User interface apparatus and method for user interface in touch device

• US 8,453,055 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2009
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pantech Corporation (Ideahub, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pantech Corporation (Ideahub, Inc.)
• Inventors: Oh, Jeong Won
• Primary Examiner(s): PHANTANA ANGKOOL, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US12/612,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20100306650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 715/702, 715/707, 715/745
• US Class Current: 715/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A user interface apparatus includes a position identification unit to identify a first position where a first touch is generated on a display screen; a priority assignment unit to respectively assign priorities to menu items displayed on the display screen; and a menu item movement unit to move the menu items to the first position as a destination according to the assigned priorities and in response to the first touch. A user interface method in a touch device includes identifying a first position where a first touch is generated on a display screen, respectively assigning priorities to menu items displayed on the display screen, and moving the menu items to the first position according to the assigned priorities in response to receiving the first touch.

Claims

1. A user interface apparatus in a touch device, comprising:

a display screen;

a position identification unit to identify a first position where a first touch is inputted on the display screen;

a priority assignment unit to respectively assign priorities of movement to menu items displayed on the display screen; and

a menu item movement unit to move the menu items to the first position according to the assigned priorities of movement in response to receiving the first touch,

wherein the priority assignment unit assigns priorities of movement to the menu items based on at least one of respective frequencies of use, respective distances from the first position, and user settings; and

the menu item movement unit sets movement speeds of the menu items so that the menu items approach the first position in order of the assigned priorities of movement.

2. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a submenu display unit to display submenu items belonging to a second touched menu item on the display screen in connection with the second touched menu item if a second touch is inputted at the second touched menu item.

3. The user interface apparatus of claim 2, wherein the submenu items belonging to the second touched menu item are sequentially displayed based on assigned priorities of displaying of the submenu items.

4. The user interface apparatus of claim 2, wherein the menu item movement unit moves the menu items except the second touched menu item to a second position of the second touch identified by the position identification unit.

5. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein if a second touch is inputted on the display screen, the position identification unit identifies a second position where the second touch is inputted, and the menu item movement unit moves the menu items to the second position of the second touch.

6. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an application execution unit to execute an application related to a completely moved menu item if the first touch is dragged to a position where the completely moved menu item is displayed on the display screen and is released.

7. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the first touch is dragged to a position corresponding to no menu items and is released, the menu item movement unit returns the menu items to their respective initial positions on the display screen.

8. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the first touch is repeatedly inputted during a period of time, the menu item movement unit moves the menu items according to the assigned priorities.

9. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the first touch is repeatedly inputted during a period of time, the menu item movement unit moves only a menu item having the highest priority among the menu items to the first position.

10. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an application execution unit to execute a menu item,

wherein if the first touch is repeatedly inputted during a period of time, the application execution unit executes a menu item having the highest priority among the menu items.

11. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a file list display unit to display files related to a second touched menu item on the display screen if a second touch is inputted at the second touched menu item moved to the first position.

12. The user interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein the menu item movement unit determines movement speeds of the menu items by using the respective initial positions of the menu items, respective distances from the first position, or respective movement times to the first position so that the menu items are moved to the first position in order of the assigned priorities of movement.

13. A method for user interface in a touch device, comprising:

identifying a first position where a first touch is inputted on a display screen;

respectively assigning priorities of movement to menu items displayed on the display screen; and

moving the menu items to the first position according to the assigned priorities of movement in response to receiving the first touch,

wherein the priorities of movement are assigned based on at least one of respective frequencies of use, respective distances from the first position, and user settings; and

movement speeds of the menu items are set so that the menu items approach the first position in order of the assigned priorities of movement.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying submenu items belonging to a second touched menu item on the display screen in connection with the second touched menu item if a second touch is inputted at the second touched menu item.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

returning the menu items to their respective initial positions on the display screen if the first touch is dragged to a position corresponding to no menu items and is released.