KR20090034113A - Terminal having function for inputting/outputting information and method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A terminal having a function for inputting/outputting information and a method using the same are provided to display a control operation for a specific setting application and a screen thereof within a set area after setting the area on a touch screen by a touch operation of the user. A terminal having a function for inputting/outputting information comprises a touch screen(510) and a controller. The controller sets up an area(513) on the touch screen. The controller receives a touch operation about the set area. And the controller generates a control signal about an application. According to a control signal from the controller, the touch screen displays a screen according to application driving within the set area.

Description

Terminal with information input / output function and method using same {TERMINAL HAVING FUNCTION FOR INPUTTING / OUTPUTTING INFORMATION AND METHOD USING THE SAME}

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

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

Recently, the terminal has been able to perform various functions such as shooting a still image or video, playing a multimedia file such as a music file or a video file, playing a game, receiving / outputting a broadcast, etc. It is implemented in the form.

In these multimedia devices, various new attempts are being applied in terms of hardware or software to implement complex functions. For example, a user interface environment is provided for a user to search for or select a function easily and conveniently.

In particular, when the terminal is equipped with a touch screen, the user may not only receive various information displayed on the touch screen but also perform a touch operation on the touch screen to perform an input operation on the terminal.

However, in the method using the touch screen according to the related art, not only the area for receiving the user's touch is fixed but also the method of simultaneously displaying the respective areas required to perform the multitasking operation is not implemented.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal and a method using the same, in which a user can freely set an area for inputting and outputting various information on a touch screen.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal and a method using the same, which perform a control operation on an application and display a screen according to driving of the application in the set area, in response to a touch operation on an area set on a touch screen. There is another purpose to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a terminal having an information input and output function according to the present invention, the touch screen (touch screen); And a controller configured to set an area on the touch screen and receive a touch operation on the set area to generate a control signal for an application, wherein the touch screen is configured according to a control signal from the controller. The screen according to the application driving is displayed in the set area.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the information input and output method of the terminal according to the present invention comprises the steps of setting an area on a touch screen (touch screen); Receiving a touch operation on the set area and generating a control signal for an application; And displaying the screen according to the application driving in the set area according to the generated control signal.

The effects of a terminal having an information input / output function and a method using the same according to the present invention described above are as follows.

First, an area according to a user's touch operation may be set on a touch screen, and a control operation for a specific application and a screen corresponding thereto may be displayed within the set area.

Second, in the case of driving a plurality of applications, an area for each of the plurality of applications may be set on the touch screen to receive a touch operation for each of the set areas and to conveniently control the corresponding application. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user with convenience in a multitasking operation.

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

The terminal described in the present specification is a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation, a digital camera ( Digital Camera) and the like. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described types of terminals, and it is obvious that the present invention can 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 components according to functions. 1 is a block diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120, an operation unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, and a storage unit ( 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like.

On the other hand, the components, when implemented in the actual application, it should be noted that, if necessary, two or more components may be combined into one component, or one component may be divided 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 range 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 a broadcast signal 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 mean a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information or a server receiving pre-generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information and transmitting them to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal. The broadcast associated information refers to information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider, and includes an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) or an ESG (digital video broadcast-handheld) of DVB-H. Electronic Service Guide) may exist in various forms.

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

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcast systems, and in particular, digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), and media forward link only (MediaFLO). ), Digital broadcast signals may be received using digital broadcasting systems such as DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) and ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured to be suitable not only for the above-described digital broadcast system but also for all broadcast systems that provide a broadcast signal.

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

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

In addition, the wireless internet module 113 is a module for transmitting and receiving data by accessing the wireless internet, and may be embedded or external to the terminal 100.

In addition, the near field communication module 114 is a module for performing near field communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) module 115 also receives location information from at least one satellite.

The A / V 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 and a microphone module 122 for receiving an audio signal. And the like.

Hereinafter, components of the A / V 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 call mode or the imaging mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display module 151, stored in the storage 160, or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more camera modules 121 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the terminal 100.

In addition, the microphone module 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode or a voice recognition mode, and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. Meanwhile, the microphone module 122 may implement various noise removal algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The operation unit 130 receives an input operation for controlling the operation of the terminal 100 from the 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, or the like. have. In particular, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display module 151 described later, this may be referred to as a touch screen.

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

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

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface for connecting the terminal 100 and an external device. Therefore, the interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits the data to each component inside the terminal 100, or transmits the data inside 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 (eg, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card), and an audio I / O ( Input / Output) terminals, video I / O (Input / Output) terminals, earphones, and the like may be included.

The output unit 150 may include a display module 151 for outputting a video signal, a sound 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 the information processed by the terminal 100 on the screen.

For example, when the terminal 100 is in a call mode, the terminal 100 displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the terminal 100 is in a video call mode and / or a photographing mode, the terminal 100 displays a received and / or photographed image and a UI and / or a GUI related to the current mode.

The display module 151 includes a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, and a three-dimensional display. It may include at least one of (3D display). In addition, two or more display modules 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the terminal 100. For example, an external display module (not shown) and an internal display module (not shown) may be simultaneously provided in the terminal 100.

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

In addition, the sound output module 152 outputs 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, and the like. . In addition, the sound output module 152 outputs a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

In addition, the alarm output module 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, and key signal input. The alarm output module 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, the signal may be output in the form of vibration. When a call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm output module 153 may output a vibration to notify this. Alternatively, when a key signal is input, the alarm output module 153 may output a vibration in response to the key signal input. Through the vibration output as described above, the user can recognize the occurrence of the event. Of course, the signal for notification of event occurrence may be output through the display module 151 or the voice output module 152.

The storage unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phonebook, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). You can also perform a function for storage.

The storage unit 160 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, and a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory). It may include a storage medium of at least one type of, RAM, 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 controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, the controller 180 may include a multimedia playback module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia playback module 181 may be configured as hardware in the controller 180 or may be configured as software separate from the controller 180.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source or an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the terminal related to the present invention will be described in terms of components according to appearance.

In the following description, for simplicity, a slider type terminal is used among various types of terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, and the like. Listen and explain. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the slider type terminal, but can be applied to all types of terminals including the above-described type.

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

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

Meanwhile, in the case of a folder type, the terminal 100 according to the present invention includes a first body and a second body configured to be folded or unfolded at least one side of the first body.

A state in which the first body 100A is disposed to overlap the second body 100B may be referred to as a closed configuration, and as shown in the drawing, the first body 100A may be referred to as the second body 100B. The exposed state of at least a portion of the N may be referred to as an open configuration.

Although the terminal 100 operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, the terminal 100 may release the standby mode by a user's operation. In addition, the terminal 100 operates mainly in a call mode or the like in an open state, but may switch to the standby mode by a user's operation or a lapse of a predetermined time.

The case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming 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 further disposed between the first front case 100A-1 and the first rear case 100A-2.

The cases may be formed by injecting a synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

In the first body 100A, specifically, the first front case 100A-1, the display module 151, the first sound output module 152-1, the first camera module 121-1, or the first manipulation unit 130-1 may be disposed.

In addition, the display module 151 may form a touch screen by overlapping the touch pad with a layer structure to enable input of information by a 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 may be implemented to be suitable for capturing an image or a video.

Similar to the first body 100A, the case forming 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 manipulation unit 130-2 may be disposed on the front surface of the second body 100B, specifically, the second front case 100B-1.

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

The first to third manipulation units 130-1, 130-2, and 130-3 may be referred to collectively as the manipulation unit 130, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user is operating while having a tactile feeling. have.

For example, the operation unit 130 is implemented as a dome switch or a touch pad that can receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or a wheel method or jog that rotates a key. It may also be implemented in a manner or a joystick manner.

In functional terms, the first operation unit 130-1 is for inputting a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 130-2 inputs numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. It is to. In addition, the third operation unit 130-3 may 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 a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for allowing the terminal 100 according 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 infrared port (IrDA port), a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port). (wireless LAN port) or the like, or at least one of 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 subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) and a memory card for storing information.

The 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 may include a rechargeable battery (not shown), and the battery (not shown) may be detachably coupled for charging or the like.

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

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

For example, the first camera module 121-1 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call or the like, and the second camera module 121-2 has a low pixel. It is desirable to have a high pixel because a normal subject is often photographed and not immediately transmitted.

The flash 121-3 and the 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 allows the user to look at the user's own face or the like when the user intends to photograph herself (aka self-photographing) using the second camera module 121-2.

The second sound output module 152-2 may be further disposed on the second rear case 100B-2. 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 call in a speaker phone mode.

In addition, on one side of the second rear case 100B-2, an antenna 111-1 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed in addition to an antenna for a call. The antenna 111-1 may be installed to be pulled out of the second body 100B.

On the side of the first rear case 100A-2 of the first body 100A, a portion of the slide module 100C for slidably coupling the first body 100A and the second body 100B is disposed.

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

In the above description, the second camera module 121-2 is described as being disposed in the second body 100B, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

For example, at least one of the elements 111-1, 121-2 to 121-3, and 152-2 described as disposed on the second rear case 100B-2, such as the second camera module 121-2. At least one may be attached to the first body 100A, mainly the first rear case 100A-2. If that is the case, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) arranged in the first rear case 100A-2 in the closed state are protected by the second body 100B. Furthermore, 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 shoot up to the shooting direction of the second camera module 121-2. May be

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the organic operation relationship of each component for performing an operation of inputting / outputting information using a touch screen according to the present invention will be described in detail.

The terminal 100 is a touch screen formed of a touch pad and a display module 151 when the touch pad included in the operation unit 130 and the display module 151 provided in the output unit 150 have a layered structure. It may be provided.

The controller 180 sets an area on the touch screen, receives a touch operation on the set area, and generates a control signal for an application (to be described later). In this case, the touch screen displays a screen according to the driving of an application in the set area according to a control signal from the controller 180.

For example, when an indicator indicating an application or an indicator for terminating an application is used in the set area, the controller 180 may generate a driving signal of an application indicated by the indicator or an end signal of the application.

A control process of each region set on the touch screen and an application for each region will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a flowchart of an information input / output method of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in sequence for 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 form a layered structure.

The terminal 100 may set a plurality of areas according to a user's touch operation. In addition, the terminal 100 outputs a screen according to other function operations (MP3 playback, broadcast output, message writing, telephone number search, etc.) as well as the case where the background screen according to the standby state is output on the touch screen. Even in such a state, the setting step S410 may be performed.

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

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the background screen according to the standby state is output on the touch screen when the setting step S410 is performed.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, when a user drags from the first point 512-1 on the touch screen 510 to the second point 512-2 using the pointer 511, the terminal ( 100 forms a rectangular region 513 having a straight line connecting the first point 512-1 and the second point 512-2 to a diagonal line corresponding to the drag direction and the drag distance (a).

Accordingly, the terminal 100 recognizes the region 513 formed in the state (a) as one region that performs an input / output function of information on the touch screen 520 (b).

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

In addition, when the second point 532-2 meets the first point 532-1 as a result of the continuous drag, the terminal 100 touches the area 541 formed as a result of the continuous drag on the touch screen 540. Recognized as one area that performs the input and output function of the information on the (b).

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the user draws a first straight line 552-1 connecting the two horizontal sides (or both vertical sides) of the touch screen 550 using the pointer 551, and then draws the first straight line 552-1. A second straight line is drawn away from the first straight line 552-1 by a predetermined distance in the up or down direction (or the left or right direction) (a).

Accordingly, the terminal 100 may define an area 561 formed of the first straight line 552-1 and the second straight line 552-2 as one area that performs input / output function of information on the touch screen 560. Recognize (b).

Returning to FIG. 4, the terminal 100 receives a touch operation on 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 with respect to the set area or a touch operation for controlling an application currently being driven.

Here, the application may mean all functions that can be implemented in the terminal 100, for example, phonebook search, message writing, broadcast output, MP3 playback, Internet connection / output, and the like.

In addition, the terminal 100 generates a control signal of an application in a region in which the touch operation is performed, corresponding to the touch operation input in the input step S420 (S430).

For example, when the touch operation is a touch operation for designating a specific application, the terminal 100 may generate a driving signal for the specific application. Alternatively, when the touch operation is a touch operation for terminating a specific application being driven, the terminal 100 may generate an end signal for the specific application.

In addition, the terminal 100 displays the screen of the application according to the control signal generated in the generation step S430 in the region where the touch operation is performed (S440).

The input step S420, the generation step S430, and the display 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 reproduction is output on the touch screen when the input step S420 is performed.

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 in the second area 612, an application " An indicator " menu " 612-1 indicating a menu search " is written by the user (a). Here, the indicator indicating "menu search" may be set by the user or may be set by the terminal 100. In addition, the indicator indicating "menu search" can be any form as long as it can represent "menu search", such as "menu", "MENU" (mixable case), and "M".

Then, the terminal 100 generates a driving signal of "menu search" and, accordingly, displays the screen according to driving of "menu search" in the second area 612 (b).

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

When the "message" 163 is selected from the menu items displayed in the second area 612 in the (b) state, the terminal 100 generates a driving signal of an application corresponding to the "message", Accordingly, the screen according to the driving of the "message" is displayed in the second area 612 (c). Here, the selection operation for the "message" may be performed through a touch on the "message" icon, and may also be performed through input means such as a direction key, a numeric key, a jog key, and 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, the web page according to the Internet connection is displayed in the first area 611 on the touch screen 620, and the screen according to the driving of the "menu search" is displayed in the second area 612. In the display state, the user writes an indicator "end" 611-1 indicating the end of the Internet connection to the first area 611 (a). Here, the indicator indicating "end" may be set by the user or may be set by the terminal 100. Further, the indicator indicating "end" may be any form as long as it can indicate "end" such as "end", "END" (mixing of uppercase and lowercase letters), and "E".

The terminal 100 generates a termination signal for the internet connection, and accordingly deletes the first area 611 on the touch screen 620 with the termination of the internet connection (b). Then, in the state (b), the user writes the indicator "C" indicating return to the previous step of "menu search" (b). Here, the indicator indicating "return" may be set by the user or may be set by the terminal 100. Further, the indicator indicating "return" may be any form as long as it can indicate "return" such as "C", "return", "previous" or the like.

Then, the terminal 100 generates a return signal for "menu search" and accordingly displays the second area 612 in which no touch action exists as a previous step of "menu search" (c). 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 may be set by the terminal 100. In addition, the indicator which shows "message" can be any form as long as it can show that it is "message", such as "message", "MESSAGE (mixing of upper and lower case)", and the like.

Accordingly, the terminal 100 may generate a driving signal of the "message", and accordingly, display the screen according to the "message" driving in the second area 612 (d).

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

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

In addition, the terminal 100 may receive a touch on the identifiers displayed in the display step S450 from the user, and perform a control operation on an area corresponding to the identifier on which the touch is input (S460).

The display step S450 and the execution step S460 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 9.

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

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the terminal 100 may blur the screen of the deactivated first area 711 on the touch screen 710 and display the screen of the activated second area 712 in a dark color. Can be.

On the other hand, although not shown in the figure, it may be displayed to identify whether the area is activated using the screen color, screen brightness, and the like.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 8, a screen state according to position / screen exchange between regions on the touch screen will be described.

First, a first page 811 on the touch screen 810 displays a web page according to an internet connection, and a second screen 812 displays a screen according to driving of an application "menu search" (a).

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

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

Alternatively, as a result of dragging, the terminal 100 displays the screens of the first area 811 and the second area 812 interchangeably and displays them (d). At this time, the position of each region does not change.

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

As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal 100 displays a screen according to MP3 playback on a basic area (corresponding to a desktop) on the touch screen 910, and connects to the first area 911 for an internet connection. The web page is displayed, the screen according to the driving of the menu search is displayed in the second area 912, and the screen according to the broadcast output is displayed in the third area 913 (a). In addition, the terminal 100 displays identifiers 910-1, 911-1, 912-1, and 913-1 corresponding to the respective areas in the lower area of the touch screen 910.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a process of controlling each area 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 other areas (c). . Accordingly, the terminal 100 may display the second area 912 to be distinguished from other areas by using brightness, saturation, contrast, color, etc. to indicate that the second area 912 is activated.

If 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 other areas (d). ).

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

When the identifier 913-1 for the third area 913 is touched, the terminal 100 activates the third area 913 while displaying all 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 region using the above-described identifier, the terminal 100 may identify a touch operation on the identifier, and perform any one of a control operation of activation, display on the full screen, and deletion. For example, the identification may be performed according to 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 should be set in advance.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 10, the hiding / displaying operation of an arbitrary region of the plurality of regions on the touch screen will be described in view of the screen configuration.

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

For example, when the maximum number of areas that can be displayed on the touch screen 1010 is limited to three, the terminal 100 displays two areas on the touch screen 1010 if five currently set areas are present. You may not mark it. However, even in this case, an identifier for the non-display area is displayed to help the user recognize the set area.

As shown in the state (a), it can be seen that the non-display area is an area according to "message" driving (hereinafter referred to as "message area") and an area according to "MP3 reproduction" (hereinafter referred to as "MP3 reproduction 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 using color, brightness, darkness, and the like.

In addition, the selection criteria of the non-display area may be an order of setting speed, an order of low activation frequency, an order of small area area, or the like. Of course, the non-display 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).

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

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 11, a process of controlling the operation of the region by adjusting the size of the region on the touch screen will be described in view of the screen configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the terminal 100 displays a screen according to driving of “menu search” on a set area 1111 while displaying a screen according to MP3 playback on a desktop on the touch screen 1110. (A).

As the user drags inward from one vertex of the region 1111 using the pointer 1123 in the state (a), the size of the region 1111 is reduced according to the drag operation (b). In this case, when the region 1111 is reduced to the region 1112 having the first predetermined size, the region 1111 is deactivated. Here, the first predetermined size is a maximum size of an area to be deactivated and should be preset in the terminal 100.

In addition, as the user drags inward from one vertex of the region 1112 using the pointer 1123 in the state (b), the size of the region 1112 is a region of a second predetermined size corresponding to the dragging operation. Decreases to 1113 (c).

When the area 1113 decreases below the second predetermined size, the terminal 100 deletes the area 1113 on the touch screen 1140 (d). Here, the second predetermined size may mean a minimum size of an area to be deactivated or a maximum size of an area to be deleted.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a process of attaching data of an application corresponding to the second area to “message creation”, which is an application corresponding to the first area on the touch screen, will be described in terms of screen configuration.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, on the touch screen 1210, the terminal 100 displays a plurality of photos according to the driving of the application “photo album” on the first area 1211, and displays the second area ( 1212), a message creation screen in response to the driving of the application "message creation" is displayed (a).

In the state (a), the user attaches the "second photo" 1121-1 to the second region 1212 of the plurality of photos displayed on the first region 1211 using the pointer 1213. Area "1212-1 (b). At this time, it is not necessarily dragged to the "attachment area" 1212-1, but may be dragged to an arbitrary point of the second area 1212.

Accordingly, the terminal 100 may attach the dragged “second picture” 1121-1 as an attachment file of the message being created in the second area 1212 (b).

Of course, depending on the application driven with respect to 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, an image file such as a photo file, a music file such as an MP3 file, a video file, a text file, or a document file may include all types of data that can be attached. In addition, even when the application driven for the second area 1212 is "E-mail" or "MMS creation", the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 12A may be applied.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, on the touch screen 1230, the terminal 100 displays the memo content input according to the driving of the application “Notepad” in the first area 1231, and the second area. A message creation screen in response to the driving of the application "message creation" is displayed at 1232 (a).

In the state (a), the user drags the pointer 1233 to an "message content input area" 1232-1 of the second area 1232 at an arbitrary point of the first area 1231 by using the pointer 1233 ( b). At this time, it may not be dragged to the "message content input area" 1232-1, but may be dragged to any point of the second area 1232.

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

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 13, when a plurality of items are displayed in an area on a touch screen, a process of separately setting an area for any one item will be described in terms of screen configuration.

First, as shown in FIG. 13, the terminal 100 displays a list of menu items composed of a plurality of menu items (each of which is represented by an icon) in the area 1311 on the touch screen 1310. (A).

According to the first embodiment, the user drags “message” 131-1-1 of the menu items displayed on the area 1311 in the state (a) to the outside of the area 1311 (b). Accordingly, the terminal 100 sets a separate area 1312 and displays a screen according to the driving of an application corresponding to the dragged message 131311-1 in the separate area 1312 (c). ). In this case, the size of the separate area is preset in the terminal 100.

Alternatively, according to the second embodiment, the user draws another area 1313 by dragging the pointer 1321 outside the area 1311 in the state (a) (d, e). Then, the user drags “messages” 1311-1 among menu items displayed in the area 1311 to the other area 1313 (e). Therefore, the terminal 100 displays the screen according to the driving of the application corresponding to the dragged message 131311-1 in the separate area 1313 (f).

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 14, a process of controlling a display operation in an area when regions on the touch screen overlap with each other will be described in terms of screen configuration.

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

In the state (a), the user drags the pointer 1421 to a point separated by a predetermined distance downward from an arbitrary point of the lower side of the first region 1411 (b). In this case, the terminal 100 sets an extended first region 1413 corresponding to the dragging operation, and a portion of the expanded first region 1413 and the second region 1412 overlap each other.

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

As shown in the state (c), the terminal 100 vertically reduces the size of the second region 1412 so as not to overlap with the expanded first region 1413, and is displayed corresponding to the reduced ratio. The icons of the menu items are also reduced.

Alternatively, as shown in the state (d), the terminal 100 vertically reduces the size of the second region 1412 so as not to overlap with the expanded first region 1413, by a vertically reduced ratio. Zoom in horizontally. Therefore, the number of icons of the menu items displayed on the changed second area 1415 may increase in number while being horizontally arranged while maintaining the size of the icons.

Alternatively, the terminal 100 reduces the size of the second region 1412 vertically so as not to overlap with the expanded first region 1413, as shown in the state (e), but changes the second region 1416. ) Keep the size of the icon displayed.

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

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

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

When the message confirmation is selected in the state (b) (when "Yes" 1521-1 is selected), the terminal 100 sets the window 1512 to one area 1531 and the area 1531. C) display the content of the received message.

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

In this case, the areas 1531 and 1542 may not only be resized by a drag operation by the pointer but also terminate the currently running application (for example, receiving a message) and display a screen according to driving of another application. It may be.

In the above-described embodiments, the setting of the area and the control operation of the area are performed based on the user's touch operation on the touch screen, but the button key, the direction key, and the jog key included in the terminal 100 are used. It is obvious 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, or a hot key.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the accompanying drawings. In addition, the above-described embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made.

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

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

6A and 6B are screen configuration 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.

7 is a screen configuration diagram in which an active area and a deactivated area of a plurality of areas on a touch screen provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention are displayed to be identified.

8 is a screen configuration diagram according to the position / screen exchange between the areas on the touch screen provided in the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims (21)

Touch screens; And A control unit configured to set an area on the touch screen, receive a touch operation on the set area, and generate a control signal for an application; The touch screen is a terminal having an information input / output function for displaying a screen according to application driving in the set area according to a control signal from the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a terminal having an information input / output function for setting the area according to dragging from the first point on the touch screen to the second point. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, When an indicator indicating an application is used in the set area, a driving signal for an application indicated by the identifier is generated, and when an indicator for terminating an application is used in the set area, an end signal for an application corresponding to the set area is generated. Terminal having information input / output function. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch screen, When dragging from a first area to a second area among a plurality of set areas, the screens displayed on the first area or the positions of the first area and the second area are interchanged according to a control signal of the controller. And an information input / output function for exchanging and displaying the screen displayed on the second area. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a terminal having an information input / output function that receives a touch on an identifier for each region displayed on the touch screen and performs a control operation on the set region. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, And a terminal having an information input / output function that adjusts the size of the set area to perform at least one of deleting, activating, and deactivating the set area. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, An information input / output function for dragging data of an application corresponding to a second area to the first area and attaching it to a message being created when the application corresponding to the first area of the plurality of set areas is “message creation”; Having a terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch screen, When a plurality of items are displayed in the set area, an information input / output function for displaying a screen according to driving of an application corresponding to an item dragged out of the set area among the plurality of items in another area according to a control signal of the controller; Terminal having. The method of claim 1, A broadcast receiving module for receiving a broadcast signal; And Further comprising a mobile communication module for receiving a message, The control unit, 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; Having a terminal. Setting an area on a touch screen; Receiving a touch operation on the set area and generating a control signal for an application; And And displaying a screen according to the driving of an application in the set area according to the generated control signal. The method of claim 10, wherein the setting step, An information input / output method of a terminal performed by dragging from a first point to a second point on the touch screen. The method of claim 10, wherein the generating step, When an indicator indicating an application is used in the set area, the information input and output method of the terminal to generate a drive signal for the application represented by the identifier. The method of claim 10, wherein the generating step, When an indicator for terminating an application is used in the set area, the terminal inputs and outputs an end signal for an application corresponding to the set area. The method of claim 10, wherein the displaying step, And displaying the activated area and the deactivated area of the plurality of set areas to be identified. The method of claim 10, wherein the displaying step, As the first area is dragged from the first area to the second area of the plurality of set areas, the positions of the first area and the second area are interchanged, or the screen displayed on the first area and the screen displayed on the second area Information exchange method of the terminal further comprising the step of displaying each other. The method of claim 10, Displaying an identifier for the set area; And And receiving a touch on the identifier, and performing a control operation on the set area. The method of claim 16, The method may further include hiding a predetermined number of areas having a low activation frequency among the plurality of set areas on the screen. The identifier display step, Information input and output method of the terminal for displaying the identifier for the hidden area to be identified. The method of claim 10, And adjusting at least one of deleting, activating, and deactivating the set area by adjusting the size of the set area. The method of claim 10, If the application corresponding to the first area of the plurality of set areas is “message creation”, dragging data of the application corresponding to the second area to the first area and attaching the message to the first message; Information input and output method of the terminal. The method of claim 10, If a plurality of items are displayed in the set area, dragging any one of the plurality of items out of the set area; And And displaying the screen according to the driving of the application corresponding to the dragged item in another area. The method of claim 10, And changing at least one of a location of the area, an information display size in the area, and an information display arrangement in the area when at least two areas of the plurality of set areas overlap each other.

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