METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE USER INTERFACE

• US 20100134432A1
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: SEO, Hyeong-chan
• Application Number:
  US12/575,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134432A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method of operating a touch screen providing an enhanced user interface includes displaying a plurality of icons on a touch screen, determining whether or not confusion occurs, and enlarging an area in which confusion occurs. Accordingly, a user can select a desired icon with greater ease and greater precision.

Claims

1. A method of providing a user interface, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of icons on a touch screen;

determining that confusion occurs in response to the touch screen being touched; and

enlarging and displaying a confusing area when confusion occurs.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the confusing area is an area on which at least two icons from among the plurality of icons are touched.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation comprises:

dividing the touch screen into a number of the touched icons; and

enlarging and displaying the at least two touched icons on the divided areas of the touch screen, respectively.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation comprises:

enlarging and displaying the at least two touched icons and at least one icon which is adjacent to the at least two touched icons.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation further comprises:

displaying together an icon for returning to the touch screen which has been displayed before the enlarging operation is performed.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation further comprises:

displaying together an icon for returning to the touch screen which has been displayed before the enlarging operation is performed.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the confusing area is an empty area on the touch screen on which there is no icon.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation comprises:

dividing the touch screen into a number of at least one icon which is adjacent to the empty area; and

enlarging and displaying the at least one adjacent icon on the divided area of the touch screen, respectively.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation comprises:

enlarging and displaying at least one icon which is adjacent to the empty area.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation further comprises:

displaying together an icon for returning to the touch screen which has been displayed before the enlarging operation is performed.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the enlarging and displaying operation further comprises:

displaying together an icon for returning to the touch screen which has been displayed before the enlarging operation is performed.

12. A multimedia apparatus, comprising:

a touch screen to display a plurality of icons; and

a control unit to determine that confusion occurs in response to the touch screen being touched, and to enlarge and display a confusing area when confusion occurs.

13. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the confusing area is an area on which at least two icons from among the plurality of icons are touched.

14. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when confusion occurs, the control unit divides the touch screen into a number of the touched icons, and enlarges and displays the at least two touched icons on the divided areas of the touch screen, respectively.

15. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the control unit determines confusion occurs, the control unit enlarges and displays the at least two touched icons and at least one icon which is adjacent to the at least two touched icons.

16. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the control unit determines confusion occurs, the control unit further displays an icon for returning to the touch screen which has been displayed before the enlarging operation is performed.

17. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the control unit determines confusion occurs, the control unit further displays an icon for returning to the touch screen which has been displayed before the enlarging operation is performed.

18. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the confusing area is an empty area on the touch screen on which there is no icon.

19. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 18, wherein when the control unit determines confusion occurs, the control unit divides the touch screen into a number of at least one icon which is adjacent to the empty area, and enlarges and displays the at least one adjacent icon on the divided area of the touch screen, respectively.

20. The multimedia apparatus according to claim 18, wherein when the control unit determines confusion occurs, the control unit enlarges and displays at least one icon which is adjacent to the empty area.