Mobile device and user interface control method therefor based on pattern cognition and analysis of image captured by camera

A method for controlling a user interface of a mobile terminal according to recognition and interpretation of the pattern of a camera image and the mobile terminal are provided to enable a user to manipulate an existing search key freely without restrictions on its movement directions, thereby resolving the restrictions and inconvenience in manipulating the existing search key. A pattern recognition execution key is inputted(210). A camera module sequentially obtains the first and second images that are successive temporally and sends them to a pattern recognizing unit(220). The pattern recognizing unit recognizes patterns of the first and second images(230). A pattern interpreting unit interprets the recognized patterns(240), and then selects an appropriate control command from a control command list according to the interpretation result(250). A controller performs a function corresponding to the control command(260).