Key input method in a mobile telecommunication terminal

• US 20010012790A1
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Kwon-Tae, Park, Seong-Min
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/565
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal. The method according to the present invention includes the steps of detecting whether or not a user has inputted a key, detecting whether or not the user has consecutively inputted the same key before elapse of a predetermined time, and if so, performing a function newly set according to the consecutive input of the same key. The method further includes the steps of detecting whether or not the user has inputted a key set for a scroll function, and if so, detecting whether or not the key input state of the corresponding key is maintained for a predetermined period of time, and controlling a cursor positioned at a particular item of a menu screen displayed according to a maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time to be positioned at a next menu item in an opposite direction.

Claims

1. A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting whether or not a user has inputted a key;

detecting whether or not the user has consecutively inputted the same key before elapse of a predetermined time period for consecutive input;

if so, performing a newly set function according to the consecutive input of the same key.

2. The key input method of

claim 1

, further comprising a step of performing an original function of the inputted key when the user has not consecutively inputted the same key before elapse of the predetermined time period for consecutive input.

3. The key input method of

claim 1

, wherein the key is one of a plurality of alphanumeric keys in the mobile telecommunication terminal.

4. The key input method of

claim 1

, wherein the key is one a plurality of functional keys in the mobile telecommunication terminal.

5. A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal, comprising:

detecting whether or not a user has inputted a key set for a scroll function when displaying a menu screen comprising a scroll;

if so, detecting whether or not the input state of the key set for a scroll function is maintained for a predetermined period of time; and

controlling the position of a cursor positioned at a particular item of the displayed menu screen depending on maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time.

6. The key input method of

claim 5

, wherein the controlling step comprises the following sub-steps if the menu screen comprises a scroll screen of upward and downward directions:

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a downward menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time; and

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to an upward menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

7. The key input method of

claim 5

, further comprising the sub-steps of:

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to an upward menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time;

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a downward menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

8. The key input method of

claim 5

, wherein the controlling step comprises the following sub-steps if the menu screen comprises a scroll screen of left and right directions:

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a right menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time; and

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a left menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

9. The key input method of

claim 5

, further comprising the sub-steps of:

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a left menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time;

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a right menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

10. The key input method of

claim 5

, wherein the key set for a scroll function is one of a plurality of alphanumeric keys in the mobile telecommunication terminal.

11. The key input method of

claim 5

, wherein the key set for a scroll function is one of a plurality of functional keys in the mobile telecommunication terminal.