USRE49819E1 - Mobile terminal and method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of displaying items on a mobile terminal includes displaying a first icon group of a plurality of icons on a display of the mobile terminal, such that each icon of the first icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal. Also performed is detecting user contact at a first location of the display relative to a displayed location of a particular icon of the first icon group and detecting further user contact representing a dragging over a distance beginning from the first location, such that the dragging represents substantially continual user contact from the first location over the distance. Also, after the dragging occurs over a threshold distance, displaying a second group of icons in an icon display region, such that each icon of the second icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

PursuantThis application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,389,770, which issued on Jul. 12, 2016, from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/972,330, filed on Dec. 17, 2010, which pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0035987, filed on Apr. 19, 2010, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and in particular, to displaying items and icons on a display of a mobile terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Mobile terminals are portable devices capable of performing voice/video calls, inputting and outputting information, and/or storing data. As the functions of mobile terminals diversify, an increasing number of mobile terminals have been equipped with various complicated functions, such as capturing photos and moving images, playing music files and moving image files, providing games, receiving broadcast programs, and providing wireless Internet services, and have thus evolved into multifunctional multimedia players.

However, as the functions of mobile terminals diversify, the menu structure for controlling various operations performed by mobile terminals has become complicated, and the number of icons for executing certain functions of mobile terminals has increased, which is apparent in the case of smart phones. In particular, after booting smart phones, icons for executing basic functions and icons corresponding to downloaded applications are often displayed together on an idle screen or a main screen.

If there are too many icons to be displayed all at once on a display screen, users may be required to perform several manipulations such as scrolling a display screen in order to search for and execute any desired icons. In addition, as the number of icons that need to be displayed on a main screen increases, the number of programs and/or the amount of data that should be present in random access memories of mobile terminals increases, and thus, the processing speed of mobile terminals decreases.

Therefore, it may be useful to develop ways to effectively arrange icons to be displayed on a main screen so as to search for and execute any desired icons with only a few manipulations and improve the processing speed of mobile terminals.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a method of displaying items on a mobile terminal includes displaying a first icon group of a plurality of icons on a display of the mobile terminal, such that each icon of the first icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal. Also performed is detecting user contact at a first location of the display relative to a displayed location of a particular icon of the first icon group and detecting further user contact representing a dragging over a distance beginning from the first location, such that the dragging represents substantially continual user contact from the first location over the distance. Also, after the dragging occurs over a threshold distance, displaying a second group of icons in an icon display region, such that each icon of the second icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal.

In accordance with an embodiment, a mobile terminal includes a display configured to display a first icon group of a plurality of icons on a display of the mobile terminal, such that each icon of the first icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal A controller is also included, such that it is configured to detect user contact at a first location of the display relative to a displayed location of a particular icon of the first icon group; detect further user contact representing a dragging over a distance beginning from the first location, wherein the dragging represents substantially continual user contact from the first location over the distance; and wherein after the dragging occurs over a threshold distance, the controller is further configured to cause the display to display a second group of icons in an icon display region, wherein each icon of the second icon group is associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal.

These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

FIG.1 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 illustrates a front perspective view of the mobile terminal shown inFIG.1.

FIG.3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown inFIG.2.

FIG.4 is a flowchart depicting a method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.5 is a flowchart depicting a method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal according to further embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS.6 and7 depict icons of a main screen of a mobile terminal according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS.8 through10 depict various display screens of a mobile terminal operating, for example, in accordance with the various embodiments presented with regard to the method ofFIG.4.

FIGS.11 and12 depict display screens showing examples of an icon drag-and-drop.

FIGS.13 and14 depict various display screens of a mobile terminal operating, for example, in accordance with the various embodiments presented with regard to the method ofFIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

The term ‘mobile terminal’, as used herein, may indicate a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast receiver, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a tablet computer, an electronic-book (e-book) reader, and the like. In this disclosure, the terms ‘module’ and ‘unit’ can be used interchangeably.

FIG.1 illustrates a block diagram of amobile terminal100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG.1, themobile terminal100 may include awireless communication unit110, an audio/video (A/V)input unit120, auser input unit130, asensing unit140, anoutput unit150, amemory160, aninterface unit170, acontroller180, and apower supply unit190. Here, when the above constituent elements are implemented, two or more of the constituent elements may be combined into one constituent element, or one constituent element may be divided into two or more constituent elements, if appropriate.

Thewireless communication unit110 may include abroadcast reception module111, amobile communication module113, awireless internet module115, a short-range communication module117, and a global positioning system (GPS)module119.

Thebroadcast reception module111 may receive broadcast signals and/or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may be a satellite channel or a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may be a server which generates broadcast signals and/or broadcast-related information and transmits the generated broadcast signals and/or the generated broadcast-related information or may be a server which receives and then transmits previously-generated broadcast signals and/or previously-generated broadcast-related information.

The broadcast-related information may include broadcast channel information, broadcast program information and/or broadcast service provider information. The broadcast signals may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, the combination of a data broadcast signal and a TV broadcast signal or the combination of a data broadcast signal and a radio broadcast signal. The broadcast-related information may be provided to themobile terminal100 through a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcast-related information may be received by themobile communication module113, rather than by thebroadcast reception module111. The broadcast-related information may come in various forms. For example, the broadcast-related information may come in the form of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) electronic program guide (EPG) or digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H) electronic service guide (ESG).

Thebroadcast reception module111 may receive broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems, such as DMB-terrestrial (DMB-T), DMB-satellite (DMB-S), media forward link only (MediaFLO), DVB-H, and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T). In addition, thebroadcast reception module111 may be suitable not only for the above-mentioned digital broadcasting systems but also for nearly all types of broadcasting systems other than those set forth herein. The broadcast signal and/or the broadcast-related information received by thebroadcast reception module111 may be stored in thememory160.

Themobile communication module113 may transmit wireless signals to or receives wireless signals from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server through a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may include various types of data according to whether themobile terminal100 transmits/receives voice call signals, video call signals, or text/multimedia messages.

Thewireless internet module115 may be a module for wirelessly accessing the internet. Thewireless internet module115 may be embedded in themobile terminal100 or may be installed in an external device. Thewireless internet module115 may be embedded in themobile terminal100 or may be installed in an external device. Thewireless internet module115 may use various wireless internet technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HS-DPA).

The short-range communication module117 may be a module for short-range communication. The short-range communication module117 may use various short-range communication techniques such as Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), and ZigBee.

TheGPS module119 may receive position information from a plurality of GPS satellites.

The A/V input unit120 may be used to receive audio signals or video signals. The A/V input unit120 may include acamera module121 and amicrophone123. Thecamera module121 may process various image frames such as still images or moving images captured by an image sensor during a video call mode or an image capturing mode. The image frames processed by thecamera module121 may be displayed by adisplay module151.

The image frames processed by thecamera module121 may be stored in thememory160 or may be transmitted to an external device through thewireless communication unit110. Themobile terminal100 may include two ormore cameras121.

Themicrophone123 may receive external audio signals during a call mode, a recording mode, or a voice recognition mode and may convert the received sound signals into electrical audio data. During the call mode, themobile communication module113 may convert the electrical sound data into data that can be readily transmitted to a mobile communication base station, and may then output the data obtained by the conversion. Themicrophone123 may use various noise removal algorithms to remove noise that may be generated during the reception of external sound signals.

Theuser input unit130 may generate key input data based on user input for controlling the operation of themobile terminal100. Theuser input unit130 may be implemented as a keypad, a dome switch, or a static pressure or capacitive touch pad which is capable of receiving a command or information by being pushed or touched by a user. Alternatively, theuser input unit130 may be implemented as a wheel, a jog dial or wheel, or a joystick capable of receiving a command or information by being rotated. Still alternatively, theuser input unit130 may be implemented as a finger mouse. In particular, if theuser input unit130 is implemented as a touch pad and forms a mutual layer structure with thedisplay module151, theuser input unit130 and thedisplay module151 may be collectively referred to as a touch screen.

Thesensing unit140 may determine a current state of themobile terminal100 such as whether themobile terminal100 is opened or closed, the position of themobile terminal100 and whether themobile terminal100 is placed in contact with the user, and may generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of themobile terminal100. For example, when themobile terminal100 is a slider-type mobile phone, thesensing unit140 may determine whether themobile terminal100 is opened or closed. In addition, thesensing unit140 may determine whether themobile terminal100 is powered by thepower supply unit190 and whether theinterface unit170 is connected to an external device.

Thesensing unit140 may include adetection sensor141, apressure sensor143 and amotion sensor145. Thedetection sensor141 may detect an approaching object or whether there is an object nearby themobile terminal100 without mechanical contact. More specifically, thedetection sensor141 may detect an approaching object based on a change in an alternating current (AC) magnetic field or a static magnetic field, or the rate of change of capacitance. Thesensing unit140 may include two ormore detection sensors141.

Thepressure sensor143 may determine whether pressure is being applied to themobile terminal100 or may measure the magnitude of pressure, if any, applied to themobile terminal100. Thepressure sensor143 may be installed in a certain part of themobile terminal100 where the detection of pressure is necessary. For example, thepressure sensor143 may be installed in thedisplay module151. In this case, it is possible to differentiate a typical touch input from a pressure touch input, which is generated by applying greater pressure than that used to generate a typical touch input, based on a signal output by thepressure sensor143. In addition, it is possible to determine the magnitude of pressure applied to thedisplay module151 upon receiving a pressure touch input based on the signal output by thepressure sensor143.

Themotion sensor145 may determine the location and motion of themobile terminal100 using an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

Generally, acceleration sensors are a type of device for converting a vibration in acceleration into an electric signal. With recent developments in micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology, acceleration sensors have been widely used in various products for various purposes ranging from detecting large motions such as car collisions as performed in airbag systems for automobiles to detecting minute motions such as the motion of the hand as performed in gaming input devices. In general, two or more acceleration sensors representing different axial directions are incorporated into a single package. There are some cases when the detection of only one axial direction, for example, a Z-axis direction, is necessary. Thus, when an X- or Y-axis acceleration sensor, instead of a Z-axis acceleration sensor, is required, the X- or Y-axis acceleration sensor may be mounted on an additional substrate, and the additional substrate may be mounted on a main substrate.

Gyro sensors are sensors for measuring angular velocity, and may determine the relative direction of the rotation of themobile terminal100 to a reference direction.

Theoutput unit150 may output audio signals, video signals and alarm signals. Theoutput unit150 may include thedisplay module151, anaudio output module153, analarm module155, and ahaptic module157.

Thedisplay module151 may display various information processed by themobile terminal100. For example, if themobile terminal100 is in a call mode, thedisplay module151 may display a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) for making or receiving a call. If themobile terminal100 is in a video call mode or an image capturing mode, thedisplay module151 may display a UI or a GUI for capturing or receiving images.

If thedisplay module151 and theuser input unit130 form a mutual layer structure and are thus implemented as a touch screen, thedisplay module151 may be used not only as an output device but also as an input device capable of receiving information by being touched by the user.

If thedisplay module151 is implemented as a touch screen, thedisplay module151 may also include a touch screen panel and a touch screen panel controller. The touch screen panel is a transparent panel attached onto the exterior of themobile terminal100 and may be connected to an internal bus of themobile terminal100. The touch screen panel keeps monitoring whether the touch screen panel is being touched by the user. Once a touch input to the touch screen panel is received, the touch screen panel transmits a number of signals corresponding to the touch input to the touch screen panel controller. The touch screen panel controller processes the signals transmitted by the touch screen panel, and transmits the processed signals to thecontroller180. Then, thecontroller180 determines whether a touch input has been generated and which part of the touch screen panel has been touched based on the processed signals transmitted by the touch screen panel controller.

Thedisplay module151 may include electronic paper (e-paper). E-paper is a type of reflective display technology and can provide as high resolution as ordinary ink on paper, wide viewing angles, and excellent visual properties. E-paper can be implemented on various types of substrates such as a plastic, metallic or paper substrate and can display and maintain an image thereon even after power is cut off. In addition, e-paper can reduce the power consumption of themobile terminal100 because it does not require a backlight assembly. Thedisplay module151 may be implemented as e-paper by using electrostatic-charged hemispherical twist balls, using electrophoretic deposition, or using microcapsules.

Thedisplay module151 may include at least one of an LCD, a thin film transistor (TFT)-LCD, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a three-dimensional (3D) display. Themobile terminal100 may include two ormore display modules151. For example, themobile terminal100 may include an external display module (not shown) and an internal display module (not shown).

Theaudio output module153 may output audio data received by thewireless communication unit110 during a call reception mode, a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or a broadcast reception mode or may output audio data present in thememory160. In addition, theaudio output module153 may output various sound signals associated with the functions of themobile terminal100 such as receiving a call or a message. Theaudio output module153 may include a speaker and a buzzer.

Thealarm module155 may output an alarm signal indicating the occurrence of an event in themobile terminal100. Examples of the event include receiving a call signal, receiving a message, and receiving a key signal. Examples of the alarm signal output by thealarm module155 include an audio signal, a video signal and a vibration signal. More specifically, thealarm module155 may output an alarm signal upon receiving an incoming call or message. In addition, thealarm module155 may receive a key signal and may output an alarm signal as feedback to the key signal. Therefore, the user may be able to easily recognize the occurrence of an event based on an alarm signal output by thealarm module155. An alarm signal for notifying the user of the occurrence of an event may be output not only by thealarm module155 but also by thedisplay module151 or theaudio output module153.

Thehaptic module157 may provide various haptic effects (such as vibration) that can be perceived by the user. If thehaptic module157 generates vibration as a haptic effect, the intensity and the pattern of vibration generated by thehaptic module157 may be altered in various manners. Thehaptic module157 may synthesize different vibration effects and may output the result of the synthesization. Alternatively, thehaptic module157 may sequentially output different vibration effects.

Thehaptic module157 may provide various haptic effects, other than vibration, such as a haptic effect obtained using a pin array that moves perpendicularly to a contact skin surface, a haptic effect obtained by injecting or sucking in air through an injection hole or a suction hole, a haptic effect obtained by giving a stimulus to the surface of the skin, a haptic effect obtained through contact with an electrode, a haptic effect obtained using an electrostatic force, and a haptic effect obtained by realizing the sense of heat or cold using a device capable of absorbing heat or generating heat. Thehaptic module157 may be configured to enable the user to recognize a haptic effect using the kinesthetic sense of the fingers or the arms. Themobile terminal100 may include two or morehaptic modules157.

Thememory160 may store various programs necessary for the operation of thecontroller180. In addition, thememory160 may temporarily store various data such as a list of contacts, messages, still images, or moving images.

Thememory160 may include at least one of a flash memory type storage medium, a hard disk type storage medium, a multimedia card micro type storage medium, a card type memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), and a read-only memory (ROM). Themobile terminal100 may operate a web storage, which performs the functions of thememory160 on the internet.

Theinterface unit170 may interface with an external device that can be connected to themobile terminal100. Theinterface unit170 may be a wired/wireless headset, an external battery charger, a wired/wireless data port, a card socket for, for example, a memory card, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card or a user identity module (UIM) card, an audio input/output (I/O) terminal, a video I/O terminal, or an earphone. Theinterface unit170 may receive data from an external device or may be powered by an external device. Theinterface unit170 may transmit data provided by an external device to other components in themobile terminal100 or may transmit data provided by other components in themobile terminal100 to an external device.

When themobile terminal100 is connected to an external cradle, theinterface unit170 may provide a path for supplying power from the external cradle to themobile terminal100 or for transmitting various signals from the external cradle to themobile terminal100.

Thecontroller180 may control the general operation of themobile terminal100. For example, thecontroller180 may perform various control operations regarding making/receiving a voice call, transmitting/receiving data, or making/receiving a video call. Thecontroller180 may include amultimedia player module181, which plays multimedia data. Themultimedia player module181 may be implemented as a hardware device and may be installed in thecontroller180. Alternatively, themultimedia player module181 may be implemented as a software program.

Thepower supply unit190 may be supplied with power by an external power source or an internal power source and may supply power to the other components in themobile terminal100.

Themobile terminal100 may include a wired/wireless communication system or a satellite communication system and may thus be able to operate in a communication system capable of transmitting data in units of frames or packets.

The exterior of themobile terminal100 will hereinafter be described in detail with reference toFIGS.2 and3. Various embodiments presented herein can be implemented using nearly any type of mobile terminal, such as a folder-type, a bar-type, a swing-type and a slider-type mobile terminal. However, for convenience, it is assumed that themobile terminal100 is a bar-type mobile terminal equipped with a touch screen.

FIG.2 illustrates a front perspective view of themobile terminal100. Referring toFIG.2, the exterior of themobile terminal100 may be formed by a front case100-1 and a rear case100-2. Various electronic devices may be installed in the space formed by the front case100-1 and the rear case100-2. The front case100-1 and the rear case100-2 may be formed of a synthetic resin through injection molding. Alternatively, the front case100-1 and the rear case100-2 may be formed of a metal such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

Thedisplay module151, a firstaudio output module153a, afirst camera121a, and first through thirduser input modules130a through130c may be disposed in the main body of themobile terminal100, and particularly, in the front case100-1. Fourth and fifthuser input modules130d and130e and themicrophone123 may be disposed on one side of the rear case100-2.

If a touch pad is configured to overlap thedisplay module151 and thus to form a mutual layer structure, thedisplay module151 may serve as a touch screen. Thus, the user can enter various information simply by touching thedisplay module151.

The firstaudio output module153a may be implemented as a receiver or a speaker. Thefirst camera121a may be configured to be suitable for capturing a still or moving image of the user. Themicrophone123 may be configured to properly receive the user's voice or other sounds.

The first through fifthuser input modules130a through130e and sixth and seventhuser input modules130f and130g may be collectively referred to as theuser input unit130. Theuser input unit130 may adopt various tactile manners as long as it can offer tactile feedback to the user.

For example, theuser input unit130 may be implemented as a dome switch or touch pad capable of receiving a command or information by being pushed or touched by the user; or a wheel, a jog dial or wheel, or a joystick capable of receiving a command or information by being rotated. More specifically, the first through thirduser input modules130a through130c may be used to make or receive a call, move a mouse pointer, scroll a display screen, and enter various commands such as ‘start’, ‘end’, and ‘scroll’ to themobile terminal100, the fourthuser input module130d may be used to select an operating mode for themobile terminal100, and the fifthuser input module130e may serve as a hot key for activating certain functions of themobile terminal100.

The firstuser input module130a may allow the user to, the seconduser input module130b may be used to enter various numerals, characters or symbols, and the third and fourthuser input modules130c and130d may be used as hot keys for activating certain functions of themobile terminal100.

FIG.3 illustrates a rear perspective view of themobile terminal100. Referring toFIG.3, asecond camera121b may be disposed at the rear of the rear case100-2. The sixth and seventhuser input modules130f and130e and theinterface unit170 may be disposed on one side of the second body100B.

Thesecond camera121b may have a different photographing direction from thefirst camera121a shown inFIG.2. In addition, the first andsecond cameras121a and121b may have different resolutions.

A camera flash and a mirror may be disposed near thesecond camera121b. The camera flash may be used to illuminate a subject when the user attempts to capture an image of the subject with thesecond camera121b. The mirror may be used for the user to prepare himself or herself for taking a self shot.

A second audio output module (not shown) may be additionally provided in the rear case100-2. The second audio output module may realize a stereo function along with the firstaudio output module153a. The second audio output module may also be used in a speaker-phone mode.

Theinterface unit170 may serve as a pathway for allowing themobile terminal100 to exchange data with an external device.

Not only anantenna105 for making or receiving a call but also anantenna105 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the rear case100-2. The antennas may be installed so as to be able to be retracted from the rear case100-2.

Thepower supply unit190, which supplies power to themobile terminal100, may be disposed in the rear case100-2. The power supply unit may be a rechargeable battery and may be coupled to the rear case100-2 so as to be attachable to or detachable from the rear case100-2.

Thesecond camera121b and the other elements that have been described as being provided in the rear case100-2 may be provided in the front case100-1. In addition, thefirst camera121a may be configured to be rotatable and thus to cover the photographing direction of thesecond camera121b. In this case, thesecond camera121b may be optional.

FIG.4 is a flowchart depicting a method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG.4, block S200 includes displaying a main screen showing a predefined number of upper-level icons on the display module, such asdisplay module151. The main screen may be a display screen that can be displayed when the booting of the mobile terminal is complete or when the mobile terminal is booted and released from a lock state. The upper-level icons may include icons frequently used by the user or icons selected by the user. That is, icons frequently used or selected by the user may be set to be displayed on the main screen as the upper-level icons.

In addition to basic icons, icons corresponding to applications downloaded from web stores may be displayed on the main screen. However, if too many icons are displayed on the main screen at the same time, the number of programs or the amount of data that should be present in the random access memory (RAM) of the mobile terminal may increase, and thus, the processing speed of the mobile terminal may decrease. To minimize or eliminate this and other issues, only a predefined number of icons including, for example, the icons frequently used or selected by the user, may be displayed on the main screen.

Icon-related information (such as a brief description or the current state of use of each of the upper-level icons) may be displayed near each of the upper-level icons. The icon-related information may be modified or edited by the user.

Alternatively, the user may configure various other information, icon name, or memo to be displayed near each of the upper-level icons, instead of the icon-related information. If the icon-related information is selected in response to a touch input, for example, a character input window may be displayed, and thus, the user may modify or edit the icon-related information using the character input window.

If one of the upper-level icons is dragged for more than a predetermined (e.g., threshold) distance (S205), then the display screen may show a group of lower-level icons, if any, of the corresponding upper-level icon on the display module (S210). On the other hand, if one of the upper-level icons is dragged less than the predetermined distance, the corresponding upper-level icon may be moved to a position where it has been dragged.

Alternatively, if one of the upper-level icons is dragged toward a certain direction, a group of lower-level icons, if any, of the corresponding upper-level icon may be displayed. On the other hand, if one of the upper-level icons is dragged toward a direction other than the certain direction, the corresponding upper-level icon may be moved to a position where it has been dragged.

If one of the upper-level icons is dragged in a predetermined manner, the dragged upper-level icon may be displayed differently from the other non-dragged upper-level icons so as to be easily distinguishable. For example, the dragged upper-level icon may be highlighted, whereas the other non-dragged upper-level icon may be blurred or otherwise distinguished.

A group of lower-level icons to be displayed when one of the upper-level icons is dragged in a predetermined manner may be set in advance.

The lower-level icons displayed in operation5210 may be icons for executing sub-menu functions of the upper-level icon selected in operation5205 or may be sub-folder icons of the upper-level icon dragged by more than the predetermined distance in operation5205.

The length or color of icon-related information of an upper-level icon may vary according to the number of lower-level icons that belong to the upper-level icon. Therefore, the user can determine how many lower-level icons belong to an upper-level icon based on icon-related information of the upper-level icon.

If one of the lower-level icons displayed in operation S210 is touched (S215), a predefined operation corresponding to the touched lower-level icon may be performed (S220).

If one of the upper-level icons displayed on the main screen is touched, instead of being dragged more than the predetermined distance (S225), a predefined operation corresponding to the touched upper-level icon may be performed (S230). That is, some of the upper-level icons displayed on the main screen can be readily executed simply by being touched.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to execute most or all of the functions of themobile terminal100 with only a few manipulations. In addition, it is possible to improve the processing speed of the mobile terminal by restricting the number of icons that are displayed on the main screen.

FIG.5 is a flowchart depicting a method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal according to further embodiments of the present invention. Referring toFIG.5, operations S300, S325 and S330 may be implemented in the same or similar manner as that described with regard toFIG.4, and thus, further description thereof will be omitted.

In operation S305, if one of a plurality of upper-level icons displayed on a main screen is dragged by more than a predetermined distance, a selection window may be displayed from which the user can choose one of a number of lower-level icons, if any, of the dragged upper-level icon on the display module (S310). The selection window may be displayed at the top or bottom of the dragged upper-level icon as a popup window, for example.

In operation S315, if one of the lower-level icons included in the selection window is selected by being touched, a predefined operation corresponding to the selected lower-level icon may be performed (S320). According to theFIG.5 embodiment, each of the upper-level icons may be executed without the need to switch from one display screen to another display screen. The embodiments ofFIGS.4 and5, for example, will now be described in further detail with reference toFIGS.6 through14.

FIGS.6 and7 depict icons of a main screen of a mobile terminal according to embodiments of the present invention. InFIG.6, basic icons for executing basic functions of themobile terminal100 may be displayed on a typicalmain screen400 together with icons corresponding to applications downloaded from various web stores or obtained from other sources. If there are too many icons to be displayed all at once, or the number of icons otherwise exceeds a threshold, the user may scroll the main screen (e.g., sideways) in order to search for and execute any desired icon.

Consider now the scenario in which not all the icons displayed on themain screen400 may satisfy a predetermined condition (e.g., regarding the frequency of use). For example, referring toFIG.7, only afew icons401,403,405,407 and409 may satisfy the predetermined condition regarding the frequency of use.

FIGS.8 through11 depict various display screens of a mobile terminal operating, for example, in accordance with the various embodiments presented with regard to the method ofFIG.4. In particular,FIG.8(a) shows adisplay screen420 on which a plurality of upper-level icons are displayed. In this example, these icons satisfy a condition regarding the frequency of use or are selected by the user and may also be selected as upper-level icons.

Next, a main screen may be configured using such upper-level icons. More specifically, referring toFIG.8(b), the icons that satisfy the above-noted predetermined condition may be arranged in a particular location, such arow435 along one edge (e.g., a left edge) of adisplay screen430. Icons that do not satisfy the predetermined condition may be arranged on the right side of the icons (or other location) that are included inrow435.

In the example ofFIG.8(c), the icons that do not satisfy the predetermined condition may be deleted from thedisplay screen420, thereby obtaining amain screen440 that only includes (e.g., excludes other icons) the icons that satisfy the predetermined condition. Since only certain icons are selected as upper-level icons and are thus displayed on themain screen440, it is possible to simplify the configuration of themain screen440.

A number of lower-level icons of each upper-level icon may be classified into one or more function groups according to their functions, for example, into a fun entertainment function group including game and DMB features and a call-related function group including a call feature, a short message service (SMS) feature, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) feature and a long message service (LMS) feature. A number of lower-level icons of each upper-level icon may be configured as sub-folders of a corresponding upper-level icon, and may thus be able to be easily selected by the user.

Referring toFIG.9(a), icon-related information such as a brief description or the frequency of use of each upper-level icon and information regarding a number of lower-level icons of each upper-level icon may be displayed on amain screen450.

Referring toFIG.9(b), if one of a plurality of upper-level icons displayed on themain screen450 is touched465, and the touched upper-level icon does not have any lower-level icons to choose from and can thus be readily executed, an operation corresponding to the touched upper-level icon may be performed. Referring toFIG.9(c), an example of this execution is shown indisplay screen470.

Referring toFIGS.10(a) and10(b), if one of a plurality of upper-level icons displayed on amain screen480 is dragged485 (e.g., to the right), adisplay screen490 showing a number of lower-level icons of the dragged upper-level icon483 may be displayed. Then, the user can select and execute one of the lower-level icons from thedisplay screen490.

FIGS.11 and12 depict display screens showing examples of icon drag-and-drop operations. Referring toFIG.11, anicon503 may be moved from one position to another on adisplay screen500, and a new icon may be added to thedisplay screen500 through a simple drag-and-drop. More specifically, if an icon is dragged by more than a predetermined distance (e.g., a threshold distance), a number of lower-level icons, if any, of the icon may be displayed. On the other hand, if an icon is dragged by less than the predetermined distance, the icon may be moved to a position where it has been dragged.

Referring toFIG.12(a), a plurality of upper-level icons are shown displayed on anicon setting screen510 together with other icons that can be set as lower-level icons, i.e., lower-level icon candidates. Theicon setting screen510 may be provided by a predetermined menu. The upper-level icons may be configured to be displayed along with the lower-level icon candidates, instead of icon-related information, in accordance with a predefined user input. If there are too many lower-level icon candidates to be displayed all at once, theicon setting screen510 may be configured to be able to be scrolled (e.g., sideways). When theicon setting screen510 is scrolled, the upper-level icons may remain fixed at their initial positions so that only the lower-level icon candidates can be scrolled through.

Referring toFIG.12(b), if one of the lower-level icon candidates503 is dragged505 over an upper-level icon507, theicon503 may be set as a lower-level icon of the upper-level icon507. Then, referring toFIG.12(c), adisplay screen515 may be obtained by deleting theicon503 from theicon setting screen510. Thereafter, icon-related information of the upper-level icon507 may be updated according to the addition of theicon503 as a new lower-level icon of theicon507. If desired, the icon-related information of the upper-level icon507 may be modified or edited in accordance with a user command. In this manner, an icon may be set as a lower-level icon of an upper-level icon by dragging the icon over the upper-level icon.

FIGS.13 and14 depict various display screens of a mobile terminal operating, for example, in accordance with the various embodiments presented with regard to the method ofFIG.5. Referring toFIG.13, if one of a plurality of upper-level icons displayed on amain screen520 is dragged525 (e.g. to the right) aselection window527 showing a number of lower-level icons of the dragged upper-level icon may be displayed (e.g., at the bottom of the dragged upper-level icon) as a popup window. Then, the user can touch and execute one of the lower-level icons from theselection window527. The lower-level icons may be configured not to be readily executed after being selected by a touch of theselection window527. In this case, the user can readily execute one of the lower-level icons from theselection window527 via a downward or other directional drag within theselection window527.

In more detail as a further example,FIG.13 shows displaying a first icon group (e.g., on the left side of the screen) of a plurality of icons on the display of themobile terminal100. In general, each icon of the first icon group is associated with an application (e.g., messaging, phone call, clock, and the like) that is executable on the mobile terminal. As indicated, user contact may occur at a first location of the display (e.g., dashed lines523) relative to a displayed location of aparticular icon523. Further detected is user contact representing a dragging525, for example, may occur over a distance beginning from the first location. Generally, the dragging represents substantially continual user contact from the first location over the distance. After the dragging occurs over a threshold distance (which can be system or user defined), a second group of icons (e.g., icons527) are displayed in an icon display region (e.g., region527). In this example, each icon of the second icon group may be associated with an application that is executable on the mobile terminal.

Referring toFIG.14, the length or color of icon-related information displayed on amain screen530 may vary according to the number of lower-level icons of each upper-level icon, as indicated byreference numerals531,533,535 and539. For an upper-level icon having no lower-level icons, no icon-related information may be displayed, as indicated byreference numeral537. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the number of lower-level icons of each upper-level icon.

As noted previously, various embodiments can be realized as code that can be read by a processor (such as a mobile station modem (MSM)) included in a mobile terminal and that can be written on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be any type of recording device in which data is stored in a computer-readable manner. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage, and a carrier wave (e.g., data transmission through the Internet). The computer-readable recording medium can be distributed over a plurality of computer systems connected to a network so that computer-readable code is written thereto and executed therefrom in a decentralized manner. Functional programs, code, and code segments needed for realizing various embodiments can be constructed by one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the teachings herein.

As described above, only a few icons that are selected based on their frequency of use or other parameter or condition (e.g., type, size, date of creation, and the like) and/or in accordance with a user command, may be displayed on a main screen. Then, if one of the icons is dragged by more than a predetermined distance, a number of lower-level icons, if any, of the dragged icon may be displayed. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute most of the functions of a mobile terminal with a few manipulations. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of a main screen, reduce the number of programs or the amount of data that should be present in a RAM of a mobile terminal and thus improve the processing speed of a mobile terminal.

Although embodiments may be implemented using the exemplary series of operations described herein, additional or fewer operations may be performed. Moreover, it is to be understood that the order of operations shown and described is merely exemplary and that no single order of operation is required. In addition, the foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses and processes. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (28)

What is claimed is:

1. A method of displaying items on a display of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

displaying a first icon group including a plurality of icons on the display, wherein each of the plurality of icons are displayed at as being aligned with a respective locations one of a plurality of visibly defined rows on the display, and wherein a first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group is displayed at a first displayed location on the display and the first icon is to be touched;

displaying simultaneously, for each of the plurality of icons, respective icon related information within a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows;

performing a predefined operation corresponding to a the touched first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group in response to a first user input, which is a touch input, that is received at the display, wherein the first user input is received while the first icon group is displayed;

displaying a at least one second icon group including at least one icon in response to a second user input received at the display, wherein the second user input, which is different from the first user input, comprises a dragging touch input more than a threshold distance beginning from a received at a location that corresponds to the first displayed location of a the first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group, at least one icon of wherein the at least one second icon is different from the touched first icon of the first icon group and the at least one second icon group represents a predefined operation that can be performed at the mobile terminal, and wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is different from the touched icon of the first icon group terminal; and

after the dragging more than the threshold distance touch input and while user contact is maintained at an area corresponding to the visibly defined row associated with the first icon and at the display as part of the second user input,:

continuing the displaying of remaining icons of the plurality of icons of the first icon group at the respective locations of as being aligned with a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows on the display with,

continuing the displaying, for the remaining icons of the plurality of icons, respective icon related information within a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows,

continuing the displaying of the at least one second icon group and,

no longer displaying the first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group at the first displayed location, and

displaying the first icon at a second displayed location which is different than the first displayed location.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein each icon of the first icon group is an upper-level icon, and each icon of the at least one second icon group is a lower-level icon.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the predefined operation of each icon of the second icon group represents a separate application that is executable at the mobile terminal.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one second icon group comprises is one of an icon related to a call operation and or an icon related to a message operation.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein each icon of the first icon group includes icon information in an icon information region of the corresponding icon.

6. The method of claim5 1, further comprising:

modifying or editing the icon related information associated with one of the plurality of icons of the first icon group in accordance with a user input.

7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

displaying a dragged icon on the display at locations that correspond to the dragging touch input of the received second user input, wherein display characteristics of the dragged icon are different from display characteristics of other icons of the first icon group.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one second icon group is displayed in response to the second user input reaching the threshold distance.

9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of icons included in the first icon group are displayed as a vertical list.

10. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

displaying, on the display, a screen related to the predefined operation corresponding to the first icon in response to the first user input such that the first icon group is not displayed after receiving the first user input.

11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein one icon of the second icon group is an icon included in the first icon group.

12. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

moving the first icon of the first icon group from the first displayed location to a different the second displayed location that corresponds with a current location of the second user input.

13. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a memory storing computer-readable code;

a display; and

a controller processor operably coupled to the display and the memory and being configured to:

causeexecute the computer-readable code to control the display to display a first icon group including a plurality of icons, wherein each of the plurality of icons are displayed atas being aligned with a respective locationsone of a plurality of visibly defined rows on the display, and wherein a first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group is displayed at a first displayed location on the display and the first icon is to be touched;

execute the computer-readable code to control the display to display simultaneously, for each of the plurality of icons, respective icon related information within a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows;

execute the computer-readable code to perform a predefined operation corresponding to a the touched first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group in response to a first user input, which is a touch input, that is received at the display, wherein the first user input is received while the first icon group is displayed;

causeexecute the computer-readable code to control the display to display aat least one second icon group including at least one icon in response to a second user input is received at the display, wherein the second user input, which is different from the first user input, comprises a dragging touch input more than a threshold distance beginning from a received at a location that corresponds to the first displayed location of a the first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group, wherein at least one icon of the at least one second icon is different from the touched first icon of the first icon group and the at least one second icon group represents a predefined operation that can be performed at the mobile terminal, and wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is different from the touched icon of the first icon group; and

after the dragging more than the threshold distance touch input and while user contact is maintained at an area corresponding to the visibly defined row associated with the first icon and at the display as part of the second user input, execute the computer-readable code to:

control the display to continue the display of remaining icons of the plurality of icons of the first icon group at the respective locations of as being aligned with a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows on the displaywith,

control the display to continue the display, for the remaining icons of the plurality of icons, respective icon related information within a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows,

control the display to continue the display of the at least one second icongroup and,

control the display to no longer displaying display the first icon of the plurality of icons of the first icon group at the first displayed location, and

control the display to display the first icon at a second displayed location which is different than the first displayed location.

14. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein each icon of the first icon group is an upper-level icon, and each icon of the at least one second icon group is a lower-level icon.

15. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the predefined operation of each icon of the second icon group represents a separate application that is executable at the mobile terminal.

16. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one second icon group comprises is one of an icon related to a call operation and or an icon related to a message operation.

17. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein each icon of the first icon group includes icon information in an icon information region of the corresponding icon.

18. The mobile terminal of claim17 13, wherein the controller processor is further configured to:

execute the computer-readable code to modify or edit the icon related information associated with one of the plurality of icons of the first icon group in accordance with a user input.

19. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the controller processor is further configured to:

execute the computer-readable code to cause the display to display a dragged icon at locations that correspond to the dragging touch input of the received second user input, wherein display characteristics of the dragged icon are different from display characteristics of other icons of the first icon group.

20. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one second icon group is displayed in response to the second user input reaching the threshold distance.

21. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the plurality of icons included in the first icon group are displayed as a vertical list.

22. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the controller processor is further configured to:

execute the computer-readable code to cause the display to display a screen related to the predefined operation corresponding to the first icon in response to the first user input such that the first icon group is not displayed after receiving the first user input.

23. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein one icon of the second icon group is an icon included in the first icon group.

24. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the controller processor is further configured to:

execute the computer-readable code to move the first icon of the first icon group from the first displayed location to a differentthe second displayed location that corresponds with a current location of the second user input.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein each icon of the first icon group includes a symbol that corresponds to an application.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the icon related information respectively associated with each of the plurality of icons of the first icon group is modifiable by a user.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the icon related information respectively associated with each of the plurality of icons of the first icon group includes text.

28. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a memory storing computer-readable code;

a display; and

a processor operably coupled to the display and the memory and being configured to:

execute the computer-readable code to control the display to display a first item group including a plurality of items, wherein each of the plurality of items are displayed as being aligned with a respective one of a plurality of visibly defined rows on the display, and wherein a first item of the plurality of items of the first item group is displayed at a first displayed location on the display and the first item is to be touched;

execute the computer-readable code to control the display to display simultaneously, for each of the plurality of items, respective item related information within a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows;

execute the computer-readable code to perform a predefined operation corresponding to the touched first item of the plurality of items of the first item group in response to a first user input, which is a touch input, that is received at the display, wherein the first user input is received while the first item group is displayed;

execute the computer-readable code to control the display to display at least one second item in response to a second user input received at the display, wherein the second user input, which is different from the first user input, comprises a dragging touch input more than a threshold distance received at a location that corresponds to the first displayed location of the first item of the plurality of items of the first item group, wherein the at least one second item is different from the touched first item of the first item group and the second item represents a predefined operation that can be performed at the mobile terminal; and

after the dragging touch input and while user contact is maintained at an area corresponding to the visibly defined row associated with the first item and at the display as part of the second user input, execute the computer-readable code to:

control the display to continue the display of remaining items of the plurality of items of the first item group as being aligned with a respective one of the plurality of visibly defined rows on the display,

control the display to continue the display of the at least one second item,

control the display to no longer display the first item of the plurality of items of the first item group at the first displayed location, and

control the display to display the first item at a second displayed location which is different than the first displayed location.

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