MOBILE TERMINAL AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

• US 20110072345A1
• Filed: 09/17/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: LIM, Gukchan
• Granted Patent: US 8,650,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A mobile terminal is provided that includes a touch input unit and a display. A method of operating the mobile terminal includes operating the touch input unit of the mobile terminal in a normal mode, detecting a first multi-touch signal from the touch input unit, switching the touch input unit from the normal mode to a direction input mode in response to the first multi-touch signal, detecting a second multi-touch signal from the touch input unit while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, determining a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on the tap signal, and scrolling at least one object displayed on a screen of a display of the mobile terminal in the determined direction. The second multi-touch signal may include a tap signal.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

operating a touch input unit of the mobile terminal in a normal mode;

detecting a first multi-touch signal from the touch input unit;

switching the touch input unit from the normal mode to a direction input mode in response to the first multi-touch signal;

detecting a second multi-touch signal from the touch input unit while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the second multi-touch signal including a tap signal;

determining a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on the tap signal; and

scrolling at least one object displayed on a screen of a display of the mobile terminal in the determined direction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a touch signal from the touch input unit while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the touch signal comprising a touch signal for more than a predefined amount of time, a drag signal with a predetermined pattern or a tap signal from a predefined part of the touch input unit; and

switching the touch input unit back to the normal mode in response to the detection of the touch signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting at least the first multi-touch signal or the second multi-touch signal comprises:

identifying a touch signal as a long touch signal or a short touch signal; and

classifying a series of short touch signals detected from the same position on the touch input unit as a tap signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch input unit is separate from the display and comprises a touch screen configured to display a screen relevant to the screen of the display.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

displaying at least one selectable item on the touch screen during the direction input mode;

detecting a touch input received at the touch screen, the touch input related to selection of one of the at least one selectable item; and

displaying information related to the selected one of the at least one selectable item on the display or on the touch screen in response to detecting the touch input.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

displaying a direction key screen on the touch screen during the direction input mode, the direction key screen configured to receive selection of a direction in which to scroll the screen of the display.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising displaying, on the touch screen, at least an auxiliary screen or a sub-menu screen relevant to the screen of the display during the normal mode.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of command keys or icons on the screen of the display;

detecting a touch signal from the touch input unit during the normal mode;

selecting one of the plurality of command keys or icons in response to the touch signal; and

performing an operation corresponding to the selected command key or icon.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a gesture signal from the touch input unit;

performing an operation corresponding to the gesture signal; and

displaying a screen relevant to the operation on the display.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second multi-touch input comprises a long touch signal detected at a first position on the touch input unit and a tap signal detected at a second position on the touch input unit; and

the direction represented by the second multi-touch signal is determined based on a relative position of the second position on the touch input unit to the first position on the touch input unit;

the determined direction is a rightward direction when the second position is to the right of the first position and within a preset range of a Y-coordinate of the first position;

the determined direction is a leftward direction when the second position is to the left of the first position and within the preset range of the Y-coordinate of the first position;

the determined direction is an upward direction when the second position is above and to the right of the first position or above and to the left of the first position and above the preset range of the Y-coordinate of the first position; and

the determined direction is a downward direction when the second position is below and to the right of the first position or below and to the left of the first position and below the preset range of the Y-coordinate of the first position.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

switching the mobile terminal off when the touch input unit is in the normal mode or in the direction mode; and

switching the mobile terminal back on,

wherein the touch input unit resumes in the normal mode when the mobile terminal is switched back on if the touch input unit was in the normal mode when the mobile terminal was switched off, and

wherein the touch input unit resumes in the direction mode when the mobile terminal is switched back on if the touch input unit was in the direction mode when the mobile terminal was switched off.

12. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a display configured to display at least one object on a screen of the display;

a touch input unit configured to receive a touch input; and

a controller configured to switch the touch input unit from a normal mode to a direction input mode in response to a first multi-touch signal detected from the touch input unit,

wherein the touch input unit is further configured to receive a second multi-touch signal while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the second multi-touch signal including a tap signal, and

wherein the controller is further configured to determine a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on the tap signal and to scroll the at least one object displayed on the screen of the display in the determined direction.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the touch input unit is separate from the display and comprises a touch screen configured to display a screen relevant to the screen of the display.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify a touch signal as a long touch signal or a short touch signal;

classify a series of short touch signals detected from the same position on the touch input unit as a tap signal, and

determine the direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on a location of the detected tap signal included in the second multi-touch signal.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein:

the touch input unit is further configured to detect a touch signal while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the touch signal comprising a touch signal for more than a predefined amount of time, a drag signal with a predetermined pattern or a tap signal from a predefined part of the touch input unit; and

the controller is further configured to switch the touch input unit back to the normal mode in response to the detection of the touch signal.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein:

the second multi-touch input comprises a long touch signal detected at a first position on the touch input unit and a tap signal detected at a second position on the touch input unit; and

the controller is further configured to determine the direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on a relative position of the second position on the touch input unit to the first position on the touch input unit;

the determined direction is a rightward direction when the second position is to the right of the first position and within a preset range of a Y-coordinate of the first position;

the determined direction is a leftward direction when the second position is to the left of the first position and within the preset range of the Y-coordinate of the first position;

the determined direction is an upward direction when the second position is above and to the right of the first position or above and to the left of the first position and above the preset range of the Y-coordinate of the first position; and

the determined direction is a downward direction when the second position is below and to the right of the first position or below and to the left of the first position and below the preset range of the Y-coordinate of the first position.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein:

the touch input unit is configured to resume in the normal mode when the mobile terminal is switched back on if the touch input unit was in the normal mode when the mobile terminal was switched off, and

the touch input unit is configured to resume in the direction mode when the mobile terminal is switched back on if the touch input unit was in the direction mode when the mobile terminal was switched off.

18. A method of operating a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

operating a touch input unit of the mobile terminal in a normal mode;

detecting a first multi-touch signal from the touch input unit;

switching the touch input unit from the normal mode to a direction input mode in response to the first multi-touch signal;

detecting a second multi-touch signal from the touch input unit while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the second multi-touch signal including a drag signal;

determining a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on a direction of the drag signal; and

scrolling at least one object displayed on a screen of a display of the mobile terminal in the determined direction or moving a cursor on the screen of the display in the determined direction.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the touch input unit is separate from the display and comprises a touch screen configured to display a screen relevant to the screen of the display.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

displaying at least one selectable item on the touch screen during the direction input mode;

selecting one of the at least one selectable item; and

displaying information related to the selected one of the at least one selectable item on the display or on the touch screen in response to the selection.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

displaying a direction key screen on the touch screen during the direction input mode, the direction key screen configured to receive selection of a direction in which to scroll the screen of the display or to move the cursor.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying, on the touch screen, at least an auxiliary screen or a sub-menu screen relevant to the screen of the display during the normal mode.

23. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a display configured to display at least one object on a screen of the display;

a touch input unit configured to receive a touch input; and

a controller configured to switch the touch input unit from a normal mode to a direction input mode in response to a first multi-touch signal detected from the touch input unit,

wherein the touch input unit is further configured to receive a second multi-touch signal while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the second multi-touch signal including a drag signal, and

wherein the controller is further configured to determine a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on a direction of the drag signal and to scroll the at least one object displayed on the screen of the display in the determined direction or to move a cursor on the screen of the display in the determined direction.

24. The mobile terminal of claim 23, wherein the touch input unit is separate from the display and comprises a touch screen configured to display a screen relevant to the screen of the display.

25. A method of operating a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

operating a touch input unit of the mobile terminal in a normal mode;

detecting a first multi-touch signal from the touch input unit;

switching the touch input unit from the normal mode to a direction input mode in response to the first multi-touch signal;

detecting a second multi-touch signal from the touch input unit while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the second multi-touch signal including a tap signal;

determining a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on the tap signal; and

moving a cursor on the screen of the display in the determined direction.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the touch input unit is separate from the display and comprises a touch screen configured to display a screen relevant to the screen of the display.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

displaying a direction key screen on the touch screen during the direction input mode, the direction key screen configured to receive selection of a direction in which to scroll the screen of the display.

28. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a display configured to display at least one object on a screen of the display;

a touch input unit configured to receive a touch input; and

a controller configured to switch the touch input unit from a normal mode to a direction input mode in response to a first multi-touch signal detected from the touch input unit,

wherein the touch input unit is further configured to receive a second multi-touch signal while the touch input unit is in the direction input mode, the second multi-touch signal including a tap signal, and

wherein the controller is further configured to determine a direction represented by the second multi-touch signal based on the tap signal and to move a cursor on the screen of the display in the determined direction.

29. The mobile terminal of claim 28, wherein the touch input unit is separate from the display and comprises a touch screen configured to display a screen relevant to the screen of the display.