METHOD FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION IN MOBILE TERMINAL

• US 20080051152A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yi, Sun Young, Nam, Hyo Jin, Hwang, Jae Joon, Hong, Nho Kyung, Kim, June Seok
• Granted Patent: US 8,451,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications

Abstract

Provided is a method for displaying information in a mobile terminal having an Electro-Luminescence (EL) region. The method includes determining whether a request for setting an item to be displayed on the EL region is input in a state in which the mobile terminal is in an EL display mode; if a request is input, setting an item to be displayed on the EL region; and displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region in the EL display mode. The method allows information related to a mobile terminal to be consistently displayed at a preset position while performing a specific function of the mobile terminal, thus enabling simultaneous display of the specific function and of information stored in the mobile terminal.

Claims

1. A method for displaying information in a mobile terminal having a display unit containing an Electro-Luminescence (EL) region for displaying information in the mobile terminal, the method comprising:

determining whether a request for setting an item to be displayed on the EL region is input in a state in which the mobile terminal is in an EL display mode;

if a request is input, setting an item to be displayed on the EL region; and

displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region in the EL display mode.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether an event occurs in the EL display mode;

if an event occurs, displaying contents corresponding to the event;

and returning to displaying the contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein in displaying contents corresponding to the event, the contents corresponding to the event are displayed for a predetermined time duration.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein an event occurs when contents displayed in a status bar changes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein setting an item to be displayed on the EL region comprises:

displaying a list containing at least one item; and

selecting a specific item among the list in response to a selection signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the specific item is at least one of a schedule, a phrase, a date/time, a word list, and a message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region comprises displaying, if the set item is a schedule, displaying the contents of a schedule during a preset time period from within the time period of a prestored schedule, in a sequential order.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset time period is one of one day, one week, and one month.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the schedule is at least one of a diary-date, a scheduled event, and an anniversary.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region further comprises, if no content exists, displaying a blank space.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region comprises, if the set item is a phrase, displaying a phrase obtained by editing.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the edited phrase is displayed in the form of a sliding display.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region further comprises, if no edited phrase exists, displaying a blank space.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the message is one of a short message, an urgent message, a voice message, a multimedia message, and a broadcast message.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region comprises:

if the set item is a message and at least one unconfirmed message exists, displaying contents of the last received unconfirmed message;

determining whether an unconfirmed message exists in response to a signal for confirming the contents of the displayed unconfirmed message;

if an unconfirmed message exists, displaying contents of the last received unconfirmed message; and

if no unconfirmed message exists, displaying a blank space.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the message contents is displayed in the form of a sliding display.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein displaying contents corresponding to the set item on the EL region comprises displaying, upon receipt of a message other than a short message, a message indicating that a message is received.

18. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying a content corresponding to the set item on the EL region further comprises if the set item is a date/time, displaying a date/time set in the mobile terminal.

19. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying a content corresponding to the set item on the EL region comprises if the set item is a word list, displaying words prestored in the mobile terminal in a sequential order in the form of a sliding display.