U.S. patent application number 11/646613 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for touch screen device and operating method thereof.
Invention is credited to Ji Suk Chae, Young Ho Ham, Ji Ae Kim, Yu Mi Kim, Ho Joo Park, Sang Hyun Shin, Kyung Hee Yoo.
Application Number | 20070277124 11/646613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38016762 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070277124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shin; Sang Hyun ; et
al. |
November 29, 2007 |
Touch screen device and operating method thereof
Abstract
A touch screen device and an operating method thereof are
provided. The touch screen device is operated by touching a touch
screen and moving a touch while the touch is maintained on the
screen. A detector detects a touch point and a moving trajectory,
and a controller selects a user command based on the detected touch
point and moving trajectory. Then, when the user releases the
touch, the controller executes the user command. User commands are
classified and stored in a storage device and then executed by the
controller based on operation modes associated with the device. A
variety of user commands may be executed even though not all the
menus are not displayed on the screen at once. Further, a user may
cancel an erroneously entered user command quickly and easily.
Inventors: |
Shin; Sang Hyun; (Seoul
City, KR) ; Chae; Ji Suk; (Seoul City, KR) ;
Park; Ho Joo; (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) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
38016762 |
Appl. No.: |
11/646613 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/863 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04883 20130101;
G06F 3/04886 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/863 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/033 20060101
G06F003/033 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0046717 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a touch screen device for a portable
terminal, the portable terminal having a screen of a prescribed
viewing area in x and y directions, the method comprising:
determining a first initial touch point within a first prescribed
portion of the prescribed viewing area; determining a first moving
touch trajectory in a first direction on the surface of screen, the
first moving touch trajectory being determined based on
x-and-y-coordinates of the prescribed viewing area; determining a
first predetermined command associated with the first moving touch
trajectory; executing the first predetermined command; determining
a second initial touch point with a second prescribed portion of
the prescribed viewing area, the second initial touch point being
different from the first initial touch point; determining a second
moving touch trajectory in a second direction, the second direction
being a different direction from the first direction; determining a
second predetermined command associated with the second moving
touch trajectory; and executing the second predetermined command,
wherein if the first and second moving touch trajectory are in
opposite directions, the first and second predetermined commands
are opposite commands, and wherein at least one of the first or
second commands is executed when the touch is released at an end of
at least one of the first or second moving touch trajectory,
respectively, or at least one of the first or second commands is
executed during the at least one of the first or second moving
touch trajectory.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing a touch
associated with the first initial touch point and the first moving
touch trajectory at a first touch release point and thereafter
executing the first predetermined command.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined command
is to do nothing if the first moving touch trajectory is a return
trajectory in which the first touch release point is substantially
the same as the first initial touch point.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when one or more
menus are positioned along a path of the first or second moving
touch trajectory, sequentially or simultaneously executing the one
or more menus positioned along the path of the first or second
moving touch trajectory.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second
predetermined commands are stored in a storage device and indexed
based on a mode of operation of the touch screen device, the first
and second initial touch points, and the first and second moving
touch trajectory, respectively.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising enlarging and
displaying an image of a selection menu as a touch associated with
the first or second initial touch point and the first or second
moving touch trajectory is positioned on the selection menu.
7. A touch screen for a portable terminal, the portable terminal
having a screen of a prescribed viewing area in x and y directions,
the device comprising: a screen, comprising: a display with a
prescribed viewing area, wherein the display is configured to
display information thereon; and a touch panel coupled to the
display, wherein the touch panel is configured to detect an initial
touch point within a prescribed portion of the prescribed viewing
area, and a moving touch trajectory extending in a direction on a
surface of the display, wherein the direction of the first moving
touch trajectory is based on x and y coordinates of the prescribed
viewing area; a storage device coupled to the screen and configured
to store a command corresponding to the initial touch point and the
moving touch trajectory and an associated operation mode of the
touch screen device; and a controller coupled to the storage device
and the screen, wherein the controller is configured to select a
command from the storage device based on the initial touch point
and the moving touch trajectory, and to execute the selected
command, wherein the controller comprises: a touch panel controller
coupled to the touch pad, wherein the touch pad controller is
configured to detect a touch on the touch panel and convert the
touch into a corresponding signal; and a main controller coupled to
the touch pad controller, the screen, and the storage device,
wherein the main controller is configured to determine a touch type
from the signal generated by the touch panel controller, to
retrieve a corresponding command stored in the storage device, and
to execute the retrieved command.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the storage device comprises: a
data storage device configured to receive and to store a plurality
of executable files; and a command storage device configured to
receive and to store a plurality of commands corresponding to a
plurality of initial touch points and moving touch trajectories for
each operation mode of the touch screen device.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: a random access
memory; and an interface configured to connect the main controller
to an external device.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein the touch panel is configured to
detect a touch release point associated with the initial touch
point and the moving touch trajectory, and wherein the controller
is configured to execute the selected command after the touch panel
has detected the touch release point.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the command executed by the
controller is to do nothing if the moving touch trajectory is a
return trajectory in which the touch release point is substantially
the same as the initial touch point.
12. The device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to
enlarge an image of a menu displayed on the screen as a touch
associated with the initial touch and the moving touch trajectory
is positioned on the menu.
13. The device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to
simultaneously or sequentially execute a command associated with
one or more menus positioned along a path of the moving touch
trajectory.
14. Digital equipment comprising the touch screen device of claim
7.
15. The device of claim 15, wherein the digital equipment is an MP3
player, a PMP, a PDA, a mobile communication terminal, notebook
computer, or a portable navigation system.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] A touch screen device and an operating method thereof are
disclosed herein.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Portable information terminals such as, for example,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players
(PMPs), MP3 players, cellular phones and the like have become
smaller in size. In these smaller terminals, touch screen methods
may be employed in place of conventional key button input methods
so that the touch screen device can function as both an information
display unit and an input unit, allowing users to more easily
select and input information and interface with a computer. If a
user's finger or other such object comes into contact with a
specific point displayed on the screen, a coordinate of the
contacted point can be obtained, and a specific process
corresponding to a menu of the selected coordinate is executed.
[0005] However, the aforementioned technique has the following
problems.
[0006] As described above, to allow for selection and execution of
a corresponding menu in a portable information terminal equipped
with a touch screen, all the available menus should be displayed so
that the menus can be viewed and directly touched. However, this
makes the screen configuration complicated since all the menus are
displayed on the screen at the same time.
[0007] Furthermore, once any icon(s) or file information displayed
on the touch screen is selected, the selection cannot be cancelled.
That is, once the icon or file information has been touched, there
is no way to change or cancel the touching action until the touch
is released. Therefore, if a user has selected a particular menu in
error, the information corresponding to the selected menu is
executed as the touch is released. Accordingly, the user must first
initiate and then terminate the current execution action before
returning again to a menu information list for selection of the
intended menu.
[0008] Additionally, supplemental information is not provided when
a specific menu is selected. Therefore, the user has only the menu
information currently displayed on the screen available when making
a selection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, wherein:
[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of a touch screen device,
in accordance with embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of operating the touch
screen device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with an
embodiment;
[0012] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate operation of the touch screen device
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a playback mode, in accordance with an
embodiment; and
[0013] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate operation of the touch screen
device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a menu selection mode, in
accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Hereinafter, a touch screen device and an operating method
thereof in accordance with embodiments as embodied and broadly
described herein will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0015] 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 14
which may display a variety of menu related information such as,
for example, icons, data, and the like thereon. The screen 10 may
also include a touch panel or detector 12 for detecting a touching
action related to, for example, menu or data selection displayed on
the display 14. When a user touches, or touches and moves
(hereinafter, referred to as `drags`), menus or data with a
touching implement such as, for example, a finger 40, a stylus pen,
or the like, to select the menus or data displayed on the screen
10, the detector 12 may detect the touching or dragging action on
the screen 10.
[0016] The display 14 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), plasma display panel
(PDP), light emitting diode (LED) or organic light emitting diode
(OLED). The detector 12 may be a thin layer provided on a front
surface of the display 14, and may employ infrared rays, a
resistive method, or a capacitive method.
[0017] In the case of a resistive touch screen, such a resistive
touch screen may include two layers coated with resistive materials
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 is changed at
the contact point, and a touched point is thus detected based on
the change in electric current. In contrast, a capacitive 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 is distorted when pressure
is applied to the surface of the touch screen. Thus, a touched
point is detected by a change in the waveform.
[0018] The screen 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be connected to a
controller 20. The controller 20 may access a user command
corresponding to a selected menu as detected by the detector 12, or
data, such as additional information or messages, from a storage
device 30, and cause the command or data to be displayed on the
screen 10. The controller 20 may also control the overall operation
of the digital equipment in which it is installed. The controller
20 may operate the digital equipment according to the detection
results of the detector 12.
[0019] The controller 20 may be connected to the storage device 30.
The storage device 30 may store user commands defined in accordance
with a particular touched point or a particular drag trajectory
(hereinafter, referred to as a `moving trajectory`) to be executed
by the controller 20. The storage device 30 may be divided based on
modes of operation, and user commands may be stored corresponding
to the touched points and moving trajectories. The touched points
and the moving trajectories corresponding to the user commands may
be defined by a user. That is, the user may assign or change
touched points, moving trajectories, and released points
corresponding to the respective user commands based on personal
preference.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates a touch screen
device according to an embodiment in more detail. As shown in FIG.
2, the screen 10 may include a touch panel or detector 12 and a
display 14. The display 14 may be, for example, a thin film
transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), or another type of
display, as appropriate.
[0021] The touch panel or detector 12 may be connected to a touch
panel or detector controller 42 which may convert a touch detected
on the touch panel or detector 12 into a corresponding signal. The
touch panel or detector controller 42 may allow a change in an
amount of electric current or high frequency waveform corresponding
to an input position on the touch panel or detector 12 to be
converted into a digital signal. The display 14 and the touch panel
or detector controller 42 may be connected to a main controller 44
and each may operate under the control of the main controller 44.
The main controller 44 may be configured such that a touch type can
be detected by extracting a touch point and moving trajectory from
digital signals input from the touch panel or detector controller
42, as described above.
[0022] A user command storage device 35 for storing information
related to a user command based on a particular touch type may be
connected to the main controller 44. The user command information
stored in the user command storage device 35 may be classified by
the operation mode and contain a user command for equipment
corresponding to a specific touch type. Description images
corresponding to the commands may also be stored in the user
command storage device 35. The description images may be displayed
to inform the user of the particular user command currently being
executed.
[0023] Examples of touch types and corresponding user commands for
a particular operation mode are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 <Play List Choice Mode> Speed Type
Under 1 S/Cm 1 2 S/Cm 2 4 S/Cm Up 4 S/Cm Transfer from Transfer
play Transfer play Transfer play Transfer play the upper end list
downward list downward list downward list downward on the right at
a speed of 1 S/Cm at a speed of 2 S/Cm at a speed of 4 S/Cm at a
speed of 5 S/Cm side to the lower end Transfer from Transfer play
Transfer play Transfer play Transfer play the lower end list upward
at a list upward at a list upward at a list upward at a on the
right speed of 1 S/Cm speed of 2 S/Cm speed of 4 S/Cm speed of 5
S/Cm side to the upper end Transfer from Skip play list within
touch area the upper end on the left side to the lower end on the
right side Transfer from Delete play list within touch area the
upper end on the right side to the lower end on the left side
[0024] A data storage device 36 for storing a variety of
information, such as, for example, files, and in the example of a
media player, 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 36. A portion of
the data storage device 36 may be used as the user command storage
device 35. However, a separate user command storage device 35 may
be provided. For example, use of a user command storage device
constructed of, for example, a NOR memory can provide better, more
reliable and stable information may be advantageous.
[0025] An interface, such as, for example, 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 user command information and data
stored in the data storage device 36 may be updated, deleted, or
otherwise modified as necessary. The main controller 44 may also
have a random access memory (RAM) 47 for driving the display
device. In certain embodiments, a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
may be used.
[0026] Hereinafter, operation of an embodiment will be described in
detail with respect to FIG. 3. The aforementioned may be applied to
numerous types of digital equipment, including, but not limited to
an MP3 player, PDA, and PMP. However, merely for exemplary purposes
and ease of discussion, an MP3 player will be discussed.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, a touch screen device in accordance with
an embodiment may be operated by touching the detector 12 to input
a command. The detector 12 may detect the touch, in step S100 and,
further, the detector 12 may detect an initial touch point, a
moving trajectory in a case where the touch point moves, and a
point where the touch is released. Accordingly, the detector 12
detects information on the points and moving trajectory and
transmits the information to the controller 20. The touch detected
by the detector 12 may include any type of direct or indirect touch
or contact using an appropriate touching implement, such as, for
example, a finger, a stylus, and the like.
[0028] If the detector 12 detects a touch, the controller 20 may
determine a current operation mode of the touch screen device, in
step S200. The operation mode may be related to a state in which
the touch screen device is currently operating, such as, for
example, menu selection mode, playback mode, record mode, and other
such operating modes. Accordingly, if the operation mode is
detected, the associated images currently being displayed on the
screen 10 are known. After determining the operation mode, the
controller 20 may select a user command stored in the storage
device 30 based on the operation mode and the points and moving
trajectory, in step S300.
[0029] User commands may be classified by the operation mode and
associated points and moving trajectory and then stored in the
storage device 30. Examples of user commands which may be stored in
the storage device 30 for the playback mode are shown in Table
2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 <Playback Mode> ##STR00001##
[0030] Table 2 shows only a few exemplary user commands related to
the types of operations which may be carried out in one particular
exemplary operation mode. However, embodiments may further include
a variety of moving trajectories and corresponding user commands in
addition to the trajectories and user commands shown in Table 2.
Further, the type of moving trajectory shown in Table 2 is shown in
the same way as an actual moving trajectory displayed on the
screen. However, the controller 20 may actually recognize the
moving trajectory using a moving coordinate system.
[0031] Referring to Table 2, if the device is in the playback mode,
the initial touch point is at a lower right portion of the screen
10, and the moving trajectory moves from the lower right portion to
an upper right portion of the screen 10, the controller 20 may
recognize the above action as a user command to turn up the volume
as seen from Table 1 (see also FIGS. 3A and 3B). Thus, the
controller 20 may increase the volume as the drag moves up the
screen 10. Alternatively, the controller 20 may recognize the drag
as a command to increase the volume, but may wait to execute the
command until the touch is released. This option may be set as a
user preference.
[0032] In a different mode of operation, such as, for example, the
menu selection mode, a user command may identify selection menus 50
positioned along a path of the moving trajectory and execute the
selected menus. The menu selection mode may be a mode in which a
list or the like is displayed for selection and execution of
specific functions. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A, if selection
menus 50, such as, for example, "MP3 playback", "Game" and "Data
communication" are positioned along a particular moving trajectory,
the controller 20 may perform a data exchange with a host computer
and also may execute a game such that a user can enjoy playing the
game on the screen while also listening to a selected MP3 file
through an earphone. The controller 20 may execute these selections
sequentially, as they are touched along the moving trajectory, or
these selections may be executed simultaneously upon release of the
touch at the end of the moving trajectory. Again, these options may
be set as user preferences.
[0033] If, for example, the selections are to be simultaneously
executed, then after recognizing the user command, but before
executing the user command, the controller 20 may determine whether
the touch is released, in step S400. The touch screen device may
recognize a user command when the detector 12 is touched, but may
not execute the user command when the touch is released. When the
touch is released, but before executing the user command, the
controller 20 may determine whether the moving trajectory is a
return trajectory in which the initial touch point is essentially
the same as the release point, in step S410.
[0034] If the moving trajectory is a return trajectory and the
initial touch point is essentially the same as the release point,
the controller 20 may determine the touch and drag as an action to
cancel an input entered, for example, by a user in error. In this
instance, the controller 20 may not execute the determined user
command, but instead await a new input. However, if the moving
trajectory is not a return trajectory, and/or the initial touch
point is not the same as the release point, the touch release may
be determined to be normal and, the controller 20 may execute the
determined command, in step S411.
[0035] In alternative embodiments, a user may cancel some, but not
all, of the menus selected along the path of the moving trajectory.
If, for example, a user touches "Play MP3" and "Game" and "Data
Communication," as shown in FIG. 5A, but then decides that only
"MP3" and "Game" should be executed, the user may simply return the
touch to the "Game" icon before releasing the touch. This partial
return trajectory allows a portion of the selected menus to be
executed, while canceling any menus selected in error.
[0036] If the touch is not released, the controller 20 may
determine whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since
the initial touch was detected on the screen, in step S420. If the
touch is not released even after a predetermined period of time has
elapsed, the controller 20 may determine that a request for
additional information related to the user command has been made,
and display a corresponding information image related to the user
command, in step S421. Then, the controller 20 may again determine
whether the touch is released, in step S400. If a predetermined
period of time has not elapsed since the initial touch, the
controller 20 may again determine whether the touch is released,
and execute the user command only when the touch is released.
[0037] An example of the operation of embodiments so configured is
illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D, 5A and 5B Operation of a touch screen
device in the playback mode in accordance with an embodiment will
be discussed with respect to FIGS. 4A-4D.
[0038] First, a user touches the screen 10 with a touching
implement, such as, for example, a finger 40. Other touching
implements, such as, for example, a stylus pen or the like may also
be appropriate. As shown in FIG. 4A, the user touches one side of
the screen 10 and upwardly moves the touch as shown in FIG. 4B.
When the screen 10 is touched or the touch point is changed on the
screen 10, the controller 20 may detect the touch and the change of
the touch point and select a relevant user command. After selecting
the user command, the controller 20 may stand by until the user
releases the touch. As shown in FIG. 4C, the controller 20 may not
execute the selected user command until the user releases the
touch.
[0039] If the user does not release the touch even after the
predetermined period of time has elapsed, the controller 20 may
display additional information related to the user command
indicated by the user's touch and the moving trajectory. In this
example, the type of drag may correspond to a user command to turn
up the volume as illustrated in Table 2, and thus, the controller
20 may display a corresponding information image such as "Volume
Up," as shown in FIG. 4D.
[0040] If the user releases the touch within the predetermined
period of time, the controller 20 may simply execute the user
command. However, before executing the user command, the controller
20 may examine whether the moving trajectory is a return trajectory
and the touch release point is identical to the touch point. By
returning to the original touch point, the user may cancel the user
command. Therefore, if the user recognizes that an erroneous input
has been made while performing the drag action on the detector 12,
the user may merely return the drag trajectory to the initial touch
point with the finger 40 still in contact with the detector 12, and
then release the touch, as shown in FIG. 4E. Therefore, when the
moving trajectory is a return trajectory and the release touch
point is essentially the same as the initial touch point, the
controller 20 may not execute the user command. If the moving
trajectory does not draw a return trajectory and the touch is
normally released as described above, the controller 20 may execute
the selected user command.
[0041] Operation of the digital equipment in the menu selection
mode is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The operating principle in the
menu selection mode is the same as that in the playback mode, but
methods of selecting user commands may be different. That is, the
user command in the menu selection mode is to execute selection
menus 50 existing along the path of the moving trajectory. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 5A, if selection menus 50 such as "MP3 playback",
"Game" and "Data communication" exist along the path of the moving
trajectory, a command to simultaneously execute the three selection
menus 50 may become a current user command.
[0042] Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the selection menus 50 such as
"lyrics information", "progress information", and "playback list"
exist along the path of the moving trajectory in a playback option
selection mode, the user command may be to set a playback option
such that lyrics, an image of the progress state, and a playback
list are displayed when an MP3 file is played back. More
specifically, the touch panel or detector controller 42 may
signalize the touch point and movement of a touch and transfer the
signal to the main controller 44. In this example, the touch type
may include a moving trajectory of the touch. The main controller
44 may determine a touch type, that is, a touch trajectory,
received from the touch panel or detector controller 42 and a
position of a menu icon displayed on the display 14 in a playback
option selection mode, and select all the menus at the points where
the touch trajectory and menu icon position overlap each other. The
main controller 44 may issue a user command to either sequentially
or simultaneously execute the menus selected as such.
[0043] The selection menu 50 selected by the user's touch may be
displayed in an enlarged state so that the user can easily
recognize the selected menu. There are a variety of ways in which
an appearance of the menu images may be changed. For example, if a
plurality of menu images is selected, the selected menu images may
be enlarged and displayed at the moment when a user's touch
overlaps a particular menu image. Alternatively, selected menu
images may be simultaneously enlarged and displayed after all the
user's touches have been completed.
[0044] The operation modes and user commands described above are
merely exemplary in nature, and it is well understood that numerous
other operation modes and user commands may be set and stored in
various ways.
[0045] Additionally, the various touch points and moving
trajectories corresponding to the user commands may be defined by a
user based on personal preferences. For example, menus for
inputting touch points and moving trajectories corresponding to
respective user commands are provided, and the user can input the
touches corresponding to the user commands proposed to the user.
Thus, the touches and moving trajectories input by the user can be
stored and employed in such a way to correspond to the user
commands.
[0046] A touch screen device and an operating method thereof in
accordance with embodiments as embodied and broadly described
herein may provide at least the following advantages.
[0047] A variety of user inputs may be performed according to the
type of touching trajectories on the screen. Thus, it is not
necessary to display all the menus on the screen. Therefore, the
screen configuration may be simplified.
[0048] Further, since a variety of selection menus may be selected
through a single drag, a user does not have to individually touch
each menu in order to select more than one menu.
[0049] Still further, information on the user commands can be
provided to a user, and cancelled, if necessary, before the
selected user commands are executed. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent an erroneous input from being executed.
[0050] 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.
[0051] Embodiments provide a touch screen device and an operating
method thereof in which a variety of user commands may be executed
based on predetermined touch trajectories. Further, embodiments
provide a touch screen device and an operating method thereof in
which a selection may be canceled before specific information is
executed. The selection may be canceled even after the information
has been selected on the touch screen. Furthermore, embodiments
provide a touch screen device and an operating method thereof in
which additional information related to a user command
corresponding to the touch input is provided when a touch is input
by a user.
[0052] In accordance with one embodiment broadly described herein,
there is provided a method of operating a touch screen device,
including detecting a touch point and a moving trajectory on a
front surface of a screen, determining a user command based on the
touch point and moving trajectory, detecting whether a touch is
released, and executing the determined user command when the touch
is released. The method may also include determining an operation
mode of the screen. Further, the method may also include ignoring
an input signal input through the touch screen if the moving
trajectory is a return trajectory and the touch point is identical
to a release point.
[0053] The method may also include displaying information on the
user command if the touch is maintained for a predetermined period
of time after the touch is detected on the screen. The user command
may be classified in accordance with the touch point and moving
trajectory and stored in a storage device. Further, the user
command may be classified and stored in accordance with operation
modes.
[0054] Additionally, when the touch point is positioned on a
selection menu, an image of the selection menu may be enlarged and
then displayed. Also, when one or more menus exist on the moving
trajectory, the user command may be to simultaneously execute the
selection menus on the moving trajectory. Further, the moving
trajectory stored in the storage device to correspond to the user
command may be a value defined by a user.
[0055] In accordance with another embodiment broadly described
herein, there is provided a touch screen device, with a screen unit
including a display unit for displaying information thereon and a
detection unit for detecting a touch point, a moving trajectory and
a touch release point on a screen, a storage unit for storing a
user command corresponding to the touch point and moving
trajectory, and a control unit for selecting the user command from
the storage unit according to the touch point and moving trajectory
and executing the selected command. In certain embodiments, the
storage unit may store a user command corresponding to the touch
point and moving trajectory according to an operation mode.
Further, when one or more selection menus exist on the moving
trajectory, the user command may be to simultaneously execute the
selection menus on the moving trajectory.
[0056] In accordance with another embodiment broadly described
herein, there is provided digital equipment mounted with a touch
screen device, which is operated according to an operating method
including detecting a touch point and a moving trajectory on a
front surface of a screen, determining a user command based on the
touch point and moving trajectory, detecting whether a touch is
released, and executing the determined user command when the touch
is released. In certain embodiments, the user command may be
selected from user commands stored in a storage unit to correspond
to the touch point and moving trajectory.
[0057] Since all the menus do not have to be displayed on the
screen, the screen configuration is simple. Further, since a user
can cancel the touching action and view the information on a user
command to be executed during the touch input by the user, the
convenience can be increased.
[0058] Further, an embodiment may be achieved in whole or in part
by a method of operating a touch screen device, comprising
detecting an initial touch point and a moving touch trajectory on a
surface of a screen, determining a command based on the initial
touch point and moving touch trajectory, detecting whether a touch
is released, and executing the determined command when the touch is
released. The initial touch point and moving touch trajectory may
be detected on a front surface of the screen.
[0059] Further, the method may further comprise determining an
operation mode of the screen. Additionally, the method may further
include determining an operation mode of the screen is done before
determining a command based on the initial touch point and moving
touch trajectory. Also, the method may further comprise ignoring an
input signal input through the screen if the moving touch
trajectory is a return trajectory and the initial touch point is
substantially the same as a release touch point.
[0060] Information related to the command may be displayed if the
touch is maintained for a predetermined period of time after the
initial touch is detected on the screen. The command may be
classified in accordance with the initial touch point and moving
touch trajectory and stored in a storage device. The command may
further be classified and stored in accordance with an operation
mode of the touch screen device.
[0061] Also, the method may further comprise enlarging and
displaying an image of a selection menu when the touch is
positioned on the selection menu. The enlarged image of a selection
menu may be displayed if the touch is held on the selection menu
for a predetermined amount of time. The method may comprise, when
one or more menus are positioned along a path of the moving touch
trajectory, simultaneously or sequentially executing the one or
more menus positioned along the path of the moving touch
trajectory. A command corresponding to a moving touch trajectory
may be defined by a user.
[0062] An embodiment may be further achieved in whole or in part by
a touch screen device, comprising a screen including a display
configured to display information thereon and a detector configured
to detect an initial touch point, a moving touch trajectory and a
touch release point on the display, a storage device configured to
store a command corresponding to the initial touch point and moving
touch trajectory, and a controller configured to select a command
from the storage device based on the detected initial touch point
and moving touch trajectory, and to execute the selected command.
The storage device may be configured to store a command
corresponding to the initial touch point and the moving trajectory
based on an operation mode of the touch screen device. When one or
more selection menus are positioned along a path of the moving
touch trajectory, the command associated with the moving touch
trajectory may be to simultaneously or sequentially execute the one
or more selection menus positioned along the path of the moving
touch trajectory.
[0063] The controller may be configured to execute the selected
command after the release touch point is detected by the detector.
The selected command may be a command to do nothing if the moving
touch trajectory is a return trajectory in which the touch release
point is substantially the same as the initial touch point.
[0064] Digital equipment may comprise the touch screen device. The
digital equipment may be an MP3 player, a PMP, a PDA, a notebook
computer, a mobile communication terminal, or a portable navigation
system. An embodiment may be further achieved in whole or in part
by digital equipment provided with a touch screen device, the
device being operated according to an operating method comprising
detecting a touch point and a moving trajectory on a surface of a
screen, determining a command based on the touch point and moving
trajectory, detecting whether a touch is released, and executing
the determined command when the touch is released.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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 invention. 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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