APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SCREEN CONVERSION IN PORTABLE TERMINAL

• US 20120133678A1
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: KIM, Ho-Gon
• Application Number:
  US13/306,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20120133678A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/649
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling the screen conversion mode in a portable terminal based on the intended action of a user. The screen conversion function of the portable terminal is selectively disabled based on predetermined criteria so that a pre-movement screen direction of the portable terminal is maintained upon detecting a movement of the portable terminal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a screen orientation of a portable terminal, comprising:

a touchscreen unit; and

a control unit for selectively disabling a screen conversion function of the portable terminal in order to maintain the screen orientation when detecting a movement of the portable terminal during an occurrence of a predetermined action.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined action occurs when the screen conversion function of the portable terminal is enabled.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined action is a touch to the touchscreen unit or applying a pressure on the portable terminal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pressure detecting unit for detecting a pressure on the portable terminal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pressure detecting unit is disposed at both sides or top and bottom sides of the portable terminal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit enables the screen conversion function when detecting a movement of the portable terminal while the screen conversion function is disabled.

7. A method for controlling a screen orientation in a portable terminal, comprising:

disabling a screen conversion function of the portable terminal when detecting a movement of the portable terminal during an occurrence of a predetermined action on the portable terminal; and

performing a relevant function while maintaining the screen orientation of the portable terminal when the screen conversion function is disabled.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined action occurs when the screen conversion function of the portable terminal is enabled.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined action is a touch to the touchscreen unit or applying a pressure on the portable terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pressure is detected at both sides or top and bottom sides of the portable terminal.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

enabling the screen conversion function when detecting a movement of the portable terminal while the screen conversion function is disabled.

12. A mobile terminal for selectively controlling a screen orientation, comprising:

a touchscreen unit; and

a control unit for enabling and disabling a screen conversion function of the terminal when detecting a movement of the terminal, wherein the screen conversion function is disabled when the touch screen is being touched during the movement of the terminal or when a pressured is applied to the terminal.

13. The terminal of claim 12, further comprising a pressure detecting unit for detecting the pressure applied on the terminal.

14. The terminal of claim 13, wherein the pressure detecting unit is disposed at both ends of the terminal.

15. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the control unit enables the screen conversion function after the screen conversion function is disabled upon detecting another movement of the terminal.