KR20030031232A - Method for searching phone numbers in personal terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for searching telephone numbers of a portable terminal is provided to search desired telephone numbers by a user, using minimum keys in a telephone number database of the portable terminal. CONSTITUTION: If a quick search is requested(S105), a controller displays a list of telephone numbers(S110). The controller detects whether a page move key is inputted(S115). If so, the controller moves to a corresponding page and displays the page(S120), and if not inputted, the controller detects whether an item move key is inputted(S125). If so, the controller moves a telephone number selection cursor to a corresponding item(S130), and if not inputted, the controller detects whether a numerical key is inputted(S135). If so, the controller moves to a page including a corresponding numerical address and displays the page(S140), and if not inputted, the controller detects whether a send key is inputted(S145). If inputted, the controller automatically dials to a telephone number of an address in which a telephone number search cursor is located(S150), and if not inputted, the controller detects whether a confirmation key is inputted(S155). If so, the controller modifies or deletes a telephone number according to a key operation of a user(S160), and if not inputted, the controller performs a corresponding operation(S165).

Description

How to search for a mobile phone number {METHOD FOR SEARCHING PHONE NUMBERS IN PERSONAL TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a method for retrieving a phone number in a mobile terminal having a telephone number database.

In mobile terminals such as cellular phones, personal communications services (PCS) phones, and international mobile telecommunication (IMT) phones, data communications, telephone number databases, schedule management, personal notes, Internet search, and broadcasting, in addition to basic voice calls There is an increasing demand for additional functions such as reception and video / music playback. Application programs for portable terminals that implement these additional functions are as known.

In particular, the phone number database has become the most basic function of a mobile terminal because of the advantage that the user can easily and quickly dial the phone number without having to remember or press the phone number. Although the phone number database is not the same according to the manufacturer, generally, when a predetermined search key is pressed, a search menu is displayed on the display of the mobile terminal, and a search method is performed by selecting a phone number search and then entering a short keyword. This is widely used. Most of these portable terminals have a structure in which a user searches through a quick search mode in a tree structure menu, selects "Phonebook"-> "Quick find".

However, a search method using a short keyword has been avoided by users because of the complexity of using a short keyword because the process of finding a desired telephone number is complicated and a direct keyword must be input. On the other hand, the search method in turn takes a relatively long time because the searched phone numbers are searched one by one. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved phone number search method for the user's convenience.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention, which was devised to solve the problems of the prior art operating as described above, is to provide a method for enabling faster retrieval of a telephone number from a telephone number database of a mobile terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for allowing a user to search for a desired telephone number more conveniently by using a minimum key in a telephone number database of a mobile terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a phone number search method of a mobile terminal.

If the user is requested to search for a phone number, displaying the first page of the phone number search list including at least two phone number entries on the screen and placing a phone number selection cursor on the first phone number entry;

When a page movement key is input in the phone number search list, displaying and moving to a corresponding page of the phone number search list;

Moving and displaying the phone number selection cursor to a corresponding item in the phone number search list when an item moving key is input from the phone number search list;

When a number key is input in the phone number search list, displaying and moving to a page including the address of the number in the phone number search list;

When the call key is input from the telephone number search list, automatically dialing the telephone number of the address where the telephone number selection cursor is located;

If a confirmation key is input in the phone number search list, a process of modifying or deleting the phone number of the address where the phone number selection cursor is located according to a user's key manipulation.

1 is an internal configuration diagram of a mobile terminal to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a phone number database stored in a memory of a mobile terminal.

3 is an external configuration diagram of a portable terminal to which the present invention is applied.

4 is a flowchart showing a phone number search operation according to the present invention;

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a phone number search list according to the present invention;

6 is a diagram showing another example of a telephone number search list according to the present invention;

7 is a view showing another example of a telephone number search list according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the operating principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that the detailed description of the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention. Terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may be changed according to intentions or customs of users or operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

In the telephone number search method according to an embodiment of the present invention to be described below, a telephone number search list is displayed in searching for telephone numbers stored in a mobile terminal, and a desired telephone number is searched using a page shift key, an item shift key, and a numeric key. It is characterized by. At this time, in displaying the phone number search list, one phone number is displayed per line or two or more phone number display names are displayed in one line, and volume keys or direction keys are used to move between phone number items. Or use numeric keys together. To this end, the components to be provided in the portable terminal and the operation of using them most effectively will be described.

1 illustrates an internal configuration of a portable terminal 10 to which the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, the main components according to the present invention will be described mainly.

Referring to FIG. 1, the controller 11 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 10 and performs an operation required for searching a phone number according to the present invention. To this end, the controller 11 includes a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor and other circuits. The radio processor 12 includes a modulator, a transmit amplifier, a receive amplifier, and a demodulator, and exchanges radio signals with a mobile communication network including a base station and an exchange station. The voice processor 13 converts the voice data received from the wireless processor 12 into an audible sound through a speaker under the control of the controller 11, and outputs the voice signal received from the microphone to the wireless processor 13.

The display unit 14 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and displays various display data and letters / numbers generated by the mobile terminal 10 under the control of the controller 11. The key input unit 15 includes a plurality of numeric / character keys, function keys, keys for calling, and the like, which allow a user to select a function, input data, and select a number.

The memory 16 includes a program memory, a data memory, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The program memory stores program codes for controlling the overall operation of the digital telephone. The program memory may use a flash memory. The data memory temporarily stores operation data generated during operation of the portable terminal, and may use random access memory (RAM), for example. The nonvolatile memory stores a telephone number database and a system parameter registered to perform a function such as short dialing. For example, the nonvolatile memory may use an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).

2 illustrates an example of a phone number database stored in the nonvolatile memory. Referring to FIG. 2, one unique address is stored in association with various items such as display name, home phone number, mobile phone number, work / school phone number, e-mail, and other memo.

3 illustrates an external configuration diagram of a mobile terminal 10 to which the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, the main components according to the present invention will be described mainly.

Referring to FIG. 3, the key input unit 15 includes four direction keys 153 for up / down / left / right and function keys 155 for menu / internet / confirmation / call / cancel / end and alphanumeric keys 157 and volume control /. And volume keys 151 used for directional movement.

In the following, a phone number search operation according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The telephone number search operation according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed by the mobile terminal 10 having the structure as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. 4 shows an operation procedure according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

In the standby state or the call state, the controller 11 checks whether a key input occurs and detects whether the user requests a quick find in step S105. Here, the quick find may be required by the user searching the menu to request a quick find or by pressing a designated shortcut key. As an example, if the user presses and holds a key (ie, a shortcut key) marked with a telephone symbol ☎ in FIG. 3, it is recognized that a quick search is required. If a quick search is requested in step S105, the controller 11 searches the telephone directory database in the memory 16 and displays a telephone number search list on the screen of the display unit 14.

Initially, on the display unit 14, the first page of the telephone number search list is displayed, and the telephone number selection cursor is located at address 1 of the first page. In Figs. 5 and 6, the telephone number selection cursor is shown to invert a character. Each page of the telephone number search list has at least one telephone number entry per line. This is to display more phone number items on one screen so that the user can search all at once. The telephone number item includes one or more pieces of information per line depending on the length of the displayed content and the screen size of the display unit 14. For example, the telephone number search list may display one shortcut number and display name and simple information per line as shown in FIG. 5, or display more than three display names in a line as shown in FIG.

When the phone number search list is displayed, in step S115, the controller 11 detects whether a page navigation key is input. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the page shift key is preferably a volume key located on the side of the mobile telephone. As another example, the page shift key may be a long press of the up key (▲) and the down key (▼) of the navigation keys 153. That is, if the up key and the down key are pressed for more than a preset time, it is recognized as a page move key.

If the page movement key is input, in step S120, the controller 11 moves to the corresponding page of the telephone number search list and displays it. In other words, if an up-volume key is entered, it moves to the previous page. On the other hand, if no page navigation key is input, the process proceeds to step S125.

In step S125, the controller 11 detects whether an item moving key is input. The item move key is the direction keys 153 of the cellular phone. In this case, when the phone number search list displays only one shortcut number, name, and simple information per line as shown in FIG. 5, the item moving keys become the up key (▲) and the down key (▼) among the direction keys 153, but FIG. If more than one display name is displayed on one line, the item movement keys are all the direction keys 153. If an item movement key is input, the controller 11 moves the telephone number selection cursor to the corresponding item in step S130. That is, if the up key is input, the cursor moves to the upper item, and if the down key is input, the cursor moves to the lower item. On the other hand, if no item moving key is input, the process proceeds to step S135.

In step S135, the controller 11 detects whether a numeric key is input. Numeric keys are alphanumeric keys 157 shown in FIG. If the numeric key is input, in step S140, the controller 11 moves to a page including the address of the corresponding number in the telephone number search list and displays it. At this time, if the phone number search list displays only one speed dial number and name and simple information per line as shown in FIG. 5, the number of addresses entered in the process (S135) is the highest in the moved page, and the next addresses are in order. Although listed, as shown in FIG. 6, when two or more display names are displayed on one line, the address of the number input in step S135 is located at the center of the screen. This is to allow the user to search the rest of the list more quickly. On the other hand, if the numeric key is not input, the process proceeds to step S145.

In step S145, the controller 11 detects whether a call key is input. The call key is the "call" key among the function keys 155 shown in FIG. If the call key is input, in step S150, the controller 11 automatically dials the telephone number of the address where the telephone number search cursor is currently located. In this case, two or more telephone numbers (eg, home, mobile phone, work / school, etc.) may be stored in the address where the phone number search cursor is currently located. In this case, the controller 11 displays the stored phone numbers along with a message for selecting the phone number. When the user selects a desired telephone number using the arrow keys 153 and presses a call key, the controller 11 automatically dials the corresponding telephone number. As another example, the controller 11 automatically dials the designated representative phone number among the phone numbers stored at the corresponding address. On the other hand, if the call key is not input, the process proceeds to step S155.

In step S155, the controller 11 detects whether a confirmation key is input. The confirmation key is a "confirmation" key among the function keys 155 shown in FIG. If the confirmation key is input, in step S160, the control unit 11 performs a phone number correction or deletion operation according to the user's key operation. On the other hand, if the confirmation key is not input, the process proceeds to step S165 to perform a corresponding operation, for example, searching for a telephone number.

5 and 6 show an example of the operation of the present invention described above. As already mentioned, FIG. 5 shows an example of displaying only one phone number item per line in the phone number search list, and FIG. 6 shows an example of displaying two or more phone number items on one line.

First, referring to FIG. 5, when a quick search for a phone number is requested, the phone number search list lists the phone number items of the first address and about five lines below the number in a line as shown in screen 110. Here, the screen 110 displays only one telephone number entry per line, and each telephone number entry includes a street address and a telephone number as shown in FIG. If the size of the display unit 14 allows, the telephone number item may further include simple personal information such as a telephone number and a telephone type in addition to the address and the corresponding display name. At this time, the telephone number selection cursor is located at the first address. In this case, when the page moving key, that is, the volume key, is entered, the search window is moved and displayed in units of pages. When the item moving key, that is, the direction key is input, the telephone number selection cursor is displayed in units of items. For example, in FIG. 5, the screen 110 displays addresses 1 to 5 of the first page, and after the lower port volume key (↓) is input, the screen 120 displays addresses 6 to 10 of the second page and the telephone The number selection cursor is located at address 6. If the down key (▼) is input twice on the screen 120, the telephone number selection cursor moves to address 8, and when the call key is pressed, the auto dial is pressed and the confirm key is pressed to enter the phone number modification mode.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, when a quick search for a phone number is requested, the phone number search list lists three phone number items in one line as shown in screen 210. At this time, the telephone number entry shall include a street address and a display name (user name). Comparing screen 210 with screen 110, you can search for more than 10 phone number entries on one screen. At this time, the telephone number selection cursor is located at the first address. Here, when the page move key, that is, the volume key, is entered, the search window moves by page, and when the item move key, that is, the direction key is entered, the telephone number selection cursor moves by item. For example, in FIG. 6, the screen 210 displays addresses 1 to 15 of the first page, and after the lower volume key (↓) is input, the screen 220 displays addresses 16 to 30 of the second page and the telephone The number selection cursor is located at address 16. When the desired phone number is address 24, press Down key (▼) twice and press Right key (▶) twice on screen 220. The number selection cursor moves to address 24. Pressing the call key automatically dials and confirms. Press key to enter edit mode.

On the other hand, when the user memorizes the address of the desired telephone number closely, the present invention displays the page of the corresponding address. For example, if the number “59” is pressed on the screen 210 of FIG. 6, the screen 240 displays a page including the address 59, that is, addresses 52 to 66 on one screen. At this time, if the number key "5" is pressed first, a page including "5" is displayed, and if "9" is pressed again, a page including "59" is displayed. If the desired phone number is address 53, press the up (▲) key twice on the screen 240 to move the phone number selection cursor to address 53. Press the call key to auto-dial and press the enter key to enter the modify mode. .

On the other hand, Figure 7 shows another operation example of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, when a quick search for a phone number is requested, the screen 310 displays a pop-up search box on the phone number search list. The search box may receive a shortcut number or a name or a telephone number according to a user's setting. 7 illustrates a search box for receiving a shortcut number. Also, detailed information of the currently selected phone number item, for example, a phone number, a speed dial number, and a phone type, is displayed at the top of the phone number search list of FIG. When the user presses a desired search word, for example, "55" in the search box of the screen 310 and presses the "OK" key, the screen is switched to the screen 320 to display a telephone number entry of "55". If you press the down key (▼) twice and the right key (▶) twice on the screen 320, the phone number selection cursor moves to the corresponding phone number item as shown on the screen 330, and when the call key is pressed, it automatically dials and confirms. Press key to enter edit mode. At this time, in the case of the display name having more than three letters, only the first three letters as shown in the screen 320 when not selected, and the entire display name as shown in the screen 330 when selected are easily recognized by the user. Pressing the call key in the selected phone number field will autodial and pressing the enter key will enter the modify mode.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by those equivalent to the scope of the claims.

In the present invention operating as described in detail above, the effects obtained by the representative ones of the disclosed inventions will be briefly described as follows.

The present invention facilitates and speeds up the retrieval of a telephone number from a telephone number database, which is the most important additional function of a portable terminal. In addition, there is an effect that provides convenience to the user by facilitating the modification / deletion and automatic dialing of the telephone number.

Claims (9)

In the mobile phone number search method, If the user is requested to search for a phone number, displaying the first page of the phone number search list including at least two phone number entries on the screen and placing a phone number selection cursor on the first phone number entry; When a page movement key is input in the phone number search list, displaying and moving to a corresponding page of the phone number search list; Moving and displaying the phone number selection cursor to a corresponding item in the phone number search list when an item moving key is input from the phone number search list; And when a numeric key is input in the telephone number search list, moving to and displaying a page including the number of the corresponding number in the telephone number search list. The method of claim 1, wherein the page navigation key is a volume control key of the portable terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the page movement keys are up and down keys among direction movement keys of the portable terminal. 4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the telephone number search list includes one telephone number entry per line and the telephone number entries are corresponding display names and telephone numbers. 4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the telephone number search list includes at least two telephone number entries per line and the telephone number entries are corresponding display names. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising displaying detailed personal information corresponding to the telephone number item selected by the telephone number selection cursor on the telephone number search list. Said method. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: automatically dialing the telephone number of the address where the telephone number selection cursor is located when a call key is input from the telephone number search list; And if the confirmation key is inputted from the telephone number search list, modifying or deleting the telephone number of the address where the telephone number selection cursor is located according to a user's key operation. In the mobile phone number search method, If the user is requested to search for a phone number, the first page of the phone number search list including at least two phone number entries per line is displayed on the screen, and a search window for inputting a search word by the user is displayed. Displaying the first page of the phone number search listing on the displayed screen; When a search word is input in the search window, moving to a page including a phone number item corresponding to the input search word in the phone number search list and displaying the search word; Closing the search window and placing a phone number selection cursor on the first phone number item of the phone number search list when a page move key, an item move key, or a numeric key is input in the search window. The method of claim 8, further comprising: moving to and displaying a corresponding page of the phone number search list when a page navigation key is input from the phone number search list; Moving and displaying the phone number selection cursor to a corresponding item in the phone number search list when an item moving key is input from the phone number search list; And when a numeric key is input in the telephone number search list, moving to and displaying a page including the address of the corresponding number in the telephone number search list.