EMOTICON INPUT METHOD FOR MOBILE TERMINAL

• US 20140089852A1
• Filed: 12/04/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: HYON, Seung Taek
• Granted Patent: US 9,377,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages

Abstract

An emoticon input method and mobile terminal are provided. A message writing display is provided for a user. A character input menu for inputting characters and an emoticon input menu for inputting emoticons are displayed along with the message writing display. When the user selects the emoticon input menu, an emoticon input mode is entered. A plurality of emoticon groups is displayed in the emoticon input mode. Each of the plurality of emoticon groups includes a plurality of emoticons. When an emoticon group is selected from among the plurality of emoticon groups, a plurality of emoticons included in the selected emoticon group is displayed. When at least one emoticon is selected from among the plurality of emoticons included in the selected emoticon group, the at least one emoticon selected by the user is displayed as part of a message.

Claims

1. An emoticon input method adapted for a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

providing a message writing display for a user;

displaying a character input menu for inputting characters and an emoticon input menu for inputting emoticons along with the message writing display;

when the user selects the emoticon input menu, entering an emoticon input mode;

displaying a plurality of emoticon groups in the emoticon input mode, each of the plurality of emoticon groups including a plurality of emoticons;

when an emoticon group is selected from among the plurality of emoticon groups, displaying a plurality of emoticons included in the selected emoticon group; and

when at least one emoticon is selected from among the plurality of emoticons included in the selected emoticon group, displaying as part of a message the at least one emoticon selected by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the message including the at least one emoticon to another mobile terminal.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving a telephone number of said another mobile terminal from the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of emoticons are images.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of emoticons are bitmap images.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of emoticons are downloaded into the mobile terminal from the Internet and stored in the mobile terminal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of emoticons are downloaded into the mobile terminal from a base station and stored in the mobile terminal.

8. A mobile terminal for inputting at least one emoticon into a message, the mobile terminal comprising:

a display;

a storage for storing a plurality of emoticon groups, wherein each of the plurality of emoticon groups includes a plurality of emoticons; and

a controller for;

controlling the display to provide a message writing display for a user

controlling the display to display a character input menu for inputting characters and an emoticon input menu for inputting emoticons along with the message writing display;

when the user selects the emoticon input menu, entering an emoticon input mode;

controlling the display to display the plurality of emoticon groups in the emoticon input mode;

when an emoticon group is selected from among the plurality of emoticon groups, controlling the display to display a plurality of emoticons included in the selected emoticon group; and

when at least one emoticon is selected from among the plurality of emoticons included in the selected emoticon group, controlling the display as part of a message the at least one emoticon selected by the user.

9. The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein the controller transmits the message including the at least one emoticon to another mobile terminal.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the controller receives a telephone number of said another mobile terminal from the user.

11. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the plurality of emoticons are images.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the plurality of emoticons are bitmap images.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the plurality of emoticons are downloaded into the mobile terminal from the Internet and stored in the mobile terminal.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the plurality of emoticons are downloaded into the mobile terminal from a base station and stored in the mobile terminal.