KR20120068246A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and a method for controlling a device are provided to easily control external devices by improving the image characteristic of the external devices. CONSTITUTION: External images are displayed(S310). The external images include a specific device region to be matched to external devices. A selecting operation with respect to the specific device region is input on a touch screen in order to control the external devices(S320). According to the selecting operation, the controlling operation is analyzed by a controlling part(S330). The controlling operation with respect to the external devices is implemented(S340). A mobile terminal includes the touch screen and the controlling part. The mobile terminal further includes a memory saving the external images.

Description

Mobile terminal and device control method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a device control method for controlling an external device by matching a device area and an external device in an external image.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether the user can directly carry the mobile terminal.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

In order to support and enhance the functionality of such terminals, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software parts of the terminal.

Recent terminals have a function of controlling the operation of an external device using DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology. Through this, it is possible to control the external device to play various contents stored in the terminal.

However, in order to control an external device through a terminal, there is a problem in that a hassle of moving to a device control step through various processes exists.

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a device control method for matching an external device region existing in an external image with an external device corresponding to the external device region so that the external device region in the external image can serve as a means for connecting to the external device. It is about.

The present invention also relates to a mobile terminal and a device control method capable of controlling an external device matched with an external image through an external image.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, unless further departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be possible.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object displays an external image including a specific device area set to be matched with an external device, and performs a control operation on the external device. And a controller configured to analyze the control operation according to the selection operation and perform the control operation on the external device.

The mobile terminal further includes a memory for storing the external image and a wireless communication unit for transmitting a control signal for controlling the external device to the external device.

The external image may be an image of a location where the external device is located, and the specific device area may be an area where the external device is implemented in the external image.

The controller may control the external device to play specific content or control transmission and reception of specific content with the external device.

The touch screen may display the external image as at least one of a home screen screen, an icon, and a thumbnail file.

In addition, the device control method according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is to display an external image including a specific device area set to match an external device, to perform the control operation for the external device Receiving a selection operation for a specific device region, analyzing the control operation according to the selection operation, and performing the control operation for the external device.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above provides a user interface that facilitates control of an external device by matching an image of the external device with the external device in controlling the external device. There is an effect.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above has an effect of enhancing the user's accessibility and providing a new operation method by imaging the device represented by the existing text or icon.

The effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. will be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2b is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a flow chart schematically showing a device control method according to the present invention.
4 illustrates an example of an operation of matching an external device with a device region in an external image in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates another example of an operation of matching an external device with a device region in an external image in accordance with the present invention. FIG.
6 is a view showing an external image matched with an external device on a display unit according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates the interconversion between multiple matched external images in connection with the present invention. FIG.
8 illustrates an example of a control operation for an external device through a matched external image in accordance with the present invention.
9 illustrates another example of a control operation for an external device through a matched external image according to the present invention.
10A and 10B illustrate a control operation for a plurality of devices matched to an external image in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a switching operation between external images according to location information of a mobile terminal according to the present invention; FIG.
12 is a view showing information on a device in an external image in accordance with the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The mobile terminal described in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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

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

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

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

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

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

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

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

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

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

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, which includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, and a projector module ( 155) may be included.

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

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

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

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

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

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

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

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is enclosed by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

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

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

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

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

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and is similar to the image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180 Or at least partly display another image on an external screen or wall.

Specifically, the projector module 155 includes a light source (not shown) that generates light (for example, laser light) for outputting an image to the outside, a light source And a lens (not shown) for enlarging and outputting the image at a predetermined focal distance to the outside. Further, the projector module 155 may include a device (not shown) capable of mechanically moving the lens or the entire module to adjust the image projection direction.

The projector module 155 can be divided into a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) module, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module and a DLP (Digital Light Processing) module according to the type of the display means. In particular, the DLP module may be advantageous for miniaturization of the projector module 151 by enlarging and projecting an image generated by reflecting light generated from a light source on a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chip.

Preferably, the projector module 155 may be provided longitudinally on the side, front or back side of the mobile terminal 100. It goes without saying that the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100 as occasion demands.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and temporarily store the input / output data (e.g., telephone directory, message, audio, For example. The memory unit 160 may also store the frequency of use of each of the data (for example, each telephone number, each message, and frequency of use for each multimedia). In addition, the memory unit 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when the touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

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

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

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

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

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 'may be further mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

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

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be further disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may also be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output time information on both sides, the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. The information output on both sides may be all controlled by the touch pad 135. [ Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

For convenience of description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal mentioned below includes at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a flowchart schematically showing a device control method according to the present invention.

The touch screen 151 displays an external image including a specific device area set to match the external device (S310). The touch screen 151 receives a selection operation for a specific device region in order to perform a control operation for the external device (S320). The controller 180 analyzes the control operation according to the selection operation (S330). The controller 180 performs a control operation on the external device (S340).

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the flow of the device control method of FIG. 3.

As used herein, the external image refers to an image of the outside of the mobile terminal. The external image may be photographed by the camera 121 of the mobile terminal 100, or may be received from the outside by the wireless communication unit 110.

The external image related to the present invention may be an image photographing various places. For example, the external image may include a natural environment such as an indoor, office, or mountain of a house. On the other hand, the external image preferably includes various device regions within the image. The device area refers to an area implemented in the external image by photographing an actual external device. That is, when the external device is photographed with a subject, the device area refers to the external device in the picture. Since the present invention controls the external device on the premise of matching the external picture with the external device, it is preferable that the device area is included in the external picture.

Also, the external image may be a still image representing the outside or a moving image. Even in the case of a moving video, the device region in the corresponding video may be matched with an external device.

In the present invention, the external device is not limited to that kind. The present invention is to control the external device through the external image. Thus, preferably, the external device is a device having wireless communication means for receiving control signals for controlling the external device and status information signals from the external device.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of matching an external device with a device region in an external image according to the present invention.

In FIG. 4A, the external image 410 shows an image of the inside of the house. External image 410 includes a plurality of furniture areas, and includes a plurality of external device areas 412 and 414. The external image 410 may be an image obtained in real time through the camera 121.

The controller 180 determines a specific device region corresponding to the external device to match the external image. Here, the method of determining the specific device region may be selected by the user through the touch screen 151, the controller 180 analyzes the external image to determine the existence of the device region included in the external image, The device area representing the device may be determined.

In FIG. 4B, the controller 180 may analyze various objects included in the external image and determine a device area among the corresponding objects. In the drawing, the controller 180 identifies the first device region 412 and the second device region 414 as the device region included in the external image 410.

In FIG. 4B, the controller 180 may check a list of devices related to the device area in which the presence is determined. The touch screen 151 displays information of external devices through the external device list 420. The external devices identified by the controller 180 are represented by LG 1111 (421), LG 2222 (422), and LG 3333 (423).

The controller 180 sets the identified device regions 412 and 414 in the external image to match the identified external devices. With reference to FIG. 4C, the controller 180 matches the first device region 412 to the LG 1111 421 as an external device, and the second device region 414 as the external device, the LG 2222 422. Matches The touch screen 151 displays the result of matching the device area with the external device.

As a result of matching with an external image, each device region 412, 414 in the external image 410 represents a respective external device. That is, the controller 180 sets the external device to represent the external device, not the simple device area configuring the external image. For example, when the corresponding device region is selected through the touch screen 151, various information about the external device may be displayed or the control of the external device may be performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of an operation of matching an external device with a device region in an external image according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5A, the touch screen 151 displays an external image 510 representing the interior of the house.

In FIG. 5B, the touch screen 151 receives a specific device area 512 from the user's touch operation 520. In the drawing, an object having a device shape included in an external image is selected as a specific device region. On the other hand, the specific device region may be an image representing an external device, but this is optional. Since a specific device area is selected by the user in a specific area of the external image, a portion other than the area corresponding to the external device may be selected as the device area.

In FIG. 5C, the controller 180 identifies an external device related to an external image in order to identify the external device corresponding to the selected specific device region. The touch screen 151 displays information of external devices through the external device list 530. The external devices identified by the controller 180 are represented by LG LX9500 531, LG LX8500 532, LG LE8810 533, and LG LE8800 534. The controller 180 identifies the external device corresponding to the selected specific device area among the external devices 531 to 534.

The controller 180 sets the selected specific device region 512 to match the external device 532. A device name 540 representing the external device 532 is displayed for the selected specific device region 512.

Through this, the external image may be matched to the external device, and a specific device region in the external image may represent the external device.

6 is a diagram illustrating an external image matched with an external device on a display unit according to the present invention.

The present invention can express an external image matched with an external device in various ways.

In FIG. 6A, the touch screen 151 sets and displays a matched external image as a home screen screen. The external image 610 may be used as a home screen screen as the specific device region 612 is matched to the external device. The touch screen 151 displays a plurality of icons 625, 626, and 627 on an external image 610 used as a home screen screen.

As the external image matched with the home screen screen is used, the user may easily control the external device on the home screen screen. Since there is a device area matched with the external device on the home screen screen on the touch screen 151, the external device can be directly controlled by selecting the device area.

In FIG. 6B, the touch screen 151 displays the matched external image by displaying a thumbnail or an icon 628. As shown in FIG. 6A, the external image 610 may display the entire image, but may simply display the external image 610. In the figure, the touch screen 151 displays a thumbnail file or icon representing the matched external image 610.

Meanwhile, even if the external image matched with the thumbnail file or the icon is displayed, the controller 180 can control the external device. The controller 180 can recognize that selecting the thumbnail file or the icon 628 by selecting the external device. Accordingly, icon 628 can be selected to initiate various control actions for the external device. In addition, when moving various contents stored in the memory 160 of the mobile terminal 100 to the icon 628 through a touch drag operation, the contents may be controlled to be transmitted to an external device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a mutual switching between a plurality of matched external images according to the present invention.

One or more external images matched with the external device may exist. Each external image may be matched to a different external device or may be matched to the same external device.

Referring to FIG. 7, an operation of converting an external image matched with an external device set as a home screen screen to another external image is illustrated.

In FIG. 7A, the touch screen 151 displays a first external image 710 matched to an external device. The first external image 710 is displayed on the home screen screen. The touch screen 151 displays a menu 715 for displaying other external images. The touch screen 151 receives the menu 715 from the user.

In FIG. 7B, when the display screen 151 is selected to show the display of other external images, the touch screen 151 displays the first external image 710, the second external image 720, and the third external image 730. do. Each size of the external images may be variously changed according to a setting. Here, the first external image 710, the second external image 720, and the third external image 730 are external images each matched to an external device, and are externally connected through a device region included in each external image. You can control the device.

In addition, in FIG. 7B, the touch screen 151 receives an operation of switching an external image from the user. In the figure, a user action of converting the first external image to the second external image is shown.

In FIG. 7C, when a change operation of an external image from a user is input, the touch screen 151 displays the converted external image. The touch screen 151 displays a second external image 720 instead of the first external image 710 as a home screen screen, and the first external image 710 at a display position of the second external image 720. Is displayed.

Through this, the touch screen 151 may switch and display various external images matched with the external device.

On the other hand, the present invention is an invention that can control the external device matched to the external image through the external image. Herein, the present invention may use DLNA (Digital Network Alliance) technology.

DLNA technology refers to a technology that is compatible with devices that allow various contents stored in a PC or a mobile phone to be displayed on a display device such as a TV using a network.

In general, a storage device such as a PC or a server can store various media. Although these various media may be transmitted to other devices, the media streams of the media may be provided to the display apparatus to be displayed on the display apparatus. In DLNA technology, a device that stores media is called a DMS (Digital Media Server). A device acting as a DMS is a data storage device with a large storage capacity.

In the DLNA technology, a device that displays media stored in a DMS is a digital media renderer (DMR). The device acting as a DMR is a device having a display function such as a TV or a monitor because the device can display the media.

In DLNA technology, a device having a control function for displaying the media stored in the DMS to the DMR is a digital media controller (DMC). That is, it controls the DMS to provide media streaming to the DMR and controls the DMR to display the received media.

Referring to the present invention, the mobile terminal 100 may serve as a DMC capable of controlling an external device, which is an external device, or may serve as a DMS capable of providing media to an external device.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control operation for an external device through a matched external image according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, as an example of a control operation for an external device, the mobile terminal 100 may control the media stored in the memory 160 of the mobile terminal 100 to be played on the external device.

In FIG. 8A, the touch screen 151 displays an external image 810 matched with an external device as a home screen screen. In addition, the touch screen 151 may separately display an icon 825 representing the mobile terminal 100. An icon 825 representing the mobile terminal 100 may be displayed corresponding to the device area 820 representing the external device.

Meanwhile, the device region 820 matched to the external device in the external image 810 is displayed as selected. In addition, the control menu 830 for the external device may be displayed. The control menu 830 is an operation of controlling an external device, and displays a menu 832 meaning reproduction control and a menu 833 indicating content movement. Among the menus, a menu 832 which represents a playback control is shown as being selected, and through this, the mobile terminal 100 may recognize that an operation of controlling an external device is being performed. Meanwhile, the menus 832 and 833 indicating the control operation are exemplary, and a menu for displaying various control operations may also be included.

In FIG. 8B, as a process of controlling a playback operation of an external device, the touch screen 151 displays playlist files 842 and 844 included in the memory 160 of the mobile terminal 100. can do. Here, either one of the playlist files 842, 844 842 is marked as selected.

That is, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an operation of playing content on an external device using an external image matched to the external device is illustrated.

FIG. 8C is a diagram schematically showing an operation of the mobile terminal 100 to play content by controlling the external device 820 '. The controller 180 transmits a control signal to the external device 820 'matched in the external image. The external device 820 'is controlled to play the content by the control signal.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 8C, the external device is controlled to play content included in the mobile terminal 100, but this is exemplary. The external device may display content provided by the external device or content received from a third device. It may be controlled to play.

9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a control operation for an external device through a matched external image according to the present invention.

As another example of a control operation for the external device, file transmission and reception between the mobile terminal 100 and the external device may be controlled through an external image matched with the external device.

In FIG. 9A, the touch screen 151 displays an external image 810 matched to an external device as a home screen screen, and the touch screen 151 displays an icon 925 representing the mobile terminal 100. You may. The device region 920 matching the external device in the external image 910 is displayed as selected. Among the control menus, a menu 933 representing a file transfer control is shown as being selected, and through this, the mobile terminal 100 can recognize that the operation of controlling an external device is being performed.

In FIG. 9B, a touch drag operation from the device area in the external image to the mobile terminal icon 940 is illustrated. An operation for controlling file transfer from the external device matched to the device region in the external image to the mobile terminal 100 is shown. That is, a file included in the external device may be transmitted to the mobile terminal through a touch drag operation of the user from the external device matched with the external image.

FIG. 9C illustrates a touch drag operation in which a file is transferred from the mobile terminal 100 to an external device as opposed to FIG. 9B. Through a touch drag operation from the mobile terminal icon 925 to the device area, the mobile terminal 100 may be controlled to transmit a file 950 included in the mobile terminal 100 to an external device.

FIG. 9 (d) schematically illustrates an operation in which the mobile terminal 100 transmits and receives a file to each other by controlling the external device 920 ′.

10A and 10B illustrate a control operation for a plurality of devices matched to an external image according to the present invention.

At least one actual external device matched with the external image may exist. Accordingly, the plurality of actual external devices may be controlled using the matched external image.

FIG. 10A illustrates an operation of controlling a plurality of real external devices when one external image is matched with a plurality of real external devices.

In the case of an external image matched with an actual external device, the external image may include a plurality of device regions matched with a plurality of external devices. Accordingly, a plurality of actual external devices may be controlled through one external image.

In FIG. 10A (a), the touch screen 151 displays one external image 1010. The external image 1010 is an image matched with two real external devices. Accordingly, the external image 1010 includes a first device region 1012 and a second device region 1014, which are regions matched with actual external devices. Here, the first device region 1012 is a device region matched with "LG 1111" which is an actual external device, and the second device region 1014 is a device region matched with "LG 2222" which is an actual external device.

In FIG. 10A (b), the operation of controlling the actual external devices through the device regions matched to the actual external device is shown on the touch screen 151.

In the drawing, as an example of controlling actual external devices, a file transfer operation between actual external devices is shown. In detail, the second device area 1014 matching the actual external device "LG 2222" is selected to transmit the file "1.avi" contained in the "LG 2222" to the actual external device "LG 1111". The operation is shown. That is, file transmission and reception between external devices may be controlled through the first device area 1012 and the second device area 1014 in the external image.

When the controller 180 selects the first device region 1012 or the second device region 1014 through the touch screen 151, the controller 180 recognizes that an external device matched with each other is selected, and the external devices transmit and receive files. And various control operations such as file playback.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an operation of controlling each actual external device in the case of matching with the actual external device, one for each of the two external images.

In connection with the present invention, there may be a plurality of external images matched with actual external devices. Therefore, it is possible to control the actual external devices matched to each device area between the plurality of external images.

In FIG. 10B (a), the touch screen 151 displays two external images 1010. That is, the touch screen 151 displays the first external image 1010 and the second external image 1030. The first and second external images are images matched with actual external devices. That is, the first device region 1012 included in the first external image 1010 is a device region matched with "LG 1111" which is an actual external device, and the second device region included in the second external image 1030 ( 1032 is a device region matched to "SM 2222" which is the actual external device. The touch screen 151 may display the first and second external images at the same time.

In FIG. 10B (b), the operation of controlling the actual external devices through the device regions matched to the actual external device is shown on the touch screen 151.

In the drawing, as an example of controlling actual external devices, a file transfer operation between actual external devices is shown. In detail, the first device area 1012 matching the actual external device "LG 1111" is selected and the file "1.avi" contained in the "LG 1111" is transmitted to the actual external device "SM 2222". The act of doing is shown. That is, file transmission and reception between the external devices may be controlled through the first device area 1012 in the first external image 1010 and the second device area 1032 in the second external image 1030.

In this case, since the first external image 1010 and the second external image 1030 may be images captured at different places, the mobile terminal 100 controls actual external devices located at different places as a result. The effect can be produced.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a switching operation between external images according to location information of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 of the present invention can grasp the current location information of the mobile terminal 100 through the location information module 115. Therefore, as the location of the mobile terminal 100 is changed, corresponding location information can be checked.

In relation to the present invention, the external image matched with the actual external device may include location information related to the corresponding image. Preferably, the external image matched with the actual external device may include location information of the corresponding image. However, optionally, the external image may include location information arbitrarily set by the user. The external image including the location information may be used for comparison with the location information of the mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 may compare the location information included in the external image with the location information of the mobile terminal 100 and display the corresponding external image on the touch screen 151 when it is determined to match. Accordingly, when the position of the mobile terminal 100 is changed, it may be changed to an external image corresponding to the position accordingly.

11 (a) and 11 (b) are diagrams of an external image changed as the position of the mobile terminal 100 is changed.

In FIG. 11A, the location of the mobile terminal 100 is determined to be 'home' through the location information module 115. In this case, the controller 180 may determine an external image corresponding to the house which is the current location of the mobile terminal. Accordingly, by determining the external image where the location information included in the external image is the home, the touch screen 151 may display the external image. In the figure, the touch screen 151 displays an external image 1110 photographed at home on a home screen screen. Here, the external image 1110 is an image matched with the actual external device "LG 1111". In this way, when the user is located at home, the user may control the actual external device located at home through an external image related to the home.

In FIG. 11B, the position of the mobile terminal 100 is determined to be "office" through the location information module 115. The controller 180 determines whether there is an external image having location information corresponding to the current location of the mobile terminal 100, and controls to display the external image when the mobile terminal 100 exists. Accordingly, the touch screen 151 displays the external image 1120 corresponding to the office. Here, the external image 1120 is an image matched with actual external devices.

Referring to FIG. 11, as the location of the mobile terminal 100 changes, an external image matched with an actual external device also changes. Through this, it is possible to control the actual external device located in the vicinity of the mobile terminal 100 through the external image changed according to the position.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating information on a device in an external image according to the present invention. FIG.

The mobile terminal 100 of the present invention may receive various information from an actual external device matched with an external image. Such information may be used by the mobile terminal 100 to control the actual external device. The received information may include various information such as update information of the corresponding actual external device, reception information of new content, specification information of the corresponding external device, and the like.

According to the present invention, when various information is received from an actual external device, the corresponding information may be displayed on an external image matched with the actual external device. That is, the information received from the actual external device may be displayed for the device area in the external image.

In FIG. 12A, the mobile terminal 100 receives update information from the actual external device “LG 1111”. In this case, the controller 180 may analyze the information and display the update information on the touch screen 151 in relation to the external image. Referring to FIG. 12A, the touch screen 151 displays an external image 1210 having a device area 1212 matched with an actual external device “LG 1111”. Here, a window 1214 indicating that new update information has been received for the device area 1212 is displayed. Through this, it can be confirmed that new update information has been received for the actual external device “LG 1111”.

In FIG. 12B, the mobile terminal 100 receives missed call information from the actual external device “LG 1112”. In this case, the controller 180 can display the missed call information on the touch screen 151 in relation to the external image. In the figure, the external image 1220 includes a device area 1222 matched to the actual external device “LG 1112”, where it displays a window 1224 that notifies missed call information. Through this, the user may confirm that missed call information is received with respect to the actual external device “LG 1112”.

In connection with the present invention, when the device matched with the external image is a device such as a printer, a word file or an image may be sent to the device area matched with the printer by dragging or the like to control printing on the printer which is the actual device. have.

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

The mobile terminal described above can be applied to not only the configuration and method of the embodiments described above but also all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made to the embodiments It is possible.

100 Mobile Terminal 115 Location Information Module
151 touch screen 160 memory
180 control unit

Claims (10)

Displays an external image including a specific device area set to match the external device,
A touch screen configured to receive a selection operation for the specific device region in order to perform a control operation on the external device; And
And a controller configured to analyze the control operation according to the selection operation and to perform the control operation on the external device.
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a memory for storing the external image,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a wireless communication unit for transmitting a control signal for controlling the external device to the external device,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The external image is an image of a place where the external device is located,
The specific device area is an area in which the external device is implemented in the external image.
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The controller controls the external device to play specific content.
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls to transmit and receive specific content with the external device,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The touch screen displays the external image on at least one of a home screen screen, an icon, and a thumbnail file.
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
The external image is added with location information on the location where the external image is taken,
Mobile terminal. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a location information module for determining the current location information of the mobile terminal,
The control unit,
Determining whether the current location information of the mobile terminal matches the location information of the external image, and controlling the touch screen to display the external image according to the determination result; Displaying an external image including a specific device area set to match the external device;
Receiving a selection operation for the specific device region in order to perform a control operation on the external device;
Analyzing the control operation according to the selection operation; And
Performing the control operation on the external device;
Device control method.

Images