Object search method and terminal having object search function

• US 8,212,785 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2008
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Min, Zee Young, Song, Yoo Mee, Jeong, Kye Sook, Chang, Jin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Quan-Zhen
• Assistant Examiner(s): DALRYMPLE, TROY S
• Application Number:
  US12/027,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/156, 345/168, 715/863
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

An object search method, computer program product, and a terminal having an object search function are disclosed. The object search method includes: displaying a list of a plurality of objects including a first object and a second object in a first screen area, and displaying a touch input window for touch input in a second screen area; touching a first position on the touch input window with a pointer and then dragging the pointer to a second position on the touch input window; and moving an object indicator from the first object to the second object on the list as the pointer is dragged from the first position to the second position. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently search for an object.

Claims

1. An object search method, comprising:

displaying a list of a plurality of objects including a first object and a second object in a first screen area, and displaying a touch input window for touch input in a second screen area, the touch input window including one or more function keys;

receiving a touch input on a first position with a pointer on the touch input window and then receiving an input corresponding to dragging the pointer to a second position on the touch input window;

moving an object indicator from the first object to the second object on the list as the pointer is dragged from the first position to the second position; and

executing a function set in a first function key if the second position and the first function key are at least partially overlapped with each other when the touch of the pointer on the second position is removed,

wherein the first function key is located on a predetermined position on the touch input window, and

wherein a region for receiving the touch input causing the movement of the object indicator is not provided on the first screen area.

2. The object search method of claim 1, wherein the first screen area and the second screen area are provided in one display or respectively in one of a plurality of displays.

3. The object search method of claim 1, wherein the second screen area is provided on a touch screen.

4. The object search method of claim 1, wherein the step of moving comprises moving the object indicator in proportion to at least one of a drag speed and a drag distance of the pointer.

5. The object search method of claim 1, wherein the step of moving comprises moving the object indicator correspondingly to a drag direction of the pointer.

6. The object search method of claim 1, wherein each of the objects includes at least one of a menu item, a telephone number, a name set for a telephone number, an incoming/outgoing message, a multimedia file, and a broadcast channel.

7. The object search method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a second function key while moving a position thereof corresponding to at least one of a drag direction and a drag position of the pointer.

8. The object search method of claim 1, further comprising:

varying a configuration of the one or more function keys according to an object type of the first object or an object type of the second object.

9. The object search method of claim 1, further comprising:

searching the list of the plurality of objects from any one position on the touch input window to another position on the touch input window.

10. The object search method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying a list of a plurality of objects comprises:

displaying the list in response to a user search command.

11. A terminal having an object search function, comprising:

a display unit configured to display a list of a plurality of objects including a first object and a second object in a first screen area, and display a touch input window for touch input in a second screen area, the touch input window including one or more function keys; and

a controller configured to move an object indicator from the first object to the second object on the list as a pointer is dragged from a first position to a second position on the touch input window,

wherein the controller is configured to execute a function set in a first function key if the second position and the first function key are at least partially overlapped with each other, when the touch of the pointer on the second position is removed,

wherein the first function key is located on a predetermined position on the touch input window, and

wherein a region for receiving the touch input causing the movement of the object indicator is not provided on the first screen area.

12. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the first screen area and the second screen area are provided in one display or respectively in one of a plurality of displays.

13. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the second screen area is provided on a touch screen.

14. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to move the object indicator in proportion to at least one of a drag speed and a drag distance of the pointer.

15. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to move the object indicator correspondingly to a drag direction of the pointer.

16. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to vary a configuration of the one or more function keys according to an object type of the first object or an object type of the second object.

17. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to search the list of the plurality of objects from any one position on the touch input window to another position on the touch input window.

18. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to display the list in response to a user search command.