U.S. patent application number 11/785403 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for touch screen device and method of selecting files thereon.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Seung Jun Bae, Ji Suk Chae, Young Ho Ham, Seong Cheol Kang, Ji Ae Kim, Jun Hee Kim, Yu Mi Kim, Yoon Hee Koo, Ho Joo Park, Sang Hyun Shin, Kyung Hee Yoo.
Application Number | 20070273668 11/785403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37834227 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070273668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Ho Joo ; et
al. |
November 29, 2007 |
Touch screen device and method of selecting files thereon
Abstract
A touch screen device and a method of operation are provided.
The device and method allow for scrolling and selection of files
from a file list, and for skipping or reversing an execution order
of the selected files simply by performing a drag on a touch
screen. The method of selecting files on the touch screen device
includes detecting a diagonal drag on a screen, selecting file(s)
included within a corresponding range, and skipping file(s) within
the range. The method may also include changing an execution order
of the selected file(s) when a drag with a return trajectory is
detected. The method may also include scrolling through the file
list in accordance with a direction and speed of the drag. The
device and method allows a plurality of files to be selected and
skipped at a time, and a desired file to be rapidly and easily
located.
Inventors: |
Park; Ho Joo; (Seoul City,
KR) ; Chae; Ji Suk; (Seoul City, KR) ; Ham;
Young Ho; (Yongin City, KR) ; Yoo; Kyung Hee;
(Seoul City, KR) ; Kim; Ji Ae; (Seoul City,
KR) ; Kim; Yu Mi; (Seongnam City, KR) ; Shin;
Sang Hyun; (Seoul City, KR) ; Bae; Seung Jun;
(Busan City, KR) ; Koo; Yoon Hee; (Sacheon City,
KR) ; Kim; Jun Hee; (Seongnam City, KR) ;
Kang; Seong Cheol; (Osan City, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37834227 |
Appl. No.: |
11/785403 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11646598 |
Dec 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
11785403 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04883 20130101;
G06F 3/0485 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2006 |
KR |
2006-0046697 |
May 24, 2006 |
KR |
2006-0046699 |
Claims
1. A method of selecting files on a touch screen, comprising:
detecting a touch drag on a screen; detecting a file list included
within a range corresponding to a touch drag trajectory of the
detected touch drag; and marking the detected file list for a
subsequent execution action.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting a drag on a touch
screen comprises detecting an initial touch and a touch movement on
the screen, and wherein the drag trajectory corresponds to a
direction of the touch movement.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein marking the detected filed list
for a subsequent execution action comprises skipping files included
in the detected file list.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein marking the detected file list
for a subsequent execution action comprises changing an execution
order of files in the detected file list.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the range corresponding to the
touch drag trajectory is a range defined by a rectangle with a
diagonal equal to a straight line which connects a start point and
a release point of the touch drag.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether
the touch drag trajectory is a return trajectory; and changing an
execution order of files in the detected file list if it is
determined that the touch drag trajectory is a return trajectory,
wherein the detected file list is within a range corresponding to a
rectangle with a diagonal equal to a maximum distance of the touch
drag trajectory.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein changing an execution order of
files in the detected file list comprises rearranging the execution
order of the files in accordance with user preferences.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein changing an execution
order of the files in the detected file list comprises reversing an
execution order of the files included in the detected file
list.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing an appearance
or a background color of the files included in the detected file
list.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein changing an appearance of the
files included in the detected file list includes changing at least
one of a size, a letter color, or a background color of the files
included in the detected file list.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the files included in the
detected file list are one of an audio file, a video file, or a
graphic file.
12. A method of selecting files on a touch screen, comprising:
detecting a touch and a touch drag on a screen; determining a
direction and a speed of the touch drag; and scrolling a file list
displayed on the screen based on the determined direction and speed
of the drag.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: stopping the
scrolling if a release of the touch is detected.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the direction and speed of the
drag are based on a touch point and a release point of the touch on
the screen, and a time taken to move between the touch point and
the release point.
15. A touch screen device, comprising: a screen including a display
configured to display a file list thereon and a detector configured
to detect a touch on a screen; and a controller configured to
control operation of the device based on the touch on the screen
detected by the detector, wherein, when a drag is detected on the
screen, the controller is configured to skip files in the file list
included within a range corresponding to an associated drag
trajectory and to execute files adjacent the skipped files.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to
determine whether the drag trajectory is a return trajectory, and
to change an execution order of files in the file list if the drag
trajectory is a return trajectory.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to
determine that the drag trajectory is a return trajectory if a
touch release point is substantially the same as an initial touch
point.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to
change an execution order of files within a range in the file list
corresponding to the drag trajectory if the drag trajectory is a
return trajectory.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to
reverse an execution order of files in the file list if the drag
trajectory is a return trajectory.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to
rearrange an execution order of the files in the file list in
accordance with user preferences if the drag trajectory is a return
trajectory.
21. A touch screen device, comprising: a screen including a display
configured to display a file list thereon and a detector configured
to detect a touch and a drag on a screen; and a controller
configured to control operation of the device based on the touch
and the drag on the screen detected by the detector, to determine a
direction and a speed of the drag, and to scroll the file list
based on the determined direction and speed of the drag.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to
detect a release of the touch and to stop the scroll if the touch
is released.
23. Digital equipment comprising the touch screen device of claim
15.
24. The digital equipment of claim 23, wherein the digital
equipment is an MP3 player, a PMP, a PDA, a notebook computer, a
mobile communication terminal, or a portable navigation
terminal.
25. Digital equipment comprising the touch screen device of claim
21.
26. The digital equipment of claim 25, wherein the digital
equipment is an MP3 player, a PMP, a PDA, a notebook computer, a
mobile communication terminal, or a portable navigation terminal.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation Application of Ser. No. 11/646,598
filed Dec. 28, 2006, which claims priority to Application Serial
No. 10-2006-0046697 and 10-2006-0046699 filed in Korea on May 24,
2006, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] A touch screen device and method of operating a touch screen
device are disclosed herein.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Portable digital equipment, such as, for example, MP3
players, portable multimedia players (PMP), personal digital
assistants (PDA), notebook computers or the like which are able to
execute, for example, MP3 files (e.g., audio files), video files
(e.g., avi files) and the like store a plurality of MP3 files
and/or video files and play the files selected at the request of a
user. In addition to essential data, a variety of additional
information on the relevant file(s), such as, for example, title
and singer information, is contained and recorded as tag
information in the MP3 files and/or video files.
[0006] Selection and playback of these audio or video files may be
done by manipulating keys on a keypad provided with the digital
equipment. For example, files may be selected and played back one
by one, a plurality of files may be selected at one time and
sequentially played back, or a file may be selected from a
plurality of files and repeatedly played back based on user
preferences.
[0007] Because it is preferable that the aforementioned MP3 player,
PMP, PDA and the like have as large a display as possible, touch
screens have been employed as a user information input device
instead of the conventional keypad. A touch screen may function as
both a display and an input device, thus allowing information to be
input or selected using, for example, a finger or stylus pen and
the relevant information to be displayed based on the input or
selection. When a list of audio or video files is displayed on a
touch screen, a user may touch and select desired files from the
file list, and the selected files will be played back by a
predetermined program (e.g., a music playback program, Windows
Media Player and the like).
[0008] If there is an undesired music file next to the file
currently being played back in the list, the undesired file is
skipped and the next music is thus selected. However, if there are
at least two or more undesired files in the list, it is
inconvenient to select and skip the relevant music files one by one
in order to skip all the undesired music files.
[0009] Further, if files to be executed are spaced apart from a
current position within the list, the files must be located by
scrolling through the list on the screen. A scroll bar displayed at
one side of the screen may be touched to perform a scrolling
operation. However, the scroll speed is always kept at a constant
level, resulting in a slow, tedious process when scroll length is
long or the scroll is stopped beyond a desired position when the
scroll length is short.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, wherein:
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of a touch screen device,
in accordance with embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of skipping files, in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of scrolling a file list,
in accordance with an embodiment;
[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a file skipping operation, in
accordance with an embodiment; and
[0015] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a file scrolling operation, in
accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a touch screen device in accordance with
an embodiment may include a screen 10 which allows information to
be input and displayed. The screen 10 may include a display 20 for
displaying a plurality of file lists 50 and other data thereon, and
a touch panel or detector 30, for detecting a touching action
related to selecting the file lists 50 or data displayed on the
display 20. It is noted that a touch may be any type of direct or
indirect touch or contact using an appropriate touching implement.
Thus, when a user touches the screen 10 using a touching implement,
such as, for example, a finger, a stylus pen, or the like, the
detector 30 may detect a touch point, and more particularly, an
initial touch point, and movement of the touch point (hereinafter,
referred to as a `drag`). The detector 30 may also detect a
direction, speed, and trajectory associated with the drag.
[0017] The display 20 may be any type of general screen display
device, including, but not limited to, display devices such as, for
example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel
(PDP), a light emitting diode (LED), or an organic light emitting
diode (OLED). The detector 30 may be a thin layer provided on a
surface, such as the front surface of the display 20, and may
employ a resistive or capacitive method. A touch screen that
utilizes infrared rays or the like may also be used.
[0018] In the case of a resistive touch screen, the touch screen
may include two layers coated with resistive materials and
positioned at a constant interval, with electric currents supplied
to both layers. If pressure is applied to one of the layers,
causing that layer to come into contact with the other layer, an
amount of electric current flowing along the layers may be changed
at the contact point, and a touched point is thus detected based on
the change in electric current. In contrast, in the case of a
capacitive touch screen, the touch screen may include a glass layer
with both surfaces coated with conductive material. Electric
voltage is applied to edges of the glass, causing high frequencies
to flow along the surface of the touch screen. A high frequency
waveform may be distorted when pressure is applied to the surface
of the touch screen. Thus, a touched point may be detected by a
change in the waveform.
[0019] The screen 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be connected to a
controller 40. The controller 40 may control the preparation and
execution of the file list 50 based on a selection determination
made by the detector 30 and the display of various kinds of
information (including the file list) onto the screen 10. The
controller 40 may control not only the display 20, but also the
overall operation of the digital equipment in which it is
installed. Further, the controller 40 may operate the digital
equipment based on the detection results of the detector 30.
[0020] When selecting and executing files, the controller 40 may
skip specific files, or may change an execution order of specific
files. The controller 40 may determine the point and type of the
user's drag and then skip the files included within a range
corresponding to a drag trajectory. The drag trajectory may be set
at a diagonal on a screen. If the drag trajectory is actually a
return trajectory, that is, if the touch is maintained through the
drag, returned to the initial touch point, and then released at the
initial touch point, the detector 30 may change the execution order
of the files included within a range corresponding to the drag
trajectory, and execute the files in the changed execution
order.
[0021] If the drag trajectory is performed in a vertical direction,
the controller 40 may upwardly and downwardly move (scroll) the
file list 50. In this case, the speed and direction of the scroll
may correspond to the speed and direction of the drag. The
controller 40 may continue the scroll until the touch is
released.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a touch screen device
according to an embodiment in more detail. The screen 10 may
include a touch panel or detector 30 and a display 20. The display
may be, for example, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display
(TFT-LCD).
[0023] A touch panel or detector controller 42 may convert a touch
detected on the touch panel or detector 30 to a corresponding
signal. For example, the touch panel or detector controller 42 may
convert a change in an amount of electric current or high frequency
waveform corresponding to an input position on the touch panel or
detector 30 into a digital signal. The display 20 and the touch
panel or detector controller 42 are connected to a main controller
44 and each may operate under the control of the main controller
44. Further, the main controller 44 may be configured such that a
touch type may be detected by extracting a touch point and moving
speed from digital signals input from the touch panel or detector
controller 42, as described above.
[0024] A touch information storage device 45 for storing
information on an execution command based on a particular touch
type may be connected to the main controller 44. The execution
command information stored in the touch information storage unit 45
may be classified by operation mode and may contain execution
commands corresponding to specific touch types.
[0025] Examples of execution commands corresponding to the moving
direction and speed of the touch in a certain operation mode are
shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 <Playback List Selection Mode> Speed 1
S/Cm or 4 S/Cm or Type less 1~2 S/Cm 2~4 S/Cm more Move downward
Move Move Move Move from upper right playback list playback list
playback list playback downward downward downward list at speed of
1 at speed of 2 at speed of 4 downward S/Cm S/Cm S/Cm at speed of 5
S/Cm Move upward Move Move Move Move from lower right playback list
playback list playback list playback upward upward upward list at
speed of 1 at speed of 1 at speed of 1 upward S/Cm S/Cm S/Cm at
speed of 1 S/Cm Move from upper Skip playback list in touched area
left to lower right Move from upper Delete playback list in touched
area right to lower left
[0026] A data storage device 46 for storing a variety of
information, such as, for example, MP3 files and the like, may be
connected to the main controller 44. In certain embodiments, a NAND
memory capable of rapidly and easily storing and reading out a
large amount of information may be used as the data storage device
46.
[0027] A portion of the data storage device 46 may be used as the
touch information storage device 45. However, a separate touch
information storage device 45 may be used. For example, use of a
touch information storage device 45 constructed of, for example, a
NOR memory can provide better, more reliable and stable information
may be advantageous.
[0028] A universal serial bus (USB) port 48 may be connected to the
main controller 44 to provide an interface for modifying data. The
USB port 48 may be connected to an external device such that
partition information and data stored in the data storage device 46
may be updated, deleted, or otherwise modified as necessary.
[0029] The main controller 44 may also have a random access memory
(RAM) 47 for driving the display. In certain embodiments, a
synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) may be used.
[0030] Hereinafter, a method of skipping files or changing the
execution order of the files and a method of scrolling through a
file list will now be discussed with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of skipping execution
files in accordance with an embodiment. First, the system may be
activated as the detector 30 detects a drag, in step S100. That is,
if an execution file list 50 is displayed on the display 10, the
detector 30 may detect the user's drag on the screen. The drag may
follow a diagonal shape where both X and Y coordinates are changed.
That is, when the diagonal drag is performed, the detector 30 may
recognize the diagonal drag as a drag input for skipping files.
[0032] If a diagonal drag is performed, the controller 40 may
identify files included within a range corresponding to the drag
trajectory, in step S200. The range corresponding to the drag
trajectory may be a range included within a rectangle defined by
the diagonal drag trajectory. For example, if the drag is moved
from a coordinate (X1, Y1) to a coordinate (X2, Y2), the range
corresponding to the drag trajectory may be a range including the
interior of a rectangle having four apexes with the coordinates
(X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), (X2, Y1) and (X2, Y2).
[0033] It is noted that, in certain embodiments, as a diagonal drag
is performed and the drag reaches the bottom right corner of the
screen 10, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4A, the file list 50 may
continue to scroll, and the drag may continue further down the file
list 50 to include more files within the range marked by the drag
as long as the touch is not released. In other embodiments,
preferences may be set to limit the length of the diagonal drag to
the diagonal of the screen, thus stopping the related scrolling
action, if so desired.
[0034] Then, the controller 40 may change and display the image of
the selected file(s), in step S300. This change of image may
include changing an appearance of the selected file(s), such as,
for example, colors, fonts, styles of letters, the background
color, and the like. This allows a user to easily confirm whether
the file(s) intended for selection by the user are the same as the
file(s) detected by the detector 30. In certain embodiments, after
the file(s) are selected, the controller 40 may check whether the
drag is released, in step S400. The file skip command may be
executed when the drag is released.
[0035] When the drag is released, a command to skip the files and
execute the next file may be executed. However, before skipping the
files, the controller 40 may check whether a user intends to change
an execution order of the files. If the detector 30 detects that
the drag trajectory is a return drag trajectory, this may indicate
a change in the execution order of the files is desired. Therefore,
the controller 40 may check whether the drag trajectory is a return
trajectory, in step S500.
[0036] If the drag trajectory is not a return drag trajectory, a
command to skip the files selected by the drag may be performed
when the files in the file list 50 are sequentially executed, in
step S510. If the drag trajectory is a return drag trajectory, the
execution order of the files included within the range of the drag
trajectory may be changed, in step S520. As discussed above, the
range of files associated with the drag trajectory may be a range
within a rectangle defined by a diagonal equal to a maximum drag
distance. That is, the rectangle may be a quadrangle with a
diagonal equal to a straight line that connects the start point of
the drag to a point having the maximum X and Y coordinates from the
start point. The change in execution order of the selected files
may be made in various ways. However, the execution order of the
files included within the range may be changed in a reverse order.
If the files are skipped or their execution order is changed by the
drag, the remaining files may be executed as appropriate.
[0037] A method of scrolling through the file list 50 is shown in
FIG. 4. The system may be activated as the detector 30 detects the
user's drag, in step S10. The detector 30 may detect the direction
and speed of the drag at the same time. The drag direction may be
detected by changes in the coordinate(s) of the drag point. The
drag speed may be detected by changes in the coordinate(s) per unit
time. It is noted that, although these drags are illustrated as
vertical drags in the examples shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, it is well
understood that this scrolling may also be done with different
orientations of file lists and associated scrolling action. For
example, vertical columns of file lists may be scrolled from left
to right or right to left using horizontal drags. Likewise,
although the drags are shown at the right edge of the screen, it is
well understood that a drag may be performed at any point within a
prescribed active area of the screen, as long as the corresponding
drag trajectory is followed. For example, the vertical drag
illustrated on the right edge of the screen in FIGS. 5A-5C may also
be done at a center or left edge of the screen 10, as long as the
orientation of the drag remains vertical and the initiation touch
point is within a prescribed portion of the screen.
[0038] If a drag is detected, the controller 40 may scroll through
the file list 50 in accordance with the direction and speed of the
drag, in step S20. In this example, if the drag direction is
upward, the controller 40 may scroll through the file list 50
upward. If the drag direction is downward, the controller 40 may
scroll through the file list 50 downward. The scroll direction may
also be adjusted based on user preferences, such as, for example,
opposite to that which is discussed above. FIGS. 5A and 5B
illustrate an example in which the drag direction and the scroll
direction are opposite to each other.
[0039] As discussed above, the scroll speed of the file list 50 may
correspond to the drag speed. That is, the file list 50 may be
scrolled at a fast speed if the drag speed is fast, while the file
list 50 is scrolled slowly if the drag speed is slow. As the file
list 50 is scrolled, the detector 30 may detect whether the drag is
released, in step S30. If the drag is released, the scroll may also
stop, in step S40. However, if the drag is not released, the scroll
may be continued at the same speed and direction until the drag is
released.
[0040] Operation of the touch screen device in accordance with an
embodiment executed according to the aforementioned method will now
be described.
[0041] FIG. 5A illustrates an operation of skipping files, and FIG.
5B illustrates an operation of changing the execution order of
files, in accordance with embodiments.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5A, if a user touches the touch screen and
drags on the screen in a diagonal direction, a rectangle with a
diagonal corresponding to the drag trajectory may be formed. The
files included within the rectangle are the selected files which
will be either skipped or whose execution order may be changed. The
files selected as such may be displayed in a state in which some
aspect of their appearance on the screen is changed. For example,
background color of the selected files may be changed to easily
identify the selected files to the user. If the user releases the
touch, the selected files may be skipped and the next files
executed. However, if the user does not release the touch at the
end of the diagonal, and instead drags in a reverse direction and
then releases the drag at the initial touch point, the controller
40 may change the execution order of the files included within the
range corresponding to the drag trajectory, as shown in FIG.
4B.
[0043] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an operation of scrolling through a
file list, in accordance with embodiments.
[0044] As a user touches a portion of the screen 10, for example,
one side on the screen 10 as shown in FIG. 6A, and drags in a
vertical direction, the file list 50 also may scroll downwardly or
upwardly. At this time, the scroll speed of the file list 50 may be
proportional to the drag speed. FIG. 6A shows that the file list 50
may scroll slowly since the drag speed is slow, and FIG. 6B shows
that the file list 50 may scroll fast since the drag speed is fast.
As long as the user does not release the touch, scrolling may be
continued. However, if the user releases the touch after the drag,
scrolling may be stopped, as shown in FIG. 6C.
[0045] A touch screen device and a method of selecting files in
accordance with embodiments broadly described herein may provide at
least the following advantages.
[0046] A skip command may be issued by a single drag rather than by
individual, one by one, selection of the files to be skipped. Thus,
a process of reconfiguring the list of files to be executed may be
significantly simplified.
[0047] Further, an execution order of files may be easily changed
by dragging the files on a screen. Thus, a process of selecting
files on the touch screen device, and particularly for changing the
execution order thereof, may also be significantly simplified.
[0048] Additionally, a scroll speed may be changed in accordance
with a corresponding drag speed thus allowing a used rapidly and
correctly locate a desired file. Furthermore, the touch screen
device may identify the type of a user's touch and operates in
accordance with the user's intention, thus providing an intelligent
user interface.
[0049] The touch screen device in accordance with embodiments may
be used in or formed as a display for electronic books, newspapers,
magazines, and the like, different types of portable devices, such
as, for example, handsets, MP3 players, notebook computers, and the
like, audio applications, navigation applications, televisions,
monitors, or other types of devices using a display, either
monochrome or color.
[0050] Embodiments provide a touch screen device and a method of
selecting files, wherein a plurality of files among files included
in a file list may be skipped at one time, or an execution order
thereof may be changed through a drag input on the touch screen.
Further, embodiments provide a touch screen device and a method of
selecting files, wherein the scroll speed and direction of a file
list vary according to the drag speed and direction on a touch
screen.
[0051] In accordance with one embodiment broadly described herein,
there is provided a method of selecting files on a touch screen,
including detecting a drag on a screen, detecting a file list
included within a range corresponding to a drag trajectory, and
skipping files included in the detected file list. In certain
embodiments, the range corresponding to the drag trajectory may be
a range within a rectangle which has a diagonal equal to a straight
line which connects start and release points of the drag with each
other. In certain embodiments, the method may also include
determining whether the drag trajectory is a return trajectory, and
changing an execution order of files in the detected file list if
it is determined that the drag trajectory is a return trajectory.
The detection of the files may be made within a range corresponding
to a rectangle with a diagonal equal to a maximum distance of the
drag trajectory. Further, the files in the file list may be
arranged again in a reverse order.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the method may also include changing
at least one of a size, a color of letter, and a background color
of the file list selected by the drag. Further, the file may be one
of an audio file, a video file, or a graphic file.
[0053] In accordance with another embodiment broadly described
herein, there is provided a method of selecting files on a touch
screen, including detecting a touch and a drag of the touch on a
screen, extracting a direction and speed of the drag, and scrolling
a file list in accordance with the extracted direction and speed of
the drag. In certain embodiments, the method may also include
detecting release of the touch, and stopping the scroll if it is
determined that the release of the touch is detected. The direction
and speed of the drag may be extracted from a touch point and a
release point of the touch on the screen, and a time taken to move
between the two points.
[0054] In accordance with another embodiment broadly described
herein, there is provided a touch screen device, including a screen
unit with a display unit for displaying a file list thereon and a
detection unit for detecting a touch on a screen by a user, and a
control unit for controlling operations of the device in accordance
with the touch on the screen detection by the detection unit. When
a drag is performed on the screen, the control unit may skip files
in the file list included within a range corresponding to a drag
trajectory and executes files next to the skipped files. Further,
the controller may determine whether the drag trajectory is a
return trajectory, and an execution order of files in the file list
within a range corresponding to the drag trajectory may be changed
if it is determined that the drag trajectory is a return
trajectory.
[0055] In accordance with still another embodiment broadly
described herein, there is provided a touch screen device,
including a screen unit with a display unit for displaying a file
list thereon and a detection unit for detecting a touch and drag on
a screen by a user, and a control unit for controlling operations
of the device in accordance with the touch and drag on the screen
detected by the detection unit. The control unit may extract a
direction and speed of the drag and cause the file list to scroll
in accordance with the extracted direction and speed of the drag.
Further, the control unit may detect release of the touch by the
user and stop the scroll if the touch is released.
[0056] In accordance with another embodiment broadly described
herein, there is provided digital equipment provided with a touch
screen device, including a screen unit with a display unit for
displaying a file list thereon and a detection unit for detecting a
touch on a screen by a user, and a control unit for controlling
operations of the device in accordance with the touch on the screen
detected by the detection unit, wherein when a drag is performed on
the screen, the control unit may skip files in the file list
included within a range corresponding to a drag trajectory and
executes files next to the skipped files.
[0057] In accordance with another embodiment broadly described
herein, there is provided digital equipment provided with a touch
screen device, including a screen unit with a display unit for
displaying a file list thereon and a detection unit for detecting a
touch and drag on a screen by a user, and a control unit for
controlling operations of the device in accordance with the touch
and drag on the screen detected by the detection unit, wherein the
control unit may extract a direction and speed of the drag and
cause the file list to scroll in accordance with the extracted
direction and speed of the drag.
[0058] In accordance with embodiments so configured, a plurality of
desired files may be selected at a time such that the selected
files may be skipped or their execution orders may also be changed.
Further, the scroll speed of a file list may vary according to the
drag speed on the touch screen.
[0059] An embodiment may be achieved in whole or in part by a
method of selecting files on a touch screen, comprising detecting a
touch drag on a screen, detecting a file list included within a
range corresponding to a touch drag trajectory of the detected
touch drag, and marking the detected file list for a subsequent
execution action. Detecting a drag on a touch screen may include
detecting an initial touch and a touch movement on the screen,
wherein the drag trajectory corresponds to a direction of the touch
movement. Marking the detected filed list for a subsequent
execution action may include skipping files included in the
detected file list. Also, marking the detected file list for a
subsequent execution action may include changing an execution order
of files in the detected file list.
[0060] Further, the range corresponding to the touch drag
trajectory may be a range defined by a rectangle with a diagonal
equal to a straight line which connects a start point and a release
point of the touch drag. The method may further include determining
whether the touch drag trajectory is a return trajectory, and
changing an execution order of files in the detected file list if
it is determined that the touch drag trajectory is a return
trajectory, wherein the detected file list may be within a range
corresponding to a rectangle with a diagonal equal to a maximum
distance of the touch drag trajectory. Changing an execution order
of files in the detected file list may include rearranging the
execution order of the files in accordance with user preferences.
Also, changing an execution order of the files in the detected file
list may include reversing an execution order of the files included
in the detected file list.
[0061] The method may also include changing an appearance or a
background color of the files included in the detected file list.
Changing an appearance of the files included in the detected file
list may include changing at least one of a size, a letter color,
or a background color of the files included in the detected file
list. Further, the files included in the detected file list may be
one of an audio file, a video file, or a graphic file.
[0062] Another embodiment may be achieved in whole or in part by a
method of selecting files on a touch screen, including detecting a
touch and a touch drag on a screen, determining a direction and a
speed of the touch drag, and scrolling a file list displayed on the
screen based on the determined direction and speed of the drag. The
method may further include stopping the scrolling if a release of
the touch is detected. Further, the direction and speed of the drag
may be based on a touch point and a release point of the touch on
the screen, and a time taken to move between the touch point and
the release point.
[0063] Another embodiment may be achieved in whole or in part by a
touch screen device, including a screen including a display
configured to display a file list thereon and a detector configured
to detect a touch on a screen, and a controller configured to
control operation of the device based on the touch on the screen
detected by the detector, wherein, when a drag is detected on the
screen, the controller is configured to skip files in the file list
included within a range corresponding to an associated drag
trajectory and to execute files adjacent the skipped files. The
controller may be configured to determine whether the drag
trajectory is a return trajectory, and to change an execution order
of files in the file list if the drag trajectory is a return
trajectory. Also, the controller may be configured to determine
that the drag trajectory is a return trajectory if a touch release
point is substantially the same as an initial touch point.
[0064] Further, the controller may be configured to change an
execution order of files within a range in the file list
corresponding to the drag trajectory if the drag trajectory is a
return trajectory. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to
reverse an execution order of files in the file list if the drag
trajectory is a return trajectory. Also, the controller may be
configured to rearrange an execution order of the files in the file
list in accordance with user preferences if the drag trajectory is
a return trajectory.
[0065] Another embodiment may be achieved in whole or in part by a
touch screen device, including a screen including a display
configured to display a file list thereon and a detector configured
to detect a touch and a drag on a screen, and a controller
configured to control operation of the device based on the touch
and the drag on the screen detected by the detector, to determine a
direction and a speed of the drag, and to scroll the file list
based on the determined direction and speed of the drag. The
controller may be configured to detect a release of the touch and
to stop the scroll if the touch is released. Digital equipment may
comprise the disclosed touch screen device. Further, the digital
equipment may be an MP3 player, a PMP, a PDA, a notebook computer,
a mobile communication terminal, or a portable navigation
terminal.
[0066] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0067] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, reasonable
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings and the
appended claims without departing from the spirit of the
disclosure. In addition to variations and modifications in the
component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
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