KR101414614B1 - Terminal having function for inputting/outputting information and method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a touch screen device that sets an area on a touch screen, generates a control signal for an application corresponding to a touch operation for the set area, And a method of using the terminal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a terminal having an information input / output function and a method using the terminal.

The present invention relates to a terminal for inputting and / or outputting information using a touch screen and a method using the same.

Generally, a terminal refers to a device having at least one of a voice / video call function, an information input / output function, and a data storage function.

2. Description of the Related Art [0002] In recent years, terminals have been able to perform various functions such as video recording of still images or moving pictures, playback of multimedia files such as music files or video files, games, broadcast reception / .

Various new attempts have been made to these multimedia devices in terms of hardware or software in order to implement complex functions. For example, the present invention provides a user interface environment in which a user can easily and conveniently search for or select a function.

In particular, when a terminal is provided with a touch screen, the user can receive various information displayed on the touch screen, and can perform an input operation to the terminal by performing a touch operation on the touch screen.

However, in the method using the touch screen according to the related art, a method for simultaneously displaying the areas required for performing the multitasking operation as well as the areas for receiving the user's touch are not implemented.

An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal capable of freely setting an area for inputting and outputting various information on a touch screen and a method using the same.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal capable of performing a control operation for an application and displaying a screen according to an application operation in the set area corresponding to a touch operation on an area set on a touch screen, There are other purposes to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a terminal having an information input / output function according to the present invention comprises: a touch screen; And a control unit for setting an area on the touch screen and generating a control signal for an application by receiving a touch operation with respect to the set area, , And displays a screen corresponding to the application in the set area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inputting and outputting information in a terminal, comprising: setting an area on a touch screen; Receiving a touch operation for the set area and generating a control signal for an application; And displaying the application-driven screen in the set area according to the generated control signal.

[0040] The effects of the terminal having the information input / output function and the method using the terminal according to the present invention will be described as follows.

First, an area based on a user's touch operation is set on the touch screen, and a control operation for a specific application and a screen corresponding thereto are displayed in the set area.

Secondly, when a plurality of applications are driven, an area for each of a plurality of applications is set on a touch screen, and a corresponding application can be conveniently controlled by receiving a touch operation for each of the set areas. Therefore, it is possible to provide convenience to the user in multitasking operation.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a terminal having an information input / output function and a method using the terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the detailed description of the known technology, which is considered to be a possibility of blurring the gist of the present invention, will be omitted.

A mobile terminal, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a navigation device, a digital camera Digital Camera) and the like. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described types of terminals but may be applied to all terminals having a touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 1, a terminal related to the present invention will be described in terms of functional components. 1 is a block diagram of a terminal related to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, an operation unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a storage unit 160, an interface unit 170, a control unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like.

On the other hand, it should be noted that when the components are implemented in practical applications, two or more components may be merged into one component, or one component may be subdivided into two or more components .

The wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short distance communication module 114, a GPS module 115, and the like.

Hereinafter, the components constituting the wireless communication unit 110 will be described in detail.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel or a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may be a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast- related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal. The broadcast-related information refers to information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information includes an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) Electronic Service Guide), and the like.

Meanwhile, the broadcast-related information may be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S) ), Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured not only for the digital broadcasting system described above, but also for all broadcasting systems that provide broadcasting signals.

Meanwhile, the broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the storage unit 160.

In addition, the mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a radio signal to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and an external server on the mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for connecting to the wireless Internet and transmitting / receiving data, and may be built in or externally attached to the terminal 100. [

The short-range communication module 114 is a module for performing short-range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as the short range communication technology.

In addition, GPS (Global Positioning System) module 115 receives position information from at least one satellite.

The A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is a component for receiving a video signal or an audio signal, and includes a camera module 121 for receiving a video signal, a microphone module 122 for receiving an audio signal, And the like.

Hereinafter, the components constituting the A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 will be described in detail.

The camera module 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display module 151, stored in the storage unit 160, or transmitted through the wireless communication unit 110 to the outside. At least two camera modules 121 may be provided according to the configuration of the terminal 100.

In addition, the microphone module 122 receives an external acoustic signal by a microphone and processes it as electrical voice data in a communication mode, a recording mode, or a voice recognition mode. The processed voice data may be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Meanwhile, the microphone module 122 may implement various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The operation unit 130 receives an input operation for controlling the operation of the terminal 100 from a user and generates data corresponding thereto.

For example, the operation unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. have. Particularly, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display module 151 described later, it can be called a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the terminal 100, the position of the terminal 100, the presence or absence of the user, and transmits a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the terminal 100 .

For example, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed when the terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone. In addition, the sensing unit 140 performs a sensing function related to a power supply state by the power supply unit 190, a connection with an external device of the interface unit 170, and the like.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface for connecting the terminal 100 and an external device. Accordingly, the interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device, transfers the data to each component in the terminal 100, or transmits data in the terminal 100 to an external device.

For example, the interface unit 170 may include a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (e.g., a memory card, a SIM / UIM card) Input / output (I / O) terminal, video I / O (input / output) terminal and earphone.

The output unit 150 may include a display module 151 for outputting a video signal, an audio output module 152 for outputting an audio signal, and an alarm output module 153 for notifying occurrence of an event.

Hereinafter, the components constituting the output unit 150 will be described in detail.

The display module 151 outputs information processed by the terminal 100 on the screen.

For example, when the terminal 100 is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with the call is displayed. When the terminal 100 is in the video communication mode and / or the photographing mode, the UI and / or GUI related to the received and / or photographed image and the current mode are displayed.

The display module 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three- (3D display). In addition, there may be two or more display modules 151 according to the embodiment of the terminal 100. [ For example, the terminal 100 may be provided with an external display module (not shown) and an internal display module (not shown) at the same time.

Meanwhile, when the display module 151 and the touch pad have a mutual layer structure to constitute a touch screen as described above, the touch screen can be used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The audio output module 152 outputs the audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the storage unit 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, . The sound output module 152 outputs an acoustic signal related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

In addition, the alarm output module 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, and key signal input. The alarm output module 153 outputs a signal for informing occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, it is possible to output a signal in a vibration mode. When a call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm output module 153 may output a vibration to inform it. Alternatively, when the key signal is input, the alarm output module 153 can output the vibration as the feedback to the key signal input. The user can recognize the occurrence of an event through the vibration output as described above. Of course, the signal for notifying the occurrence of an event may also be output through the display module 151 or the audio output module 152. [

The storage unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and may store temporary data of input / output data (for example, a phonebook, a message, a still image, And may perform functions for storage.

The storage unit 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory) , A RAM, and a ROM. In addition, the terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the storage unit 160 on the Internet.

The control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the terminal 100. For example, for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, the control unit 180 may include a multimedia playback module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia playback module 181 may be configured in hardware in the control unit 180 or may be formed of software separate from the control unit 180. [

Under the control of the control unit 180, the power supply unit 190 receives an external power supply or an internal power supply and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a terminal related to the present invention will be described in terms of components according to the outline.

Hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, a slider type terminal is exemplified among various types of terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, I will explain it. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a slider type terminal, but can be applied to all types of terminals including the above-described types.

2 is a perspective view of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

The terminal 100 according to the present invention includes a first body 100A and a second body 100B configured to be slidable along at least one direction on the first body 100A.

Meanwhile, when the terminal 100 according to the present invention is a folder type, it includes a first body and a second body that is configured to fold or unfold at least one side of the first body.

The state where the first body 100A is disposed in a state of being overlapped with the second body 100B may be referred to as a closed configuration and the first body 100A may be referred to as a second body 100B ) May be referred to as an open configuration.

The terminal 100 operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, but releases the standby mode by the user's operation. Then, the terminal 100 operates mainly in the communication mode in the open state, but may also switch to the standby mode by the user's operation or a predetermined period of time.

The casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) constituting the outer appearance of the first body 100A is formed by the first front case 100A-1 and the first rear case 100A-2. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the first front case 100A-1 and the first rear case 100A-2. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the first front case 100A-1 and the first rear case 100A-2.

The cases may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display module 151, the first sound output module 152-1, the first camera module 121-1, or the first operation module 121-1 is connected to the first body 100A, specifically, the first front case 100A- (130-1) may be disposed.

The display module 151 may overlap with the touch pad in a layer structure to configure a touch screen, thereby enabling input of information by the user's touch.

The first sound output module 152-1 may be implemented in the form of a speaker.

The first camera module 121-1 can be implemented so as to be suitable for photographing an image or a moving image.

Like the first body 100A, the case constituting the outer appearance of the second body 100B is formed by the second front case 100B-1 and the second rear case 100B-2.

The second operating portion 130-2 may be disposed on the front face of the second body 100B, specifically, the second front case 100B-1.

The third operating unit 130-3, the microphone module 122, and the interface unit 170 may be disposed in at least one of the second front case 100B-1 and the second rear case 100B-2.

The first to third operating portions 130-1, 130-2, and 130-3 may be collectively referred to as an operating portion 130 and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the operating portion with a tactile feel have.

For example, the operation unit 130 may be implemented by a dome switch or a touch pad capable of receiving a command or information by a push or touch operation of a user, a wheel system for rotating a key, Method or a joystick method.

In terms of functions, the first operation unit 130-1 is for inputting commands such as start, end, and scroll, and the second operation unit 130-2 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, . Also, the third operating unit 130-3 can operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the terminal 100. [

The microphone module 122 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving voice, sound, etc. of the user.

The interface unit 170 is a channel for allowing the terminal 100 related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may be a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an IrDA port, a Bluetooth port, (wireless LAN port) or the like), or power supply terminals for supplying power to the terminal 100.

The interface unit 170 may be a card socket that accommodates an external card such as a SIM (subscriber identification module) or a UIM (user identity module), a memory card for information storage, and the like.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the terminal 100 may be mounted on the second rear case 100B-2. The power supply unit 190 includes a rechargeable battery (not shown), and a battery (not shown) may be detachably coupled to the rechargeable battery.

3 is a rear perspective view of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second camera module 121-2 may be further mounted on the rear surface of the second rear case 100B-2 of the second body 100B. The second camera module 121-2 has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera module 121-1 and may have pixels different from those of the first camera module 121-1.

For example, the first camera module 121-1 has low pixels so that it is easy to capture a face of a user in the case of a video call or the like and transmit it to the other party, and the second camera module 121-2, Since it is often the case that a general subject is photographed and not immediately transferred, it is desirable to have a high pixel.

A flash 121-3 and a mirror 121-4 may be further disposed adjacent to the second camera module 121-2. The flash 121-3 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera module 121-2. The mirror 121-4 makes it possible for the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to take a picture (a so-called self-photograph) by himself / herself using the second camera module 121-2.

In the second rear case 100B-2, a second sound output module 152-2 may be additionally disposed. The second sound output module 152-2 may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output module 152-1 and may be used for a speaker phone mode call.

Further, on one side of the second rear case 100B-2, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 111-1 may be disposed in addition to an antenna for communication and the like. The antenna 111-1 may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the second body 100B.

A part of the slide module 100C which slidably couples the first body 100A and the second body 100B is disposed on the first rear case 100A-2 side of the first body 100A.

The other part of the slide module 100C may be disposed on the second front case 100B-1 side of the second body 100B and may not be exposed to the outside as in this figure.

In the above description, the second camera module 121-2 and the like are disposed on the second body 100B, but the invention is not limited thereto.

For example, at least two of the configurations 111-1, 121-2 to 121-3, and 152-2 described as being arranged in the second rear case 100B-2, such as the second camera module 121-2, At least one of them may be mounted on the first body 100A, mainly the first rear case 100A-2. In such a case, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) arranged in the first rear case 100A-2 in the closed state is protected by the second body 100B. Further, even if the second camera module 121-2 is not separately provided, the first camera module 121-1 is rotatably formed so that the second camera module 121-2 can be taken .

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the organic operation relationship of each component for performing information input / output operation using the touch screen according to the present invention will be described in detail.

When the touch pad provided on the operation unit 130 and the display module provided on the output unit 150 have a layered structure, the terminal 100 may include a touch pad and a touch screen .

The control unit 180 sets an area on the touch screen, receives a touch operation for the set area, and generates a control signal for an application (to be described later). At this time, the touch screen displays a screen according to application driving in the set area in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 180. [

For example, when an indicator indicating an application or an indicator for terminating an application is written in the set area, the control unit 180 can generate a driving signal of the application or an end signal of the application indicated by the indicator.

The process of controlling the application for each area and each area set on the touch screen will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, a flowchart of an information input / output method of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in order of each step. 4 is a flowchart of an information input / output method of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 100 receives a touch operation from a user and sets a corresponding area on the touch screen (S410).

As described above, the touch screen may be configured when the touch panel of the operation unit 130 and the display module 151 of the output unit 150 have a layered structure.

The terminal 100 may set a plurality of areas in accordance with the touch operation of the user. In addition, the terminal 100 displays a screen according to other function operations (MP3 playback, broadcast output, message creation, phone number search, etc.) as well as when a background screen according to the standby state is output on the touch screen It is possible to perform the setting step S410.

The setting step S410 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 5A to 5C. 5A to 5C are screen diagrams illustrating a process of setting an area on a touch screen provided in the terminal 100. FIG.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that a background screen according to the standby state is outputted on the touch screen during the setting step S410.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the user drags the pointer 511 from the first point 512-1 to the second point 512-2 on the touch screen 510, 100 forms a rectangular area 513 that diagonally aligns the straight line connecting the first point 512-1 and the second point 512-2 in accordance with the drag direction and the drag distance.

Accordingly, the terminal 100 recognizes the area 513 formed in the state (a) as one area for performing the information input / output function on the touch screen 520 (b).

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the user drags (a) from the first point 532-1 to the second point 532-2 on the touch screen 530 using the pointer 531, .

When the second point 532-2 comes into contact with the first point 532-1 as a result of the continuous drag, the terminal 100 transmits the area 541 in which the continuous drag result is formed to the touch screen 540 (B). In this paper, we propose a new method for realizing the information input / output function.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the user draws a first straight line 552-1 connecting the two lateral sides (or both longitudinal sides) of the touch screen 550 using the pointer 551, (A) a second straight line is drawn a certain distance away from the first straight line 552-1 in the upward or downward direction (or left or right direction).

Accordingly, the terminal 100 can display the area 561 formed by the first straight line 552-1 and the second straight line 552-2 as one area for performing the information input / output function on the touch screen 560 Recognize (b).

Returning to FIG. 4, the terminal 100 receives the touch operation for the area set in the setting step S410 (S420).

The touch operation in the input step S420 may mean a touch operation for designating an application to be driven or a touch operation for controlling an application currently being driven for the set area.

Here, the application may refer to all functions that can be implemented in the terminal 100, such as phonebook search, message creation, broadcast output, MP3 playback, Internet connection / output, and the like.

In operation S430, the terminal 100 generates an application control signal for the area where the touch operation is performed, corresponding to the touch operation input in operation S420.

For example, when the touch operation is a touch operation for specifying a specific application, the terminal 100 can generate a drive signal for a specific application. Alternatively, when the touch operation is a touch operation for terminating a specific application in operation, the terminal 100 may generate a termination signal for the specific application.

Then, the terminal 100 displays a screen of the application in accordance with the control signal generated in the generating step S430 in the area where the touch operation was performed (S440).

The inputting step S420, the generating step S430 and the displaying step S440 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B. 6A and 6B are screen configuration diagrams showing a screen of an application according to a control signal in an area on a touch screen provided in the terminal 100. [

Hereinafter, it is assumed that a screen according to MP3 playback is output on the touch screen during the input step S420.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the terminal 100 displays a web-page according to an Internet connection in a first area 611 on the touch screen 610, and a second area 612 displays a web- Menu "612-1 indicative of " menu search" is written by the user (a). Here, the indicator indicating "menu search" may be set by the user or set by the terminal 100. [ The indicator indicating "menu search" can be any form that can indicate that " menu search "such as" MENU ", " MENU "

Then, the terminal 100 generates a driving signal of "menu search " and displays a screen corresponding to the driving of" menu search "in the second area 612 (FIG.

For example, the screen according to the driving of the "menu search" may be a list of a plurality of menu items constituting the menu. At this time, the menu item list may be a text list composed of text indicating each menu item or an icon list composed of icons representing the menu items.

When the "message" 163 is selected from the menu items displayed in the second area 612 in the state (b), the terminal 100 generates a driving signal for the application corresponding to the "message" And accordingly displays a screen in accordance with the driving of the "message " in the second area 612 (c). Here, the selection operation for the "message" may be performed through a touch on the "message" icon and also through an input means such as a direction key, a numeric key, a jog key or a touch pad.

For example, the screen according to the driving of the "message " may be a list composed of detailed functions related to the message.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, a web page according to the Internet connection is displayed in the first area 611 on the touch screen 620, and a screen corresponding to the "menu search" In the display state, the user writes the indicator "end" 611-1 indicating the end of the Internet connection in the first area 611 (a). Here, the indicator indicating "END" may be set by the user or set by the terminal 100. [ Also, the indicator indicating "end" can be any form that can indicate that it is "end" such as "end", "END" (mixed case), "E"

The terminal 100 generates a termination signal for the Internet connection and thereby deletes the first area 611 on the touch screen 620 with the termination of the Internet connection. In the state (b), the user writes an indicator "C" indicating the return to the previous step of the "menu search" Here, the indicator indicating "return" may be set by the user or set by the terminal 100. [ It is also possible for the indicator indicating "return" to be any form that can indicate "return" such as "C", "return", "previous".

Then, the terminal 100 generates a return signal for "menu search " and accordingly displays a second area 612 in which there is no touch operation as a previous step of the" menu search " In the state (c), the user writes an indicator "message" 612-3 indicating "message ". Here, the indicator indicating "message" may be set by the user or set by the terminal 100. [ Also, the indicator for "message" can be any form that can indicate that it is a "message ", such as" MESSAGE "

Accordingly, the terminal 100 can generate a driving signal of the "message" so that the screen according to the "message" drive can be displayed in the second area 612 (d).

Returning to FIG. 4, the terminal 100 displays an identifier for each area on a part of the touch screen (S450).

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the terminal 100 may display identifiers for all areas including the desktop in the lower area of the touch screen 910.

In step S460, the terminal 100 receives a touch on the identifiers displayed in the display step S450 from the user, and performs a control operation on the area corresponding to the identifier to which the touch is input.

The displaying step S450 and the performing step S460 will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, a screen state in which the active area and the inactive area among the plurality of areas on the touch screen are distinguishably displayed will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 100 blurs the screen of the inactive first area 711 on the touch screen 710 and darkly displays the screen of the activated second area 712 .

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawing, it is possible to identify whether the area is activated or not by using the color of the screen, the brightness of the screen, and the like.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a screen state according to position / screen exchange between areas on a touch screen will be described.

First, a web page according to the Internet connection is displayed in the first area 811 on the touch screen 810 and a screen according to the application "menu search" is displayed in the second area 812 (a).

The user drags the pointer 821 to the point 811-1 of the first area 811 from the point 812-1 of the second area 812 (b).

As a result of the dragging, the terminal 100 changes the position itself between the first area 811 and the second area 812 on the touch screen 830 (c). At this time, the screen displayed in each area is not changed.

Alternatively, as a result of the dragging, the terminal 100 exchanges screens of the first area 811 and the second area 812 to display (d). At this time, the position of each area is not changed.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, a process of controlling an area on a touch screen using an identifier will be described in terms of a screen configuration.

9, the terminal 100 displays on the touch screen 910 a screen according to MP3 playback in a basic area (corresponding to a desktop screen), and displays the screen in the first area 911 on the Internet connection (A), a screen according to the driving of the menu search is displayed in the second area 912, and a screen according to the broadcast output is displayed in the third area 913 (a). Then, the terminal 100 displays identifiers 910-1, 911-1, 912-1, and 913-1 corresponding to the respective regions in the lower area of the touch screen 910.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a process of controlling each region by touching an identifier will be described.

According to the first embodiment, when the identifier 912-1 corresponding to the second area 912 is touched, the terminal 100 activates the second area 912 and deactivates the other areas (c) . Accordingly, the terminal 100 may display the second area 912 to be distinguished from other areas using lightness, saturation, contrast, hue, etc., to indicate that the second area 912 is activated.

When the identifier 911-1 corresponding to the first area 911 is touched in the state (c), the terminal 100 activates the first area 911 and deactivates the other areas (d ).

According to the second embodiment, when the identifier 912-1 corresponding to the second area 912 is touched, the terminal 100 displays the screen of the second area 912 as a full screen (e ). At this time, since the identifiers for the other areas are displayed as they are, the user can not know that the other areas are hidden only on the screen of the second area.

When the identifier 913-1 of the third area 913 is touched, the terminal 100 activates the third area 913 while displaying all the areas on the touch screen (f).

According to the third embodiment, when the identifier for the second area is touched, the terminal 100 deletes the second area on the touch screen (g).

In the control process of each area using the identifier, the terminal 100 can perform a control operation such as activation, full screen display, and deletion by identifying the touch operation with respect to the identifier. For example, it can be identified based on criteria such as the number of touches, the touch time, the touch pressure, and the touch direction. In addition, the control operation for each touch operation must be set in advance.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, a hidden / display operation of an arbitrary area among a plurality of areas on the touch screen will be described in terms of the screen configuration.

As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal 100 displays the identifiers of the set areas on the lower area of the touch screen 1010 (a). At this time, identifiers for areas that are not currently displayed on the touch screen 1010 (hereinafter, 'undisplayed areas') may also be displayed.

For example, if the maximum number of areas that can be displayed on the touch screen 1010 is limited to three, the terminal 100 may display two areas on the touch screen 1010 It may not be displayed. In this case, however, an identifier for the undisplayed area is displayed to help the user recognize the set area.

According to the state shown in the state (a), it can be seen that the undisplayed region is an area according to the "message" drive (hereinafter referred to as "message area") and an area according to the "MP3 playback" (hereinafter referred to as the "MP3 playback area"). In addition, the identifiers 1014-1 and 1015-1 of the message area and the MP3 playback area may be displayed to be distinguished from other identifiers by using colors, brightness, depth, and the like.

In addition, the selection criteria of the undisplayed area may be a sequence in which the setting order is quick, an order in which the activation frequency is low, an area in which the area is small, and the like. Of course, a non-displayed area may be selected according to the user's selection.

When the identifier 1014-1 of the message area is selected by the user, the terminal 100 displays the message area 1014 on the touch screen 1020 (b).

At this time, the message area 1014 is displayed so as to overlap with the menu area 1012 and the broadcast output area 1013, and may be displayed darker than the other areas. This is because the message area 1014 is activated by selecting the identifier 1014-1 of the message area.

Hereinafter, the process of controlling the operation of the area by adjusting the size of the area on the touch screen will be described with reference to FIG.

11, the terminal 100 displays on the touch screen 1110 a screen according to the drive of "menu search" in the set area 1111 while displaying a screen based on the MP3 playback on the desktop screen (A).

In the state (a), as the user drags inward at one corner of the region 1111 using the pointer 1123, the size of the region 1111 is reduced corresponding to the drag operation (b). At this time, if the area 1111 is reduced to the area 1112 of the first predetermined size, it is inactivated. Here, the first predetermined size is a maximum size of an area to be inactivated, and must be set in the terminal 100 beforehand.

In the state (b), as the user drags inward at one vertex of the region 1112 using the pointer 1123, the size of the region 1112 becomes larger than the size of the region of the second predetermined size (1113) (c).

The terminal 100 deletes the area 1113 on the touch screen 1140 when the area 1113 is reduced to a second predetermined size or less. Here, the second predetermined size may mean a minimum size of an area to be inactivated or a maximum size of an area to be deleted.

Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 12A and 12B, a process of attaching application data corresponding to the second area to the "message creation" application corresponding to the first area on the touch screen will be described in terms of the screen configuration.

First, as shown in FIG. 12A, the terminal 100 displays a plurality of pictures on the touch screen 1210 according to the driving of the application "photo album" in the first area 1211, Message creation screen according to the drive of the application "Create Message"

In the state (a), the user uses the pointer 1213 to select the " second photograph "1211-1 of the plurality of photographs displayed in the first area 1211 as" Area "1212-1 (b). At this time, it is also possible to drag it to an arbitrary point in the second area 1212 without dragging it to the "attachment area" 1212-1.

Accordingly, the terminal 100 can attach the dragged "second photo" 1211-1 as an attached file of the message being created in the second area 1212 (b).

Of course, depending on the application being driven for the first area 1211, the form of data that may be attached to the message being created in the second area 1212 may vary. For example, it may include any attachable data such as image files such as photo files, music files such as MP3 files, video files, text files, and document files. 12A may also be applied even when the application that is driven for the second area 1212 is "E-mail "," MMS creation ".

Next, as shown in Fig. 12B, the terminal 100 displays the contents of the memo inputted on the touch screen 1230 according to the driving of the application "notepad" in the first area 1231, Message creation screen according to the driving of the application "message creation" is displayed on the screen 1232 (a).

In the state (a), the user drags the pointer 1233 from the arbitrary point of the first area 1231 to the "message content input area" 1232-1 of the second area 1232 using the pointer 1233 b). At this time, it is also possible to drag it to an arbitrary point in the second area 1232 without necessarily dragging it into the "message content input area" 1232-1.

Accordingly, the terminal 100 can attach the memo contents created in the first area 1231 to the content of the message being created in the second area 1232 (b).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, a process of separately setting an area for one item when a plurality of items are displayed in an area on the touch screen will be described from the viewpoint of the screen configuration.

13, the terminal 100 displays a list of menu items constituted by a plurality of menu items (indicated by corresponding icons) in the area 1311 on the touch screen 1310 (A).

According to the first embodiment, the user drags "message" 1311-1 out of the area 1311 out of the menu items displayed in the area 1311 in the state (a) (b). Accordingly, the terminal 100 sets a separate area 1312, and displays a screen in accordance with the application running corresponding to the dragged "message" 1311-1 in the separate area 1312 (c ). At this time, the size of the separate area is preset in the terminal 100.

Alternatively, according to the second embodiment, the user drags the pointer 1321 to the outside of the area 1311 in the state (a), and draws a separate area 1313 (d, e). Then, the user drags the "message" 1311-1 of the menu items displayed in the area 1311 to the separate area 1313 (e). Accordingly, the terminal 100 displays a screen in accordance with the application running corresponding to the dragged "message" 1311-1 in the separate area 1313 (FIG.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, the process of controlling the display operation in the area where the areas on the touch screen overlap will be described in terms of the screen configuration.

First, the terminal 100 displays on the touch screen 1410 a screen based on MP3 playback in a basic area (in the present invention, a desktop area), and displays the screen in the first area 1411, (A), and a menu item list according to the menu search is displayed in the second area 1412 (a).

The user drags the pointer 1421 to a point at a certain distance in the downward direction from an arbitrary point on the lower side of the first area 1411 in the state (a) (b). At this time, the terminal 100 sets a first region 1413 extended corresponding to the drag operation, and the extended first region 1413 and the second region 1412 are partially overlapped.

As the extended first region 1413 overlaps with the second region 1412, the terminal 100 performs a control operation on the second region 1412 (c, d, e).

The terminal 100 is displayed corresponding to the reduced ratio while vertically reducing the size of the second area 1412 so as not to overlap the extended first area 1413 as shown in the state (c) The icons of the menu items are also displayed in a reduced size.

Alternatively, as shown in (d), the terminal 100 may vertically reduce the size of the second area 1412 so as not to overlap with the extended first area 1413, Zooms horizontally. Accordingly, icons of the menu items displayed in the changed second area 1415 can be increased in number while the size thereof is maintained.

Alternatively, the terminal 100 may vertically reduce the size of the second area 1412 so as not to overlap with the extended first area 1413, as shown in (e) The size of the icon displayed on the screen remains unchanged.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 15, a process of setting an area for displaying a received message when displaying a broadcast signal on a touch screen will be described in terms of a screen configuration.

15, the terminal 100 displays a broadcast signal received through the broadcast receiving module 111 on the touch screen 1510 (a).

When the message is received through the mobile communication module 112 during the output of the broadcast signal, the terminal 100 notifies the touch screen 1520 that the message has been received and displays a window 1521 in which a message asking whether to confirm the message is displayed (B).

The terminal 100 sets the window 1512 as one area 1531 and the area 1531 is set as the area 1531. When the message confirmation is selected in the state (b) ("Yes" 1521-1 is selected) (C). ≪ / RTI >

Alternatively, when the message check is selected in the state (b) ("Yes" 1521-1 is selected), the terminal 100 automatically sets a separate area 1542 and sets a separate area 1542) (d).

At this time, the areas 1531 and 1542 can be resized by the dragging operation by the pointer, and the area 1531 and 1542 can be displayed on the screen in accordance with the operation of the other applications (for example, It is possible.

In the above-described embodiments, the area setting and the control operation for the area are performed by the user's touch operation on the touch screen. However, the button key, the direction key, the jog key, It is needless to say that the above-described embodiments can be performed by using a soft key, a hot key, or the like, or by operating a function key related to area setting according to the present invention as a short key, a long key, and a hot key.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, And are not limited by the accompanying drawings. In addition, all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above.

1 is a block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a front perspective view of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a rear perspective view of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart of an information input / output method of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of setting an area on a touch screen included in a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing a screen according to an application control signal in an area on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen in which an active area and a non-active area among a plurality of areas on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are identified.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen according to a location / screen exchange between areas on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen for controlling an area on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention by using an identifier. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen display operation for hiding / displaying an arbitrary area among a plurality of areas on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen for controlling an operation of a region by adjusting a size of a region on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

12A and 12B are diagrams of a screen configuration for attaching data of an application corresponding to a second area to a "message creation" application corresponding to a first area on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention .

FIG. 13 is a screen configuration diagram for separately setting an area for one item when a plurality of items are displayed on an area on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a screen configuration diagram for controlling a display operation in an area when areas on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention overlap. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a screen configuration diagram for setting an area for displaying a received message when a broadcast signal is displayed on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Claims (21)

A touch screen; And And a controller for setting at least one area on the touch screen and receiving a touch operation for the set area to generate a control signal for an application, Wherein the control unit sets the area by dragging from a first point to a second point on the touch screen, Wherein the touch screen has an information input / output function for displaying a screen according to an application drive in the area in accordance with a control signal from the control unit. delete The apparatus of claim 1, Generates a driving signal for the application indicated by the indicator when the indicator indicating the application is used in the set area, and generates an end signal for the application corresponding to the set area when the indicator for application termination is written in the set area A terminal having an information input / output function. The touch screen of claim 1, Wherein when dragging from the first area to the second area of the at least two areas, the first area and the second area are interchanged in accordance with a control signal of the controller, And an information input / output function for exchanging a screen displayed in the first area and a screen displayed in the second area with each other. The apparatus of claim 1, And an information input / output function for receiving a touch for an area-specific identifier displayed on the touch screen and performing a control operation for the set area. The apparatus of claim 1, And an information input / output function for performing at least one of deleting, activating, and deactivating the set area by adjusting a size of the set area. The apparatus of claim 1, When the application corresponding to the first area of the two or more areas is "message creation ", data of the application corresponding to the second area is dragged into the first area and the message The terminal having an information input / output function. The touch screen of claim 1, An information input / output function for displaying a screen corresponding to an item of the application dragged outside the set area among the plurality of items in a different area in accordance with a control signal of the control unit when a plurality of items are displayed in the set area, Lt; / RTI > The method according to claim 1, A broadcast receiving module for receiving a broadcast signal; And Further comprising a mobile communication module for receiving a message, Wherein, An information input / output function for setting an area for displaying the message on the touch screen when a message is received through the mobile communication module while displaying the broadcast signal received through the broadcast receiving module on the touch screen, / RTI > Establishing at least one region on a touch screen; Receiving a touch operation for the set area and generating a control signal for an application; And And displaying a screen in accordance with application driving in the area according to the generated control signal, Wherein the setting step is performed by dragging from a first point to a second point on the touch screen. delete 11. The method according to claim 10, And generates a drive signal for an application indicated by the indicator when the indicator indicating the application is written in the set area. 11. The method according to claim 10, And generating an end signal for an application corresponding to the set area when an indicator for application termination is written in the set area. 11. The method according to claim 10, And displaying the active area and the inactive area of the at least two areas to be identified if the set area is more than one. 11. The method according to claim 10, And dragging the first area from the first area to the second area to change the positions of the first area and the second area or to change the position of the screen displayed in the first area, The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of exchanging and displaying screens displayed in the second area. 11. The method of claim 10, Displaying an identifier for the set area; And Further comprising the step of receiving a touch for the identifier and performing a control operation on the set area. 17. The method of claim 16, Further comprising the step of hiding, on the screen, a predetermined number of areas having a low activation frequency, The identifier display step may include: And displaying an identifier for the hidden area in an identifiable manner. 11. The method of claim 10, And performing at least one of deleting, activating, and deactivating the set area by adjusting a size of the set area. 11. The method of claim 10, When the application corresponding to the first area of the two or more areas is "message creation ", data of the application corresponding to the second area is dragged into the first area and the message And attaching the information to the terminal. 11. The method of claim 10, Dragging any one of the plurality of items out of the set area when a plurality of items are displayed in the set area; And And displaying the screen corresponding to the activated application corresponding to the dragged item in another area. 11. The method of claim 10, And changing at least one of a location of the area, an information display size of the area, and an information display arrangement within the area when at least two of the plurality of set areas overlaps with each other.

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