US008203640B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 8,203,640 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`Jun. 19, 2012
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Kim et al.
`
`(54) PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING TOUCH
`SENSING BASED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD
`THEREFOR
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jong-Hwan Kim, Gyeonggi-Do (KR);
`Kwang-Ho Eom, Gyeonggi-Do (KR)
`
`(73) Assignee: LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 543 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/172,076
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 11, 2008
`
`(65)
`
`(30)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2009/0015703 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2009
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 11,2007)
`
`(KR) oe 10-2007-0069817
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 5/222
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 3/041
`(52) US. Ch ec ccceceeecneneeenees 348/333.12; 345/173
`(58) Field of Classification Search............. 348/333.12,
`348/333.11, 333.07, 333.05, 333.02, 14.07;
`345/173
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,923,908 A *
`6,778,217 BL*
`6,919,927 BL*
`7,034,881 BL*
`7,649,562 B2*
`2005/0012723 Al*
`2007/0013672 Al*
`2008/0001927 Al*
`2008/0002963 Al*
`* cited by examiner
`
`7/1999 Schrock et al. oo... 396/85
`
`8/2004 Nishimura............... 348/333.12
`
`7/2005 Hyodo oe 348/333.02
`......... 348/333.12
`4/2006 Hyodo etal.
`
`1/2010 Misawaetal. ........... 348/333.01
`
` 1/2005 Pallakoff .......c 345/173
`1/2007 Shimetal. ou. 345/173
`
`1/2008 Yoshida... 345/173
`1/2008 Chuangetal... 396/310
`
`Primary Examiner — Trung Diep
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm —Lee, Hong, Degerman,
`Kang & Waimey
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Disclosedis a portable terminal having a touch sensing based
`image capture function and image capture methodtherefore,
`the method including: displaying a preview image of an
`object to be captured on a touch screen; recognizing (sensing)
`a touch input for the preview image; setting an image capture
`function based on the recognized touch input; and automati-
`cally performing an image capture operation accordingto the
`set capture function. The image capture function includes
`setting and change for a focus area, exposure, illumination,
`lightness, zoom-in/zoom-out and color change. Therefore,
`the present invention can enabletheuserto freely set the focus
`area and to perform a single or continuous image capture
`operation with a simple touch, thereby being utilized in all
`portable devices employing the touch screen.
`
`22 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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` 330
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`S3l
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`532
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`533
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`534
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`DISPLAY PREVIEW IMAGE ON TOUCH
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`RECOGNIZE TOUCH INPUT
`
`
`
`SET AND DISPLAY IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO RECOGNIZED
`
`
`TOUCH INPUT
`
`
`
`
`PERFORM CHANGING, MOVING/DELETING
`
`
`
`REGARDING DISPLAYED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE CHANGED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO IMAGE
`CAPTURE COMMAND
`
`
`APPLE 1016
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`APPLE 1016
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`1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 1 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG.
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`1
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`M1
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`113
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`POee — — ~
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`190
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` POWER SUPPLY
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`
`
`
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`
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`MODULE
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`
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`100
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`31 “Ssamod
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`=SewocsFS
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`eeton~m
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`
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`provercbener
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`MEMORY
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`160
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`a ea eS te se nn hh nhHE “
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`UNIT
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`BROADCAST RECEIVING
`MODULE
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`MOBILE COMMUNICATION
`MODULE
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`WIRELESS INTERNET
`MODULE
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`SHORT- RANGE
`COMMUNICATION MODULE
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`POSITION LOCATION
`MODULE
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`
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`
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`CONTROLLER
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`181
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`MULTIMEDIA
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`INTERFACE
`UNIT
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`2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG. 2
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`3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 3 of 8
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`FIG. 3
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`4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 4 of 8
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` y
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`waa
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`ehG
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`FIG. 4
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`300
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`270
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`5
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 5 of 8
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`6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 6 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`
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` S10
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`ENTER IMAGE CAPTURING MODE
`
`Sil
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`512
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`S13
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` DISPLAY PREVIEW SCREEN DISPLAY
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`
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`SELECT FOCUS AREA BY TOUCHING
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`
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`DISPLAYING SELECTED FOCUS AREA
`AND PERFORMING AUTOMATIC IMAGE
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`CAPTURE
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`
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`7
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 7 of 8
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`FIG. 9
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`520
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`DETERMINE TOUCH TYPE
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`DISPLAY MENU WINDOW FOR SELECTING
`IMAGE CAPTURE EFFECT
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`SELECT IMAGE CAPTURE EFFECT
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`DISPLAY FOCUS AREA AND PERFORM
`AUTOMATIC IMAGE CAPTURE
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` S24
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`8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG.
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`11
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`530
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`531
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`S32
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`533
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`S34
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`DISPLAY PREVIEW IMAGE ON TOUCH
`SCREEN
`
`RECOGNIZE TOUCH INPUT
`
`SET AND DISPLAY IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO RECOGNIZED
`TOUCH INPUT
`
`PERFORM CHANGING, MOVING/DELETING
`REGARDING DISPLAYED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION
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`EXECUTE CHANGED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO IMAGE
`CAPTURE COMMAND
`
`END
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`
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`FIG.
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`le
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`WY
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`9
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`1
`PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING TOUCH
`SENSING BASED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD
`THEREFOR
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the
`benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean
`Application No. 10-,2007-0069817, filed on Jul. 11, 2007, the
`contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a portable terminal having
`a touch sensing based image capture function and an image
`capture methodtherefore.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`A portable terminal may be configured to perform a variety
`of functions. Examples of such functions may include data/
`voice communications, capturing imagesor videos via a cam-
`era, recording audio, playing musicfiles via a speaker system,
`and displaying images or videos. Some terminals have been
`equipped with additional functionality that supports game
`playing, while other terminals have been implemented as an
`integrated multimedia player. Morerecently,the portable ter-
`minal has been equipped with a function of receiving broad-
`casts or multicast signals, thereby enabling a user to watch
`videos or television programs.
`Amongthe various functions of the portable terminal, the
`function of capturing imagesor videos via a camerarefers to
`a function that allows a user to capture videos orstill images
`by using a camera providedin a portable terminal. In order to
`perform an image capture operation using the camera func-
`tion, the user should change a terminal’s mode into a camera
`mode through a key manipulation and then select an appro-
`priate image capturing mode among corresponding camera
`menus.
`
`Once an image-capturing mode is selected, a preview
`screen display is displayed on a screen display. The user
`adjusts a direction of the portable terminal and its capture
`angle while checking an object to be taken (e.g., person,
`scenery, objects, etc.) on the preview screen display by using
`a zoom-function, and thelike. After the size of an image to be
`captured and the capture angle are adjusted, the user presses
`a capture button, thereby automatically focusing via an Auto
`Focus (AF) function, thus to perform the image capture
`operation.
`Various attempts have been made to easily and conve-
`niently implement complicated functions in such portable
`terminals by means of hardware or software. For instance, a
`display unit is, for a user’s convenience, implemented as a
`touch screen, a portion of a keypad is provided with a touch
`pad, or a user interface environmentis provided in a portable
`terminal to enable a user to conveniently search for or select
`among, available functions.
`Accordingly, there is a need to develop a variety of tools
`that conform to the new attempts by means of hardware or
`software.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Therefore, an objectof the present invention is to provide a
`portable terminal that can automatically perform a touch
`sensing based image capture operation.
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`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`image capture methodfor a portable terminal that can set and
`execute a variety of capture functions according to a touch
`input.
`To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance
`with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and
`broadly described herein, there is provided a touch sensing
`based image capture method according to the present inven-
`tion, including: displaying a preview imageof an objectto be
`captured on a touch screen; recognizing a touch input for the
`preview image; setting an image capture function based on
`the recognized touch input; and automatically performing an
`image capture operation accordingto the set capture function.
`To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance
`with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and
`broadly described herein, there is provided a portable termi-
`nal, including: a touch screen for displaying a preview image
`of an object to be captured; and a controller for displaying an
`image capture function based on a touched position, when a
`touch for the displayed preview imageis inputted, and per-
`forming an image capture operation according to the corre-
`sponding capture function.
`The image capture function may include a setting, change
`and execution for a focus area, exposure,illumination, light-
`ness, zoom-in/zoom-out, and color change.
`The touch input can be one of a short touch, a long touch,
`a multi-position touch, and a touch & drag.
`‘The focus area is configured to set by a touch andto delete
`by a double-touch.
`The focus area is set in the form of dots or closed curves,
`and can be movedor changed by dragging. In addition,the set
`focus area is visually displayed on the preview screen display
`or audibly outputted.
`If one or more displayed focus areas are provided, a con-
`tinuous image capture operation is performed according to
`the numberof selected focus areas.
`The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
`advantagesof the present invention will become more appar-
`ent from the following detailed description of the present
`invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent upon con-
`sideration of the following description of preferred embodi-
`ments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
`figures.
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram ofa portable terminal
`according to one embodimentofthe present invention;
`FIG.2 is a front perspective view showing an exemplary
`portable terminal according to one embodimentofthe present
`invention;
`FIG.3 is arear view showing the portable terminal accord-
`ing to one embodimentof the present invention;
`FIG.4 is a block diagram ofa radio (wireless) communi-
`cation system in which a portable terminal can be operated
`according to one embodimentofthe present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of selecting a
`focus by using a touch on a preview screen display according
`to the present invention;
`FIG.6 is a diagram showing an example of capturing an
`object by adjusting a depth of field according to the present
`invention;
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`3
`FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of selecting a
`multi-position focus by using a touch on the preview screen
`display according to the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first exemplary touch
`sensing based image capture method according to one
`embodimentof the present invention;
`FIG.9 is a diagram showing an example ofsetting a focus
`area by drawinga figure with a finger accordingto the present
`invention;
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of performing
`an automatic capture operation according to a touch type in
`the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second exemplary touch
`sensing based image capture method according to one
`embodimentof the present invention; and
`FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an indication on a screen
`display indicating that a touched object or area is selected
`according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast asso-
`ciated information and transmits the same to a terminal.
`
`Examples of the broadcast associated information may
`include information regarding a broadcast channel, a broad-
`cast program,a broadcastservice provider,etc. The broadcast
`signal may be implemented as a TV broadcastsignal, a radio
`broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, amongothers. If
`desired, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast
`signal combined with a TV orradio broadcast signal.
`The broadcast associated information may be provided
`also via a mobile communication network and, in this case,
`the mobile communication module 112 may receive the
`broadcast associated information.
`
`The broadcast associated information mayexistin various
`forms. For example, it may exist in the form of an electronic
`program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting
`(DMB), an electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video
`broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), andthelike.
`The broadcast receiver module 111 may be configured to
`receive broadcast signals using various types of broadcast
`systems. In particular, the broadcast receiver module 111 may
`receive a digital broadcast signal using a digital broadcast
`system, such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial
`(DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite
`(DMB-S), Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), the
`data broadcasting system knownas media forward link only
`(MediaFLO®), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Ter-
`restrial ISDB-T), and the like. The broadcast receiver mod-
`ule 111 is configuredto be suitable for every broadcast system
`that provides a broadcast signal as well as the above-men-
`tioned digital broadcast systems.
`A broadcast signal and/or broadcast-associated informa-
`tion received via the broadcast receiver module 111 may be
`stored in the memory 160.
`The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives
`
`radio signals to/from atleast one of a basestation, an external
`terminal and a server in a mobile communication network.
`
`In the following detailed description, reference is made to
`the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof,
`and which show by wayofillustration 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 ofthe
`present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference
`numerals will be used throughoutthe drawingsto refer to the
`sameor similar parts.
`FIG.1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable terminal
`according to one embodimentofthe present invention.
`The portable terminal may be implemented in various
`forms. Examples of such terminals include mobile phones,
`user equipment, smart phones, notebook computers, digital
`broadcast
`receiver terminals, personal digital assistants
`(PDA), portable multimedia players (PMP) and mobile navi-
`
`gation units. Suchradio signals may includeavoice call signal, a video call
`40
`Referring to FIG.1, the portable terminal 100 may include
`signal or various types of data according to text/multimedia
`a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V (Audio/Video)
`message transmission/reception.
`input unit 120, a user input unit (or manipulation unit) 130, a
`The wireless Internet module 113 supports Internet access
`sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an
`for the mobile terminal. This module 113 maybe internally or
`interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supplyunit
`externally coupled to the terminal.
`190, and the like. FIG. 1 shows the portable terminal 100
`The short-range communication module 114 refers to a
`having various components, but it is to be understood that
`module for supporting short-range communications. Some
`implementing all of the illustrated components is not a
`examples of short-range communication technology include
`requirement. A greater or fewer number of components may
`Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infra-
`alternatively be implemented.
`red Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Zig-
`Bee™,andthelike.
`Hereinafter, the components of the portable terminal will
`be described in more detail.
`The position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise
`The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes
`obtains the location of the portable terminal. If desired, this
`one or more components allowing radio (wireless) commu-
`module may be implemented using Global Positioning Sys-
`nication between the portable terminal 100 and a wireless
`tem (GPS) components that receive location information
`communication system or a network within which the por-
`from a plurality ofartificial satellites. Here, the location infor-
`table terminal is located. For instance, the wireless commu-
`mation may include coordinate information represented by
`nication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiver module
`the latitude and longitude. For instance, the GPS module may
`111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet
`accurately calculate a current location of the terminal by
`module 113, a short-range communication module 114, a
`trigonometric measurement that measures accurate time and
`distance from three or more satellites and uses 3 different
`position-location module 115, andthe like.
`The broadcast receiver module 111 receives a broadcast
`distance values. The GPS module may use a method that
`obtains time and distance information from 3 satellites and
`corrects an error with onesatellite. In particular, the GPS
`module may obtain the locationofthe latitude, longitude and
`altitude from the location information received from the sat-
`ellites, as well as accurate time information along with 3-di-
`mensional velocity (speed) information.
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`signal and/or broadcast associated information from an exter-
`nal broadcast managing server via a broadcast channel. The
`broadcast channel may includea satellite channel anda ter-
`restrial channel. The broadcast managing server mayrefer to
`a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or
`broadcast associated information or a server that receives a
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`5
`The A/V input unit 120 is configured to input an audio or
`video signal. The A/V input unit 120 may include a camera
`121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image
`framesofstill pictures or videos obtained by an image capture
`device in a video call mode or an image-capturing mode. The
`processed image frames maybe displayed on a display mod-
`ule 151 of the output unit 150.
`The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be
`stored in the memory 160 or transmitted via the wireless
`communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be
`provided according to the configuration of the mobile termi-
`nal.
`
`The microphone 122 mayreceive an external analog audio
`signal (audible sound) via a microphone (or the like) in a
`phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition
`mode, etc., and process it into digital data. The processed
`audio (voice) data may be converted for output into a format
`transmittable to a mobile communication base station via the
`mobile communication module 112 in case of the phonecall
`mode. The microphone 122 may include various types of
`noise canceling (or suppression) algorithms to cancel (or
`suppress) noise generated in the course ofreceiving andtrans-
`mitting audio signals.
`The user input unit 130 may generate key input data input-
`ted by a user to control various operations of the mobile
`terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, a
`dome switch, a touch pad(e.g., a touch sensitive memberthat
`detects changes in resistance, pressure, capacitance, etc.), a
`jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. In particular, when a
`touch padis overlaid on the display module 151 in a layered
`manner, it may be referred to as a touch screen.
`The sensing unit 140 detects a currentstatus (orstate) ofthe
`portable terminal 100 such as an opened/closed state of the
`portable terminal 100, a location ofthe portable terminal 100,
`a presence or absence of user contact with the portable ter-
`minal 100, etc., and generates commandsorsignals for con-
`trolling the operation of the portable terminal 100. For
`example, when the portable terminal 100 is a slide type por-
`table phone, the sensing unit 140 may sense whethertheslide
`phoneis openedorclosed. In addition, the sensing unit 140
`can detect whether or not the power supply unit 190 supplies
`poweror whetheror not the interface unit 170 is coupled with
`an external device.
`The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with at least
`one external device connected with the portable terminal 100.
`For example, the external devices may include wired/wireless
`headset ports, external power charger ports, wired/wireless
`data ports, memory card ports, ports for coupling equipment
`having an identity module, audio input/output (I/O) ports,
`video I/O ports, earphone ports, among others.
`Here, the identity module refers to a chip which stores a
`variety of information to authenticate use authority of the
`portable terminal 100, and may include UserIdentity Module
`(UIM)cards, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, Uni-
`versal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)cards, and thelike.
`In addition, the equipment having the identity module (here-
`inafter, referred to as the ‘identity device’) may be imple-
`mented in the form of a smart card. Accordingly,the identity
`device can be connectedto the terminal 100 via the port. The
`interface unit 170 may be usedto receive inputs (e.g., data,
`information, power,etc.) from an external device and transfer
`the received inputs to one or more elements within the por-
`table terminal 100 or may be usedto transfer data from the
`portable terminal to an external device.
`The output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in a
`visual, audible, and/or tactile manner (e.g., audio signal,
`video signal, alarm signal, etc.). The output unit 150 may
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`include the display module 151, an audio output module 152,
`an alarm output module 153, andthelike.
`The display module 151 may output information processed
`in the portable terminal 100. For example, when the portable
`terminal 100 is in the phone call mode, the display module
`151 may display a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User
`Interface (GUI) associated with a call or other communica-
`tion on a screen display thereof. Whenthe portable terminal
`100 is in the video call mode orthe image capturing mode,the
`display module 151 may display a captured and/or received
`image, a UI, a GUI, andthe like onits screen display.
`Meanwhile, when the display module 151 and the touch
`pad are overlaid in a layered mannerto form a touch screen,
`the display module 151 may function as both an input device
`and an output device. The display module 151 mayincludeat
`least one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Thin
`Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD) panel, an Organic Light
`Emitting Diode (OLED)display, a flexible display screen, a
`three-dimensional (3D) display screen,or the like. The por-
`table terminal 100 may include twoor more display modules
`(or other display means) 151 accordingto its desired imple-
`mentation. For example,
`the portable terminal 100 may
`include an external display unit (not shown) and an internal
`display unit (not shown).
`The audio output module 152 may output audio data
`received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored
`
`in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call
`mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broad-
`cast reception mode, and the like. Also, the audio output
`module 152 may provide audible outputsrelated to a particu-
`lar function (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message
`reception sound, etc.) performed by the portable terminal
`100. The audio output module 152 may include a speaker, a
`buzzer, or the like.
`The alarm output module 153 may provide outputs to
`inform about the occurrence of an event of the portable ter-
`minal 100. Typical events may includea call signal reception,
`a message reception, a key signal input, and the like. In
`addition to audio or video outputs, the alarm output module
`153 may provide outputs in a different manner to inform
`about the occurrence of an event. For example, the alarm
`output module 153 may provide outputs in the form of vibra-
`tions(or other tactile means). Whena call signal, a message,
`or someother incoming communicationis received, the alarm
`output module 153 may provide tactile outputs (i.e., vibra-
`tions) to inform the user. By providingtactile outputs, the user
`can recognize the occurrence of various events. Outputs
`informing about the occurrence of an event may be also
`provided via the display module 151 or the audio output
`module 152.
`
`The memory 160 maystore software programsorthe like
`used for the processing and controlling performed by the
`controller 180, or may temporarily store inputted/outputted
`data (e.g., a phonebook, messages, still images, video, etc.).
`The memory 160 mayincludeat least one type of storage
`medium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a
`multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or
`XD memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a
`Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only
`Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable
`Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-
`Only memory (PROM) magnetic memory, a magnetic disk,
`an optical disk, and the like. Also, the portable terminal 100
`may cooperate with a web storage device on the Internetthat
`remotely performs the storage function of the memory 160.
`The controller 180 typically controls the general opera-
`tionsofthe portable terminal. For example, the controller 180
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`performs controlling and processing associated with voice
`calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addi-
`tion, the controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181
`for reproducing multimedia data. The multimedia module
`181 may be implementedintegrally within the controller 180
`or by software executed therein, or may be configured sepa-
`rately from the controller 180.
`The power supply unit 190 receives external or internal
`powerand supplies power required for the operations of the
`respective elements under the control of the controller 180.
`Various functionalities described herein may be imple-
`mented in a computer-readable medium using, for example,
`computer software, hardware, or any combination thereof.
`For
`a hardware implementation,
`the functionalities
`described herein may be implementedby using atleast one of
`application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal
`processors
`(DSPs), digital
`signal processing devices
`(DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field pro-
`grammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,
`micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electronic units
`designed to perform the functions described herein. In some
`cases, the controller 180 may implement such functionalities.
`For a software implementation, the functionalities such as
`operation procedures or functions may be implemented
`together with separate software modulesthat allow perform-
`ing of at least one function or operation. Software codes can
`be implemented by a software application written in any
`suitable programming language. The software codes may be
`stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.
`So far, the portable terminal has been described from the
`perspective ofits functions. Hereinafter, external elements of
`the portable terminal will be described from the perspective
`of their functions with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The por-
`table terminal may be implemented in a variety of different
`configurations. Examples of such configurations include a
`folder-type, a bar-type, a swing-type, a slide type and com-
`binations thereof. Forclarity, further description will prima-
`rily relate to a slide-type portable terminal. However, such
`teachings apply equally to other types of portable terminals.
`FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal
`according to the present invention.
`The slide-type portable terminal according to the present
`invention includes a first body 200 and a second body 205
`disposed to be slidably movable along at least one direction
`relative to one another. And, in case of the folder-type por-
`table terminal, the portable terminal according to the present
`invention mayincludea first body and. a second bodyconfig-
`ured to have atleast one side thereofto be folded or unfolded
`by thefirst body.
`A state in which the first body 200 is disposed to overlap
`with or overlie the second body 205 may becalled a “closed
`configuration,’ and as shownin the drawing,a state in which
`the first body 200 and second body 205 are so disposed
`relative one another as to expose at least a portion of the
`second body 205 maybecalled an “opened configuration.” In
`the closed configuration, the portable terminal mainly oper-
`ates in a standby mode (idle mode), and the standby mode
`may be released according to a user manipulation. The por-
`table terminal operates mainly in the calling modeorthelike
`in the opened configuration, and it can be changed to the
`standby mode with the lapse of a certain time period or a user
`manipulation.
`The case (a casing, a housing, a cover,etc.) constituting the
`external appearanceofthefirst body 200 is formedbya first
`front case 220 anda first rear case 225. Various electronic
`components are installed in a space between the first front
`case 220 andthefirst rear case 225. One or more intermediate
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`cases may be additionally disposed between thefirst front
`case 220 andthefirst rear case 225.
`
`The cases may be formedby injection-molding a synthetic
`resin or may be made of a metallic material such as stainless
`steel (STS) or titanium (T1), and the like.
`The display module 151, an audio output module 152, a
`camera module 121 or a first user input unit 210 may be
`located on the first body 200, specifically, on the first front
`case 220 of the first body 200.
`The display module 151 may include an LCD (Liquid
`Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
`display, a transparent OLED,etc. that visually displays infor-
`mation.
`A touch pad maybeoverlaid in a layered manner on the
`screen of the display module 151 to allow the display module
`151 to function as a touch screen to enable the inputting of
`information by a user’s touch.
`The audio output module 152 may be implementedin the
`form ofa speaker.
`The camera module 121 may be implementedto be suit-
`able for capturing imagesor video with respectto the user and
`so on.
`
`Similar to the first body 200, the case constituting the
`external appearance of the second body 205 is formed by a
`second front case 230 and a secondrear case 235.
`A second user input unit 215 may be disposed on a front
`face of the second body 205, specifically, on the second front
`case 230. A third user input unit 245, the microphone 122, and
`the interface unit 170 may be disposed onat least one of the
`second front case 230 and the secondrear case 235.
`
`Thefirst to third user input units 210, 215 and 245 maybe
`generally referred to as the manipulation unit 130, and vari-
`ous techniques can be employed for implementing the
`manipulation unit so long as they can be operated by a user in
`a tactile manner.
`
`For example, the user input units can be implemented with
`a dome switch or touch pad that can receive user commands
`or information according to a user’s pressing, pushing or
`touching, or implemented in the form of a wheel that rotates
`a key, a jog element, a joystick,or the like.
`In terms of their functions, the first user input unit 210 is
`used for inputting commandssuchasstart, end, scroll or the
`like, and the second user input unit 215 is used for inputting
`numbers, characters, symbols, or the like.
`Also,the third user input unit 245 may operate as a hot key
`for activating a particular function within the portable termi-
`nal.
`
`The microphone 122 may be implemented in a form suit-
`able to transduce the voice of a user, other sounds, orthelike.
`The interface unit 170 may be used as a link (passage or
`path) through which the portable terminal can exchangedata
`or the like with an external device. For example, the interface
`unit 170 may be implementedasat least one of a connection
`port for connecting an earphoneto the portable terminalviaa
`wired (fixed) or wireless means, a port for short-range com-
`munications(e.g., an Infrared Data Association (IrDA)port, a
`Bluetooth™port, a wireless LAN port, etc.), power supply
`ports for providing powerto the portable terminal, orthe like.
`The interface unit 170 may be configured using a card
`socket (e.g., for coupling to an external card includi