KR20110131941A - Mobile terminal and method for displaying message thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal and message display method thereof are provided to separate a transmission display window and a message input window from a receiving display window using an identification unit. CONSTITUTION: A wireless communication unit(110) transmits and receives a message with one or more opponent terminals. A display unit(151) displays an opponent list including one or more opponent terminals which transmit and receive the message. A user input unit(130) receives the opponent terminal from the displayed opponent list. A control unit(180) controls the display unit in order to display the input window of a transmission message on the opponent terminal and the reception display window of the message received from the opponent terminal.

Description

Mobile terminal and its message displaying method

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of displaying a plurality of messages transmitted and received with a specific counterpart terminal and a message displaying method thereof.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

In order to support and increase the function of such a terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

In general, when displaying transmission / reception messages with a specific counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal may arrange and display the messages based on the transmission / reception time and display an input window of a message to be transmitted to a specific counterpart terminal in one region of the screen. .

However, according to the related art, considering that the input window for receiving the transmission message and the message to be transmitted have a common point of transmission, the received message and its display method cannot be different.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of displaying a transmission display window and a message input window so as to be distinguished from a reception display window, and a message displaying method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, a mobile terminal according to the present invention, a wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving messages with at least one counterpart terminal; A display unit configured to display a counterpart list including the at least one counterpart terminal having transmitted / received the message; A user input unit for selecting a specific counterpart terminal from the displayed counterpart list; And a control unit controlling the display unit to display a transmission display window of a message transmitted to the selected specific counterpart terminal, a reception display window of a message received from the specific counterpart terminal, and an input window of a message to be transmitted to the specific counterpart terminal. In this case, the transmission display window and the input window may include the same identifier to distinguish the reception display window.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a message display method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention, the first display step of displaying a counterpart list including at least one counterpart terminal having transmitted and received a message; A selection step of selecting a specific counterpart terminal from the displayed counterpart list; And a second display step of displaying a transmission display window of a message transmitted to the selected specific counterpart terminal, a reception display window of a message received from the specific counterpart terminal, and an input window of a message to be transmitted to the specific counterpart terminal. In this case, the transmission display window and the input window may include the same identifier to distinguish the reception display window.

Effects of the mobile terminal and its message display method according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, the transmission display window and the message input window are displayed using the same identifier to be distinguished from the reception display window, so that the user can be intuitively informed that the transmission display window and the message input window are the same in that the message is transmitted.

Second, in case of sending the input message using the message input window, the position of the message input window is gradually moved to the position of the transmission display window according to the degree of message transmission. Therefore, the message input window is not only intuitively provided to the user but also the message input window is transmitted. You can tell the user that there is something in common: sending a message.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2b is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a flowchart of a message displaying method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4A to 4D are screen configuration diagrams for displaying the transmission display window and the input window to be distinguished from the reception display window using the same identifier according to the present invention.
5A to 5C are screen configuration diagrams for separately displaying a transmission display window and a reception display window in units of a period according to the present invention.
6A and 6B are screen configuration diagrams for separately displaying a transmission display window and a reception display window based on a specific keyword according to the present invention;
7A to 8B are screen configuration diagrams for deleting specific data corresponding to a specific transmission / reception display window or a specific transmission / reception display window from the screen according to the present invention.
9A and 9B are screen configuration diagrams for identifying and displaying a reception display window of a received message including a multimedia file in accordance with the present invention;
10A and 10B illustrate screen configurations for identifying and displaying a transmission display window and an input window corresponding to a first specific counterpart terminal using the same identifier when there are a plurality of specific counterpart terminals according to the present invention.
11A to 11C are screen configuration diagrams for outputting a multimedia file on a counterpart list according to the present invention.
12A to 12E are screen configuration diagrams illustrating a process of gradually switching a position of an input window to a transmission display window when a message is transmitted to a specific counterpart terminal according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying 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 herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, and the like.

However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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 A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that 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 that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a 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 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 and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same 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 related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or 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, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

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 a wireless signal with 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 according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range 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 location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V 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 image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may 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 according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into 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. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

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

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate 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 may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the 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 implementation form 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 one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

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

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

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 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor 141 detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound 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, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an 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 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to configuration aspects of the mobile terminal 100.

The projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and is similar to the image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180 Or at least partly display another image on an external screen or wall.

Specifically, the projector module 155 includes a light source (not shown) that generates light (for example, laser light) for outputting an image to the outside, a light source And a lens (not shown) for enlarging and outputting the image at a predetermined focal distance to the outside. Further, the projector module 155 may include a device (not shown) capable of mechanically moving the lens or the entire module to adjust the image projection direction.

The projector module 155 can be divided into a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) module, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module and a DLP (Digital Light Processing) module according to the type of the display means. In particular, the DLP module may be advantageous for miniaturization of the projector module 151 by enlarging and projecting an image generated by reflecting light generated from a light source on a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chip.

Preferably, the projector module 155 may be provided longitudinally on the side, front or back side of the mobile terminal 100. It goes without saying that the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100 as occasion demands.

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

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), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an 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 that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( 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.

The interface unit 170 may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various commands input by the user from the cradle. It may be a passage through which a signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal 100. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

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

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented 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 include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

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

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

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

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

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

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

The user input unit 130 is manipulated 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 manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 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 additionally mounted on the rear 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 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. 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 further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

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

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be further 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 embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be 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 mobile terminal referred to herein may include at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, a message displaying method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a message display method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 100 transmits and receives at least one message with at least one counterpart terminal through the wireless communication unit 110 under the control of the controller 180 (S310).

Here, the message may include a text message or a multimedia message. In addition, any method capable of transmitting and receiving data with the other terminal may be applied without being limited to the message. For example, it may include e-mail, instant messaging service, and data communication by social networking service (SNS).

Under the control of the controller 180, the mobile terminal 100 displays a counterpart list including at least one counterpart terminal having transmitted and received a message with the mobile terminal 100 through the display unit 151 (S320).

The counterpart list may be displayed when a menu item or key (or key area) corresponding to the counterpart list display is selected by the user.

The at least one counterpart terminal included in the counterpart list may be listed in order based on the time of transmission and reception of the most recent message transmitted and received between the mobile terminal 100 and the counterpart terminal. In this case, the display area of the counterpart terminal included in the counterpart list may display contents (part of contents or message titles) or transmission time, or an image or name of the counterpart terminal.

In addition, even when there are a plurality of messages transmitted and received with a specific counterpart terminal, one item corresponding to the specific counterpart terminal may be included in the counterpart list. Of course, in some cases, items corresponding to the number of messages may be included.

The mobile terminal 100 receives a selection operation for a specific counterpart terminal among at least one counterpart terminal included in the displayed counterpart list from the user through the user input unit 130 (S330).

For example, the selection operation may include a touch operation on a point of a display area corresponding to a specific counterpart terminal, input of a confirmation key after selection of a specific counterpart terminal, and a check operation (shake, or tilting a certain angle) after the selection of a specific counterpart terminal. Input and the like.

The mobile terminal 100 displays, via the display unit 151, at least one message transmitted and received with the selected specific counterpart terminal under the control of the controller 180 (S340).

In the display step S340, the message transmitted to the specific counterpart terminal may be displayed through the transmission display window, and the message received from the specific counterpart terminal may be displayed through the reception display window.

In addition, in the display operation S340, the mobile terminal 100 may display an input window (hereinafter, a message input window) for receiving a message content of a message to be transmitted to a specific counterpart terminal together with a transmission display window and a reception display window. .

For example, the transmission display window and the reception display window may be displayed at the center of the screen, and the message input window may be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Regarding the arrangement order of the transmission display window and the reception display window, at least one transmission display window based on a transmission time of a transmission message corresponding to each of the at least one transmission display window and a reception time of a reception message corresponding to each of the at least one reception display window; At least one reception display window may be displayed in alignment.

For example, the transmission time or the reception time may be sorted in fast order or late order.

The transmission display window and the reception display window may each include an identifier corresponding to each window to indicate that each of the transmission display window and the reception display window is a window for displaying a transmission message.

The transmission display window and the reception display window may change colors, shapes, and positions of respective input windows as identifiers, or may change fonts and font colors of message contents displayed on the respective identifiers as identifiers.

For example, when the transmission display window and the reception display window have a speech bubble shape, the tail of the speech bubble corresponding to the transmission display window may be positioned at the lower right, and the tail of the speech bubble corresponding to the reception display window may be positioned at the lower left. Alternatively, the transmission display window may be positioned on the right side of the screen, and the reception display window may be positioned on the left side of the screen.

In addition, the transmission display window and the message input window may include the same identifier to distinguish the reception display window.

For example, the same identifier may include at least one of a color, a shape, and a location of each of the transmission display window and the message input window, or at least one of the font and font color of the message content displayed on each of the transmission display window and the message input window. Alternatively, the same identifier may include an identifier of the transmission display window to be distinguished from the reception display window.

For example, the transmission display window and the message input window may be located on the right side of the screen, and the reception display window may be located on the left side of the screen. Alternatively, when the transmission display window, the reception display window, and the message input window have a speech bubble shape, the tail of the speech bubble corresponding to the transmission display window and the message input window may be positioned at the lower right, and the tail of the speech bubble corresponding to the reception display window may be positioned at the lower left. . Alternatively, the transmission display window and the message input window may be displayed in red, and the reception display window may be displayed in blue.

Hereinafter, various embodiments related to the process of distinguishing the transmission display window and the message input window from the reception display window using the same identifier and displaying the transmission display window and the reception display window will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4A to 4D are screen configuration diagrams for displaying the transmission display window and the input window to be distinguished from the reception display window using the same identifier according to the present invention.

According to FIG. 4A, the mobile terminal 100 may display a counterpart list including a plurality of counterpart terminals that have transmitted and received messages with themselves, and receive a selection of a specific counterpart terminal from the counterpart list.

In the following description, it is assumed that the first counterpart terminal 401 is selected from the counterpart list.

According to FIG. 4B, the reception display windows 411 and 412 have a speech bubble shape with a tail displayed at the lower left side, and the transmission display windows 421 and 422 and the message input window 430 have a speech bubble with a tail displayed at the lower right corner. It can have a shape.

According to FIG. 4C, the reception display windows 411 and 412 may be lightly displayed on the display frame, and the transmission display windows 421 and 422 and the message input window 430 may be displayed to be dark. have.

According to FIG. 4D, the reception display windows 411 and 412 have no pattern, and the transmission display windows 421 and 422 and the message input window 430 may have a hatched pattern.

Of course, any display method for identifying the transmission display window and the message input window from the reception display window can be applied without being limited to the above methods.

5A to 5C are screen configuration diagrams for separately displaying a transmission display window and a reception display window in units of a predetermined period according to the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention may identify and display the transmission display window and the reception display window by using transmission and reception time zones of messages corresponding to the transmission display window and the reception display window, respectively, under the control of the controller 180.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the mobile terminal 100 may display a transmission display window and a reception display window corresponding to each message transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal on a daily basis.

For example, in one area of the screen, one day period area corresponding to today (5/24), yesterday (5/23), two days ago (5/22), three days ago (5/21), etc. is displayed. The transmission display window and the reception display window corresponding to the message transmitted and received on the date corresponding to the period area selected by the user may be displayed.

For example, when the period area "today" 501 is selected, the mobile terminal 100 displays the transmission display window 521 and the reception display windows 511 and 512 corresponding to the message transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal today. can do.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the mobile terminal 100 may display a transmission display window and a reception display window corresponding to each message transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal on a weekly basis.

For example, a transmission display window that displays a weekly period area corresponding to this week, last week, two weeks ago, etc. in one area of the screen, and transmits and receives a message transmitted in a week corresponding to the period area selected by the user. And a reception display window.

For example, when the period area "last week" 502 is selected, the mobile terminal 100 displays the transmission display window 522 and the reception display windows 513 to 515 corresponding to the message transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal last week. Can be displayed.

According to FIG. 5C, the mobile terminal 100 may display a transmission display window and a reception display window corresponding to each of the messages transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal in time unit. In this case, the date may be today, yesterday, two days ago, three days ago, etc. (see FIG. 5A).

For example, a time unit period area corresponding to each of a plurality of time zones may be displayed in one area of the screen, and a transmission display window and a reception display window corresponding to a message transmitted and received in a time zone corresponding to the period area selected by the user may be displayed. have.

For example, when the period area "12 o'clock to 15 o'clock" 503 is selected, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a transmission display window 523 corresponding to a message transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal between 12 o'clock and 15 o'clock. And a reception display window 516.

When the period area "all" shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C is selected, the mobile terminal 100 transmits and receives a transmission display window and a reception display window corresponding to each message transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal regardless of the transmission / reception time zone. You can list them in turn based on.

Of course, the transmission and reception time zone may be set by the user or may be a time zone previously designated in the terminal.

Although not shown in the drawings, when the mobile terminal 100 selects a specific period region while displaying a transmission display window and a reception display window corresponding to each of all messages transmitted and received with the first counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 selects the selected period. The display of the transmission display window and the reception display window corresponding to the message transmitted and received in the specific period region can be stopped. In this case, a key area for selecting a redisplay of a specific period area may be provided in one area of the screen.

6A and 6B are screen configuration diagrams for separately displaying a transmission display window and a reception display window on the basis of a specific keyword according to the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention may identify and display the transmission display window or the reception display window by using a specific keyword included in a message corresponding to the transmission display window or the reception display window under the control of the controller 180.

Here, the specific keyword may include a keyword, a proper noun, or a popular search term predetermined by the user.

In the following description, it is assumed that the specific keywords are "Patent" and "Soccer".

According to FIG. 6A, the mobile terminal 100 may identify and display "Facility" or "Soccer" among the contents of a message corresponding to each of the transmission display windows 621 and 622 and the reception display windows 611 and 612. .

Alternatively, the mobile terminal 100 may identify and display the transmission display window or the reception display window including the "sticky" or "soccer".

In addition, referring to FIG. 6A, the mobile terminal 100 may display keyword regions 601 and 602 corresponding to a specific keyword in one region of the screen, and receive a selection operation for the specific keyword region from the user.

According to FIG. 6B, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a keyword area 601 corresponding to "stickiness" from the user in FIG. 6A, the transmission display window 622 and the reception display window 612 including "stickiness" are received. Only can be displayed.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, when the mobile terminal 100 is selected from the user in the keyword area 602 corresponding to "purchase" in Figure 6a, the transmission display window 621 including the "football" and receiving Only the display window 611 can be displayed.

7A to 8B are screen configuration diagrams for deleting specific data corresponding to a specific transmission / reception display window or a specific transmission / reception display window from the screen according to the present invention.

According to the control of the controller 180, the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention does not display data included in a specific transmission display window / reception display window (for example, part of a message content, transmission / reception time), or specific transmission. The display / receive display window itself may not be displayed.

The case where the transmission / reception time is not displayed as the specific data will be described.

The mobile terminal 100 receives a touch drag operation in one direction in a display area of a reception time (or transmission time) corresponding to a specific reception display window (or a specific transmission display window) (1 in FIG. 7A) or a specific reception display window ( Alternatively, when the terminal is tilted in one direction after the selection operation for the reception time (or transmission time) corresponding to the specific transmission display window (1 in FIG. 7B), the transmission / reception time corresponding to all reception display windows / transmission display windows is no longer displayed. May not (FIG. 8A).

Furthermore, the mobile terminal 100 may no longer display only the transmission / reception time corresponding to the reception display window / transmission display window displayed on the current screen in FIG. 8A.

In addition, when the touch target is the reception time in FIG. 7A or 7B, the mobile terminal 100 may no longer display only reception times corresponding to all reception display windows (or reception display windows currently displayed on the screen). . Alternatively, when the touch target is the transmission time in FIG. 7A or 7B, the mobile terminal 100 may no longer display only transmission times corresponding to all transmission display windows (or transmission display windows currently displayed on the screen). .

A case where the specific transmission display window / reception display window itself is not displayed will be described.

The mobile terminal 100 receives a touch drag operation in one direction from a transmission display window (or a reception display window) including a specific keyword "soccer" (2 in FIG. 7A) or a transmission display window containing a specific keyword "soccer" ( Alternatively, when the terminal is inclined in one direction after the selection operation for the reception display window (2 in FIG. 7B), the transmission display window / receiving display window including “soccer” may no longer be displayed (FIG. 8B).

Alternatively, the mobile terminal 100 receives a touch drag operation in one direction from a key region corresponding to a specific keyword "soccer" (3 in FIG. 7A) or a selection operation for a key region corresponding to a specific keyword "soccer". After the terminal is tilted in one direction (3 in FIG. 7B), the transmission display window / receive display window including “soccer” may no longer be displayed (FIG. 8B).

9A and 9B are screen configuration diagrams for identifying and displaying a reception display window of a reception message including a multimedia file according to the present invention.

Here, it is assumed that the multimedia file is a picture file and an audio file.

According to FIG. 9A, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a message including a photo file from the first counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 may display the included photo file in the corresponding reception display window.

For example, when there are a plurality of photo files, the plurality of photo files may be sequentially displayed at predetermined time intervals.

According to FIG. 9B, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a message including an audio file from the first counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 displays an indicator (♬) indicating that the audio file is included in the corresponding reception display window. When the cursor is positioned on the reception display window, the included audio file may be played.

10A and 10B illustrate screen configurations for identifying and displaying a transmission display window and an input window corresponding to a first specific counterpart terminal using the same identifier when there are a plurality of specific counterpart terminals according to the present invention.

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a plurality of counterpart terminals Tommy and Amy are selected from the counterpart list shown in FIG. 4A.

According to FIG. 10A, the mobile terminal 100 includes reception display windows 1021 and 1022 corresponding to Tommy, a reception display window 1011 corresponding to Amy, a transmission display window 1023 corresponding to Tommy, and a transmission display window corresponding to Amy. 1012 may be displayed.

At this time, in addition to displaying the transmission display window and the message input window 730 by using the same identifier (for example, the position of the window, the tail position of the speech bubble, etc.) so as to be distinguished from the reception display window, the transmission display window corresponding to Tommy for each counterpart terminal. 1023 / receive display windows 1021 and 1022 and the transmit display window 1012 / receive display window 1011 corresponding to Amy can be identified and displayed.

For example, the transmission display window 1023 / reception display windows 1021 and 1022 corresponding to Tommy are displayed in dark colors, and the transmission display window 1012 / reception display window 1011 corresponding to Amy is lightly displayed, or Tommy corresponding to The transmission display window 1023 / reception display windows 1021 and 1022 may be displayed in green, and the transmission display window 1012 / reception display window 1011 corresponding to Amy may be displayed in red.

Furthermore, the message input window may be identified and displayed according to who is the transmitting party of the message to be currently transmitted. In other words, when a message is to be sent to Tommy, the transmission display window / receive display window and the message input window corresponding to Tommy may include the same identifier to be identified with the transmission display window / receive display window corresponding to Amy.

For example, in the case of Tommy, which is a transmission counterpart, the message input window may be displayed in dark or green, similarly to the transmission display window 1023 / reception display windows 1021 and 1022 corresponding to Tommy.

According to FIG. 10B, the mobile terminal 100 divides the screen into a plurality of areas, displays a transmission display window 1012 / reception display window 1011 corresponding to Amy in the first area, and corresponds to Tommy in the second area. The transmission display window 1023 / reception display windows 1021 and 1022 can be displayed.

11A to 11C are screen configuration diagrams for outputting a multimedia file on a counterpart list according to the present invention.

When the mobile terminal 100 receives a message (hereinafter, referred to as a multimedia message) including a multimedia file from a specific counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 according to the control of the controller 180 is displayed in the display area of the specific counterpart terminal on the counterpart list. The included multimedia file can be output.

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the multimedia file is a picture file.

According to FIG. 11A, when a picture file is included in a message most recently received from a first counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 displays the included picture file in the display area of the first counterpart terminal on the counterpart list. can do.

Furthermore, when a plurality of photo files are included, the plurality of photo files may be sequentially displayed at predetermined time intervals.

According to FIG. 11B, when the plurality of photo files are included in the most recently received message from the first counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 displays the display of the first counterpart terminal to indicate that the plurality of photo files are included. An area may be identified and displayed (for example, a book corner shape) (a), or the number of the included photo files may be displayed in the display area of the first counterpart terminal (b).

According to FIG. 11C, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a next picture display command operation in FIG. 11B (a) or (b), the mobile terminal 100 may display a picture located after the currently displayed picture.

Returning to FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 100 receives a transmission command signal of a message input using the message input window through the user input unit 130 (S350).

Here, the transmission command signal may be input when a key area or key corresponding to the transmission command is selected by the user.

When the mobile terminal 100 receives a transmission command signal in the input step S350, under the control of the controller 180, the specific counterpart terminal selected in the selection step S330 by using the message input window. In step S360. The transmitting step S360 may be performed by the wireless communication unit 110.

Under the control of the controller 180, the mobile terminal 100 gradually moves the message input window to correspond to the transmission level of the message in the transmitting step S360, and displays the display at any position in the display area of the transmission display window / receive display window. (S370).

When the message input window is moved, the mobile terminal 100 may move the message contents displayed in the message input window together. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 may display a gradual movement of the message contents displayed on the message input window (see FIGS. 12A and 12E).

When the message input window is moved, the mobile terminal 100 may display a new message input window at the position of the original message input window separately from the message input window to be moved.

When the movement of the message input window is completed, the mobile terminal 100 may convert the message input window into a transmission display window and display the same.

For example, when the alignment criterion of the transmission display window / reception display window is a fast or late order of transmitting / receiving a corresponding message, an arbitrary position at which the movement of the moved message input window is completed may be the lowest or the highest in the transmission display window.

Regarding the display step S370, a detailed description will be made with reference to FIGS. 12A through 12E.

12A displays a transmission display window / receive display window and a message input window corresponding to a message transmitted and received with a first counterpart terminal.

12A and 12B, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a message composition command signal through the message input window 1230, the mobile terminal 100 may display a virtual keypad on one area of the screen. Accordingly, the user may input message content using the virtual keypad, and the input message content may be displayed in the message input window 1230.

Of course, when the mobile terminal 100 is provided with a keypad, the message contents can be directly input using the keypad without receiving a message creation command signal.

12C and 12D, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a message transmission command signal after completion of the input of the message content (Send key selection), the mobile terminal 100 transmits a message including the input message content to the first counterpart terminal. In this case, the message input window 1230 and the message contents displayed thereon may be gradually moved to correspond to the transmission level of the message, and may be disposed at the position of the transmission display window.

For example, if the transmission display window / receive display windows are arranged in the order of rapid transmission / reception time, the message input window may be disposed at the bottom of the transmission display windows, and may be converted to the transmission display window 1222 and displayed.

In addition, according to FIG. 12E, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a message from the first counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal 100 gradually moves the reception display window 1213 corresponding to the received message from the bottom (or from the top) of the reception display windows. It can be displayed at the corresponding position.

For example, when the transmission display window / receive display windows are arranged in the order of the transmission time, the reception input window 1213 may be disposed at the bottom of the reception display windows.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described message display method may be implemented as code that can be read by a processor in a medium in which a program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The above-described mobile terminal and its message displaying method are not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the above embodiments may be modified in whole or in part to enable various modifications. It may alternatively be configured in combination.

100 mobile terminals
110 wireless communication unit
130 user input
151 Display
180 control unit
411, 412 reception display
421, 422 transmission display
430 Input Window

Claims (11)

A wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving a message with at least one counterpart terminal;
A display unit configured to display a counterpart list including the at least one counterpart terminal having transmitted / received the message;
A user input unit for selecting a specific counterpart terminal from the displayed counterpart list; And
And a control unit controlling the display unit to display a transmission display window of a message transmitted to the selected specific counterpart terminal, a reception display window of a message received from the specific counterpart terminal, and an input window of a message to be transmitted to the specific counterpart terminal.
And the transmission display window and the input window include the same identifier to distinguish the reception display window. The method of claim 1, wherein the same identifier,
At least one of colors, shapes, and positions of each of the transmission display window and the input window is the same;
And at least one of font and font color of the message content displayed on each of the transmission display window and the input window. The method of claim 1,
The display unit,
If there are a plurality of specific counterpart terminals under the control of the controller, an input window of a message to be transmitted to a first specific counterpart terminal among the plurality of specific counterpart terminals is displayed.
The transmission display window, the reception display window, and the input window corresponding to the first specific counterpart terminal,
And a same identifier to distinguish the transmission display window and the reception display window corresponding to the other specific counterpart terminal except for the first specific counterpart terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the display unit,
A mobile terminal for identifying and displaying the transmission display window and the reception display window using at least one of a transmission / reception time zone of the message and a specific keyword included in the message under the control of the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the display unit,
Under the control of the controller, when a specific message received from the specific counterpart terminal includes a photo file, the mobile terminal displaying the photo file included in the specific message on the reception display window of the specific message. The method of claim 1,
The user input unit,
Receives a command signal for transmitting the input message using the input window,
The wireless communication unit includes:
When receiving the transmission command signal, under the control of the controller, to transmit the input message to the specific counterpart terminal,
The display unit,
Under the control of the controller, the mobile terminal gradually moves the input window so as to correspond to the transmission degree of the message and displays the display at an arbitrary position of a display area of the transmission display window and the reception display window. The method of claim 6, wherein the input window,
The mobile terminal is switched to the transmission display window when the movement to the arbitrary position is completed. A first display step of displaying a counterpart list including at least one counterpart terminal having transmitted / received a message;
A selection step of selecting a specific counterpart terminal from the displayed counterpart list; And
And a second display step of displaying a transmission display window of a message transmitted to the selected specific counterpart terminal, a reception display window of a message received from the specific counterpart terminal, and an input window of a message to be transmitted to the specific counterpart terminal.
And the transmission display window and the input window include the same identifier to distinguish the reception display window from the reception display window. The method of claim 8,
The second display step,
When there are a plurality of specific counterpart terminals, an input window of a message to be transmitted to a first specific counterpart terminal among the plurality of specific counterpart terminals is displayed.
The transmission display window, the reception display window, and the input window corresponding to the first specific counterpart terminal,
And a same identifier to distinguish the transmission display window and the reception display window corresponding to the other specific counterpart terminal except for the first specific counterpart terminal. The method of claim 8, wherein the second display step,
And displaying a photo file included in the specific message in a reception display window of the specific message when the specific message received from the specific counterpart terminal is included. The method of claim 8,
An input step of receiving a transmission command signal of a message input using the input window;
A transmission step of transmitting the input message to the specific counterpart terminal in response to receiving the transmission command signal; And
And a third display step of gradually moving the input window so as to correspond to the degree of performance of the transmitting step, and displaying the input window at an arbitrary position of a display area of the transmission display window and the reception display window.

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