Distinguishing input signals detected by a mobile terminal

• US 8,531,319 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2009
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Ku, Ja Hoon, Kim, Jong Hwan, Cho, Seon Hwi
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Benlagsir, Amine
• Application Number:
  US12/430,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/21, 341/23, 340/407.2, 345/177, 455/566
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A method of distinguishing input signals detected by a mobile terminal is provided. The method comprises detecting at least a first and a second input signal, wherein a first vibration signal is associated with the first input signal and a second vibration signal is associated with the second input signal; and outputting a combined vibration signal corresponding to at least the first and second input signals. The first and second input signals may be proximity signals, touch signals, or a combination thereof. The combined vibration signal may be outputted according to a characteristic of at least the first and second input signals.

Claims

1. A method of distinguishing input signals detected by a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

detecting a proximity touch and a touch input received at the mobile terminal, wherein a first vibration is associated with the proximity touch and a second vibration is associated with the touch input;

determining a first location on a touch screen of the mobile terminal at which the proximity touch is received and a second location on the touch screen at which the touch input is received;

outputting at least the first vibration or the second vibration in response to determining that the first and second locations are different; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration via a haptic module of the mobile terminal, in response to determining that the first location and the second location are the same,

wherein;

the proximity touch is detected prior to the detection of the touch input;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the determined first location and second location are not the same; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an execution screen corresponding to the first location, in response to determining that the first and second locations are the same.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the first vibration regardless of whether the first location and the second location are the same.

4. A method of distinguishing proximity input signals detected by a proximity sensor of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

detecting a first proximity input at a first proximity distance from the proximity sensor and a second proximity input at a second proximity distance from the proximity sensor, wherein a first vibration is associated with the first proximity input and a second vibration is associated with the second proximity input;

outputting the first vibration in response to detecting the first proximity input; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration via a haptic module of the mobile terminal when the first proximity input and the second proximity input are detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially,

wherein;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the first proximity input and the second proximity input are not detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first vibration is output regardless of whether the second proximity input is detected.

6. A method of distinguishing touch input signals detected by a touch screen of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

detecting a first touch input received at a first area of the touch screen and a second touch input received at a second area of the touch screen, wherein a first vibration is associated with the first touch input and a second vibration is associated with the second touch input; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration via a haptic module of the mobile terminal in response to detecting the first touch input and the second touch input substantially simultaneously or sequentially,

wherein;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the first touch input and the second touch input are not detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the third vibration is outputted according to a distance between the first area and the second area.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising detecting a third touch input received at a third area of the touch screen and a fourth touch input received at a fourth area of the touch screen, wherein the third vibration is outputted according to a change in a distance between the first and second areas and a distance between the third and fourth areas.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising detecting a third touch input received at a third area of the touch screen and a fourth touch input received at a fourth area of the touch screen, wherein the third vibration is outputted according to a speed difference between the first touch input and the second touch input received at the first and second areas and the third touch input and the fourth touch input received at the third and fourth areas.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising outputting a first alarm vibration, in response to determining that the first touch input and the second touch input enlarge or maximize an image displayed on the touch screen.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising outputting a second alarm vibration in response to determining that the first touch input and the second touch input reduce or minimize an image displayed on the touch screen.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether a distance between the first area and the second area is less or greater than a threshold distance such that the third vibration is output differently depending on whether the distance between the first area and the second area is less or greater than the threshold distance.

13. A method of distinguishing input signals detected by a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

detecting at least a first input and a second input, wherein a first vibration is associated with the first input and a second vibration is associated with the second input;

outputting the first vibration in response to detecting the first input or outputting the second vibration in response to detecting the second input; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration via a haptic module of the mobile terminal in response to detecting the at least first input and second input substantially simultaneously or sequentially,

wherein;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the at least first input and second input are not detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first input and the second input are proximity inputs detected by a proximity sensor of the mobile terminal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the proximity inputs are detected at different proximity speeds.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the proximity inputs are detected at different proximity areas.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the proximity inputs are detected at different locations.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first input and the second input are touch inputs received at a touch screen of the mobile terminal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the touch inputs are inputted at different areas of the touch screen.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the touch inputs are received with different pressures at the touch screen.

21. A mobile terminal comprising:

a proximity sensor for detecting a proximity touch and a touch input received at the mobile terminal, wherein a first vibration is associated with the proximity touch;

a touch screen for detecting the touch input, wherein a second vibration is associated with the touch input;

a controller for determining a first location of the touch screen at which the proximity touch is received and a second location of the touch screen at which the touch input is received; and

a haptic module for;

outputting at least the first vibration or the second vibration in response to determining that the first and second locations are different; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration in response to determining that the first location and the second location are the same,

wherein;

the proximity touch is detected prior to the detection of the touch input;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the determined first location and second location are not the same; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein the controller is further for causing displaying of an execution screen corresponding to the first location, in response to determining that the first and second locations are the same.

23. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein the first vibration is output regardless of whether the first location and the second location are the same.

24. A mobile terminal comprising:

a proximity sensor for detecting a first proximity input at a first proximity distance from the proximity sensor and a second proximity input at a second proximity distance from the proximity sensor, wherein a first vibration is associated with the first proximity input and a second vibration is associated with the second proximity input; and

a haptic module for;

outputting the first vibration in response to detecting the first proximity input; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration when the first proximity input and the second proximity input are detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially,

wherein;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the first proximity input and the second proximity input are not detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

25. The mobile terminal of claim 24, wherein the first vibration is output regardless of whether the second proximity input is detected.

26. A mobile terminal comprising:

a touch screen for detecting a first touch input received at a first area of the touch screen and a second touch input received at a second area of the touch screen, wherein a first vibration is associated with the first touch input and a second vibration is associated with the second touch input; and

a haptic module for outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration in response to detecting the first touch input and the second touch input substantially simultaneously or sequentially,

wherein;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the first touch input and the second touch input are not detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

27. The mobile terminal of claim 26, wherein the third vibration is outputted according to a distance between the first area and the second area.

28. The mobile terminal of claim 26, wherein the touch screen is further for detecting a third touch input received at a third area of the touch screen and a fourth touch input received at a fourth area of the touch screen, wherein the third vibration is outputted according to a change in a distance between the first and second areas and a distance between the third and fourth areas.

29. The mobile terminal of claim 26, wherein the touch screen is further for detecting a third touch input received at a third area of the touch screen and a fourth touch input received at a fourth area of the touch screen, wherein the third vibration is outputted according to a speed difference between the first touch input and the second touch input received at the first and second areas and the third touch input and the fourth touch input received at the third and fourth areas.

30. The mobile terminal of claim 26, wherein the haptic module is further for outputting a first alarm vibration, in response to determining that the first touch input and the second touch input enlarge or maximize an image displayed on the touch screen.

31. The mobile terminal of claim 26, wherein the haptic module is further for outputting a second alarm vibration in response to determining that the first touch input and the second touch input reduce or minimize an image displayed on the touch screen.

32. The mobile terminal of claim 26, further comprising a controller for determining whether a distance between the first area and the second area is less or greater than a threshold distance such that the third vibration is output differently depending on whether the distance between the first area and the second area is less or greater than the threshold distance.

33. A mobile terminal comprising:

a detection unit for detecting at least a first input and a second input, wherein a first vibration is associated with the first input and a second vibration is associated with the second input; and

a haptic module for;

outputting the first vibration in response to detecting the first input or outputting the second vibration in response to detecting the second input; and

outputting a third vibration that is a combination of the first vibration and the second vibration in response to detecting the at least first input and second input substantially simultaneously or sequentially,

wherein;

the third vibration results from an addition or subtraction of signals respectively corresponding to the first vibration and the second vibration;

the third vibration is not output when the at least first input and second input are not detected substantially simultaneously or sequentially; and

the first vibration, the second vibration, and the third vibration are different from each other.

34. The mobile terminal of claim 33, further comprising a proximity sensor for receiving the first input and the second input as proximity inputs.

35. The mobile terminal of claim 34, wherein the proximity inputs are detected at different proximity speeds.

36. The mobile terminal of claim 34, wherein the proximity inputs are detected at different proximity areas.

37. The mobile terminal of claim 34, wherein the proximity inputs are detected at different locations.

38. The mobile terminal of claim 33, further comprising a touch screen for receiving the first input and the second input as touch inputs.

39. The mobile terminal of claim 38, wherein the touch inputs are received at different areas of the touch screen.

40. The mobile terminal of claim 38, wherein the touch inputs are received with different pressures at the touch screen.