WO2008054135A1

WO2008054135A1 - Method and device for flexibly setting key behavior in user interface library

Info

Publication number: WO2008054135A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong Bae Kim; Hoo Jong Kim
Original assignee: Sk Telecom Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Also published as: KR100782062B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and device for flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library. A key behavior setting unit reads corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and sets at least one key behavior item for each component. A key event occurrence sensing unit senses the occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface. A key behavior item possession checking unit determines whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item. An application execution unit executes a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item. The application execution unit performs the general processing operation of the user interface if it is determined that the specific component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item. A controller generally controls all of the respective blocks so that the blocks are operated to harmonize with other functional blocks.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FLEXIBLY SETTING KEY BEHAVIOR IN USER INTERFACE LIBRARY

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, generally, to a device and method for flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "UI") library, and, more particularly, to a device and method for flexibly setting key behavior in the UI library of a mobile terminal without requiring that source code be modified. Background Art

[2] Generally, mobile terminals are devices that can be carried by users, and mobile phones can be considered to typically exemplify mobile terminals. Such mobile phones can provide various additional functions as well as the original functions of a telephone. Mobile phones having such additional functions include a camcorder phone, which is equipped with a camera, a Television (TV) phone, which allows users to watch TV, a Moving Picture Experts Group audio layer-3 (MP3) phone, which allows users to listen to MP3 music files, and a digital broadcasting phone, which allows users to watch satellite broadcasts and/or Terrestrial broadcasts. That is, current mobile phones have evolved into forms having additional functions capable of processing multimedia data.

[3] Further, according to trends, mobile terminals having the above-described functions generally include Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) units, and various methods of displaying the functions and the state of the mobile terminals have been developed. That is, mobile terminals have been developed to be able to display various types of user data. In order to use the various types of user data, data selection is generally performed by changing key behavior in a user interface.

[4] With regard to key behavior technology, a method of changing key behavior without modifying source code may be seen using the "TrigML" of uiOne, which is a customized interface technology, owned by Qualcomm, and is described in the following Table 1 :

[5] Table 1

[Table 1] [Table ]

<trigmlxlayer id= "layerl"xgroup> <image res= " icon/bullet" > <load when= "keypress [select]" Res= "news/headlines/$$/more" target= "layer2"/> </image> < / groupx/layerxlayer id= "Iayer2"/x/trigml> [6] Here, Table 1 shows an example of reading a new page when a selection button is pressed on a purse icon (bullet). In TrigML, setting is made using the attribute 'when' such that operation is performed when an event occurs, that is, key events can be set using the attribute 'when'.

[7] In the conventional user interface libraries, like the above-described example, key events, received from a platform, are transmitted to respective user interface components, the key events are received, and operations, such as the execution of applications and the switching of a screen, are performed based on the implementation of the components or the source code implementation of the applications. However, this method has a problem in that source code must be modified whenever an operation for a key event is changed. Disclosure of Invention Technical Solution

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for flexibly setting key behavior, in which operations for key events are written in a resource in the user interface library of a mobile terminal, so that key behavior items are set for respective corresponding components and are operated when the resource is loaded.

Advantageous Effects

[9] The advantage conferred by the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which operates as described above, is as follows. [10] That is, the present invention has an advantage of providing a method and device for flexibly setting a key behavior, in which operations for key events are written in a resource in the user interface library of a mobile terminal, so that key behavior items are set for respective corresponding components and are operated when the resource is loaded.

Brief Description of the Drawings [11] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [12] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a method of flexibly setting key behavior in the user interface library of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [13] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of flexibly setting key behavior in the user interface library of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [14] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of changing the type of menu according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of adding menu items according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

[16] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a device for flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[17] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a method of flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library, including reading corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and setting at least one key behavior item for each component; sensing the occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface; determining whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item; and executing a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item.

[18] Here, the method further includes performing the general processing operation of the user interface if it is determined that the specific component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item.

[19] Further, in the setting, the key behavior item data includes information about key event type and behavior description, the resource includes application data, window data, component data, and key behavior item data, and the each component includes at least one key behavior item, and, in the sensing, the key event is transmitted to a component that currently has a focus.

[20] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a device for flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library, including a key behavior setting unit for reading corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and setting at least one key behavior item for each component; a key event occurrence sensing unit for sensing the occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface; a key behavior item possession checking unit for determining whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item; an application execution unit for executing a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item, and for performing the general processing operation of the user interface if it is determined that the specific component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item; and a controller for generally controlling all of the respective blocks so that the blocks are operated to harmonize with other functional blocks.

[21] Here, the device preferably performs the general processing operation of the user interface if it is determined that the specific component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item.

[22] Further, the key behavior item data includes information about key event type and behavior description, the resource includes application data, window data, component data, and key behavior item data, the each component includes at least one key behavior item, and the key event is transmitted to a component that currently has a focus.

[23] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a recording medium storing a mobile terminal-readable program, the program having instructions executable in the mobile terminal and being implemented according to type so as to flexibly set key behavior in a user interface library, the program performing reading corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and setting at least one key behavior item for each component; sensing the occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface; determining whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item; and executing a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item. Mode for the Invention

[24] The operational principle of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings below. Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components. It should be noted that, in the following description, when it is determined that the detailed descriptions of well-known functions related to the present invention and the construction thereof would make the gist of the present invention obscure, they are omitted. The terms and words, which will be described later, and used in the present specification, are defined in consideration of functions related to the present invention, and may differ according to the intentions of users, operators, or customs. Therefore, the terms and words should be defined based on the description of this specification.

[25] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a method of flexibly setting key behavior in the user interface library of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Referring to FIG. 1, the user interface of the mobile terminal is connected to one or more windows 110 corresponding to respective applications 100. Each of the windows 110 includes one or more components 120 necessary for the construction thereof. Each of the components 120 includes one or more key behavior items 130.

[27] Further, a resource 150 includes application data 160, window data 170, component data 180, and key behavior item data 190 including information about key event type and/or behavior description.

[28] Here, an example of the actual operation of processing key events will be described below. Since the components 120 actually process respective key events, all of the provided components include key behavior through the key behavior items 130. Thereafter, corresponding key behavior item data 190, recorded in the resource 150, is read, and the key behavior of corresponding components is set.

[29] Further, a key event is transferred to a component that currently has a focus. The component that received the key event determines whether the component includes at least one key behavior item for the corresponding key event. If the component does not include at least one key behavior item, the component executes a general process. If the component includes at least one key behavior item, the component performs an operation such as the execution of an application or the switching of a screen, according to information written in the key behavior item. The above-described operation is conceptualized and described in FIG. 2.

[30] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of flexibly setting key behavior in the user interface library of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[31] Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal reads corresponding key behavior item data recorded in the resource and sets at least one key behavior item for each component at step 200. The mobile terminal senses the occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface at step 210. The mobile terminal determines whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item at step 220. If it is determined that the component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item, the mobile terminal performs the general processing operation of a user interface at step 230. If it is determined that the component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item, the mobile terminal executes a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item at step 240.

[32] An embodiment of the operation of processing a key event proposed by the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[33] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of changing the type of menu according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[34] The example of FIG. 3 shows the change of the way of moving the focus of a menu application using key behavior. A left user interface has menu icons arranged in a grid shape. A right user interface has menu icons arranged in a heart shape. That is, the case in which the resource is modified such that the left user interface is changed to the right user interface is shown.

[35] Since key behavior corresponding to components each having a menu icon is registered in the resource, focus is switched to a specific component through directional keys. Here, if the component to which focus is switched is changed by modifying the resource, the switching of focus can be appropriately performed in a user interface having a different type of menu.

[36] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of adding menu items according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[37] The example of FIG. 4 shows the addition of menu items which are selected and execute applications, using key behavior. That is, when the left user interface is changed to the right user interface, menu items indicated by reference numeral 400 are added.

[38] Here, if key behavior cannot be set, source code must be modified so that applications can be executed when a selection button is pressed on the menu items even though the menu items are added to the user interface. However, according to the present invention, the operation of menu items added using key behavior can be described, so that menu items can be modified, deleted, and added by performing the replacement of a resource.

[39] In the existing user interface libraries, key events, received from a platform, are transmitted to respective user interface components, the key events are received, and operations, such as the execution of applications and the switching of a screen, are performed based on the implementation of the components or the source code implementation of the applications. Such a method causes inconvenience in that source code must be modified whenever an operation for a key event varies. That is, as in the above-described example, when a menu is selected in a menu application, source code must be modified if an execution application is changed or a menu item must be added or deleted.

[40] However, since an operation for a key event is not implemented in source code but is written in a resource, it is possible to reduce the time required for compiling of source code and to flexibly set key behavior by performing the replacement of a resource.

[41] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a device for flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[42] Referring to FIG. 5, a mobile terminal, which enables key behavior to be flexibly set in a user interface library, includes a controller 500, a key behavior setting unit 510, a key event occurrence sensing unit 520, a key behavior item possession checking unit 530, and an application execution unit 540. It is apparent that the respective blocks may be implemented using software, or using hardware in the form of a System on Chip (SOC).

[43] In order to flexibly set key behavior in the user interface library of the mobile terminal, the controller 500 performs control such that the key behavior setting unit 510, the key event occurrence sensing unit 520, the key behavior item possession checking unit 530, and the application execution unit 540 are operated to harmonize with other functional blocks of the mobile terminal.

[44] The key behavior setting unit 510 of the mobile terminal reads corresponding key behavior item data recorded in the resource and sets at least one key behavior item for each component. When a user generates a key event at a specific component of a user interface in order to execute a desired application, the key event occurrence sensing unit 520 of the mobile terminal senses the occurrence of the key event at the specific component of the user interface. The key behavior item possession checking unit 530 of the mobile terminal determines whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item.

[45] If, as a result of the determination, the specific component is found not to include at least one corresponding key behavior item, the application execution unit 540 of the mobile terminal performs the general processing operation of the user interface. In contrast, if, as the result of the determination, the specific component is found to include at least one corresponding key behavior item, the application execution unit 540 of the mobile terminal executes a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item.

[46] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A method of flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library, comprising: reading corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and setting at least one key behavior item for each component; sensing an occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface; determining whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item; and executing a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item.

[2] The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising performing a general processing operation of the user interface if it is determined that the specific component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item.

[3] The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in the setting, the key behavior item data comprises information about key event type and behavior description, the resource comprises application data, window data, component data, and key behavior item data, and the each component comprises at least one key behavior item.

[4] The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in the sensing, the key event is transmitted to a component that currently has a focus.

[5] A device for flexibly setting key behavior in a user interface library, comprising: a key behavior setting unit for reading corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and setting at least one key behavior item for each component; a key event occurrence sensing unit for sensing an occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface; a key behavior item possession checking unit for determining whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item; an application execution unit for executing a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item, and for performing a general processing operation of the user interface if it is determined that the specific component does not include at least one corresponding key behavior item; and a controller for generally controlling all of the respective blocks so that the blocks are operated to harmonize with other functional blocks.

[6] A recording medium storing a mobile terminal-readable program, the program having instructions executable in the mobile terminal and being implemented according to type so as to flexibly set key behavior in a user interface library, the program performing: reading corresponding key behavior item data recorded in a resource and setting at least one key behavior item for each component; sensing an occurrence of a key event at a specific component of a user interface; determining whether the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item; and executing a corresponding application according to information written in the key behavior item if it is determined that the specific component includes at least one corresponding key behavior item.