MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING MENU ICON THEREOF

• US 20090031253A1
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Song, Jun Hyuck, Lim, Min Taik, Lee, Seong Cheol
• Granted Patent: US 8,607,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method for displaying icons on a portable device. The method includes displaying a first icon group including at least one icon on a touchscreen of the portable device, wherein at least one icon of the first icon group is selectable responsive to a detected presence of an input at a location proximate to a displayed location of the at least one icon, and displaying a second icon group including at least one icon on the touchscreen, wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is selectable responsive to user contact with a mechanical input device, and wherein the selection of the at least one icon of the second icon group causes the first icon group to be displayed.

Claims

1. An icon display method of a portable device, the method comprising:

displaying a first icon group comprising at least one icon on a touchscreen of the portable device, wherein at least one icon of the first icon group is selectable responsive to a detected presence of an input at a location proximate to a displayed location of the at least one icon; and

displaying a second icon group comprising at least one icon on the touchscreen, wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is selectable responsive to user contact with a mechanical input device, and wherein the selection of the at least one icon of the second icon group causes the first icon group to be displayed.

2. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon of the first icon group is associated with a specific function of the portable device.

3. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is associated with a menu item of the portable device.

4. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is not selectable via contact with the touchscreen.

5. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the detected presence of the input comprises user contact with the touchscreen.

6. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon of the first icon group performs a first function when the icon is touched for a time less than a predetermined icon touch time and the at least one icon performs a second function when the icon is touched for a time greater than or equal to the predetermined icon touch time.

7. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon of the first icon group may be selected via a key on the mechanical input device and an indicator corresponding to the key on the mechanical input device is displayed next to the at least one icon of the first icon group.

8. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the user may configure the at least one icon of the first icon group to be selectable via the touchscreen or the mechanical input device.

9. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein a menu for removing the at least one icon of the first icon group is displayed if the at least one icon is touched for a time greater than a predetermined icon touch time and the at least one icon of the first icon group may be removed from the first icon group.

10. The icon display method of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises an icon addition menu for adding the at least one icon to the first icon group.

11. The icon display method of claim 1, further comprises adding the most frequently used icon of the portable device to the first icon group.

12. A method for displaying icons on a portable device, the method comprising:

displaying a first icon group comprising at least one icon on a touchscreen of the portable device, wherein the at least one icon of the first icon group is selectable responsive to a detected presence of an input at a location proximate to a displayed location of the at least one icon; and

displaying a second icon group comprising at least one icon on the touchscreen, wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is only selectable responsive to user contact with a mechanical input device.

13. The icon display method of claim 12, wherein the at least one icon of the first icon group is associated with a distinct function of the portable device.

14. The icon display method of claim 12, wherein the at least one icon of the second icon group is associated with a menu item of the portable device.

15. The icon display method of claim 12, wherein the detected presence of an input comprises user contact with the touchscreen.

16. A portable device for displaying icons, the portable device comprising:

a wireless communication unit for communicating with other terminals and devices;

an audio and video input device for capturing audio and video;

a key input unit for receiving input from a user;

a sensing unit for sensing if the portable device is an open state or a closed state;

an display unit for displaying icons;

an audio output unit for output of audio;

an interface unit for connecting external devices with the portable device;

a power supply for supplying power to the portable device; and

a control unit for controlling communications of the portable device and displaying a first icon group comprising at least one icon and a second icon group comprising at least one icon on the display unit.

17. The portable device of claim 16, wherein the key input unit comprises one of a keypad and a touchscreen, wherein the touchscreen is located on the display unit.

18. The portable device of claim 17, wherein at least one icon from the first icon group is selectable via contact with the touchscreen and wherein at least once icon from the second icon group is selectable via the keypad.

19. The portable device of claim 18, wherein the control unit determines a predetermined icon touch time.

20. The portable device of claim 19, wherein the control unit detects the presence of user contact with the touchscreen of the key input unit.

21. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the portable device further comprises a first body and a second body, the first body sliding relative to the second body such that the first body overlaps the second body in the closed state and a portion of the second body is exposed in the open state.

22. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the portable device further comprises a first body and a second body, the first body folding and unfolding relative to the second body.

23. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the portable device further comprises a front housing unit and a rear housing unit coupled together with the components of the portable device housed between the front and rear housing units.

24. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the portable device comprises a first body and a second body, the first body swinging at a ninety degree angle relative to the second body.