KR20110041331A - Display apparatus having photosensor and operating method method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A display apparatus including an optical sensor is provided to reduce the size and the weight of a mobile terminal by placing the optical sensor between RGB pixels. CONSTITUTION: A display panel comprises an optical sensor. An optical permeable material(51) located on the top of the display panel protects the display panel. A control unit controls the display panel by sensing an input by a point according to a light intensity and frequency. The display panel is composed of an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display). The optical sensor is arranged in a row between the LCD pixels independently of the RGB pixels.

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS HAVING PHOTOSENSOR AND OPERATING METHOD METHOD THEREOF}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device with a built-in optical sensor and a method of applying the same.

The mobile terminal may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such various functions include data and voice communication functions, taking pictures or videos through a camera, storing voices, playing music files through a speaker system, and displaying images or videos. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality to play games, while others are implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent mobile terminals can receive broadcast or multicast signals to watch video or television programs.

At present, efforts to support and increase the function of the mobile terminal continue. The foregoing efforts include additions and improvements in software or hardware as well as changes and improvements in the structural components forming the mobile terminal.

Among them, the touch function of the mobile terminal enables the user who is unfamiliar with the button / key input using the touch screen to conveniently perform the operation of the terminal. Recently, not only simple input but also important functions of the terminal together with the user UI It is getting established as.

However, in order to implement a touch function in an electronic device having a display device such as a mobile terminal as described above, a touch window should be provided. The touch window includes a touch sensor to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion or capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display unit into an electrical input signal.

When there is a touch input, the touch sensor provided in the touch window sends a corresponding signal (s) to the touch controller, and the touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. do. Therefore, the controller controls the display driver according to the output value of the touch controller to control the display of a predetermined image displayed on the display panel LCD.

However, the structure of the display unit as described above has a disadvantage in that a separate touch device, that is, a separate touch window provided with a touch sensor must be provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new display device and its application method replacing the existing display and touch input method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device and its application method which can be applied to a mobile terminal, which can be reduced in size and weight.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus comprising: a display panel equipped with an optical sensor; A light transmissive material positioned on the display panel to protect the display panel; And a controller configured to sense an input by a point based on the intensity and frequency of light detected by the display device and perform a control operation.

The display panel is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The optical sensor is positioned in rows between LCD pixels or separately from the RGB pixels.

The light transmissive material is made of tempered glass or PET.

The display panel and the light transmissive material may be integrally formed according to the manufacturing process or may be formed to minimize the air gap.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a display device, the method comprising: detecting light transmitted through an optical sensor provided in the display device; Sensing user input based on the detected amount and frequency of light; And performing an operation corresponding to a user input according to the detected coordinate value of the position.

The user input is recognized as being pointed when the detected intensity of light becomes smaller than a preset reference value.

The user input is recognized as being pointed when the type of the detected frequency of light corresponds to a preset frequency.

The user input is recognized as a call state when light of a predetermined percentage or more of the entire screen is considered, in which case the screen is turned off.

The present invention configured as described above has an effect that the input can be performed by a new method by providing a display device with a built-in optical sensor.

In addition, the present invention provides an optical sensor between the RGB pixels constituting the display module to detect a user's touch, which is advantageous in miniaturization and weight reduction of the mobile terminal.

The present invention configured as described above is provided with an optical sensor between the RGB pixels constituting the display module to sense the user's touch has the effect of performing the screen input from a long distance when using the remote control.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like.

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 that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a 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 mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or 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 reception module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcast system but also other broadcast 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 a wireless signal with 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 according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external 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. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) 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 may 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 according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into 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 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate 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 sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

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 may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. By this structure, the user can see the 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 implementation form 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, for example, a form of 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 may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the 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 then 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.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded 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. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. 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 proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and 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 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an 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 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be 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 the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the 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 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

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), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

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

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( 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. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals 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 controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 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, 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 may be implemented in software applications 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 casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further 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. The sound output unit 151 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated 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 additionally mounted on the rear 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 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. 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 '.

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

In addition to the antenna for a call or the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 124 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may 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 be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be 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.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

3A and 3B are front views of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

At least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement for inputting such information, thereby being implemented as a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a so-called " soft key ".

3A illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the front of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate in an entire area or may be operated in a divided manner. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. In the input window 151b, a soft key 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is displayed on the output window 151a. When the first manipulation unit 131 is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

3B illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the rear of the terminal body. If FIG. 3A is a portrait in which the terminal body is arranged vertically, FIG. 3B illustrates a landscape in which the terminal body is arranged horizontally. The display unit 151 may be configured to convert the output screen according to the arrangement direction of the terminal body.

3B shows that the text input mode is activated in the mobile terminal. The display unit 151 displays the output window 135a and the input window 135b. In the input window 135b, a plurality of softkeys 135c on which at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers are displayed may be arranged. The softkeys 135c may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the soft keys 135c are touched through the touch pad 135, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. corresponding to the touched soft keys are displayed on the output window 135a. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 has an advantage of preventing the softkey 135c from being blocked by the finger when touched, as compared with the touch input through the display unit 151. When the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 are formed to be transparent, the fingers located on the rear of the terminal body can be visually checked, and thus more accurate touch input is possible.

In addition to the input methods disclosed in the above embodiments, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. By scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, the user may move an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, a cursor or a pointer located at an icon. Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. For example, the function may include activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135.

The proximity sensor 141 described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 4, when a pointer such as a user's finger or pen approaches the touch screen, the proximity sensor 141 disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor 141 may be configured to output different proximity signals according to a distance between the proximity touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter, referred to as “proximity depth”).

In FIG. 4, for example, a cross section of a touch screen on which three proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is disposed is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors that detect less than three or more than four proximity depths are also possible.

Specifically, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d ₀ ), it is recognized as a touch touch. When the pointer is positioned below the distance d ₁ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a first proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the distance d ₁ or more and less than d ₂ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a second proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the distance d ₂ or more and less than d ₃ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. When the pointer is positioned at a distance of more than d ₃ from the touch screen, the proximity touch is recognized as released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 may recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity depth and the proximity position of the pointer, and perform various operation control according to the various input signals.

Recently, various types of gesture inputs have been used as one of touch input methods. The gestures include Drag and Drop, Flicking, and other touch inputs. The chess input is detected by a touch sensor layered with the display unit 151, and the detected signal is input to the controller 180 through the touch controller.

The controller 180 determines a gesture currently input by a user based on a touch position, an area, a pressure applied to a specific part, and a capacitance generated at a specific part based on the signal detected by the touch sensor, and then performs a corresponding operation. Perform.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal includes a user input unit 130 for receiving a user's command and a display unit 151 for displaying a predetermined screen operated according to the user's command.

The display unit 151 is mainly used as an output device. However, 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 In addition to the output device can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

5 is a detailed structural diagram of a general display unit.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display unit 151 is attached to the display panel through a display panel (LCD) on which a predetermined image is displayed, and an air gap, and detects a user's touch input at a touch input position. And a touch window for generating a touch input signal.

The touch window includes a touch sensor to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific site or capacitance generated at a specific site of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch window shown in FIG. 5 is a hydrostatic touch window.

When there is a touch input, the touch sensor provided in the touch window sends a corresponding signal (s) to the touch controller, and the touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. do. Accordingly, the controller 180 controls the display driver according to the output value of the touch controller to control the display of a predetermined image displayed on the display panel LCD.

 However, the structure of the display unit as described above has a disadvantage in that a separate touch device, that is, a separate touch window provided with a touch sensor must be provided.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes a display unit having a new structure that includes a display panel (LCD) having an optical sensor between pixels, so that a user's input can be effectively processed without a separate touch device.

Preferably, the display unit includes a display panel (LCD) having an optical sensor between pixels and a light transmissive material for protecting the display panel (LCD). The light transmissive material includes tempered glass or PET.

6 is a structural diagram of a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 151 according to the present invention is disposed on the display panel (LCD) 50 equipped with an optical sensor, and positioned above the display panel (LCD) 50. A light transmissive material 51 for protecting 50 is included. The display panel (LCD) 50 and the light transmissive material 51 are integrally formed according to a manufacturing process or are formed to minimize the air gap.

The optical sensor may be mounted between the LCD pixels (RGBS) or may be positioned in a row form separately from the RGB pixels.

Accordingly, the controller 180 recognizes the coordinates of the pointed position detected by the optical sensor mounted on the display panel (LCD) 50 and performs the corresponding operation.

7 and 8 illustrate an example of a method of detecting a pointer in a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to the present invention. That is, FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which an input by a finger is performed, and FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which an input by a stylus pen is performed.

The sensing method illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example of recognizing a user's motion based on the amount of light. In this case, the controller 180 has a reference value for the intensity of the external light. Therefore, when the amount of light measured by the optical sensor mounted between the LCD pixels (RGBS) close to the pointer, for example, the user's finger, decreases below the reference value, the controller 180 points to a specific position (or range). To be recognized.

As another example, the optical sensor may recognize the point by measuring the amount of light reflected by the hand when the hand is close.

The sensing method illustrated in FIG. 8 is a method of recognizing a user's motion when light of a specific frequency is applied from the outside, such as a stylus pen. In particular, when using a stylus pen with a specific frequency, the frequency can be used like a mouse.

For example, when the stylus pen has two buttons, each button may output light having two frequencies by each button so that each of the two frequencies can be recognized. In this case, one frequency corresponds to the right mouse button and the other corresponds to the left mouse button.

Therefore, the user can properly set the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the menu to input a desired function to the display device of the mobile terminal at a short distance or a long distance.

9 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of an application method of a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, when a finger touches (or approaches) the light transmissive material 51, an optical sensor mounted between each pixel in the display panel (LCD) 50 has the finger or has the finger. The amount of reflected light is measured and output (S100).

The controller 180 recognizes a user input by a finger by comparing the amount of light detected by the plurality of light sensors with a previously stored reference value (S101, S102), that is, the measured value is less than or equal to the reference value. If it is, the controller 180 recognizes that the pointer is pointed at a specific position and performs a corresponding operation (S103).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, even when a user performs a connection to a hyper link on the web, the controller 180 recognizes the coordinates of the pointed position and the user can recognize the coordinates in the same manner as the existing touch input. You can perform the operation you specify.

11 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of an application method of a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an example applied when using an input device that emits light of a specific frequency, such as a remote controller or a stylus pen. The input devices emit light of at least one or more different frequencies, and the number of the emitted frequencies can be arbitrarily selected by the user according to a function to be implemented.

When the light emitted from the stylus pen or the remote controller is transmitted to the display panel (LCD) 50 through the light transmissive material 51, the light sensors mounted between each pixel detect the transmitted light and transmit the light to the controller 180. Output (S200).

The controller 180 determines the frequency of the light detected by the optical sensors and then determines whether the corresponding frequency corresponds to a predefined frequency (S201, S203). As a result of the determination, if the frequency of the input light corresponds to the first frequency, the operation is preset to the first frequency (S202). It performs (S204).

Therefore, using this method, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user performs a connection to a hyper link on the web, the controller 180 recognizes the coordinates of the pointed position and uses the existing touch input. The same operation as may be performed. In particular, when using a remote control can be input using a TV screen from a remote as well as a mobile terminal.

The display device with the built-in optical sensor according to the present invention may be used as a proximity sensor as well as an input device. 13 shows an example in which a display device with a built-in optical sensor is used as a proximity sensor.

When a user makes a call using a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is usually in close contact with the ball and then a call is made through a microphone and a speaker that is located at the upper and lower sides of the mobile terminal. In close contact with it, more than a few percent of the light is obscured.

Therefore, the present invention recognizes that the current user performs a normal call when a predetermined percentage or more of the light is blocked on the screen of the mobile terminal, and turns off the LCD screen to reduce power (or current) consumption during the call. Could be reduced.

As such, the present invention can provide a display device that is configured to include a light transmitting material and a display panel (LCD), and is equipped with an optical sensor mounted on the display panel so that the input device can be input as close as a conventional touch and can be remotely controlled. have.

In addition, although the present invention has been described by taking a mobile terminal as an example for convenience of description, the present invention is applied to various input devices using a display device such as a TV and a computer.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method may be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium in which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet) . The computer may also include a control unit of the terminal.

The above-described mobile terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. It may be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal associated with one 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 an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a front view of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention;

4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

5 is a detailed structural diagram of a general display unit;

6 is a structural diagram of a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 and 8 are diagrams showing an example of a method of detecting a pointer in a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to the present invention.

9 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of an application method of a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a view showing an example in which the application method according to FIG. 9 is applied to an actual web page.

11 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of an application method of a display device with a built-in optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the application method according to FIG. 11 is applied to an actual web page.

13 is an example in which a display device with a built-in optical sensor is used as a proximity sensor.

Claims (11)

A display panel equipped with an optical sensor; A light transmissive material positioned on the display panel to protect the display panel; And a controller configured to detect an input by a point according to the intensity and frequency of light detected by the display device and perform a control operation. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the display panel is Display device comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD). The method of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor And a row positioned between the LCD pixels or separately from the RGB pixels. The method of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive material Display device, characterized in that consisting of tempered glass or PET. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the display panel and the light transmissive material The display device, characterized in that formed in one piece or the air gap is minimized according to the manufacturing process. The method of claim 1, wherein the pointer is And at least one of a finger, a stylus pen, and a remote controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit The display device, characterized in that if the light of more than a predetermined percentage of the full screen is recognized as a call state and the screen is turned off. Sensing light transmitted through an optical sensor provided in the display device; Sensing user input based on the detected amount and frequency of light; And performing an operation corresponding to a user input according to the detected coordinate value of the position. The method of claim 8, wherein the user input is And recognizing a pointed point when the detected intensity of light becomes smaller than a preset reference value. The method of claim 8, wherein the user input is And recognizing a pointed point when the type of the detected frequency of light corresponds to a preset frequency. The method of claim 8, wherein the user input is If a predetermined percentage or more of the light of the full screen is considered a call state, the operation method of the display device, characterized in that the screen is turned off.

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