U.S. patent application number 12/728357 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for method of dividing screen areas and mobile terminal employing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Young Ae Kang, Kang Won Lee, Myeong Lo Lee, Yong Ki Min, Hui Chul Yang, Sung Sik Yoo, Hyung Min Yook.
Application Number | 20100248788 12/728357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43129193 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100248788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yook; Hyung Min ; et
al. |
September 30, 2010 |
METHOD OF DIVIDING SCREEN AREAS AND MOBILE TERMINAL EMPLOYING THE
SAME
Abstract
A method of supporting divided screen areas and a mobile
terminal employing the same are disclosed. The method includes:
generating input signals for one of sequentially and simultaneously
activating a plurality of user functions; activating the user
functions according to generated input signals; dividing a screen
into divided screen areas that correspond to activated user
functions; and outputting functional view areas associated with the
activated user functions to the corresponding divided screen
areas.
Inventors: |
Yook; Hyung Min; (Seoul,
KR) ; Yoo; Sung Sik; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Lee;
Kang Won; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Lee; Myeong Lo;
(Seoul, KR) ; Kang; Young Ae; (Seoul, KR) ;
Yang; Hui Chul; (Seoul, KR) ; Min; Yong Ki;
(Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHA & REITER, LLC
210 ROUTE 4 EAST STE 103
PARAMUS
NJ
07652
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Gyeonggi-Do
KR
|
Family ID: |
43129193 |
Appl. No.: |
12/728357 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61163259 |
Mar 25, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 ;
345/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1415 20130101;
G06F 3/04817 20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101; G09G 2340/0471
20130101; G06F 2203/04803 20130101; G06F 3/0486 20130101; G06F
3/1431 20130101; G09G 2340/0478 20130101; G09G 2340/0414 20130101;
G09G 2340/045 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; G09G 2340/0407
20130101; G09G 2340/0442 20130101; G09G 5/14 20130101; G09G
2340/0464 20130101; G09G 2340/0421 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 ;
345/33 |
International
Class: |
H04W 88/02 20090101
H04W088/02; G09G 3/04 20060101 G09G003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0128711 |
Claims
1. A screen area dividing method for a mobile terminal, comprising:
generating a plurality of input signals for any of sequentially and
simultaneously activating a plurality of user functions; activating
the plurality of user functions according to at least one of the
plurality of generated input signals; dividing the screen into a
plurality of divided screen areas each corresponding to at least
one of the plurality of user functions; and outputting a functional
view area associated with each of the plurality of activated user
functions to the corresponding divided screen area of the plurality
of divided screen areas.
2. The screen area dividing method of claim 1, wherein dividing the
screen into a plurality of divided screen areas is invoked by at
least one of: when a dual menu item that is created for at least
one of divided screen area formation and for outputting functional
view areas associated with menus is activated, performing-- first,
activating user functions in sequence, and generating an input
signal for requesting to make a divided screen area; formation
after activating user functions in sequence; after a first user
function is activated, performing-- generating an input signal for
activating a subordinate function of the first user function, and
activating an event generation function on the basis of one of an
internal and external system event; and generating an input signal
for activating a user function and a subordinate function of the
user function.
3. The screen area dividing method of claim 1, wherein outputting a
functional view area comprises one of: displaying, according to
activation of independent user functions, a functional view area
associated with the independent user functions on the corresponding
divided screen area; displaying, according to repeated activation
of a user function, a functional view area associated with each
instance of the user function on the corresponding divided screen
area; displaying a functional view area associated with a first
user function and a functional view area associated with a second
user function related to the first user function on the
corresponding divided screen area; and displaying a functional view
area associated with a user function and a functional view area
associated with a subordinate user function of the user function on
the corresponding divided screen area.
4. The screen area dividing method of claim 1, further comprising
transitioning between functional view areas on the divided screen
areas according to an input signal.
5. The screen area dividing method of claim 4, wherein
transitioning between functional view areas comprises one of: when
a search view area is output in response to an input signal after
divided screen area formation and a new user function is selected
from the search view area, replacing one of the functional view
areas being output on the divided screen areas with a functional
view area associated with the newly selected user function; and
when a menu view area is output in response to an input signal
after divided screen area formation and a new menu item is selected
from the menu view area, replacing one of the functional view areas
being output on the divided screen areas with a functional view
area associated with the newly selected menu item.
6. The screen area dividing method of claim 5, wherein outputting
the menu view area comprises: resizing each functional view area
being output on the divided screen areas; and displaying the menu
view area among the resized functional view areas.
7. The screen area dividing method of claim 5, wherein, when the
new menu item selected from the menu view area is a dual menu item,
the functional view areas being output on the corresponding divided
screen areas are replaced with functional view areas associated
with the selected dual menu item.
8. The screen area dividing method of claim 1, further comprising
performing function interworking by carrying out at least one of
insertion, search, copy, transfer, and invoking of information
between the functional view areas on the divided screen areas.
9. The screen area dividing method of claim 8, wherein performing
function interworking between a first and a second functional view
area, comprises at least one of: copying an information item
displayed in the first functional view area to the second
functional view area; utilizing an information item displayed in
the first functional view area, carrying out a search in the second
functional view area; finding at least one file listed in the first
functional view area and attaching the found file in the second
functional view area; utilizing an information item displayed in
the first functional view area to one of make a call and view a map
in the second functional view area; moving and saving an
information item displayed in the first functional view area to the
second functional view area; using an information item displayed in
the first functional view area, connecting to a server from the
second functional view area; and moving a list item displayed in
the first functional view area to a selected folder in the second
functional view area.
10. The screen area dividing method of claim 1, further comprising
outputting a dual menu item that combines two items together,
wherein the dual menu item is capable of activating a plurality of
user functions.
11. A mobile terminal capable of supporting divided screen areas,
comprising: a storage unit for storage of a plurality of
application programs realizing user functions; an input unit for
generation of input signals for one of sequentially and
simultaneously activating user functions; a control unit for
activation of user functions according to input signals, and output
of functional view areas associated with the user functions on the
divided screen areas; and a display unit for display of the
functional view areas.
12. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the input unit
performs at least one of: generation of an input signal for--
selection of a dual menu item that is created for divided screen
area formation, output of functional view areas associated with
menus, and request of divided screen area formation after
activation of user functions in sequence; after a first user
function is activated, generation of an input signal to activate a
subordinate function of the first user function; and generation of
an input signal for activation of a user function and a subordinate
function of the activated user function.
13. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the display unit
provides at least one of: display of functional view areas
associated with the independent user functions on the corresponding
divided screen areas according to activation of independent user
functions; display of functional view areas associated with
instances of the user function on the corresponding divided screen
areas according to repeated activation of a user function; display
of a functional view area associated with a first user function and
a functional view area associated with a second user function
related to the first user function on the corresponding divided
screen area; display of a functional view area associated with a
user function and a functional view area associated with a
subordinate user function of the displayed user function on the
corresponding divided screen area; and display of a functional view
area associated with an activated first user function and a
functional view area associated with an event generation function
corresponding to one of an internal and external system event on
the corresponding divided screen area.
14. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the display unit
outputs a search view area containing at least one icon for display
of a functional view area after divided screen area formation, and
outputs a menu view area containing at least one menu for display
of a functional view area after divided screen area formation.
15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the control unit
controls, in response to an input signal for output of the menu
view area, the display unit to resize each of the functional view
areas being output on the divided screen areas and to display the
menu view area among the resized functional view areas, and
controls, when a dual menu item is selected from the menu view
area, the display unit to replace the functional view areas being
output on the divided screen areas with functional view areas
associated with the selected dual menu item.
16. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit
controls an operation through the display unit for output of a
first functional view area and a second functional view area to:
copy an information item displayed in the first functional view
area to the second functional view area; carry out, utilizing an
information item displayed in the first functional view area, a
search in the second functional view area; find at least one file
listed in the first functional view area and attach the found file
in the second functional view area; utilize an information item
displayed in the first functional view area to one of make a call
and view a map in the second functional view area; move an
information item displayed in the first functional view area to the
second functional view area and store the moved information item;
connect to, using an information item displayed in the first
functional view area, a server from the second functional view
area; and move a list item displayed in the first functional view
area to a selected folder in the second functional view area.
17. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the display unit
outputs an icon for generation of an input signal to request
divided screen area formation.
18. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the display unit
outputs an icon for generation of an input signal to return from
divided screen area formation to a full screen format.
19. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the display unit
adjusts the size of the functional view areas displayed in the
divided screen areas in accordance with an input signal.
20. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the display unit
outputs a dual menu item that combines two items together that is
capable of activation of a plurality of user functions.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/163,259 filed Mar. 25, 2009, and also
claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from
Korean patent application No. 10-2009-0128711 filed on Dec. 22,
2009, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal
and, more particularly, to a method and mobile terminal that can
divide the screen into individual divided screen areas and
simultaneously present user functions on the individual divided
screen areas.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, mobile terminals supporting mobility and various
user functions have come into widespread use. To support user
functions, mobile terminals can provide a variety of input means.
For example, a mobile terminal can have a physical keypad for
entering characters and numbers. To support portability, a mobile
terminal can have a limited size. A mobile terminal can have a
touch screen embedding a touch pad, in which case the screen size
can be expanded by removing the keypad. Thanks to advances in
display technology, screen sizes of mobile terminals have been
significantly increased. Hence, there is a need for a method that
enables a mobile terminal to effectively operate a large screen for
user convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a method and mobile terminal
having a screen that can divide the screen into a plurality of
divided screen areas and simultaneously present user functions on
each of the individual divided screen areas according to usage
conditions.
[0007] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a screen area dividing method for a
mobile terminal, including: generating input signals for one of
sequentially and simultaneously activating a plurality of user
functions; activating the plurality of user functions according to
the generated input signals; in accordance with the activated
functions, dividing the screen into corresponding divided screen
areas; and outputting functional view areas associated with the
activated user functions to the corresponding divided screen
areas.
[0008] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal capable of
supporting a plurality of divided screen areas, including: a
storage unit for storage of a plurality of application programs
that implement user functions; an input unit for generation of a
plurality of input signals for one of sequential and simultaneous
activation of user functions; a control unit for activation of user
functions according to the plurality of generated input signals,
and for output of functional view areas associated with the user
functions to be on the plurality of divided screen areas; and a
display unit for display of the functional view areas.
[0009] The present invention provides a divided screen area
function comprising a plurality of divided screen areas such that a
user can execute user functions using divided screen areas in an
easy and effective manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features and advantages of the present invention will be
more apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an external appearance of a mobile
terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary block diagram of
the mobile terminal of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates presentation of user functions on a
plurality of divided screen areas, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate splitting and merging of screens,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate transitions between screens
associated with user functions, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen representation for a first
example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate screen representations for a
second example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a screen representation for a third
example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a screen representation for a fourth
example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate screen representations for a
fifth example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates a screen representation for a sixth
example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates a screen representation for a seventh
example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
are described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The same reference symbols are used throughout the
drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions
of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein are
omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present
invention. Particular terms are defined to describe the invention
in the best manner. Accordingly, the meaning of specific terms or
words used in the specification and the claims should not be
limited to the literal or commonly employed sense, but should be
construed in accordance with the spirit of the invention. The
description of the various embodiments is to be construed as
exemplary only and does not describe every possible instance of the
invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various changes
can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an external appearance of a mobile
terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a block diagram of
the mobile terminal 100.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100
includes a radio frequency unit 110, an input unit 120, an audio
processing unit 130, a touch screen 140, a storage unit 150, and a
control unit 160. The mobile terminal 100 depicted in FIG. 1 is of
a slide type. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto. For example, the mobile terminal 100 composed of an upper
slide body and a lower slide body can be transformed into a bar
type mobile terminal by removing the lower slide body having the
input unit 120. The touch screen 140 with a key map can act as an
input means for the bar type mobile terminal.
[0026] The mobile terminal 100 having the above configuration can
activate a screen area management program stored in the storage
unit 150 in response to a user request, divide the screen into
divided screen areas if necessary, and output functional view areas
related to activated user functions on the individual divided
screen areas. The mobile terminal 100 can support information
exchange between the functional view areas and perform subsequent
operations using the exchanged information. Next, each component of
the mobile terminal 100 is described in more detail.
[0027] The radio frequency unit 110 establishes a communication
channel for voice, video and data communication under the control
of the control unit 160. That is, the radio frequency unit 110
establishes a communication channel for a voice call, a data call
and a video call to a mobile communication system. To achieve this,
the radio frequency unit can include a radio frequency transmitter
for upconverting the frequency of a signal to be transmitted and
amplifying the signal, and a radio frequency receiver for low-noise
amplifying a received signal and downconverting the frequency of
the received signal. For effective operation of the radio frequency
unit 110, the mobile terminal can display various information items
including a phonebook on the display unit 141. If the mobile
terminal 100 is not designed to support mobile communication, the
radio frequency unit 110 can be eliminated from the configuration.
The functional view area related to the radio frequency unit 110
can be displayed on one of divided screen areas. For example, in
response to a signal for one of an outgoing call and an incoming
call requiring activation of the radio frequency unit 110, the
mobile terminal 100 can divide the screen of the display unit 141
into a plurality of divided screen areas, and output a functional
view area related to a user function on one divided screen area and
output a functional view area related to operation of the radio
frequency unit 110 on another divided screen area.
[0028] The input unit 120 includes a plurality of alphanumeric and
function keys for inputting alphanumeric information and for
setting various functions. The function keys can include functions
selected from the group consisting of direction, side, and shortcut
keys associated with specific functions. In particular, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, the input unit 120 can include a touch pad
121 near the display unit 141 on an upper slide body, and a
plurality of key buttons 123 on a lower slide body slidable under
the upper slide body. The touch pad 121 arranged at the touch
screen 140 can generate an input signal corresponding to a touch of
the user and send the input signal to the control unit 160. The
plurality of key buttons 123 are placed on the front of the lower
slide body, and can be arranged in a plurality of forms like a
keyboard. The plurality of key buttons 123 can also be arranged on
a metal keypad.
[0029] The audio processing unit 130 includes a speaker SPK for
outputting incoming and outgoing audio data during a call and for
outputting audio data contained in any of received messages and
stored in the storage unit 150, and a microphone MIC for collecting
an audio signal such as a voice signal during a call. The audio
processing unit 130 can generate a sound alert indicating formation
of divided screen areas and output the audio component of
functional view areas displayed in the divided screen areas. When
each functional view area displayed in the divided screen areas
contains audio data, the audio processing unit 130 can output audio
data related to a particular divided screen area or simultaneously
output audio data related to all the divided screen areas,
according to any of user settings and user selections. The audio
processing unit 130 can not generate a sound alert indicating
formation of divided screen areas according to user settings.
[0030] The touch screen 140 includes a display unit 141 and a touch
panel 143. The touch panel 143 can be arranged on the front of the
display unit 141. The size of the touch screen 140 can depend on
the size of the touch panel 143. For example, the touch screen 140
can be a full touch screen completely covering the front of the
display unit 141.
[0031] The display unit 141 displays at least one of each of menus,
information input by the user, and information to be provided to
the user. For example, the display unit 141 can output a plurality
of screens related to utilization of the mobile terminal 100, such
as any screen selected from the group consisting of an idle screen,
menu screen, message composition screen, and call handling screen.
The display unit 141 can be implemented using any of liquid crystal
display (LCD) devices and organic light emitting diodes (OLED). As
described before, the touch screen 140 including the touch panel
143 can act as an input means. In particular, under the control of
the control unit 160, the display unit 141 can divide the screen
into a plurality of divided screen areas and output functional view
areas related to user functions to the individual divided screen
areas. Outputting functional view areas to the divided screen areas
is described later in more detail.
[0032] The touch panel 143 is installed on the display unit 141,
and can generate a touch event corresponding to a touch on one of a
specific image and item displayed on the display unit 141. For
example, in response to a touch on a displayed instrument image,
the touch panel 143 generates a corresponding touch event and sends
the touch event to the control unit 160. A displayed image or item
can be associated with a user function.
[0033] The storage unit 150 can store any of application programs
related to the present invention, and key maps and menu maps for
the touch screen capability. The key maps can correspond to various
keyboards including any of a 3*4 keyboard and a Qwerty keyboard,
and can include a control key map for controlling execution of an
activated application program. The menu maps can include any of a
menu map for controlling execution of an activated application
program, and a menu map related to the menus of the mobile terminal
100. The storage unit 150 can include any of a program zone and a
data zone.
[0034] The program zone can store any of an operating system (OS)
for booting and operating the mobile terminal 100, application
programs for reproduction of various files, application programs
for call-related functions, a browser for accessing a web server,
application programs for playback of MP3 data, and application
programs for viewing still images and moving images. In particular,
the storage unit 150 stores a screen area management program.
[0035] The screen area management program can be loaded on the
control unit 160 in response to activation of a particular user
function. The screen area management program is a control program
that, when divided screen area formation is requested during
execution of a user function, divides the screen of the display
unit 141 into a plurality of divided screen areas and outputs
functional view areas related to active user functions to the
individual divided screen areas. To achieve this, the screen area
management program can include any of a routine for detecting an
input signal generated during execution of a user function, a
routine for determining whether an input signal corresponds to a
condition preset for divided screen area formation, and a routine
for dividing the screen if the input signal corresponds to a
condition preset for divided screen area formation. The screen area
management program can further include any of an output routine for
outputting two functional view areas related to a user function and
the input signal to the corresponding divided screen areas of the
display unit 141, and an action routine for performing any of
inserting, setting, searching, copying, moving, and invoking one of
a data item in and a data item between the two displayed functional
view areas for information exchange. The output routine can include
any of a subroutine for reformatting the functional view area
related to the user function according to the corresponding divided
screen area, and a subroutine for adjusting the functional view
area related to the input signal according to the corresponding
divided screen area. The action routine is described in more detail
later.
[0036] The data zone is an area that stores data generated by the
use of the mobile terminal 100, and can store any of phonebook
information, at least one icon associated with widgets, and at
least one content. The data zone can store user data input through
the touch screen 140. In particular, the data zone can temporarily
store screen data related to user functions, and descriptive
information regarding divided screen areas after divided screen
area formation in response to a specific input signal.
[0037] The control unit 160 controls supply of power to the
components of the mobile terminal 100 for initialization, and
controls the components to provide a user interface for supporting
divided screen areas and to perform requested operations. In
particular, the control unit 160 controls an operation to demarcate
the display unit 141 into two areas according to properties of
activated user functions, and outputs functional view areas related
to the user functions to the two areas.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, when a first user function and a second
user function, which are independent of each other, are activated
at one of the same time and in sequence, as illustrated in screen
301, the control unit 160 can control the display unit 141 to
divide the screen into two areas, and cause a functional view area
A.App for the first user function to be displayed on one area and
cause a functional view area B.App for the second user function to
be displayed on the other area. The functional view area A.App and
the functional view area B.App can include an image and a text
string depending upon the first and second user functions. For
example, if the first user function is related to music playback,
the functional view area A.App can include a control key map for
controlling music playback and an image depicting the music file
being played back. If the second user function is related to
message composition, the functional view area B.App can include a
key map and a message composition view area for composing a
message.
[0039] When two instances of a user function are activated, the
control unit 160 can control the display unit 141 to divide the
screen into two areas, and cause two functional view areas to be
displayed on the corresponding areas as illustrated in screen 302.
For example, when a first user function being a message composition
function is activated, the control unit 160 can control the display
unit 141 to display one of a message composition view area in a
full screen format and to display a message composition view area
and a key map in a full screen format. Thereafter, when the user
activates a second user function being the message composition
function, the control unit 160 controls the display unit 141 to
divide the screen into two areas, to display a functional view area
A1.App (i.e., resized message composition view area) for the first
user function on one area, and to display a functional view area
A2.App for the second user function on the other area. For another
example, when the user activates an application requiring two Web
connections, the control unit 160 can control the display unit 141
to display a functional view area A1.App as to one Web connection
and a functional view area A2.App as to the other Web connection on
the corresponding areas.
[0040] When related user functions are activated, the control unit
160 can control the display unit 141 to divide the screen into two
areas, and cause two functional view areas to be displayed on the
corresponding areas as illustrated in screen 303. For example, when
the user activates a message composition function first and then
activates a file search function for message composition, the
control unit 160 can control the display unit 141 to divide the
screen into two areas, to display a functional view area A.App as
to the message composition function on one area, and to display a
functional view area LinkA.App as to the file search function on
the other area. Hence, the user can compose a message using the
functional view area A.App displayed on one area and can find and
attach a necessary file using the functional view area LinkA.App
displayed on the other area.
[0041] When a user function is activated first and then a sub
function thereof is activated, the control unit 160 can control the
display unit 141 to divide the screen into two areas, and cause two
functional view areas to be displayed on the corresponding areas as
illustrated in screen 304. For example, when a message search
function is activated for received messages, the control unit 160
can control the display unit 141 to display a list of all received
messages in a full screen format. Thereafter, when a user input
signal is generated to select and view a received message of the
list, the control unit 160 can activate a sub user function for
selecting and viewing a desired received message. Here, the control
unit 160 can control the display unit 141 to divide the screen into
two areas, to display a functional view area A.App as to the
message search function on one area, and to display a functional
view area SubA.App as to the message viewing function on the other
area.
[0042] As described above, the control unit 160 can control the
display unit 141 to divide the screen into different areas, and
cause functional view areas associated with any of independent user
functions, instances of the same user function, related user
functions, and main and subordinate user functions, to be displayed
on the corresponding areas.
[0043] Next, a description is given of divided screen area
formation in connection with FIGS. 4A to 4E.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4A, the user of the mobile terminal 100
can generate an input signal to display a plurality of one of menu
items and widget items. As illustrated in screen 401, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a plurality of menu items on the screen in
response to an input signal. The plurality of menu items can
include a dual menu item, which is to be displayed on divided
screen areas. Here, when a dual menu item is activated, the screen
of the display unit 141 is divided into two areas and two
functional view areas as to two menus are displayed on the two
areas. A dual menu item can be one of created according to design
settings and be created when the user combines two menu items
together. The mobile terminal 100 can provide a special menu that
enables the user to combine two selected menu items together into a
dual menu item. In screen 401, menu items E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L
are a single menu item, and menu items "AB", "CB" and "CD" are a
dual menu items.
[0045] When the user selects a dual menu item "AB" in screen 401,
the mobile terminal 100 can activate application programs related
to the menu items A and B, display a functional view area App.A as
to the application program related to the menu item A on a divided
screen area, and display a functional view area App.B as to the
application program related to the menu item B on the other divided
screen area, as illustrated in screen 403. As described above, the
mobile terminal 100 can provide a feature for setting a dual menu
item and output a functional view area related to the dual menu
item to the divided screen areas.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 4B, when the user generates an input
signal to activate a menu `C` or a function `C`, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a functional view area App.C as to the
menu `C` or function `C` on the screen, as illustrated in screen
411. Thereafter, when the user generates an input signal to
activate a function `A` in screen 411, the mobile terminal 100 can
display a functional view area App.A as to the function `A` on the
display unit 141, as illustrated in screen 413. For example, when
the user activates a Web browser, the mobile terminal 100 can
access a Web server using a preset Web address and display a Web
access view area received from the Web server as illustrated in
screen 411. Thereafter, when the user generates an input signal to
select an item having a link from the Web access view area, the
mobile terminal 100 can display a linked Web access view area on
the display unit 141, as illustrated in screen 413.
[0047] The mobile terminal 100 can provide simultaneous
presentation of two pieces of data related by an event history. For
example, when the user generates an input signal corresponding to
one of a particular key and a touch event like the `Home` key in
screen 413, the mobile terminal 100 can simultaneously output two
functional view areas App.C and App.A to the display unit 141 as
illustrated in screen 415, where the functional view area App.C is
related by an event history to the functional view area App.A. In
this case, the mobile terminal 100 can control the display unit 141
to divide the screen into two areas, and cause functional view
areas to be displayed on the corresponding areas. That is, the
mobile terminal 100 can display the functional view area App.A
(presented immediately before pressing the `Home` key) on the left
divided screen area, and display the functional view area App.C
(presented in relation to the function `C` before the function `A`)
on the right divided screen area. The mobile terminal 100 can move
a functional view area to another divided screen area in response
to occurrence of, for example, a drag event. When the `Home` key is
pressed again during display of divided screen areas, the mobile
terminal 100 can return to the previous screen as illustrated in
screen 413. As described above, when two functional view areas are
related to each other through an event history, the mobile terminal
100 can simultaneously present the two functional view areas on the
divided screen areas.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 4C, when the user generates an input
signal to activate a function `A`, the mobile terminal 100 can
display a functional view area App.A as to the function `A` on the
display unit 141, as illustrated in screen 421. Thereafter, when
the user generates an input signal to activate a sub task of the
function `A` in screen 421, the mobile terminal 100 activates the
sub task, and can display a functional view area A_Main as to the
function `A` on one divided screen area and display a functional
view area A_Sub as to the sub task on the other divided screen area
as illustrated in screen 423. Here, the functional view area A_Main
in screen 423 is one of a resized and a simplified version of the
functional view area App.A in screen 421. The divided screen areas
to which the functional view area A_Main and functional view area
A_Sub are output can be any of fixed, altered, and randomly
determined according to user settings.
[0049] When the sub task A_Sub one of ends and is terminated by the
user, the mobile terminal 100 can output a functional view area
App.A-1 reflecting the result of the sub task A_Sub to the display
unit 141 in a full screen format, as illustrated in screen 425.
[0050] As an example for the case in FIG. 4C, when the user
generates an input signal to activate a message composition
program, the mobile terminal 100 can display a functional view area
App.A (a message composition view area) as to the message
composition program on the screen, as illustrated in screen 421.
Thereafter, when the user generates an input signal for finding an
attached file, the mobile terminal 100 can output a functional view
area A_Sub as to the file search function as illustrated in screen
423. Here, the functional view area App.A (message composition view
area) in screen 421 can be one of resized and changed in attribute
into the functional view area A_Main as illustrated in screen 423.
Thereafter, when the user selects an image in the functional view
area A_Sub and attaches the selected image to the functional view
area A_Main, the mobile terminal 100 can output a functional view
area App.A-1 as to a message with an attached image in a full
screen format as illustrated in screen 425. When the user generates
an input signal for ending file search, the mobile terminal 100 can
return to screen 421. As described above, when a function and
subordinate function are activated, the mobile terminal 100 can
output functional view areas related to the function and
subordinate function to divided screen areas.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4D, the user of the mobile terminal 100
can generate an input signal for activating a function `A`, the
mobile terminal 100 can display a functional view area App.A as to
the function `A` on the display unit 141, as illustrated in screen
431. Thereafter, when an event corresponding to one of a schedule
and a condition is generated, the mobile terminal 100 can activate
an application program for handling the event and output a
functional view area as to the event handling application program
to the display unit 141. Here, as illustrated in screen 433, the
mobile terminal 100 can display the functional view area App.A as
to the function `A` on one divided screen area through resizing,
and display a functional view area Event as to the event handling
application program on the other divided screen area.
[0052] As an example for the case in FIG. 4C, when the user
generates an input signal to activate a function `A` for moving
image playback, the mobile terminal 100 can display a functional
view area App.A as to moving image playback on the display unit 141
in a full screen format, as illustrated in screen 431. Thereafter,
when an incoming call is received, the mobile terminal 100 can
generate an alert for call reception, and output a functional view
area related to call event handling to the display unit 141. Here,
as illustrated in screen 433, the mobile terminal 100 can display
the functional view area App.A as to the function `A` on one
divided screen area, and display a functional view area Event as to
call event handling on the other divided screen area.
[0053] As depicted above, in response to reception of an incoming
call, the mobile terminal 100 can output a functional view area
related to call event handling to the display unit 141. In the case
of a call event, as the user normally grips the mobile terminal 100
and moves it close to the user's face, the mobile terminal 100 can
pause moving image playback and turn off the display unit 141 to
save battery power. When the incoming call is ended, the mobile
terminal 100 can return to screen 431.
[0054] In response to a schedule alert event, the mobile terminal
100 can output a functional view area (an alert message) related to
schedule alert handling to the left divided screen area, as
illustrated in screen 433. Here, as handling of a schedule alert
event is not in conflict with playback of moving images, the
functional view area related to playback of moving images can be
retained. Options for playback of moving images including continue
and pause can be set by the design and changed by the user. As
described above, in response to occurrence of one of an external
and internal event when a functional view area related to a user
function is output in a full screen format, the mobile terminal can
display the functional view area related to the event and the
functional view area related to the user function on divided screen
areas.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 4E, the user of the mobile terminal 100
can generate an input signal for activating a listing function, the
mobile terminal 100 can display a functional view area "List A" as
to the listing function on the display unit 141 and further display
a splitter icon for divided screen areas, as illustrated in screen
441. Thereafter, when the user touches the splitter icon, the
mobile terminal 100 can output a functional view area (items of
List A) related to detailed viewing as illustrated in screen 443.
That is, the mobile terminal 100 can divide the screens, output a
resized functional view area "List A" to the display unit 141, and
output the functional view area related to detailed viewing to the
display unit 141 together with the functional view area "List A".
Here, in the mobile terminal 100, divided screen areas can be
formed in portrait mode as illustrated in screen 445 and screen
447.
[0056] The mobile terminal 100 can provide a "merge" icon for
returning to the previous screen as illustrated in screen 445 or
screen 447. When the user selects the "merge" icon, the mobile
terminal 100 can return to screen 441 or screen 445.
[0057] Hereinabove, a description is given of divided screen area
formation in connection with FIGS. 4A to 4E. Next, transitions
between divided screen areas are described.
[0058] FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate transitions between divided screen
areas associated with user functions.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 5A, when the user activates a file search
function, the mobile terminal 100 can display a functional view
area as to the file search function on the display unit 141. Here,
when the user activates the file search function based on divided
screen areas, the mobile terminal 100 can divide the screen into
divided screen areas and output functional view areas related to
files on the divided screen areas as illustrated in screen 501. For
example, after display of dual menu items, the user can generate an
input signal for selecting a dual menu item. Then, the mobile
terminal 100 can output functional view areas related to the dual
menu item on the divided screen areas as illustrated in screen 501.
Alternatively, as described before in connection with FIG. 4, in
response to activation of a user function, the mobile terminal 100
can output a functional view area related to the user function on
the divided screen areas. The mobile terminal 100 can divide the
screen of the display unit 141 into two divided screen areas, and
output two functional view areas A.App and B.App related to the
selected files on the divided screen areas. The mobile terminal 100
can further output a search view area, which can overlap with the
divided screen areas, on the display unit 141. The search view area
can be output in response to a given touch event occurring when a
functional view area is displayed on the display unit 141, and can
be removed from the display unit 141 after expiration of a preset
time. The mobile terminal 100 can also divide the screen of the
display unit 141 into three areas, and output a functional view
area A.App, a functional view area B.App, and the search view area
on the three areas, respectively. In the search view area, icons
associated with the functional view area being currently displayed
on the display unit 141, and icons associated with other files can
be present. The icons associated with the functional view area
being currently displayed can be highlighted to indicate the files
being selected and output.
[0060] In screen 501, when the user generates an input signal for
selecting an icon App.C, the mobile terminal 100 can output a
functional view area C.App related to the icon App.C to the display
unit 141 as illustrated in screen 503. During this process, the
mobile terminal 100 can replace the functional view area A.App with
the functional view area C.App. To output a new functional view
area, the mobile terminal 100 can identify the oldest functional
view area on display and replace the oldest functional view area
with the new functional view area.
[0061] As described above, to support divided-screen area
transition, the mobile terminal 100 can perform any one or more of
display a separate search view area, select a desired icon in the
search view area, and replace one functional view area being output
with a functional view area related to the selected icon.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 5B, the mobile terminal 100 can also
output a functional view area when the user selects a file in the
search view area. To be more specific, as illustrated in screen
511, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 100 displays functional
view areas A.App and B.App in response to selection of an icon
App.A and icon App.B in the search view area. The user can select
an icon App.C and move the icon App.C to the location where the
functional view area A.App is displayed through touch and drag. The
user can also select an icon App.F and move the icon App.F to the
location where the functional view area B.App is displayed through
touch and drag.
[0063] In response to the user actions, as illustrated in screen
513, the mobile terminal 100 can replace the functional view area
A.App with a functional view area C.App related to the icon App.C,
and replace the functional view area B.App with a functional view
area F.App related to the icon App.F.
[0064] As described above, when the user selects an icon in the
search view area and directly moves the selected icon to a desired
location on the screen, the mobile terminal 100 can display a
functional view area related to the selected icon at the desired
location.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 5C, as described before in connection with
FIG. 4, in response to activation of user functions, the mobile
terminal 100 can divide the screen of the display unit 141 into two
divided screen areas, and output two functional view areas App.A
and App.B related to the user functions on the divided screen areas
as illustrated in screen 521.
[0066] Thereafter, the user can enter the "Home" key provided on
the mobile terminal 100. In response, the mobile terminal 100 can
resize the functional view areas App.A and App.B into functional
view areas `A` and `B` and place the functional view areas `A` and
`B` at preset locations, and can output a menu view area
corresponding to the "Home" key on the display unit 141. That is,
as illustrated in screen 523, the mobile terminal 100 can display
the resized functional view area `A` at a left area on the display
unit 141, display the resized functional view area `B` at a right
area, and output the menu view area related to the "Home" key
between the functional view area `A` and the functional view area
`B`. In screen 523, the user can select a function icon `C` among
at least one function icon in the menu view area and move the
function icon `C` to the functional view area `A` through drag and
drop.
[0067] In response to movement of the function icon `C`, as
illustrated in screen 525, the mobile terminal 100 can replace the
functional view area `A` with the functional view area `C` related
to the function icon `C`. Thereafter, when the user generates an
input signal for tapping a split area in screen 525, the mobile
terminal 100 can remove the menu view area and resize the
functional view area being output to fit in the corresponding split
area of the display unit 141 as illustrated in screen 527. For
example, the menu view area is hidden in screen 527; the functional
view area `C` in screen 525 is resized into a functional view area
App.C fitting in the corresponding split area in screen 527; and
the functional view area `B` in screen 525 is resized into a
functional view area App.B fitting in the corresponding split area
in screen 527.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 5D, the mobile terminal 100 can replace
existing functional view areas with new functional view areas at
once through the menu view area. To be more specific, as described
before in connection with FIG. 4, in response to activation of user
functions, the mobile terminal 100 can divide the screen of the
display unit 141 into two divided screen areas, and output two
functional view areas App.E and App.H related to the user functions
on the divided screen areas as illustrated in screen 531.
[0069] The user can cause a menu view area containing at least one
function icon to be displayed on the display unit 141. To achieve
this, the mobile terminal 100 can provide a special key like the
"Home" key. When the user enters the "Home" key, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a menu view area containing at least one
function icon on the display unit 141 in a full screen format as
illustrated in screen 533. As described before, the menu view area
can include a dual menu item. A dual menu item can be created and
destroyed in a manner selected from the group consisting of
automatically and according to user settings. The mobile terminal
100 can provide a special interface that enables the user to create
a dual menu item.
[0070] When the user generates an input signal for selecting a dual
menu item "AB" in the menu view area illustrated in screen 533, the
mobile terminal 100 can output two functional view areas App.A and
App.B related to the dual menu item "AB" on the divided screen
areas as illustrated in screen 535. Here, when the user selects a
dual menu item in screen 533, the mobile terminal 100 can directly
output a functional view area related to the selected dual menu
item as illustrated in screen 535. Alternatively, when the user
selects a dual menu item in screen 533 and generates one of a given
key signal and touch event for outputting functional view areas
related to the selected dual menu item, the mobile terminal 100 can
output the functional view areas as illustrated in screen 535.
[0071] As described above, the mobile terminal 100 can perform
screen transition according to one of the methods selected from the
group consisting of selection of an icon in a search view area,
movement of an icon in a search view area to a desired split area,
output of a menu view area through rearrangement of divided screen
areas and selection of an icon in the menu view area, and output of
a menu view area through display of divided screen areas and
selection of a dual menu item in the menu view area.
[0072] Hereinabove, a description is given of the configuration of
the mobile terminal 100. A description is also given of divided
screen areas and screen transitions. Next, a description is given
of a plurality of user interactions using divided screen areas with
reference to the drawings.
[0073] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen representation for a first
example of user interaction, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0074] In FIG. 6, user interaction is related to a message
composition view area. The message composition view area can be
displayed on the display unit by any of activating a user menu and
selecting a message composition function through the user menu, and
by entering a given key associated with message composition. For
example, as illustrated in screen 601, when the user selects an
information item registered as "Yun" in the phonebook and activates
a message composition function, the mobile terminal 100 can output
a message composition view area.
[0075] When the user touches a zone 61 reserved for more options as
illustrated in screen 601, the mobile terminal 100 can display an
option view area 63 on the display unit 141 as illustrated in
screen 603. The option view area 63 can include a plurality of
items related to the message composition view area, selected from
the group including "File", "Namecard", "Calendar", "Task", and
"Memo". When the user selects the item "File" in the option view
area 63, the mobile terminal 100 can display subordinates items of
the item "File" on the display unit 141. For example, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a subordinate item view area 65 selected
from the group including "Add multimedia", "Add subject", "Add
attachment", "Save in", "Recipients", "Add test", "Add Cc/Bcc", and
"Sending Options". Here, the mobile terminal 100 can display the
subordinate item view area 65 of the item "File" in an overlay
format on the message composition view area, and arrange the
subordinate item view area 65 and the option view area 63 so that
they do not overlap with each other.
[0076] When the user selects an item "Add Attachment" in the
subordinate item view area 65, the mobile terminal 100 can divide
the screen of the display unit 141 into split areas and output a
first functional view area 62 related to message composition and a
second functional view area 64 related to file attachment on the
split areas as illustrated in screen 605. When the user selects a
folder "Images" in the second functional view area 64, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a listing view area 66 containing a list
of files in the folder "Images" on the corresponding split area as
illustrated in screen 607. Here, display of the second functional
view area 64 can be replaced with display of the listing view area
66. When the user selects specific files "Picture1.jpg" and
"Picture2.jpg" in the listing view area 66 and selects an icon
"Add" for file attachment as illustrated in screen 609, the mobile
terminal 100 can display the message composition view area
containing the selected files on the display unit 141 in a full
screen format as illustrated in screen 611. Here, to clearly
indicate the attached files, the mobile terminal 100 can display a
file attach view area 67 at a region of the message composition
view area. The file attach view area 67 can include information
indicating selected files such as "Picture1.jpg" and
"Picture2.jpg".
[0077] FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate screen representations for a
second example of user interaction, and are related to transferring
information between functional view areas, in an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 7A, the user of the mobile terminal 100
can cause activation of two user functions related to, for example,
Web access and music file playback in one of sequentially and in
parallel by the use of one of a dual menu item and a single menu
item. In response to the user action, the mobile terminal 100 can
activate a Web access function and connect to a server using a
preset address. After Web connection establishment, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a Web access view area 72 for outputting
data provided by the server on one divided screen area as
illustrated in screen 701. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 can
activate a music file player and display a music file play view
area 73 related to the music file player on the other divided
screen area.
[0079] A illustrated in screen 701, the user generates an input
signal for selecting artist information "ABBA" in the Web access
view area 72, extracts the selected artist information "ABBA"
(double tap), and moves the extracted artist information "ABBA" to
a search box of the Web access view area 72 (drag and drop) as
illustrated in screen 703. Then, the mobile terminal 100 can
display the selected information at the search box of the Web
access view area 72 as illustrated in screen 705.
[0080] When the user generates an input signal "Panning" for
shifting the Web access view area 72 at the divided screen area,
the touch panel of the display unit 141 generates a corresponding
touch event and sends the touch event to the control unit 160.
Then, the mobile terminal 100 can shift the Web access view area 72
according to the input signal as illustrated in screen 707.
Thereafter, when the user selects an item "Web search" of the Web
access view area 72 for searching the Web, the mobile terminal 100
can perform Web search using the artist information input to the
search box as a search keyword and outputs Web search results to
the Web access view area 72 as illustrated in screen 709. Here, the
mobile terminal 100 can send a message containing the artist
information input to the search box to a given Web server, and can
receive corresponding Web search results from the Web server
through the radio frequency unit 110 and output the received Web
search results to the display unit 141.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 7B, the user can make an activation
request for a mail check function of the mobile terminal 100. In
response to the user request, the mobile terminal 100 can display a
list of received electronic mail on the display unit 141, and, upon
selection of an electronic mail, output the contents of the
selected electronic mail on a given area of the display unit 141 as
illustrated in screen 711. When the user makes an activation
request for a map viewing function, the mobile terminal 100 can
activate the map viewing function and display a preset map on the
display unit 141. Here, the mobile terminal 100 can output an email
handling view area 73 related to the mail check function on one
divided screen area of the display unit 141, and output a map
viewing view area 76 related to the map viewing function on the
other divided screen area. Here, the mobile terminal 100 can
control the email handling view area 73 and the map viewing view
area 76 to have different sizes. That is, when the user generates
an input signal through the touch pad 121 for resizing at least one
of the email handling view area 73 and the map viewing view area
76, the mobile terminal 100 can adjust the size of at least one of
the email handling view area 73 and the map viewing view area
76.
[0082] As illustrated in screen 711, the user can select a desired
information element of the email handling view area 73. For
example, the user can select address information 74 of the email
handling view area 73 in a plurality of ways. That is, when the
user drags a region where the address information 74 is output and
when a block covering the address information 74 is set, the user
can select the address information 74 by tapping the block. After
selecting the address information 74, the user can move the address
information 74 to the map viewing view area 76 by dragging.
[0083] Then, the mobile terminal 100 can execute the map viewing
function using the address information 74 transferred from the
email handling view area 73 to the map viewing view area 76, and
output the map of the geographical region indicated by the address
information 74 at a given scale on the map viewing view area 76 as
illustrated in screen 713. In other words, the mobile terminal 100
can treat the address information 74 transferred from the email
handling view area 73 to the map viewing view area 76 as a search
word, and invoke the map viewing function on the basis of the
address information 74. Then, the mobile terminal 100 can adjust
the scale of the map of the geographical region indicated by the
address information 74 at a preset value, and display the
scale-adjusted map on the map viewing view area 76. Here, the size
of the email handling view area 73 and the map viewing view area 76
can be adjusted according to one of an input signal from the input
unit 120 and according to a touch event from the touch screen 140.
For example, the boundary region between the email handling view
area 73 and the map viewing view area 76 can be moved upwards or
downwards according to a touch and drag event, and the email
handling view area 73 and the map viewing view area 76 can be
adjusted in size according to movement of the boundary region. In
response to size adjustment of a view area, one of additional
information can be displayed in the view area, and a portion of
information displayed on the view area can be hidden.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 7C, when the user make an electronic mail
request, the mobile terminal 100 can activate an electronic mail
function and output a list of electronic mail. Thereafter, when the
user selects a specific electronic mail, the mobile terminal 100
can output the contents of the selected electronic mail to the
email handling view area 75 on the display unit 141 as illustrated
in screen 721. When the user generates an input signal for making a
call while the electronic mail function is activated, the mobile
terminal 100 can output a dialing view area 77 for call making on
the display unit 141.
[0085] The user can generate an input signal for selecting specific
information such as a phone number 78 in the email handling view
area 75. That is, the user can select the phone number 78 in the
email handling view area 75 by dragging or tapping. After selecting
the phone number 78, the user can transfer the phone number 78 to
the dialing view area 77 by dragging.
[0086] Then, the mobile terminal 100 can display the phone number
78 transferred by the user in the dialing view area 77 as depicted
by screen 723. Thereafter, the mobile terminal 100 can one of
automatically make a call using the phone number 78, and can make a
call using a newly dialed pone number, if present.
[0087] As described above, the mobile terminal 100 can output a
plurality of functional view areas on divided screen areas of the
display unit 141 according to a user request. The mobile terminal
100 enables the user to select an information item displayed on a
first functional view area and to move the selected information
item to a second functional view area, and invokes the function
associated with the second functional view area using the
transferred information item. In the case of the example
illustrated in FIG. 7B, the user transfers the address information
74 to the map viewing view area 76. When the address information 74
does not match geographical information stored in the storage unit
150, the mobile terminal 100 can output a message indicating "not
found". In the case of FIG. 7C, the user transfers the phone number
78 to the dialing view area 77. When the phone number 78 is wrong
due to the presence of one of a special character and other invalid
character, the mobile terminal 100 can output an error message
indicating such a situation.
[0088] FIG. 8 illustrates a screen representation for a third
exemplary embodiment of user interaction according to the present
invention that is embodies copying and transferring information
between functional view areas.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 8, when the user generates an input signal
for activating a Web access function, the mobile terminal 100 can
activate the Web access function. Here, the mobile terminal 100 can
connect to a server using one of a preset address and an input
address, and display a Web access view area 81 for outputting data
provided by the server on the display unit 141 as illustrated in
screen 801. When the user generates an input signal for activating
a memo function, the mobile terminal 100 can divide the screen of
the display unit 141 into split areas, display the Web access view
area 81 on one split area, and display a memo function view area 82
on the other split area.
[0090] When the user generates an input signal for activating a
memo create function in the memo function view area 82, the mobile
terminal 100 can output a memo writing view area 83 on the display
unit 141 as illustrated in screen 803. To achieve this, the mobile
terminal 100 can provide one of a menu item for memo writing and
output a memo writing icon to the memo function view area 82, as
illustrated in screen 801.
[0091] When the user selects an information item displayed in the
Web access view area 81 and transfers the selected information item
to the memo writing view area 83, as illustrated in screen 805, the
mobile terminal 100 can display the transferred information item in
the memo writing view area 83 as illustrated in screen 807. Here,
the user can select a piece of information in the Web access view
area 81 by generating a touch drag event.
[0092] Thereafter, as illustrated in screen 807, the mobile
terminal 100 can display a color selection bar 85 to enable the
user to set the color of the memo writing view area 83. When the
user selects a color of the color selection bar 85 through a tap,
the mobile terminal 100 can set the color of the memo writing view
area 83 to the selected color as illustrated in screen 809. When
the user selects a "save" icon of the memo writing view area 83,
the mobile terminal 100 can return to the memo function view area
82 as illustrated in screen 811. Here, the memo function view area
82 includes a new memo 86 written by the memo writing function.
[0093] FIG. 9 illustrates a screen representation for a fourth
exemplary embodiment of user interaction according to the present
invention of file transfer between functional view areas.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 9, when the user generates an input signal
for activating a file search function, the mobile terminal 100 can
display a first file search view area 91 on the display unit 141 as
illustrated in screen 901. When the user generates an input signal
for activating another file search function, the mobile terminal
100 can divide the screen of the display unit 141 into split areas,
display the first file search view area 91 on one split area, and
display a second file search view area 92 related to the file
search function activated later on the other split area.
[0095] When the user selects an item "Images" in the second file
search view area 92, the mobile terminal 100 can display a first
listing view area 93 containing subordinate items of the selected
item "Images" including any of "User Folder 1", "User Folder 2",
"Picture1.jpg", "Picture2.jpg" and "Picture3.jpg" as illustrated in
screen 903. When the user selects a folder item "User Folder 1" in
the first listing view area 93, the mobile terminal 100 can display
a second listing view area 94 containing subordinate items of the
selected folder item "User Folder 1" as illustrated in screen 905.
The second listing view area 94 can contain items including any of
"Father.jpg", "Kathy.jpg", "Sea.jpg", "Fed Flower.jpg", and
"Cute.jpg". The user can generate an input signal for moving a
selected item in the second listing view area 94 to a folder item
"Family" in the first file search view area 91. For example, the
user can generate an input signal for selecting an item
"Father.jpg" in the second listing view area 94 and for moving the
selected item to the folder item "Family" in the first file search
view area 91 through drag. Then, the mobile terminal 100 can move
the selected item "Father.jpg" from the folder "User Folder 1"
displayed in the first listing view area 93 to the folder "Family"
displayed in the first file search view area 91 as illustrated in
screen 907. The mobile terminal 100 can then remove the item
"Father.jpg" from the folder "User Folder 1" (i.e. from the second
listing view area 94).
[0096] FIG. 10 illustrates a screen representation for a fifth
exemplary of user interaction according to the present invention,
of interworking between functional view areas supporting Web
access.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 10, when the user generates an input
signal for activating a Web access function, the mobile terminal
100 can connect to a Web server using one of a preset address and
an input address and display a Web access view area for outputting
data provided by the Web server on the display unit 141. When the
user generates an input signal for activating the "Twitter"
function, the mobile terminal 100 can connect to a Twitter server
and display a Twitter view area for outputting data provided by the
Twitter server on the display unit 141. Hence, as illustrated in
screen 1001, the mobile terminal 100 can display a Web access view
area 101 and a Twitter view area 102 on corresponding divided
screen areas of the display unit 141.
[0098] The user can browse news in the Web access view area 101 by
generating a touch event such as a tap. For example, when the user
selects a link "Health care", the mobile terminal 100 can send the
link selection information to the Web server, receive a news item
related to "Health care" from the Web server, and output the
received news item in the Web access view area 101, as illustrated
in screen 1003.
[0099] As illustrated in screen 1005, when the user select an
update field 103 in the Twitter view area 102, the mobile terminal
100 can allow the user to enter an input in the update field 103.
That is, the user can generate an input signal for entering a text
string "Health care yahoe news is here!" in the update field 103 as
illustrated in screen 1007. The user can generate an input signal
for selecting, for example, a URL address 104 displayed in the Web
access view area 101 through a double tap, and for entering the
selected URL address 104 in the update field 103 of the access view
area 102 through a drag event, as illustrated in screen 1009.
[0100] The mobile terminal 100 can enter both the text string
(screen 1005) and the URL address 104 (screen 1009) in the update
field 103 as illustrated in screen 1011. Thereafter, when the user
generates an input signal for uploading the input information to
the Twitter server, the mobile terminal 100 can upload the input
information to the Twitter server.
[0101] In FIG. 10, information obtained from the Web access view
area is applied to the Twitter view area. Information obtained from
the Twitter view area can also be applied to the Web access view
area as described below in connection with FIG. 11.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 11, when the user activates a Web access
function and a Twitter function, the mobile terminal 100 can
display a Twitter view area 102 and a Web access view area 101 on
the corresponding divided screen areas of the display unit 141 as
illustrated in screen 1101.
[0103] When the user generates an input signal (a touch event) for
selecting, for example, a URL address 104 displayed in the Twitter
view area 102, the mobile terminal 100 can display Web data
received from a Web server indicated by the URL address 104 in the
Web access view area 101 as illustrated in screen 1103.
[0104] FIG. 12 illustrates a screen representation for a sixth
exemplary embodiment of user interaction according to the present
invention, of interaction between a file search function and a
twitter function.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 12, when the user generates an input
signal for selecting a file search function, the mobile terminal
100 can display a file search view area 1211 related to the file
search function on the display unit 141. When the user generates an
input signal for activating the Twitter function, the mobile
terminal 100 can connect to a given Twitter server and display a
Twitter view area 1213 for outputting data provided by the Twitter
server on the display unit 141. Hence, as illustrated in screen
1201, the mobile terminal 100 can display the file search view area
1211 and the Twitter view area 1213 on the corresponding divided
screen areas of the display unit 141.
[0106] When the user generates an input signal for selecting, for
example, a folder "Images", the mobile terminal 100 can display on
the display unit 141 a listing view area 1215 containing
subordinate items of the folder "Images" including any of
"Father.jpg", "kathy.jpg", "Sea.jpg", "Red flower.jpg" and
"cute.jpg", as illustrated in screen 1203. When the user generates
an input signal for selecting, for example, an item "Father.jpg"
and moving the item "Father.jpg" to an upload field 1216 of the
Twitter view area 1213, the mobile terminal 100 can enter the item
"Father.jpg" in the upload field 1216 of the Twitter view area 1213
as illustrated in screen 1205. Here, the mobile terminal 100
notifies the user of the upload file by outputting information on
the uploaded file (i.e., "Father.jpg").
[0107] Thereafter, in response to a sending request, the mobile
terminal 100 can transmit the upload file to the Twitter
server.
[0108] FIG. 13 illustrates a screen representation for a seventh
exemplary embodiment of user interaction according to the present
invention for a Twitter function with divided screen areas.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 13, when the user generates an input
signal for activating the "Twitter" function, the mobile terminal
100 can connect to a Twitter server using a preset Twitter address
and display a Twitter view area 301 for outputting data provided by
the Twitter server on the display unit 141. The Twitter view area
301 can contain a list of messages registered with the Twitter
server. Here, the mobile terminal 100 can provide a menu containing
one of an icon and a key for generating an input signal for
activating the Twitter function to permit the user to utilize the
Twitter function.
[0110] As illustrated in screen 1301, the mobile terminal 100 can
display a "Splitter" icon for divided screen area formation at a
corner of the screen. When the user generates an input signal for
selecting the "Splitter" icon (through a tap), the mobile terminal
100 can divide the screen into divided screen areas and display a
first Twitter view area 302 and a second Twitter view area 303 in
the corresponding divided screen areas as illustrated in screen
1303. Here, the first Twitter view area 302 can be a resized
version of the Twitter view area 301 illustrated in screen 1301,
and the second Twitter view area 303 can be a viewing view area
related to a message selected by one of a preset default and the
user in the first Twitter view area 302. Thus, when the user
generates an input signal for selecting another message in the
first Twitter view area 302, the mobile terminal 100 can output the
contents of the newly selected message to the second Twitter view
area 303 as illustrated in screen 1305.
[0111] As illustrated in screen 1305, when the user generates an
input signal for deleting the selected message by selecting a
"Delete" icon in the first Twitter view area 302, the mobile
terminal 100 can delete the selected message and update the first
Twitter view area 302 by deleting the selected message.
[0112] As illustrated in screen 307, the mobile terminal 100 can
display a "Merge" icon at a corner of the display unit 141 for
returning to a full screen format. When the user generates an input
signal for selecting the "Merge" icon, the mobile terminal 100 can
end divided screen area formation and enlarge the first Twitter
view area 302 into the Twitter view area 301 as illustrated in
screen 1309. With enlargement, existing images and text in the
first Twitter view area 302 can be expanded and new images and text
can be added to the Twitter view area 301.
[0113] Hereinabove, a description is given of the method of
supporting divided screen areas. When user functions are activated
in response to user input signals, the screen is divided into
divided screen areas on the basis of the properties of the user
functions, temporal relations between the user functions, and
explicit requests for divided screen area formation, and functional
view areas including view areaa first and second functional view
area are displayed on the corresponding divided screen areas.
[0114] In the above description, several exemplary forms of user
interaction according to the present invention are illustrated and
described. However, the present invention is not limited to these.
For an effective user interface, additional forms of user
interaction including automatic transition between the divided
screen areas and the full screen can also be supported according to
one of the design and user settings.
[0115] Although not shown, if necessary, the mobile terminal 100
can further include at least one of a short-range communication
module for short-range communication, a camera module for capturing
still and moving images of a target object, a data communication
interface based on wired and wireless communication, an Internet
communication module for Internet access, and a digital broadcast
receiving module. With the digital convergence trend, it should be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the mobile terminal 100
of the present invention can further include a unit comparable to
the above-described units, and one unit of the mobile terminal 100
can be one of removed and replaced with another unit.
[0116] The mobile terminal of the present invention can be a
touch-enabled device, and can be any information and communication
appliance and multimedia appliance, including any of a mobile
communication terminal, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a music player like an MP3
player, a portable game console, a smart phone, a notebook
computer, or a handheld computer.
[0117] The above-described methods according to the present
invention can be realized in hardware or as software or computer
code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, a
RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or
downloaded over a network, so that the methods described herein can
be executed by such software using a general purpose computer, or a
special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as
an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer,
the processor or the programmable hardware include memory
components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive
software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the
computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods
described herein.
[0118] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that
many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept
herein described, which can occur to those skilled in the art, will
still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in the appended claims.
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