KR101919617B1 - An user interface with inhanced affordance and interaction - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a method for providing a user interface for setting a time for an alarm or a schedule management according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method including displaying a current setting time, Displaying a visual queue on the user interface for display; Sensing a user's touch input to the visual queue; Activating the visual queue and indicating that the visual queue is active when the touch input is sensed; And providing means for modifying or changing the current set time on the active visual queue.

Description

A user interface with enhanced affordance and interaction {AN USER INTERFACE WITH INHANCED AFFORDANCE AND INTERACTION}

The present invention relates to a user interface for providing convenience and intuitiveness to a user, and more particularly, to a DRUM-type user interface.

User interfaces (UI) for providing affordance and interaction to users in various operating systems (OSs) are provided. However, it is not sufficient to satisfy the performance, the user satisfaction, and the convenience as the basic user interface provided in the OS. Therefore, an effort to research or develop a separate optimized user interface for each manufacturer such as a mobile device or a device It is progressing.

The present invention intends to provide a user interface enhanced with affordance and interaction beyond the limitations of the prior art.

A method for providing a user interface for setting information associated with a number according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, the method comprising: displaying a currently set number and displaying Displaying a visual queue on the user interface; Sensing a user's touch input to the visual queue; Activating the visual queue and indicating that the visual queue is active when the touch input is sensed; Dividing and displaying the currently set number displayed in the visual queue according to the place of the number; And sensing the touch input of the user for each digit of the number to change or modify the digit.

The step of indicating that the visual cue is active may comprise: deactivating an area other than the visual cue of the user interface. The step of deactivating the region other than the visual cue may include the step of dimming the region other than the visual cue.

The step of sensing the touch input of the user for each of the digits and changing or modifying the digits may include: touching and holding the user with respect to a region distant from the center of the visual cue, Or a press input; And changing or modifying the number at a rate proportional to the duration if the input of the user continues for a certain period of time.

The step of sensing the touch input of the user for each of the digits and modifying or modifying the digits may include: drag and hold input of a user to a region distant from the center of the visual cue ; And changing or modifying the number at a rate proportional to the distance from the center of the visual queue to the point of input of the user.

There is provided an apparatus for providing a user interface for setting information associated with a number according to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying a currently set number, A display unit for displaying a visual queue on the user interface; A touch sensor for sensing a touch input of a user; And controlling the display unit to divide and display the currently set number displayed in the visual queue according to a position of the number in response to a touch input of the user, And the controller may change or modify the number displayed on the display unit by sensing the touch input of the user for each digit of the number through the touch sensor.

The controller may cause the display unit to deactivate an area other than the visual cue of the user interface to indicate that the visual cue is active. In addition, the controller may control the display unit to dim the area other than the visual cue in order to deactivate the area other than the visual cue.

Wherein the controller senses a touch input of the user for each digit of the number and changes or corrects the number by touching the user's touch & hold on a region distant from the center of the visual cue through the touch sensor, touch and hold or press input and may change or modify the number at a rate proportional to the duration of the user's input for a certain period of time.

Wherein the controller senses a touch input of the user with respect to each of the digits of the digits to change or modify the digits by using a drag and hold drag and hold) input and may change or modify the number at a rate proportional to the distance from the center of the visual cue to the input of the user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a user interface in which behavior induction and interaction (afference and interaction) of a user are enhanced. In addition, this embodiment of the present invention provides a simpler and more convenient user environment compared to the prior art, and it is possible to provide information related to numbers, such as a time required for setting a time or a date for setting an alarm or a schedule Can be significantly reduced.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a mobile device (e.g., mobile communication terminal) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a shows a front perspective view of a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2B shows a rear perspective view of a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The mobile terminal described in this specification may be a mobile device including a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) It may correspond to a terminal.

However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless the configuration is applicable only to a mobile terminal. Therefore, it goes without saying that the contents described in this specification can be applied to an electronic apparatus including a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal.

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

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

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 and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to 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 may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only And a Digital Broadcasting System (ISDB-T) (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. 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 wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. WLAN (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or moving image obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can 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. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

In the present invention, the microphone serves as an acoustic sensor. That is, when the user hits the terminal to sense the user's operation with respect to the terminal, the user can sense the vibration of the terminal through the microphone 122. A shock sensor may be used instead of this microphone. The microphone and shock sensor can sense the operation of the user's terminal instead of the sensing unit.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. It is also possible to sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, a touch sensor 142, and a tilt sensor 143. The sensing unit 140 may include an acceleration sensor.

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to the visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, and a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

(Hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen') in which a display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') form a mutual layer structure, It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor 142 may take the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, or a touch pad.

The touch sensor 142 may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific part of the display part 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific part of the display part 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor 142 can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor 142, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch & The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch. &Quot; The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 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 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may include a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or a suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact with an electrode, And various tactile effects such as an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using an endothermic or exothermic element can be generated.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 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 (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100, or various command signals input by the user to the cradle may be transmitted It can be a passage to be transmitted to the terminal. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions. In some cases, The embodiments described may be implemented by the control unit 180 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

2A is a perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a bar-shaped terminal body.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled.

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance.

In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. [ A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

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

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 131 and 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, and the like may be disposed in the front body 101.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 152 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The operation units 131 and 132 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates in a tactile manner.

The contents inputted by the first or second operation unit 131 or 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 'may be further mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to shoot himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 '.

An acoustic output 152 'may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 'may implement the stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used for the implementation of the speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may also be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output time information on both sides, the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. The information output on both sides may be all controlled by the touch pad 135. [ Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in correlation with the display portion 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is generally for displaying, setting, or modifying information associated with a number. For example, the user interface is for setting an alarm, a schedule, or the like, and may be mounted not only in a mobile device but also in various types of fixed electronic devices. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied not only to mobile devices such as mobile phones and mobile tablets, but also to electronic devices such as a smart TV and an advertisement display TV having a display unit having a touch pad.

3 (a) and 3 (b) show an example of the user interface 30 displayed on the display unit 151 of the mobile device or the electronic device. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show an example of an interface for setting a time for alarm or schedule setting.

The interface 30 is comprised of three columns C1, C2, and C3, and information about hours, minutes, and AM / PMs may be displayed. A visual cue 31 for displaying the currently set time may be displayed on the user interface 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 (a) is set at 9:25 AM as a default time, but this default time can be changed in a concrete embodiment.

The display of the visual cue 31 may induce the user to recognize the currently set time. On the other hand, the display of the visual cue 31 only displays the currently set time, and it is necessary to activate the visual cue 31 to change the set time. The activation of the visual cue 31 can be performed by the control of the control unit 180 of the mobile device or the electronic device, or by a touch input of the user.

The control unit 180 of the mobile device or the electronic device can receive the touch input of the user sensed by the touch sensor 142 and can activate the visual cue 31 accordingly. The touch input of the user may be a touch input for the area where the visual cue 31 is displayed or a touch input for the entire area of the user interface 30.

The activation of the visual cue 31 can be performed in various ways. For example, the visual cue 31 may be blinking or the color of the visual cue 31 may be continuously changed.

3 (a) and 3 (b), box areas 32 and 33, which can be input in the time and minute areas, respectively, of the area corresponding to the visual cue 31 are displayed, It can indicate that the visual cue 31 is activated. The display of the box areas 32 and 33 is performed according to the touch input of the user to the area of the column including the box area (C1, C2, C3 indicated by the dotted rectangle in FIGS. 3A and 3B) Can be activated. That is, only the box area 32 can be displayed if the touch input of the user is input to the column area C1, and only the box area 33 can be displayed if the touch input of the user is input to the column area C2. have.

Of course, when the user's touch input to the user interface 30 is inputted, the box areas 32 and 33 may be simultaneously displayed.

In addition, the activation indication of the visual cue 31 may include deactivating a portion of the user interface 30 except for the visual cue 31 region. For example, when the touch input of the user is detected as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the regions 35 and 36 outside the visual cue 31 may be deactivated. In FIG. 3 (b), the inactivation is shaded and darkened, that is, it can be performed by dimming the regions 35 and 36.

Then, the control unit 180 of the mobile device or the electronic device may wait for the user's touch input to the box displays 32 and 33. [ Providing the box areas 32 and 33 to the visual cue 31 provides the user with a perception of the possibility of inputting or modifying the box areas 32 and 33 using affordance. . When the user's touch input to the box areas 32 and 33 is sensed or detected, the control unit 180 of the mobile or electronic device can display an input cursor within the box areas 32 and 33 have. In other words, it may provide a means for modifying or modifying the current set time on the active visual queue 31.

Also, a keypad may be displayed on the user interface 30 to display the input cursor and modify or change the setting time. Although not shown in the figure, the keypad may be provided by providing a numeric input. Accordingly, the user can modify, change, or re-input the currently set time or minute using the keypad, and can set the set time by at least four inputs (two inputs per hour, two inputs per minute) Can be changed.

On the other hand, the morning / afternoon setting may be performed through the provision of the keypad, or the user may recognize the drag input of the user in the column (C3) and perform the am / pm operation .

In addition, although the example shown in FIG. 3 is for setting the time, an embodiment of the present invention may be for time setting as well as for date setting, or for both information related to numbers.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 180 of the mobile device or the electronic device may display the user interface 40 on the display unit 151. [ Since the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is an example of design modification of the embodiment described in FIG. 3, the description of FIG. 3 may be applied unless otherwise described.

The user interface 40 may be composed of three columns (C1, C2, C3). They can display information about hours, minutes, and morning / afternoon, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the minute information to be displayed in the column C2 can be displayed as a two-digit number. In FIG. 4, the display of the area corresponding to the column C2 is displayed larger and larger than the display of the area corresponding to the column C2 of FIG. 3, but this does not limit the scope of the right of the present invention. In addition, the present embodiment allows each of the separated numbers to be controlled.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 180 causes the display unit 151 to divide the currently set number displayed in the visual queue 41 according to the digit or digit of the number, (40).

More specifically, a visual cue 41 is displayed on the user interface 40, and the user's touch input to the user interface 40 or the visual cue 41 is detected through the touch sensor 142 The control unit 180 recognizing this can control the display unit 151 to display or provide the box areas 42 and 43 on the visual cue 41 on the user interface 40. [ Although the box areas 42 and 43 are shown as being simultaneously activated or displayed in FIG. 4, when the touch input of the user is detected for each column (C1, C2, C3) corresponding to each box area, Only the box display can be activated or displayed.

The activated or displayed box area 43 may be divided into two areas 43-1 and 43-2. These two areas each indicate a two-digit number indicating the minute, area 43-1 indicates the place of ten of the number, and area 43-2 indicates the place of the number Can be displayed. This allows the user to touch input each position of the number displayed in the user interface 40 or the visual cue 41 to control (change or modify) each position of the number do.

When the box area is activated according to the user's touch input, the user can select a drag input (vertical direction or vertical direction), a touch input, or a touch and hold operation in the column areas C1, C2, change, re-input or set the currently set time through a touch and hold input.

For example, if a user gives a drag input to the lower end of the user interface 40 in an area within the user interface 40 including the visual cue 41, the time indicates that the number thereof is reduced, If a drag input is given to the upper end of the display 40, the time indicates that the number it represents increases.

The advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that, for example, when setting the time for minutes in the set time, if the current time is changed from 25 minutes to 40 minutes, a total of 7 times 5 times), which is much faster, simpler and more efficient than a total of 15 conventional inputs. Of course, the result of this experiment is that changing the number through the drag input is the result of assuming that a single drag input can only change the number "one". However, even though a single drag input may change several numbers in proportion to the range (length, distance, or time) of the touch region of the drag input (for example, from one to seven in one drag input) The example shown in Fig. 4 would be much more efficient.

The display of the columns C1 and C3 is the same as that of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, but the display of the column C1 may be represented by a two-digit number as C2 of FIG. Of course.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention is applicable if the number to be set is at least two (2) digits. As another example to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, it may be considered to input a bank account number when banking such as internet banking or mobile banking is performed through the mobile device or the electronic device. Since the bank account number is composed of several or several tens of digits, the bank account number can be easily input according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used also when inputting the password of the mobile device or the electronic device. In general, the mobile device or the electronic device is equipped with a "lock" function to prevent the use of unauthorized users (i.e., people other than the user) It can be used as a means for inputting a password to release the lock in the locked state. Since the cipher is generally at least four (4) digits, the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be sufficiently applied.

5 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows an embodiment in which the duration of the touch input of the user is a variable, and FIG. 5B shows an embodiment having a position of the touch input of the user as a variable. Since the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is an example of design modification of the embodiment described in Fig. 3, the description of Figs. 3 to 4 can be applied unless otherwise described.

The visual cue 51 is activated according to the position of the touch input of the user and the box area 53 may be displayed according to the position of the touch input. Since the description thereof is given in Figs. 3 to 4, the description will be omitted in order to avoid duplication. 5A and 5B show that the box area 53 is activated due to the user's touch input to the column area C2.

Then, the control unit 180 of the mobile device or the electronic device can wait for a touch input of the user. The touch input of the user may be a touch and hold or a press and a drag and hold operation in which a touch is continued without moving at the point after the touch, Input that the user touch continues), and other touch inputs are possible.

A touch input of the user is required to change the setting time displayed in the visual cue 51 shown in Fig. 5 (a). If the touch input of the user is dragged and held, the starting point of the drag input must be the area 55, 56, 56, it is preferred that the hold input point should be the area 55, 56.

If the input of the user is touch-and-hold, the touch input T of the user is input in the area 55 as shown in FIG. 5A, whereby the number displayed in the box area 53 becomes upper , I.e., decreasing direction.

Also, the number displayed in the box area 53 may be changed to a speed proportional to the duration of the touch input T of the user. That is, the changing speed of the number displayed in the box area 53 can be determined according to the graph shown on the right side of FIG. 5 (a). However, the graph shown on the right side of FIG. 5 (a) is only an example, and does not limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

In other words, as the user's touch input T stays longer in the area 55, the speed of change of the number may be accelerated by a constant acceleration or a variable acceleration.

In order to change the setting time displayed in the visual cue 51 shown in Fig. 5B, a touch input of the user is required. If the touch input of the user is a drag and hold, the start point of the drag input must be the same as the area (A1, A2, A3, A2, and A3, but it is preferable that the hold input points be the areas A2 and A3.

D1, D2, and D3 shown in the graph on the right side of FIG. 5B indicate the distance from the center of the user interface 50 or the center of the visual cue 51 to the point where the touch of the user is input Where D1 is the distance from the center to the boundary of the areas A1 and A2, D2 is the distance from the center to the center of the area A1, D3 is the distance from the center to the outermost boundary of the area A3, and D3 is the distance from the center to the outermost boundary of the area A3.

If the user's input is touch-and-hold, the touch input (T1 or T2) of the user is input in the area A2 or A3 as shown in FIG. 5 (b) The displayed number will change up or down, i. E. Decreasing or increasing direction.

Also, the number displayed in the box area 53 may be changed to a speed proportional to the distance of the touch input (T1 or T2) of the user from the center. That is, the change speed of the number displayed in the box area 53 can be determined according to the graph shown on the right side of FIG. 5 (b). However, the graph shown on the right side of FIG. 5 (b) is only an example, and does not limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

In other words, as the user's touch input (T1 or T2) stays longer in the area (A2 or A3), the speed of change of the number can be accelerated by a constant acceleration or a variable acceleration.

Meanwhile, as described above, FIG. 5 shows an example in which two (2) digits are displayed at one time. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the digits corresponding to at least two digits are divided and displayed according to the digits of the digits, Each digit can be changed or modified.

6 illustrates an example of a user interface of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is an example of design modification of the embodiment described in Fig. 5, the description of Figs. 3 to 5 can be applied unless otherwise described.

6 (a) to 6 (c) show display examples of the user interface 60 that change according to the passage of time.

 A user's touch input is required to change the setting time displayed on the visual queue 61 shown in Fig. If the touch input of the user is dragged and held, the start point of the drag input must be the area A (see FIG. 5A) But it is preferable that the hold input point should be the area (A).

When the touch input of the user is touch and hold (or press), the touch input T of the user is input and held in the area A as shown in Figs. 6A to 6C, The number displayed in the box area 53 will be changed downward, i.e., in an increasing direction. The example shown in Fig. 6 can be designed so that the change width of the displayed number is changed to a certain value, and is changed by 10 in Figs. 6A to 6C. The change width (for example, 10) is only an example, and does not limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

It can be recognized that the box area 25 corresponding to the set time on the visual cue 61 is sequentially changed to 25, 35 and 45 as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c) . According to this configuration, for example, when the minute is changed from 25 minutes to 45 minutes, according to the embodiment of the present invention, 1.5 seconds (assuming that the time required for the change width takes 0.5 seconds) According to the technique, 4.0 seconds (assuming that it takes 0.2 seconds to change the number by "1"). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment shown in Figure 6 is simpler, more convenient, and faster than the prior art, It will be easy to recognize.

If the touch input of the user is dragged and held, the first input point of the user's touch input may be an area other than the area A, but the hold touch input area is preferably the area A.

As described above, FIG. 6 shows an example in which two (2) digits are displayed at one time. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the digits corresponding to at least two digits are divided and displayed according to the digits of the digits, Each digit can be changed or modified.

Having described the embodiments of the present invention above, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting, and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention Variations, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A method of providing a user interface for setting information associated with a number,
Displaying a currently set number and displaying a visual queue on the user interface to indicate that the set number can be modified or changed;
Sensing a user's touch input to the visual queue;
Activating the visual queue and indicating that the visual queue is active when the touch input is sensed;
Dividing the set number displayed in the visual queue according to a position of the set number and displaying the divided number; And
And sensing the touch input of the user for each digit of the set number to change or modify the set digit,
The step of changing or modifying the set number
Recognizing a user's drag and hold input to an area a certain distance from the center of the visual cue; And
And changing or modifying the set number at a rate proportional to a distance from a center of the visual queue to a point of an input of the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein indicating that the visual queue is active comprises:
And deactivating an area other than the visual cue among the user interfaces.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein deactivating an area other than the visual cue comprises:
And dimming an area other than the visual cue.
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sensing the touch input of the user for each of the set digits and changing or modifying the set digits comprises:
Recognizing the touch and hold or press input of the user for a certain distance from the center of the visual cue; And
And changing or modifying the set number at a speed proportional to the duration when the touch input of the user continues for a predetermined time.
delete An electronic device for providing a user interface for setting information related to numbers,
A display unit for displaying a visual queue on the user interface to display a currently set number and to indicate that the set number can be modified or changed;
A touch sensor for sensing a touch input of a user; And
The visual cue is activated and the visual cue is displayed in an active state in accordance with the touch input of the user, and the display unit divides the displayed number displayed in the visual cue according to the position of the set numeral, And,
Wherein the control unit senses the touch input of the user for each digit of the set number through the touch sensor to change or modify the set digit displayed on the display unit, Recognizes a user's drag and hold input for a region distant from the center of the visual cue through the touch sensor to change or modify the set number by sensing a touch input of the visual cue, And changes or corrects the set number at a speed proportional to the distance to the touch input of the user.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises:
And causes the display unit to deactivate an area other than the visual cue of the user interface to indicate that the visual cue is active.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit comprises:
And controls the display unit to dim the area other than the visual cue in order to deactivate the area other than the visual cue.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control unit comprises:
And for changing or correcting the set number by sensing the touch input of the user for each of the set digits,
Wherein the controller recognizes the touch and hold or press input of the user with respect to an area at a distance from the center of the visual cue through the touch sensor and if the touch input of the user continues for a predetermined time, And changes or corrects the set number at a speed proportional to the time duration.
An electronic device for providing a user interface for setting information related to numbers,
A display unit for displaying a visual queue on the user interface to display a currently set number and to indicate that the set number can be modified or changed;
A touch sensor for sensing a touch input of a user; And
The visual cue is activated and the visual cue is displayed in an active state in accordance with the touch input of the user, and the display unit divides the displayed number displayed in the visual cue according to the position of the set numeral, And,
Wherein the controller senses the touch input of the user for each digit of the set number through the touch sensor to change or modify the set digit displayed on the display unit, Recognizing the touch input of the user for a region distant from the center of the visual cue through the touch sensor to change or modify the set number by sensing the touch input, And changes or corrects the set number at a determined speed based on the distance to the touch input.

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