commands can be inputted via the microphone MIC. 
     The key input unit  14 , which receives information or commands from a user, may be implemented as a keypad including various number keys or direction keys. The touch input device  15 , which also receives information or commands from the user, senses an external contact as an input signal. Particularly, the touch input device  15  may comprise a plurality of touch points and sense an external contact with each touch point as a different input signal. 
     The vibrator  16  is a module comprising a vibration motor and a vibration element configured to generate vibration to make the mobile terminal  100  vibrate according to a control signal from the controller  10 . The vibrator  16  is disposed in a non-direct contact configuration with the touch input device  15 . The disposition relationship of the vibrator  16  and the touch input device  15  will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . 
     The controller  10  controls the elements and the general operation of the mobile terminal  100  according to the present invention. 
     The mobile terminal  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit  17 . The wireless communication unit  17  includes a mobile communication module  171 , such as a wireless communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from a mobile communication network. The wireless communication unit  17  may also include a broadcast reception module  173 , such as a wireless communication device for receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast network. 
     The operation of the mobile terminal will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the mobile terminal  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are, respectively, left and right side views of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  depicts the internal assembly of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4B , the mobile terminal  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention depicts a slide type configuration having two bodies  110  and  120 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. The mobile terminal  100  may be implemented as a slide type, a folder type, or a combination of slide type and folder type according to the construction of a hinge part connecting the two bodies. In the present embodiment of the present invention, the slide type mobile terminal as shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4  will be taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The slide type mobile terminal comprises a slider serving as a cover and a main body. With reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , reference numeral  110  denotes a slider and reference numeral  120  denotes a main body or a terminal body, on which the following description will be made. 
     Regarding the mobile terminal  100 , the slider  110  comprises a display unit  12  formed at an upper portion and a touch input device  15  formed at a lower portion of the slider. The display unit  12  may comprise a touch screen for sensing touch input. 
     As described above and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the touch input device  15  may comprise a plurality of touch points  15   a - 15   e . The controller  10  recognizes each external contact of the respective touch points  15   a - 15   e  as an input of each different information. For example, when the user touches a contact point  15   b  with his finger, a call function or a message transmission function is performed through the mobile communication network by using the mobile communication module  171 . In addition, if the user touches the contact point  15   d  with his finger, a function being currently performed is stopped. As stated above, the touch input device  15  and the vibrator  16  are disposed in the non-direct contact configuration. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the touch input device  15  is formed at the slider  110  while the vibrator  16  is formed at the main body  120 , so the touch input device  15  and the vibrator  16  are not in direct contact. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the vibrator  16  is preferably installed in the main body  120  in a recess formed at an area  130  of an internal antenna, which is referred to as an intenna. With reference to  FIG. 4 , the vibrator  16  may be configured to contact the main body  120  to maximize a vibration sense when the user holds the mobile terminal  100  in hand. 
     In general, when the user holds the mobile terminal  100  in hand, the main body  120  contacts the user&#39;s hand and the slider  110  displays various information to the user through the display unit  12 . Because the vibrator  16  is formed at the main body  120  contacting the user&#39;s hand, when vibration is generated the vibration or tactile sense can be more effectively transferred to the user compared, as opposed to the configuration where the vibrator  16  is formed together with the touch input device  15  at the slider  110 . 
     When an input signal is received through the touch input device  15 , the controller  10  controls the vibrator  16  to generate vibration. Because the touch input device  15  and the vibrator  16  are separately configured at different bodies of the mobile terminal  100 , the vibration generated by the vibrator  16  can be transferred to the touch input device  15  through the different bodies. Examples of the configurations are described as follows. 
     In a first example, the user may hold the mobile terminal in his left hand and manipulate the touch input device  15  with the fingers of their right hand. When the user touches a certain touch point (e.g.,  15   a ), the controller  10  controls the vibrator  16  to generate vibration. With reference to  FIG. 4 , the vibration generated by the vibrator  16  primarily vibrates the main body  120 , transferring the direct vibration sense to the user&#39;s left hand. Then, the vibration is secondarily transferred to the touch input device  15  through the main body  120  and the slider  110 , and finally to the user&#39;s fingers on their right hand. 
     In a second example, the user may hold the mobile terminal in his right hand and manipulate the touch input device  15  with his fingers of right hand. When vibration is generated by the vibrator  16 , as described above, the generated vibration is primarily transferred to the user&#39;s right hand through vibration of the main body  120 , and then to the user&#39;s fingers of their right hand that are manipulating the touch input device  15  by vibration of the slider  110 . 
     Herein, although it has been described such that the vibration is transferred through each element based on the concept of primary, secondary and final transfer in the temporal order, the user would feel the vibrations almost simultaneously. As described in detail below, the vibrator  16  may generate vibration variably. 
     First, the controller  10  may control the vibrator  16  to generate vibration while an external contact is being sensed by the touch input device  15 . Namely, vibration is continuously generated while the user&#39;s finger is kept putting on a particular touch point of the touch input device  15 . 
     Second, the controller  10  may control the vibrator  16  to generate vibration during a predetermined vibration time whenever an external contact is sensed by the touch input device  15 . That is, regardless of time duration which the user&#39;s finger is kept on the particular touch point of the touch input device  15 , vibration may be generated only for the predetermined vibration time with respect to one-time external contact with the particular touch point. The vibration time duration may be determined to be variable, for example, within the range of about 40 ms to 100 ms (millisecond). 
     The controller  10  may control the intensity and duration of the vibration. For example, the intensity of vibration may be set to be different at every touch point. Similarly, the duration of the vibration may be set differently for different touch points. Furthermore, different vibration may be used for various mobile terminal functions, such as alarm, game, incoming/outgoing messages, and calls, etc. 
     The vibrator  16  according to the present embodiment of the invention may be used for a different function requiring vibration, as well as for the function of providing feedback on the external input through the touch input device  15 , as described above. 
     In particular, the controller  10  may control the vibrator  16  to generate vibration when a call or a message is received through the mobile communication module  171 , to thereby inform the user of the reception of the call or the message through vibration. 
     In order to inform the user of the received call or message, generally, there can be a method for providing visual information through the display unit, audible information through the audio processor unit  13 , and tactile information through vibration of the vibrator  16 , etc. 
     In order to provide the tactile information, the mobile terminal  100  needs to be set to be in the vibration mode. In the vibration mode, the mobile terminal provides tactile information through the vibrator  16  instead of providing audible information through the audio processor unit  13 . For example, in addition to providing information of the received call or message, an alarm may be set. 
     In the present embodiment, the vibrator  16  may operate not only to perform the function of the general vibration mode of the mobile terminal  100  but also to provide feedback on receipt of an input signal through the touch input device  15 . 
     The embodiments of a method for providing a UI in the mobile terminal according to the present invention will now be described. The method for providing a UI according to the present invention may be implemented by the mobile terminal as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . Herein, the purposeful use of the term ‘mobile communication terminal’ is to emphasize the fact that it is a mobile terminal which is capable of performing the communication function with the mobile communication module  171  provided therein. 
     As described above, the vibrator  16  is a module comprising a vibration motor and a vibration element configured to generate vibration to make the terminal  100  vibrate according to a control signal from the controller  10 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic of a vibration motor as disposed in the mobile terminal  100  in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the process for providing a UI in the mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for providing the UI in the mobile communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. 
     First, an input signal is received through the touch input device  15  (S 700 ). For example, when an external contact with the touch input device  15  is exerted, the external contact is recognized as an input signal. When the touch input device  15  includes the plurality of touch points  15   a - 15   e , as shown in  FIG. 1 , each touch point can be recognized as an input corresponding to different information. 
     Vibration is generated by the vibrator  16  according to the reception of the input signal (S 710 ), when it is determined the external contact with the touch input device  15  is maintained (S 720 ). When the external contact is maintained, the process returns to the vibration generation (S 710 ), otherwise, the vibration generation is stopped (S 730 ). While external contact is sensed by the touch input device  15 , the vibrator  16  continuously generates vibration. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a process for providing a UI in the mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method for providing a UI in the mobile communication terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. 
     First, it is determined whether external contact is sensed by the touch input device  15  (S 800 ). When an external contact is sensed, vibration is generated during a certain time period through the vibrator  16  (S 810 ). More specifically, whenever an external contact is sensed by the touch input device  15  vibration may be generated during the predetermined vibration time period. 
     As described above, the mobile terminal and the method for providing a UI using the same according to the present invention has the following advantages. 
     First, when the user manipulates the touch input device such as the touch pad or the touch screen, feedback can be provided through vibration to inform the user that the corresponding input has been completed. 
     Second, the vibrator  16 , which was merely used to provide information regarding the reception of a call, a message or alarm in the related art, can be used to provide feedback on the user manipulation of the touch input device. 
     Third, because the vibrator can be used to provide feedback on the manipulation of the touch input device, the number of components of the mobile terminal and the body thickness of the mobile terminal can be reduced, and thus, the fabrication cost can be reduced. 
     Fourth, because the touch input device and the vibrator are formed at different bodies, the vibration intensity that the user may feel can be increased, that is, the user may experience intense vibration in providing the feedback on the manipulation of the touch input device through vibration. 
     Although certain embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but are defined by the claims which follow, along with their full scope of equivalents.