U.S. patent application number 14/105735 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for method for controlling display of multiple objects depending on input related to operation of mobile terminal, and mobile terminal therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Min-Ju KIM, Ho-Young LEE, Ji-Young MOON.
Application Number | 20140245234 14/105735 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50159070 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140245234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Ho-Young ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY OF MULTIPLE OBJECTS DEPENDING ON
INPUT RELATED TO OPERATION OF MOBILE TERMINAL, AND MOBILE TERMINAL
THEREFOR
Abstract
A method of controlling a display of a plurality of objects
according to an input related to operation of a mobile terminal is
provided. The method includes changing, if an input related to
operation of the mobile terminal is received when a layout
including a plurality of areas in which a plurality of objects are
respectively displayed is displayed, one or more of the plurality
of areas corresponding to the input related to the operation of the
mobile terminal, and displaying a layout including the changed
areas. The input related to the operation of the mobile terminal
may be a motion of the mobile terminal, a user's breath, or a
gesture. If an input related to operation of the mobile terminal is
detected while one of the areas constituting the layout is being
touched, the remaining areas except for the touched area are
rearranged.
Inventors: |
LEE; Ho-Young; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Min-Ju; (Seoul, KR) ; MOON;
Ji-Young; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
50159070 |
Appl. No.: |
14/105735 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/863 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0346 20130101;
G06F 2203/0381 20130101; G06F 2200/1637 20130101; G06F 3/017
20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; G06F 2203/011 20130101; G06F 1/1694
20130101; G06F 3/0487 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 3/04886
20130101; G06F 2203/04803 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/863 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/01 20060101
G06F003/01; G06F 3/0488 20060101 G06F003/0488 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0019508 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a display of a plurality of objects
according to an input related to operation of a mobile terminal,
the method comprising: displaying a layout including a plurality of
areas in which a plurality of objects are respectively displayed;
receiving the input related to the operation of the mobile
terminal; changing one or more areas of the plurality of areas
corresponding to the input related to the operation of the mobile
terminal; and displaying a layout including the changed areas.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input related to the
operation of the mobile terminal is at least one of a motion of the
mobile terminal, a user's breath, and a gesture.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: detecting a
reciprocating motion direction corresponding to at least one of an
up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a diagonal direction
of the mobile terminal if the input related to the operation of the
mobile terminal is a motion of the mobile terminal
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the changing of the areas
corresponding to the input related to the operation of the mobile
terminal comprises changing one or more areas of the plurality of
areas corresponding to the reciprocating motion direction.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether
one of the plurality of areas is touched; determining whether the
input related to the operation of the mobile terminal is received
while the touch is maintained; and rearranging the remaining areas
except for the touched area if the input related to the operation
of the mobile terminal is received while the touch is
maintained.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: searching for one or
more objects associated with an object belonging to the touched
area based on a property of the object if the input related to the
operation of the mobile terminal is received while the touch is
maintained; and displaying a layout in which the found objects are
respectively displayed in the remaining areas.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: if the object
belonging to the touch area is a portrait, searching for pictures
associated with a person appearing on the portrait are, and
respectively displaying the found pictures in the remaining
areas.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the layout
including the changed areas comprises arranging the plurality of
objects on the changed areas in consideration of the properties of
the objects, the properties regarding the horizontal and vertical
formats of the objects.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the layout
including the changed areas comprises moving an object displayed on
a largest area among the plurality of objects to a smallest area
and moving an object displayed on the smallest area to the largest
area.
10. The method of claim 3, further comprising: determining whether
a number of one or more reciprocating motions of the mobile
terminal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number if the
direction of the reciprocating motions of the mobile terminal is
determined; and adding a predetermined number of areas to areas
constituting a layout of a current page if the number of the
reciprocating motions is equal to or greater than the predetermined
number.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined number of
areas is a predetermined number of areas constituting a layout of a
next page.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying an icon
for adjusting a number of the plurality of areas if a request for
adjusting the number of the areas is received; and adding/removing
one or more areas to/from the plurality of areas if an input
related to operation of the mobile terminal is received while the
icon for adjusting the number of the areas is touched.
13. A mobile terminal for controlling a display of a plurality of
objects according to an input related to operation of the mobile
terminal, the mobile terminal comprising: a display unit configured
to display a layout including a plurality of areas in which the
plurality of objects are respectively displayed; a sensor module
configured to detect the input related to the operation of the
mobile terminal; and a controller configured to change one or more
areas of the plurality of areas corresponding to the input related
to the operation of the mobile terminal, and to control the display
unit to display a layout including the changed areas.
14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the input related to
the operation of the mobile terminal is at least one of a motion of
the mobile terminal, a user's breath, and a gesture.
15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the sensor module
comprises at least one of a motion sensor for detecting the motion
of the mobile terminal, a breath detection sensor for detecting the
user's breath, and a camera sensor for sensing the gesture.
16. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the sensor module
detects a reciprocating motion direction corresponding to at least
one of an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a diagonal
direction of the mobile terminal.
17. The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the controller changes
one or more areas of the plurality of areas corresponding to a
reciprocating motion direction detected through the sensor
module.
18. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the controller
determines whether any one of the plurality of areas is selected,
and rearranges the remaining areas except for the selected area if
an input related to the mobile terminal is detected through the
sensor module while the selection is maintained.
19. The mobile terminal of claim 18, wherein if the input related
to the operation of the mobile terminal is detected through the
sensor module while the selection is maintained, the controller
searches for objects associated with an object belonging to the
selected area based on a property of the selected area, and
controls the display unit to display a layout in which the found
objects are respectively displayed in the remaining areas.
20. The mobile terminal of claim 19, wherein if the object
belonging to the selected area is a portrait, the controller
searches for pictures associated with a person appearing on the
portrait, and then controls the display unit to display the found
pictures in the remaining areas, respectively.
21. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the controller
arranges the plurality of objects on the changed areas in
consideration of the properties of the objects, the properties
regarding the horizontal and vertical formats of the objects.
22. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the controller moves
an object displayed on a largest area among the plurality of
objects to a smallest area and moves an object displayed on the
smallest area to the largest area.
23. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller
determines whether the number of one or more reciprocating motions
of the mobile terminal detected through the sensor module is equal
to or greater than a predetermined number, and adds a predetermined
number of areas to areas constituting a layout of a current page if
the number of the reciprocating motions is equal to or greater than
the predetermined number.
24. The mobile terminal of claim 23, wherein the predetermined
number of areas is a predetermined number of areas constituting a
layout of a next page.
25. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the controller
displays an icon for adjusting the number of the plurality of areas
if a request for adjusting the number of the areas is received, and
adds/removes one or more areas to/from the plurality of areas if an
input related to operation of the mobile terminal is detected while
the icon for adjusting the number of the areas is selected.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Feb. 22, 2013
in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.
10-2013-0019508, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and
method for managing a plurality of objects that are displayed on a
touch screen. More particularly, the present invention relates to
an apparatus and method for allowing a user of a mobile terminal to
easily change a display of a plurality of objects on a touch screen
according to a motion of the mobile terminal
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A touch screen with a touch panel mounted on a display
device displays images and allows a user to easily input commands
without using a keyboard or a mouse. The touch screen has been
widely used in various electronic devices, such as a mobile
terminal, a navigation system, a TV, Automated Teller Machines
(ATMs), a Point-Of-Sale (POS) system, and the like.
[0006] For example, with the variety of services and additional
functions that can be provided by mobile terminals, many recent
mobile terminals provide a Graphic User Interface (GUI) based on a
touch screen.
[0007] In order to raise the effective value of such mobile
terminals and meet users' needs, various applications executable in
mobile terminals are being developed.
[0008] A mobile terminal can store basic applications developed by
the mobile terminal's manufacturing company, as well as additional
applications downloaded from application sales web sites through
the Internet, and execute the applications.
[0009] Accordingly, a mobile terminal, such as the latest smart
phone, tablet PC, and the like, stores at least hundreds of
applications, and shortcut keys for executing the applications
individually are displayed in the form of icons on the touch screen
of the mobile terminal. A user can touch one of the icons displayed
on the touch screen of a mobile terminal to thus execute a desired
application on the mobile terminal. Various visual objects, such as
widgets, pictures, document, etc., other than the shortcut keys,
may also be displayed on the touch screen of the mobile
terminal.
[0010] However, as the number of such various visual objects
increases, another issue arises. The number of objects that can be
displayed on the small screen of a mobile terminal is limited
although the mobile terminal stores many visual objects.
[0011] Accordingly, due to the spatial limitation of a display
screen, there is a need for classifying and arranging visual
objects that can be displayed on the screen. However, arranging the
components of a layout at regular intervals is insufficient, and it
is necessary for a user to be able to conveniently manage visual
objects displayed on the screen of a mobile terminal, such as
editing, moving, or deleting the visual objects. According to the
related art, when a user wants to change a display of objects, the
user should convert the screen of his/her mobile terminal into an
Edit environment, and input commands for deleting or correcting
objects, which causes onerousness and inconvenience and requires a
long time for editing.
[0012] The above information is presented as background information
only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No
determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to
whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with
regard to the present invention.
[0013] The above information is presented as background information
only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No
determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to
whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with
regard to the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the
above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at
least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the
present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for
allowing a user to conveniently change the components of a layout
in which a plurality of objects are arranged according to his/her
desired pattern.
[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus and method for easily controlling an arrangement of a
plurality of objects and a display of a layout in which the objects
are arranged according to a motion of a mobile terminal.
[0016] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method of controlling a display of a plurality of objects according
to an input related to operation of a mobile terminal is provided.
The method includes displaying a layout including a plurality of
areas in which a plurality of objects are respectively displayed,
receiving the input related to the operation of the mobile
terminal, changing one or more areas of the plurality of areas
corresponding to the input related to the operation of the mobile
terminal, and displaying a layout including the changed areas.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a mobile terminal for controlling a display of a plurality of
objects according to an input related to operation of the mobile
terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a display unit
configured to display a layout including a plurality of areas in
which the plurality of objects are respectively displayed, a sensor
module configured to detect the input related to the operation of
the mobile terminal, and a controller configured to change one or
more of the plurality of areas corresponding to the input related
to the operation of the mobile terminal, and to control the display
unit to display a layout including the changed areas.
[0018] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with
the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of
certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of changing areas
constituting a layout in a mobile terminal according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 5A through 8B show examples for explaining a process
in which areas constituting a layout change according to directions
of reciprocating motions of a mobile terminal according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 9A to 9D show examples for explaining a process in
which areas constituting a layout change according to a breath
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 10A to 11D are views for explaining an arrangement
rule of a layout according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a method of changing
areas constituting a layout in a mobile terminal according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 13A and 13B show examples for explaining a process in
which different objects are respectively displayed on areas
constituting a layout according to the property of a touched object
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIGS. 14A and 14B are flowcharts for explaining a method of
adjusting a number of areas constituting a layout in a mobile
terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIGS. 15A to 15I show examples for explaining a process of
adjusting a number of areas constituting a layout in the mobile
terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a method of adjusting
a number of areas constituting a layout in a mobile terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0032] FIGS. 17A to 17C show examples for explaining a process of
adjusting a number of areas constituting a layout in a mobile
terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be
understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The following description with reference to the accompanying
drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of
exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and
their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist
in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely
exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known
functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and
conciseness.
[0035] The terms and words used in the following description and
claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are
merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent
understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent
to those skilled in the art that the following description of
exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for
illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the
invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0036] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component
surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0037] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first
element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second
element could be termed a first element, without departing from the
scope of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms
"a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as
well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0038] The exemplary embodiments that will be described below
relate to a hand-held terminal, however, an apparatus and method
for managing a plurality of objects displayed on a touch screen,
according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, may be
applied to various electronic devices with touch screens, such as a
navigation system, a television (TV), an Automated Teller Machine
(ATM), a Point-Of-Sale (POS) system, and the like, as well as a
mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet
PC, and the like.
[0039] Also, in the following description, a mobile terminal may be
a flexible device or a flexible display device. As a representative
mobile terminal, a mobile phone is assumed, and some components of
such a mobile terminal may be omitted or changed as necessary.
[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a
method of controlling a display of a plurality of objects according
to an input related to a motion of a mobile terminal Exemplary
embodiments of the present invention includes an operation of
changing, if an input related to a motion of the mobile terminal is
received when a layout including areas in which the plurality of
objects are displayed is displayed, one or more areas corresponding
to the input related to the motion of the mobile terminal among the
areas constituting the layout; and an operation of displaying a
layout comprised of the changed areas. The input related to the
motion of the mobile terminal may correspond to a motion of the
mobile terminal, a user's breath, a gesture, and the like.
According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, if an
input related to a motion of the mobile terminal is detected while
one of the areas constituting the layout is being touched, the
remaining areas except for the touched area are rearranged. In this
case, objects that are respectively displayed in the remaining
areas may be objects searched in correspondence to the property of
an object displayed on the touched area. Thereby, a user can easily
change components corresponding to the areas of a layout, as well
as changing the areas of the layout.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 may be
connected to an external electronic device (not shown) using at
least one of a communication module 120, a connector 165, and an
earphone connecting jack 167. The external electronic device may
include an earphone, an external speaker, a Universal Serial Bus
(USB) memory, a battery charger, a Cradle/Dock, a Digital
Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) antenna, a mobile payment system,
healthcare equipment (a blood glucose meter, etc.), a game, a
vehicle navigation system, and the like, which can be removably
connected to the mobile terminal 100 through a line. The external
electronic device may include a Bluetooth communication apparatus,
a Near Field Communication (NFC) apparatus, a WiFi Direct
communication apparatus, a Wireless Access Point (WAP), and the
like, which can be connected to the mobile terminal 100 in a
wireless fashion. The mobile terminal 100 may be connected to one
of other mobile terminals or electronic devices (for example, a
mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a desktop PC, and a
server) in a wired/wireless fashion.
[0043] The mobile terminal 100 includes a touch screen 190 and at
least one touch screen controller 195. The mobile terminal 100 may
further include a controller 110, the communication module 120, a
multimedia module 140, a camera module 150, an input/output module
160, a sensor module 170, a storage unit 175, and a power supply
unit 180.
[0044] The communication module 120 includes a mobile communication
module 121, a sub communication module 130, and a broadcasting
communication module 141.
[0045] The sub communication module 130 includes at least one of a
Wireless LAN (WLAN) module 131 and a short-range communication
module 132. The multimedia module 140 includes at least one of an
audio play module 142 and a video play module 143. The camera
module 150 may include at least one of a first camera 151 and a
second camera 152. The camera module 150 may also include at least
one of a body tube 155 for zooming in/out the first and/or second
camera 151 or 152, a motor unit 154 for controlling the movement of
the body tube 155, and a flash 153 for providing a light source for
photographing, according to the main purpose of the mobile terminal
100. The input/output module 160 may includes at least one of a
button 161, a microphone 162, a speaker 163, a vibration device
164, the connector 165, and a keypad 166.
[0046] The controller 110 may include a CPU 111, a Read Only Memory
(ROM) 112 that stores control programs for controlling the mobile
terminal 100, and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 113 that stores
signals or data received from the outside or is used as a memory
area for tasks being performed by the mobile terminal 100. The CPU
111 may include one or more cores, such as a single core, a dual
core, a triple core, or a quad core. The CPU 111, ROM 112, and RAM
113 may be connected to each other through internal buses.
[0047] Also, the controller 110 may control the communication
module 120, the multimedia module 140, the camera module 150, the
input/output module 160, the sensor module 170, the storage unit
175, the power supply unit 180, the touch screen 190, and the touch
screen controller 195.
[0048] When a user input device, such as an input unit 168 or a
user's finger, touches, approaches, or is located in proximity to
at least one of a plurality of objects or items displayed on the
touch screen 190, the controller 110 senses a user input, and
identifies an object corresponding to a location at which the user
input has been sensed on the touch screen 190. The user input
through the touch screen 190 may be one of a direct touch input of
directly touching an object, and a hovering input which is an
indirect touch input of approaching an object within a
predetermined identification distance without directly touching the
object. For example, when a user brings the input unit 168 close to
the touch screen 190, an object located straightly below the input
unit 168 may be selected. The user input may be a gesture input
through the camera module 150, a switch/button input through the
button 161 or the keypad 166, or a voice input through the
microphone 16, other than a user input through the touch screen
190.
[0049] The object or item (such as a function item) may be at least
one of an application, a menu, document, a widget, a picture,
video, E-mail, a Short Message Service (SMS) message, a Multimedia
Message Service (MMS) message, and the like, which have been or can
be displayed on the touch screen 190 of the mobile terminal 100.
The object or item can be selected, executed, deleted, canceled,
stored, or changed by the user input device. The item may be a
button, an icon (such as a shortcut icon), a thumbnail image, or a
folder that stores at least one object in a mobile terminal. The
item may be displayed in the form of an image, text, and the
like.
[0050] A shortcut item is an image that is displayed on the touch
screen 190 to quickly execute a call, a contact list, a menu, etc.,
which are provided by each application or by the mobile terminal
100. If a command or selection for executing a shortcut item is
received, the corresponding application is executed.
[0051] When the input unit 168 approaches the touch screen 190 or
is placed in proximity to the touch screen 190, the controller 110
may sense a user input event such as a hovering event. If a user
input event is generated with respect to a predetermined item or
according to a predetermined method, the controller 110 performs
predetermined program operation corresponding to the user input
event.
[0052] The controller 110 may output a control signal to the input
unit 168 or the vibration device 164. The control signal may
include information regarding a vibration pattern, and the input
unit 168 or the vibration device 164 may generate vibration
according to the vibration pattern. The information regarding the
vibration pattern may represent a vibration pattern, an identifier
of a vibration pattern, or the like. Alternatively, the control
signal may include only a request for generation of vibration.
[0053] The mobile terminal 100 may include at least one of the
mobile communication module 121, the WLAN module 131, and the
short-range communication module 132, according to the function of
the mobile terminal 100.
[0054] The mobile communication module 121 may connect the mobile
terminal 100 to an external electronic device through mobile
communication using one or more antennas (not shown) under the
control of the controller 110. The mobile communication module 121
may transmit/receive radio signals for a voice call, a video call,
a SMS message, or a MMS message to/from a mobile phone (not shown),
a smart phone (not shown), a tablet PC (not shown), or another
electronic device (not shown) when the corresponding phone number
is input to the mobile terminal 100.
[0055] The sub communication module 130 may include at least one of
the WLAN module 131 and the short-range communication module 132 as
described above. For example, the sub communication module 130 may
include one of the WLAN module 131 and the short-range
communication module 132, or both the WLAN module 131 and the
short-range communication module 132.
[0056] The WLAN module 131 may be connected to the Internet at a
place in which a WAP has been installed, under the control of the
controller 110. The WLAN module 131 supports the IEEE802.11x
standard. The short-range communication module 132 performs
short-range communication between the mobile terminal 100 and an
external electronic device in a wireless fashion under the control
of the controller 110. The short-range communication may include
Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IrDA), WiFi-Direct
communication, NFC, and the like.
[0057] The controller 110 may transmit a control signal according
to a haptic pattern to the input unit 168 through the sub
communication module 130.
[0058] The broadcasting communication module 141 may receive
broadcasting signals (for example, TV broadcasting signals, radio
broadcasting signals, or data broadcasting signals) and
broadcasting additional information (for example, an Electric
Program Guide (EPS) or an Electric Service Guide (ESG)) transmitted
from a broadcast station through a broadcasting communication
antenna (not shown), under the control of the controller 110.
[0059] The multimedia module 140 may include the audio play module
142 and the video play module 143 as described above. The audio
play module 142 may reproduce a digital audio file (for example, a
file with the extension ".mp3", ".wma", ".ogg" or ".wav") that is
stored in the storage unit 175 or received from an external device,
under the control of the controller 110. The video play module 143
may reproduce a digital video file (for example, a file with the
extension ".mpeg", ".mpg", ".mp4", ".avi", ".mov", or ".mkv") that
is stored or received, under the control of the controller 110. The
multimedia module 140 may be integrated with the controller
110.
[0060] The camera module 150 may include at least one of the first
and second cameras 151 and 152 for photographing still images or
moving images under the control of the controller 110. The camera
module 150 may also include at least one among the body tube 155
for zooming in/out to photograph a subject, the motor unit 154, and
the flash 153 for providing a secondary light source required for
photographing the subject. The first camera 151 may be disposed in
the front side of the mobile terminal 100, and the second camera
152 may be disposed in the rear side of the mobile terminal
100.
[0061] Each of the first and second cameras 151 and 152 may include
a lens system, an image sensor, and the like. Each of the first and
second cameras 151 and 152 converts an optical signal received (or
photographed) through the lens system into an electrical image
signal, and outputs the electrical image signal to the controller
110. Accordingly, a user can photograph a moving image or a still
image through the first and second cameras 151 and 152.
[0062] The input/output module 160 may include at least one among
at least one button 161, at least one microphone 162, at least one
speaker 163, at least one vibration device 164, the connector 165,
the keypad 166, the earphone connecting jack 167, and the input
unit 168. However, the input/output module 160 is not limited to
the above-mentioned devices, and a cursor control, such as a mouse,
a trackball, a joystick, or cursor direction keys, may also be
provided to control the movement of a cursor on the touch screen
190.
[0063] The button 161 may be formed on the front, side, or rear
surface of the housing (or case) of the mobile terminal 100, and
may include at least one among a power/lock button, a volume
button, a menu button, a home button, a back button, and a search
button.
[0064] The microphone 162 may receive a voice or sound under the
control of the controller 110 to generate an electrical signal.
[0065] The speaker 163 may output sound corresponding to various
signals or data (for example, radio data, broadcasting data,
digital audio data, digital video data, etc.) out of the mobile
terminal 100 under the control of the controller 110. The speaker
163 may output sound (for example, button manipulation sound
corresponding to a call, currency connection sound, the other
party's voice, etc.) corresponding to a function that is performed
by the mobile terminal 100. One or more speakers 163 may be
provided at one or more appropriate locations on the housing of the
mobile terminal 100.
[0066] The vibration device 164 may convert an electrical signal
into mechanical vibration under the control of the controller 110.
For example, if a voice or video call is made by another device
(not shown) when the mobile terminal 100 is in a vibration mode,
the vibration device 164 operates. One or more vibration devices
164 may be provided in the housing of the mobile terminal 100. The
vibration device 164 may operate in correspondence to a user input
through the touch screen 190.
[0067] The connector 165 may be used as an interface for connecting
the mobile terminal 100 to an external electronic device or a power
source (not shown). The controller 110 may transmit data stored in
the storage unit 175 to an external electronic device or receive
data from the external electronic device through a wired cable
connected to the connector 165. The mobile terminal 100 may receive
power from a power source or charge a battery using the power
source through the wired cable connected to the connector 165.
[0068] The keypad 166 may receive a key input from a user to
control the mobile terminal 100. The keypad 166 includes a physical
keypad (not shown) formed on the mobile terminal 100 or a virtual
keypad (not shown) displayed on the touch screen 190. The physical
keypad formed on the mobile terminal 100 may be excluded according
to the performance or structure of the mobile terminal 100.
[0069] The earphone (not shown) may be inserted into the earphone
connecting jack 167 to connect to the mobile terminal 100.
[0070] The input unit 168 may be inserted into and held in the
mobile terminal 100, and when in use, the input unit 168 may be
drawn or separated from the mobile terminal 100. A
detachment/attachment recognition switch 169 that operates in
correspondence to attachment and detachment of the input unit 168
may be provided in an area of the mobile terminal 100 into which
the input unit 168 is inserted. The detachment/attachment
recognition switch 169 may output a signal corresponding to
attachment/separation of the input unit 168 to the controller 110.
The detachment/attachment recognition switch 169 may be configured
to directly or indirectly contact the input unit 168 when the input
unit 169 is attached in the mobile terminal 100. Accordingly, the
detachment/attachment recognition switch 169 generates a signal
(i.e., a signal for notifying attachment or separation of the input
unit 168) corresponding to attachment or separation of the input
unit 168 based on whether the detachment/attachment recognition
switch 169 contacts the input unit 168, and outputs the signal to
the controller 110.
[0071] The sensor module 170 may include at least one sensor for
detecting the state of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the
sensor module may include at least one sensor among a proximity
sensor (not shown) for detecting an approach to the mobile terminal
100, an ambient light sensor (not shown) for detecting the ambient
light intensity around the mobile terminal 100, a motion sensor
(not shown) for detecting a motion (for example, rotation,
acceleration, vibration) of the mobile terminal 100, a geo-magnetic
sensor (not shown) for detecting a point of the compass of the
mobile terminal 100 using the earth's magnetic field, a gravity
sensor (not shown) for detecting a direction in which gravity is
applied, an altimeter (not shown) for measuring atmospheric
pressure to detect an altitude, and a GPS module 157. A camera
sensor for sensing a user's gesture may also be included in the
sensor module 170.
[0072] The motion sensor among the above-mentioned sensors senses
the location, movement, and the like of the mobile terminal 100
using an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a tilt sensor, or
their combinations. However, the sensors are not limited to the
above-mentioned sensors, and may include other types of a sensor
capable of sensing the reciprocating motions, movement directions,
and the like of the mobile terminal 100.
[0073] Sensing data (that is, motion information) output through
the motion sensors may have a direction and a magnitude. For
example, an acceleration sensor for sensing the acceleration of the
mobile terminal 100 can sense acceleration with respect to at least
one reference-axis direction of x, y, and z axes, and output the
acceleration information. The reference-axis may be an axis (for
example, the up-down (z-axis), left-right (x-axis), and front-rear
(y-axis) directions of the mobile terminal 100) according to the
direction of the mobile terminal 100, or may be an axis according
to the direction of gravity (the direction (z-axis) of gravity and
directions (z and y axes) perpendicular to the direction of
gravity).
[0074] The sensor module 170 may further include a calculator (not
shown) for integrating sensed angular velocity, velocity, etc. over
time to calculate a rotation angle, a direction, velocity, a travel
distance, a location, a trajectory, and the like according to a
motion of the mobile terminal 100, and output the calculated
information. The calculator may be included in the controller 110.
The calculator may also include a frequency filter for blocking or
passing a specific band of a signal such as sensed acceleration in
order to calculate a trajectory, etc. or effectively analyze the
direction of a motion.
[0075] When the sensor module 170 includes the calculator, the
calculator may calculate a direction or angle in or at which the
mobile terminal 100 moves, and transfer the result of the
calculation to the controller 100. However, the direction or angle
in or at which the mobile terminal 100 moves may be calculated by
the controller 110. The direction in which the mobile terminal 100
moves may be basically an up-down direction or a left-right
direction. The direction in which the mobile terminal 100 moves may
be a front direction in which the mobile terminal 100 is pulled
horizontally toward a user or a back direction in which the mobile
terminal 100 is pushed horizontally against the user. A tilting
direction in which the mobile terminal 100 is tilted with respect
to a reference axis is included in the direction of a motion. When
the angle at which the mobile terminal 100 moves is calculated in a
direction which the mobile terminal 100 is tilted under an
assumption that the current position of the mobile terminal 100 is
at 0 degree, a direction diagonal to the direction in which the
mobile terminal 100 moves also may be included in the direction of
a motion.
[0076] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the sensor module 170 may also include a breath
detection sensor for using a user's breath as a control command to
change the configuration of a layout according to the user's
breath. The breath detection sensor is attached on the outer
surface of the mobile terminal 100, and detects a user's breath or
wind brown through an inlet. The breath detection sensor may be a
wind velocity sensor that outputs an electrical signal according to
a user's breath. The wind velocity sensor transfers an output value
that increases at a constant rate according to a user's breath
intensity to the controller 110. Alternatively, the breath
detection sensor may be a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor
capable of sensing a user's breath, in which case the temperature
sensor or the humidity sensor can transfer various levels of output
values to the controller 110 according to a user's breath
intensity.
[0077] The GPS module 157 can receive radio waves from a plurality
of GPS satellites (not shown) on the orbit around the earth, and
calculate the location of the mobile terminal 100 based on a time
of arrival of the radio waves from the GPS satellites to the mobile
terminal 100.
[0078] The storage unit 175 may store signals or data that is
input/output according to the operation of the communication module
120, the multimedia module 140, the camera module 150, the
input/output module 160, the sensor module 170, or the touch screen
190, under the control of the controller 110. The storage unit 175
may store applications and control programs for controlling the
mobile terminal 100 or the controller 110.
[0079] The term "storage unit" indicates an arbitrary data storage
device, such as the storage unit 175, the ROM 112 and RAM 113 in
the controller 110, a memory card (for example, a SD card or a
memory stick) installed in the mobile terminal 100, and the like.
The storage unit 175 may include a non-volatile memory, a volatile
memory, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), and a Solid State Drive (SSD).
[0080] The storage unit 175 may store applications with various
functions, such as navigation, a video call, games, a time-based
alarm application, etc., images for providing a user with Graphic
User Interfaces (GUIs) associated with the applications, user
information, document, databases or data related to a method of
processing touch inputs, background images (a menu screen, a lock
screen, etc.) or operation programs required to drive the mobile
terminal 100, images photographed by the camera module 150, etc.
The storage unit 175 may also store data related to a composited
image providing method.
[0081] The storage unit 175 is machine (for example, a
computer)-readable media, and the term "machine-readable media" can
be defined as media of providing data to a machine so that the
machine can perform a specific function. The storage unit 175 may
include non-volatile media and volatile media. Such a medium needs
to be of a tangible type so that commands delivered to the medium
can be detected by a physical tool which reads the commands with
the machine.
[0082] The machine-readable media includes at least one among a
floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a
Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), an optical disk, a punch
card, a paper tape, a RAM, a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM),
an Erasable PROM (EPROM), and a FLASH-EPROM, however, the
machine-readable media is not limited to the above-mentioned
devices.
[0083] The power supply unit 180 may supply power to one or more
batteries installed in the housing of the mobile terminal 100 under
the control of the controller 110. The one or more batteries supply
power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 180 may
supply power received from an external power source to the mobile
terminal 100 through a wired cable connected to the connector 165.
The power supply unit 180 may supply power received wirelessly from
an external power source to the mobile terminal 100 through
wireless charging technology.
[0084] The mobile terminal 100 may include at least one touch
screen 190 that provides a user with GUIs corresponding to various
services (for example, a call, data transmission,
photographing).
[0085] The touch screen 190 may output an analog signal
corresponding to at least one user input inputted to a user graphic
interface to the touch screen controller 195. The touch screen 190
may receive at least one user input through a user's body part (for
example, a finger including a thumb) or the input unit 168 (for
example, a stylus pen or an electronic pen). The touch screen 190
may receive consecutive movement (for example, a drag input) of a
touch. The touch screen 190 may output an analog signal
corresponding to the consecutive movement of the touch to the touch
screen controller 195.
[0086] In this specification, the term "touch" is not limited to a
contact of a finger or the input unit 168 to the touch screen 190,
and may include non-contact recognition (for example, when a user
input device is located within a recognition distance (for example,
1 cm) in which the user input device can be detected without a
direct contact to the touch screen 190). The recognition distance
in which the touch screen 190 can recognize the user input device
may depend on the performance or structure of the mobile terminal
100. In order for the touch screen 190 to distinguish a
direct-touch event generated by a direct-contact with a user input
device from an indirect-touch event (that is, a hovering event),
the touch screen 190 may be configured to output different values
(for example, analog values including voltage values and current
values) according to the direct-touch event and the hovering
event.
[0087] The touch screen 190 may be a resistive touch screen, a
capacitive touch screen, an infrared touch screen, an acoustic wave
touch screen, or a combination thereof.
[0088] The touch screen 190 may also include at least two touch
panels for respectively sensing touches or approaches of a finger
and the input unit 168 so as to respectively receive inputs by the
finger and the input unit 168. The at least two touch panels
provide different output values with respect to inputs by the
finger and the input unit 168 to the touch screen controller 195,
and the touch screen controller 195 recognizes the different output
values received from the at least two touch panels to determine
whether an input to the touch screen 190 is an input by a finger or
an input by the input unit 168.
[0089] The touch screen controller 195 converts an analog signal
received from the touch screen 190 into a digital signal, and
transfers the digital signal to the controller 110. The controller
110 may control the touch screen 190 using the digital signal
received from the touch screen controller 195. For example, the
controller 110 may select or execute a shortcut icon or an object
displayed on the touch screen 190 in response to a direct-touch
event or a hovering event. The touch screen controller 195 may be
integrated into the controller 110.
[0090] The touch screen controller 195 may detect a value (for
example, a current value) output through the touch screen 190 to
determine an hovering interval or distance as well as a user's
input location, convert the determined distance value into a
digital signal (for example, a z coordinate), and then provide the
digital signal to the controller 110. The touch screen controller
195 may detect a value (for example, a current value) output
through the touch screen 190 to estimate pressure with which a user
input device presses the touch screen 190, convert the estimated
pressure value into a digital signal, and then provide the digital
signal to the controller 110.
[0091] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0092] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the touch screen 190 is placed in
the center of the front side 101 of the mobile terminal The touch
screen 190 may be formed with a large area occupying the main part
of the front side 101 of the mobile terminal FIG. 2 shows an
example in which a main home screen is displayed on the touch
screen 190. The main home screen is a screen initially appearing on
the touch screen 190 when the mobile terminal 100 is powered on. If
the mobile terminal 100 has different home screens of several
pages, the main home screen may be a first home screen among the
home screens. The home screen may display shortcut icons 191-1,
191-2, and 191-3 for executing frequently used applications, a main
menu conversion key 191-4, a current time, weather information,
etc. If a user selects the main menu conversion key 191-4, a menu
screen is displayed on the touch screen 190. A status bar 192
representing the status of the mobile terminal 100, such as a
battery charged state, reception signal intensity, a current time,
etc., may be displayed on the upper part of the touch screen
190.
[0093] A home button 161a, a menu button 161b, and a back button
161c may be displayed on the lower part of the touch screen 190.
The home button 161 a is used to display a main home screen on the
touch screen 190. For example, if the home button 161a is selected
when another home screen than the main home screen or a menu screen
is displayed on the touch screen 190, a main home screen may be
displayed on the touch screen 190. If the home button 161a is
selected while applications are executed on the touch screen 190,
the main home screen as shown in FIG. 2 may be displayed on the
touch screen 190. The home button 161a may be used to display
recently used applications on the touch screen 190 or to display a
task manager on the touch screen 190.
[0094] The menu button 161b provides a link menu that can be
displayed on the touch screen 190. The link menu may include a
widget adding menu, a lock screen changing menu, a search menu, an
edit menu, a setting menu, etc.
[0095] The back button 161c may be used to display a screen
executed just before a screen being currently executed or to
terminate a most recently used application.
[0096] The first camera 151, an ambient light sensor 170a, and a
proximity sensor 170b may be disposed in one edge part of the front
side of the mobile terminal 100. The second camera 152, the flash
153, and the speaker 163 may be disposed in the back side 103 of
the mobile terminal 100.
[0097] On the lateral sides of the mobile terminal 102, for
example, a power/lock button 161d, volume buttons 161e including a
volume-up button 161f and a volume-down button 161g, a terrestrial
DMB antenna 141a for receiving broadcasts, one or more microphones
162, etc. may be disposed. The DMB antenna 141a may be fixed or
removably attached on the mobile terminal 100.
[0098] The connector 165 is formed in the lateral side of the lower
end of the mobile terminal 10. The connector 165 includes a
plurality of electrodes, and can be connected to an external device
through a line. The earphone connecting jack 167 may be formed in
the lateral side of the upper end of the mobile terminal 100. An
earphone may be inserted into the earphone connecting jack 167.
[0099] The input unit 168 may be installed in the lateral side of
the lower end of the mobile terminal 100. The input unit 168 may be
inserted into the inside of the mobile terminal 100 and stored in
the mobile terminal 100, and when in use, the input unit 168 is
drawn and separated from the mobile terminal 100.
[0100] With an increase of a user's desire to display a plurality
of visual objects in various forms on the mobile terminal 100 with
the structure described above, for example, in the case of a photo
album application, a user can view many pictures while turning over
pages on a screen in which pictures are arranged on predetermined
areas of a layout by a gesture of flicking or dragging the touch
screen 190.
[0101] However, in order for the user to change an arrangement of
the pictures and areas in which the pictures are displayed, the
user has to edit a layer on an edit screen, which may take a long
time. In addition, users tend to collect associated pictures in a
specific folder to easily and quickly find desired pictures or
associated pictures.
[0102] Accordingly, according to exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, provided a method and apparatus is provided for
easily and quickly changing a layout comprised of areas in which
visual objects are displayed, on the touch screen 190, according to
a motion of the mobile terminal 100 to provide, when a specific
object is selected by a user, a layout in which objects associated
with the selected object are displayed in consideration of the
property of the selected object.
[0103] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method of changing
areas constituting a layout in the mobile terminal, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 4, the method of changing areas
constituting a layout will be described with reference to examples
illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 8B, however, the method is not
limited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 8B. Also,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for
example, when a story album application is executed, a method of
displaying a layout divided to a predetermined number of areas and
changing the components of the layout will be described as an
example; however, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art that a method of changing components of a layout according to a
motion of a mobile terminal can be applied to various display
screens.
[0105] In step 400, the controller 110 displays a layout comprised
of areas in which objects are displayed, on the touch screen 190.
In this specification, the "areas" configuring the layout may be
also referred to as "grids", "sections", or the like.
[0106] FIGS. 5A through 8B show examples for explaining a process
in which areas constituting a layout change according to the
directions of the reciprocating motions of the mobile terminal,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0107] Referring to FIGS. 5A-8B, FIG. 5A shows an example of a
display screen on which objects are displayed on the touch screen
190 with a layout comprised of areas A, B, C, and D. Objects that
can be displayed on the individual areas may include components,
such as pictures, illustrations, letters (lettering, type),
characters, etc., and also include various visual objects, such as
various contents (for example, text), shortcut icons for executing
applications, widgets, icons representing document with various
file formats, folders, etc. The objects may also include some
visual objects selected from the visual objects.
[0108] When the display screen as illustrated in FIG. 5A is
displayed, a user can change an arrangement of the areas of the
layout by shaking the mobile terminal 100 with the mobile terminal
100 in the user's hand. In step 405, the controller 110 determines
whether a reciprocating motion of the mobile terminal 100 is
detected through the sensor module 170. If a reciprocating motion
of the mobile terminal 100 is detected, then the direction of the
detected reciprocating motion is determined in step 410. The
controller 110 determines whether the direction of the
reciprocating motion of the mobile terminal 100 corresponds to
which one of an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a
diagonal direction based on sensor signals collected through the
sensor module 170. In step 415, the controller 110 changes the
areas constituting the layout according to the determined direction
of the reciprocating motion, and in step 420, the controller 110
displays a layout reconfigured with the changed areas.
[0109] FIG. 5B shows an example in which when a user shakes the
mobile terminal 100 in the left-right direction 500, an arrangement
of areas aligned in the left-right direction 500 changes according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 5B, if a user shakes the mobile terminal
100 a predetermined number of times (for example, once or twice) in
the left-right direction 500 with the mobile terminal 100 in the
user's hand when a screen as illustrated in FIG. 5A is displayed,
an arrangement of areas aligned in the left-right direction 500
among the areas of a layout changes. In FIG. 5A, the areas B and C
among the areas A, B, C, and D correspond to areas that can change
according to a reciprocating motion in the left-right direction
500, and accordingly, after a reciprocating motion in the
left-right direction 500 is performed, the arrangement of the areas
B and C changes as illustrated in FIG. 5B. An object displayed in
the area B of FIG. 5A moves to and displayed in the area B of FIG.
5B, and an object displayed in the area C of FIG. 5A moves to and
displayed in the area C of FIG. 5B.
[0111] FIGS. 6A to 6B show examples in which when a user shakes the
mobile terminal 100 in the up-down direction 600, an arrangement of
areas aligned in the up-down direction changes according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0112] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, if a reciprocating motion in
the up-down direction 600 is performed when a layout screen
configured with areas A, B, C, and D is displayed as illustrated in
FIG. 6A, an arrangement of areas aligned in the up-down direction
600 changes as illustrated in FIG. 6B. If a reciprocating motion in
the up-down direction 600 is performed, the areas B and C of FIG.
6A move to the upper area of FIG. 6B, the area D corresponding to
the lower area of FIG. 6A moves to the center area of FIG. 6B, and
the area A of FIG. 6A moves to the lower area of FIG. 6B (i.e., to
the area A of FIG. 6B). An arrangement rule of areas is described
below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0113] FIGS. 7A and 7B show examples in which when a user shakes
the mobile terminal 100 in the diagonal direction 700, an
arrangement of areas aligned in the diagonal direction changes
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, if a reciprocating motion in
the diagonal direction 700 is performed when a screen as
illustrated in FIG. 7A is displayed, an area A of FIG. 7A moves to
an area A of FIG. 7B, and an area D of FIG. 7A moves to an area D
of FIG. 7B.
[0115] FIGS. 8A and 8B show examples in which when a user shakes
the mobile terminal 100, an arrangement of the remaining areas
except for a touched area changes. FIG. 8A shows an example of a
screen for explaining the case in which a user shakes the mobile
terminal 100 in the diagonal direction 805 while maintaining a
touch on an area A. In this case, the arrangement of the remaining
areas B, C, and D except for the area A of FIG. 8A to which a touch
is kept changes as illustrated in FIG. 8B.
[0116] If a user shakes the mobile terminal 100 while maintaining a
touch on the user's desired area 800, only the touched area is
fixed. Similarly, if a user maintains a touch on two or more areas,
the corresponding areas are also fixed. For example, if a user
holds the mobile terminal 100 with both hands, it may be difficult
or uncomfortable for the user to shake the mobile terminal 100 in a
specific direction. In this case, it is possible to change the
configuration of a layout using a motion in which a user
pulls/pushes the mobile terminal 100 toward/against the user, a
tilting motion, and the like.
[0117] The above-described exemplary embodiments as illustrated in
FIGS. 5A through 7B relate to cases in which the configuration of a
layout changes according to reciprocating motions in which a user
shakes the mobile terminal 100 in the left-right direction, in the
up-down direction, and in the diagonal direction. However, it is
also possible to change the configuration of a layout according to
other various motions, such as a motion of pulling/pushing the
mobile terminal 100 horizontally, a tilting motion, a rotation
motion, etc. FIGS. 5A through 8B relate to a method of changing the
configuration of a layout according to predetermined motions.
However, a method of changing the configuration of a layout is not
limited to the method described above with reference to FIGS. 5A
through 8B. For example, it is possible to change the configuration
of a layout using a breath.
[0118] FIGS. 9A to 9D show examples for explaining a process in
which areas constituting a layout change according to a breath,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 9A-9D, if a user blows his/her breath in
a direction 900 toward a screen in which a layout comprised of
areas A, B, C, and D is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 9A, a
screen in which the areas A, B, C, and D blow off in response to
the user's breath, as if the areas were papers blowing off the
screen, is displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. Successively, as
illustrated in FIG. 9C, a screen in which the arrangement of the
areas A, B, C, and D is changing in response to the user's breath
is displayed, and as illustrated in FIG. 9D, a screen having a
layout with the changed arrangement of the areas A, B, C, and D is
displayed. As described above, FIGS. 9A to 9D relate to an
application example in consideration of "blow off papers" which is
a simple, direct behavior among various breathing behaviors, and
FIGS. 9A to 9D show the case of displaying an interactive image in
which areas blow off in response to a user's breath as if papers
blow off Accordingly, a user can have experience of controlling the
areas of a screen as if the user is actually blowing off papers.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
content of a screen may vary depending on how strongly a user
breathes.
[0120] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, areas constituting a layout may change by detecting a
predetermined gesture such as a hand gesture as if turning over
pages. Such a gesture may be detected by a camera sensor, an
ambient light sensor, and the like. The examples illustrated in
FIGS. 5A through 9D as described above relate to the cases of
reconfiguring a layout using a motion or a breath, however, it is
also possible to reconfigure a layout when a camera sensor, an
ambient light sensor, etc. receive inputs related to various
behaviors.
[0121] As described above, when a user shakes the mobile terminal
100 or breathes toward the screen of the mobile terminal 100, an
image displayed on the screen changes according to the motion of
the mobile terminal 100 or the user's breath so that the user can
easily and quickly arrange objects without having to manipulate
buttons and feel lively changes of images.
[0122] The components of a layout may be rearranged using an
arrangement rule as described below.
[0123] FIGS. 10A to 10D are views for explaining an arrangement
rule of a layout according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0124] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10D, an arrangement rule according to
an area size is a method of moving an object displayed on a larger
area to a smaller area and an object displayed on a smaller area to
a larger area. FIG. 10A shows a screen in which an area A has a
largest size and areas B and C have sizes than are smaller than the
area A. If a reciprocating motion of the mobile terminal 100, for
example, a reciprocating motion in an up-down direction is detected
when the screen as illustrated in FIG. 10A is displayed, an object
displayed in the area A with the large size moves to an area A with
a small size as illustrated in FIG. 10B in step 1000, and an object
displayed in the area C with the small size moves to an area C with
a large size as illustrated in FIG. 10B in step 1005. According to
the arrangement rule, whenever a motion of the mobile terminal 100
is detected when a screen as illustrated in FIG. 10A is displayed,
the configuration of a layout changes in the order of FIG. 10B to
FIG. 10D.
[0125] FIGS. 11A to 11D are views for explaining an arrangement
rule of a layout according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0126] Referring to FIGS. 11A-11D, in the case of a horizontally
photographed image and a vertically photographed image, it will be
preferable that the horizontally photographed image is located on a
horizontal area and the vertically photographed image is located on
a vertical area. FIG. 11A shows an example in which an area A is a
horizontal area and areas B and C are vertical areas. In this case,
it is preferable that a horizontal object 1100 is allocated to and
displayed in the area A, and vertical objects 1102 and 1105 are
allocated to and displayed in the areas B and C. According to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the property of each
object, regarding whether the object has a horizontal format or a
vertical format, is the object's unique property and can be
recognized in advance. Accordingly, the controller 110 locates each
object at an area corresponding to the object in consideration of
the object's property. When a smart album application is executed,
the controller 110 may determine the number of objects that have to
be displayed, select a layout corresponding to the number of
objects and the properties of the objects from among a plurality of
layouts whose pages have different arrangements of areas, and
provide the selected layout.
[0127] If a motion is detected when a screen as illustrated in FIG.
11A is displayed, a layout with a changed arrangement of areas may
be displayed as illustrated in FIG. 11B. If an object displayed in
the area C of FIG. 11A is a vertical object 1105, the vertical
object 1105 can be displayed although the vertical object 1105
moves to an area C of FIG. 11B. The vertical object 1105 can be
displayed in the area C of FIG. 11B although parts 1110 of the
vertical object 1105 are cut off and not shown.
[0128] Successively, if a motion is again detected, the layout as
illustrated in FIG. 11B changes to a layout with an arrangement as
illustrated in FIG. 11C. That is, since the object displayed in the
area B of FIG. 11B corresponds to the vertical object 1105
displayed in the area B of FIG. 11A, the object may move to and be
displayed on an area B of FIG. 11C. However, since the object
displayed in the area A of FIG. 11B corresponds to the horizontal
object 1100 displayed in the area A of FIG. 11A, the object cannot
move to and displayed on an area A of FIG. 11D. When the horizontal
object 1100 is located in the area A of FIG. 11D, parts 1115 of the
horizontal object 1100 are cut off, and simultaneously blanks
appear in the area A. Such an area having a greater degree of
mismatch in proportion than a predetermined allowable degree of
mismatch in proportion is preferable to be excluded upon relocating
of objects. Accordingly, a layout illustrated in FIG. 11D is
excluded from layouts that can be selected to change a layout.
Accordingly, by changing a layout in consideration of the property
of each object, components, such as a portrait, a landscape, etc.,
can be appropriately arranged on areas of a screen while
maintaining the proportion of each component.
[0129] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a method of changing
areas constituting a layout in a mobile terminal according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a
method of changing objects displayed in areas constituting a layout
according to the property of a touched object will be described
with reference to FIG. 12, however, the method is not limited to
the example as illustrated in FIG. 12.
[0130] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, in step 1200, the controller
110 displays a layout comprised of areas in which objects are
displayed, on the touch screen 190 of the mobile terminal 100. In
step 1205, the controller 110 determines whether at least one of
the areas has been touched by an input device. If at least one area
has been touched, then in step 1210 the controller 110 determines
whether a reciprocating motion of the mobile terminal 100 is
detected. If a reciprocating motion of the mobile terminal 100 is
detected, then in step 1215 the controller 110 searches for objects
corresponding to the property of an object belonging to the touched
area. If it is determined in step 1205 that no area has been
touched or if it is determined in step 1210 that no reciprocating
motion has been detected, then the process returns to step 1200 and
the layout is maintained.
[0131] In step 1220, the controller 110 arranges the found objects
in the remaining areas except for the area in which the touched
object is displayed, and in step 1225, the controller 110 displays
a layout reconfigured with areas in which the found objects are
arranged. If no reciprocating motion is detected, the process
returns to operation 1200, and the layout is maintained.
[0132] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention
described above, step 1215 of searching for associated objects is
performed after step 1210 of detecting a reciprocating motion while
a touch is maintained; however, it is also possible that when at
least one area is touched, objects associated with an object
belonging to the area are searched for.
[0133] FIGS. 13A and 13B show examples for explaining a process in
which different objects are respectively displayed on areas
constituting a layout according to the property of a touched object
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0134] Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, various methods of arranging
associated objects according to the property of an object may be
employed, in addition to the method of arranging objects based on a
location. Such methods include a method of arranging objects based
on a person, a method of arranging objects based on a social
network, and the like.
[0135] In the case of a method of arranging objects based on a
person, if a user shakes the mobile terminal 100 while maintaining
a touch on a specific person on a picture displayed on the screen
of the mobile terminal 100, then pictures associated with the
touched person may be rearranged to configure a layout of a current
page. If a picture including many people is displayed, a user is
allowed to select only one person among the people, and if the user
shakes the mobile terminal 100 while keeping touching a specific
person, pictures associated with the specific person may be
searched for and displayed on respective rearranged areas. In the
case of a method of arranging objects based on a social network,
for example, if a facebook feed function is selected, then the
corresponding Facebook feed may be rearranged to be suitable for
the areas of a layout of the corresponding page.
[0136] FIG. 13A shows a layout comprised of a map area and areas A,
B, and C. If a user touches the map area and shakes the mobile
terminal 100 while maintaining a touch on the map area 1300,
objects associated with an object belonging to the map area may be
searched for based on the property of the object, and the found
objects may be arranged and displayed on the respective areas as
illustrated in FIG. 13B. For example, if a user shakes the mobile
terminal 100 while keeping touching "Time Square in New York City"
on the map area, objects associated with "Time Square in New York
City", for example, pictures photographed at the place, news
related to the place, application items recommendable for the
place, etc. may be arranged on the respective areas, as illustrated
in FIG. 13B.
[0137] FIGS. 14A and 14B are flowcharts for explaining a method of
adjusting a number of areas constituting a layout in a mobile
terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIGS. 15A to 15I show examples for explaining a process
of adjusting a number of areas constituting a layout in the mobile
terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention
[0138] Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B and FIGS. 15A-15I, the
process of FIG. 14B follows the process of FIG. 14A. For easy
understanding, the method of adjusting the number of areas will be
described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15I; however, the method
is not limited to an example illustrated in FIGS. 15A to 15I.
[0139] In step 1400, the controller 110 displays a layout comprised
of areas in which objects are displayed on the touch screen 190. In
step 1405, the controller 110 determines whether a request for
changing the number of areas is received. A user may send a request
for changing the number of areas by pressing a specific key such as
a volume key or through an option function displayed on an action
bar located in the upper part of a screen. If a request for
changing the number of areas is received, then in step 1410, the
controller 110 displays icons for adjusting the number of areas. If
no request for changing the number of areas is received, the
process returns to step 1400. In step 1415, the controller 110
determines whether any one of the icons is touched.
[0140] If it is determined in operation 1415 that no touch input is
detected, the process returns to operation 1410. If an icon for
adding an area is selected, then in step 1420 of FIG. 14B, the
controller 110 determines whether a reciprocating motion is
detected while the icon for adding the area is being touched. If a
reciprocating motion is detected, then in operation 1425, the
controller 110 adds areas constituting a layout of a next page to
areas constituting a layout of a current page, and in step 1440,
the controller 110 displays a layout reconfigured to include the
added areas. If a reciprocating motion is repeatedly detected while
the area adding icon is being touched, the controller 110 adds
areas one by one stepwise whenever a reciprocating motion is
detected.
[0141] FIGS. 15A to 15I show examples for explaining a process of
adjusting the number of areas constituting a layout as well as
changing an arrangement of the areas according to a motion of the
mobile terminal 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. If a request for adjusting the number of areas
is received when a screen as illustrated in FIG. 15A is displayed,
an area adding icon 1510 and an area removing icon 1510 are
displayed as illustrated in FIG. 15B. If a user shakes the mobile
terminal 100 while maintaining a touch on the area adding icon
1510, an area D is added as illustrated in FIG. 15C, and A, B, and
C areas are rearranged. If the user shakes the mobile terminal 100
again, an area E is added as illustrated in FIG. 15D, and the
remaining areas are rearranged. Thereafter, if no motion is
detected for a predetermined time period, a layout as illustrated
in FIG. 15D is maintained. Accordingly, if the number of areas
constituting a layout that is displayed on a page increases, the
total number of pages will be reduced since the number of objects
that are to be displayed has already been set.
[0142] If the area adding icon is not touched in step 1430, the
controller 110 determines whether a reciprocating motion is
detected while the area removing icon is being touched. If a
reciprocating motion is detected while the area removing icon is
being touched, then in operation 1435 the controller 110 removes an
area from the areas constituting the layout of the current page,
and in operation 1440, the controller 110 displays a layout
reconfigured with the remaining areas. If a reciprocating motion is
repeatedly detected while the area removing icon 1500 is being
touched, areas are removed one by one stepwise whenever a
reciprocating motion is detected.
[0143] If the user shakes the mobile terminal 100 while maintaining
a touch on the area removing icon 1500 as illustrated in FIG. 15F,
the D area is removed as illustrated in FIG. 15G, and the A, B, and
C areas are rearranged. When the user shakes the mobile terminal
100 while maintaining a touch on the area removing icon 1500, the
number of areas may not change since the minimum number of areas
has been set, as illustrated in FIG. 15H. In this case, the
arrangement of the areas changes. Thereafter, if no motion is
detected for a predetermined time period, a layout as illustrated
in FIG. 15I is maintained. Accordingly, if the number of areas
constituting a layout that is displayed on a page is reduced, the
total number of pages will increase in order to display a
predetermined number of objects.
[0144] In operation 1430, if a reciprocating motion is detected
when no area adding/removing icon is touched, then in operation
1445 the controller 110 changes areas constituting a layout
according to the direction of the reciprocating direction as
illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, and in operation 1450, the
controller 110 displays a layout reconfigured with the changed
areas.
[0145] The above-described example is a case of increasing or
decreasing the number of areas displayed on a page using icons;
however, other methods may also be employed, such as a method of
adding or removing an area using a volume up/down key. For example,
an area may be if a user shakes the mobile terminal 100 while
holding down a volume up key and removing an area if the user
shakes the mobile terminal 100 while holding down a volume down
key.
[0146] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a method of adjusting
a number of areas constituting a layout in a mobile terminal 100,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 17A to 17C show examples for explaining a process of
adjusting a number of areas constituting a layout in a mobile
terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0147] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17A-17C, since steps 1600 and 1605
are the same as steps 400 and 405 of FIG. 4, detailed descriptions
thereof will be omitted. In operation 1610, it is determined
whether the number of reciprocating motions is equal to or more
than a predetermined number. If the number of reciprocating motions
is equal to or more than the predetermined number, then in step
1615 a predetermined number of areas included in the layout of a
next page are added to areas constituting the layout of a current
page. In operation 1620, the controller 110 displays a layout
reconfigured to include the added areas. The number of areas that
are added may be determined according to the number of
reciprocating motions.
[0148] FIG. 17A shows the case in which the layout of a current
page is configured with areas A, B, C, and D, and FIG. 17B shows
the case in which the layout of a next page is configured with
areas E, F, G, H, and I. The current page is a page displayed on
the touch screen 190, and the next page is a page that will be
displayed when a gesture of flicking or dragging the touch screen
190 is received from a user. Accordingly, if one or more
reciprocating motions are detected when a current page as
illustrated in FIG. 17A is displayed, areas E and F of the next
page as illustrated in FIG. 17B are added to the areas of the
current page according to the number of the reciprocating motions,
as illustrated in FIG. 17C, and simultaneously, areas A, B, and C
are rearranged according to the direction of the reciprocating
motions. The areas may be added one by one or in a unit of a
predetermined number. As areas are added to the current page,
objects displayed on the areas E and F of the next page as
illustrated in FIG. 17B move to and are displayed on the areas E
and F as illustrated in FIG. 17C.
[0149] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, a user can intuitively arrange the
components (that is, areas/objects) of a layout in his/her desired
pattern using a motion of the mobile terminal 100. Therefore,
according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a user
can easily and quickly change an arrangement of a plurality of
objects displayed on a screen of a mobile terminal to the user's
desired pattern according to a motion of the mobile terminal. Also,
since it is possible to change the configuration of a layout in
which objects are arranged through an input of a simple motion of a
mobile terminal, a user's convenience can be maximized.
[0150] In addition, since a layout comprised of desired objects can
be provided by configuring a layout in consideration of the
property of an object, an individualized layout with a unified
order can be provided.
[0151] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of
hardware and software. The software may be stored in a volatile or
non-volatile memory device such as, for example, a ROM, regardless
of whether it is erasable or re-writable, in a memory such as, for
example, a RAM, a memory chip, and an Integrated Circuit (IC), or
in an optically/magnetically recordable and machine-readable
storage medium such as, for example, a Compact Disk (CD), a Digital
Versatile Disk (DVD), a magnetic disk, and a magnetic tape. A
memory that can be included in a mobile terminal is an example of a
non-transitory machine-readable storage medium suitable to store
one or more programs, including instructions implementing exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, exemplary
embodiments of the present invention include programs including
codes for implementing the devices and methods as set forth in the
appended claims of the specification, and a machine-readable
storage medium storing these programs.
[0152] Also, the mobile terminal may receive and store the programs
from a program providing apparatus connected in a wired/wireless
fashion. The program providing apparatus may include a memory for
storing a program including instructions for performing a method of
controlling a display of a plurality of objects according to a
motion of the mobile terminal, a communication unit for performing
wired/wireless communication with the mobile terminal, and a
controller for transmitting the program to the mobile terminal
according to a request from the mobile terminal or
automatically.
[0153] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *