Key input method in a mobile telecommunication terminal

• US 7,693,556 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Kwon-Tae, Park, Seong-Min
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Lana N
• Application Number:
  US09/775,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20010012790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,351 Days
• Field of Search: 455/564, 4555751-5756, 455 901- 903, 455/566, 455/550.1, 455/422, 345/156, 345/160, 345/684, 345/169, 345/685
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal. The method according to the present invention includes the steps of detecting whether or not a user has inputted a key, detecting whether or not the user has consecutively inputted the same key before elapse of a predetermined time, and if so, performing a function newly set according to the consecutive input of the same key. The method further includes the steps of detecting whether or not the user has inputted a key set for a scroll function, and if so, detecting whether or not the key input state of the corresponding key is maintained for a predetermined period of time, and controlling a cursor positioned at a particular item of a menu screen displayed according to a maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time to be positioned at a next menu item in an opposite direction.

Claims

1. A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal, comprising:

detecting whether a user has set a scroll function when displaying a menu screen;

if so, detecting whether an input state of a key set for a scroll function is maintained for a predetermined period of time; and

controlling the position of a cursor positioned at a particular item of the displayed menu screen depending on maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time, and when the menu screen comprises a scroll screen of upward and downward directions, the controlling including;

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a downward menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time; and

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to an upward menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

2. A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal, comprising:

detecting whether a user has set a scroll function when displaying a menu screen;

if so, detecting whether an input state of a key set for a scroll function is maintained for a predetermined period of time; and

controlling the position of a cursor positioned at a particular item of the displayed menu screen depending on maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time;

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to an upward menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time; and

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a downward menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

3. A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal, comprising:

detecting whether a user has set a scroll function when displaying a menu screen;

if so, detecting whether an input state of a key set for a scroll function is maintained for a predetermined period of time; and

controlling the position of a cursor positioned at a particular item of the displayed menu screen depending on maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time, and when the menu screen comprises a scroll screen of left and right directions, the controlling including;

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a right menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time; and

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a left menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.

4. A key input method for diversifying key functions in a mobile telecommunication terminal, comprising:

detecting whether a user has set a scroll function when displaying a menu screen;

if so, detecting whether an input state of a key set for a scroll function is maintained for a predetermined period of time; and

controlling the position of a cursor positioned at a particular item of the displayed menu screen depending on maintenance of the key input state for the predetermined period of time;

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a left menu item when the key input state is not maintained for the predetermined period of time; and

moving and displaying the cursor of the menu item to a right menu item when the key input state is maintained for the predetermined period of time.