METHOD FOR SORTING AND DISPLAYING SYMBOLS IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL

• US 20080216016A1
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Dong Hyuck
• Granted Patent: US 8,341,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/811
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72472 wherein the items are sorted according to specific criteria, e.g. frequency of use

Abstract

A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set.

Claims

1-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A method for arranging a plurality of symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal, the method comprising:

configuring the plurality of symbols into a plurality of symbol sets, wherein each one of the plurality of symbol sets is displayed in a predetermined sequence; and

displaying a first symbol set when a symbol request is made, wherein a symbol set comprising a user'"'"'s last selected symbol is assigned as the first symbol set to be displayed.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein when a user inputs a symbol request, a display window displays a symbol set window, a symbol set title, at least one direction arrow, and at least a portion of a message input window.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein an input key corresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol sets.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein a numeric key corresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol sets.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the at least one direction arrow is displayed on a soft key menu below the symbol set window.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein when an input key is pressed to request one of the plurality of symbols, a display window displays a symbol set window, a symbol set title, at least one direction arrow, and at least a portion of a message input window.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein the plurality of symbol sets is selected from at least one of a general symbol category, picture category, diagram category and measurement category.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein when a user'"'"'s symbol is selected from the first symbol set, the remaining symbols are displayed in a reconfigured order with respect to a last use history of each remaining symbol in conjunction with the user'"'"'s last selected symbol.

46. A method for arranging a plurality of symbol sets for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal, the method comprising:

configuring a plurality of symbols into the plurality of symbol sets, wherein each one of the plurality of symbol sets is displayed in a predetermined sequence;

receiving a symbol request to display a symbol set from the plurality of symbol sets;

assigning a symbol set comprising a user'"'"'s last selected symbol as a first symbol set to be displayed; and

displaying the first symbol set when the symbol request is made.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the plurality of symbol sets are selected from at least one of a general symbol category, picture category, diagram category and measurement category.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein an input key corresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol sets.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein when a user inputs a symbol request, a display window displays a symbol set window, a symbol set title, at least one direction arrow, and at least a portion of a message input window.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein when a user'"'"'s symbol is selected from the first symbol set, the remaining symbols are displayed in a reconfigured order with respect to a last use history of each remaining symbol in conjunction with the user'"'"'s last selected symbol.

51. A mobile communication terminal for arranging a plurality of symbols and symbol sets for display and selection, comprising:

a key input unit for inputting a user'"'"'s symbol request;

a selection unit adapted to select a symbol set comprising the user'"'"'s last selected symbol, wherein the symbol set comprising the user'"'"'s last selected symbol is assigned as a first symbol set; and

a display for displaying the first symbol set.

52. The mobile communication terminal of claim 51, wherein the plurality of symbols are configured into the plurality of symbol sets, wherein each one of the plurality of symbol sets is displayed in a predetermined sequence.

53. The mobile communication terminal of claim 51, wherein the selection unit further comprises a category managing unit.

54. The mobile communication terminal of claim 51, wherein when a user inputs a symbol request, a display window of the display displays a symbol set window, a symbol set title, at least one direction arrow, and at least a portion of a message input window.

55. The mobile communication terminal of claim 54, wherein when a user'"'"'s desired symbol is not displayed in the first symbol set, the at least one direction arrow is selected to display another of the plurality of symbol sets.

56. The mobile communication terminal of claim 54, wherein the at least one direction arrow is displayed on a soft key menu below the symbol set window.

57. The mobile communication terminal of claim 53, wherein an input key corresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol sets.

58. The mobile communication terminal of claim 53, wherein a numeric key corresponds to each of the plurality of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol sets.