Electronic device and control method thereof

An electronic device is provided, which includes a display configured to receive a handwriting by touch and display the received handwriting, and a processor configured to display a handwriting input by at least two handwriting tools selected among different handwriting tools provided through the display by dividing layers of the handwriting according to a handwriting tool, and in response to a selection of a layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, control to edit only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer.

The present application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0087483, filed on Jul. 11, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the exemplary embodiments relate to an electronic device and a controlling method thereof, and more particularly, to an electronic device which performs inputting handwriting by touch and a controlling method thereof.

BACKGROUND

As a portable terminal such as a tablet PC and a smart phone have been distributed, a user's needs for inputting and outputting information intuitively through a handwriting input and the like has been expanded. According to the above, a portable terminal has departed from using a traditional UI method, for example, a separate composition such as a key board, a key pad, a mouse and the like for various user input, and evolved to use an intuitive UI method using a finger, a touch pen and the like to input information.

Especially, in addition to a simple handwriting that inputs information, a handwriting inputting technique has been developed to draw a picture on a touch screen. According to the above, various types of handwriting tools such as a pencil, a brush, a highlighter and the like are provided, and a user may select one of the provided handwriting tools and input a handwriting by the tool.

However, in a conventional art, after a handwriting is input by a plurality of handwriting tools, if it is required to modify the input handwriting, there is a limitation of modifying the handwriting by each kind of a handwriting tool. For example, when it is required to delete a handwriting input by one handwriting tool in an area where handwritings input by two handwriting tools are mixed, by using an eraser tool, there is inconvenience that the handwriting input by the other handwriting tool, which is near or overlaps with the handwriting, is deleted together.

Accordingly, for an electronic device in which it is possible to input a handwriting, there is a need for a method of editing a handwriting according to a handwriting tool used to input the handwriting.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the exemplary embodiment has been made to address the problems described above and to provide an electronic device capable of editing an input handwriting conveniently and a method for controlling the electronic device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided an electronic device including a display configured to receive a handwriting by touch and display the received handwriting, and a processor configured to display a handwriting input by at least two handwriting tools selected among different handwriting tools provided through the display by dividing layers of the handwriting according to a handwriting tool, and in response to a selection of a layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, control to edit only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer.

The processor may display a menu indicating the handwriting tool used for the input handwriting, and in response to a selection of a handwriting tooling the displayed menu, select a layer corresponding to the selected handwriting tool.

The processor, in response to a selection of a part of an area in which the handwriting is input, may determine a handwriting tool corresponding to the handwriting input in the selected part, and select a layer corresponding to the determined handwriting tool.

The processor, in response to an eraser tool being executed after one layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tools is selected, may delete only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer according to a manipulation by the eraser tool.

The processor, in response to a selection of a layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, may move a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer according to a manipulation by a touch input.

The processor may display the layers divided according to the handwriting tool by dividing as subordinate layers according to a color of the input handwriting, and in response to a selection of a subordinate layer among the subordinate layers divided according to the color of the input handwriting, control to edit only a handwriting input with a color corresponding to the selected subordinate layer.

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a controlling method of an electronic device including dividing layers of a handwriting input by at least two handwriting tools selected among different handwriting tools provided through a display according to a handwriting tool and displaying the handwriting, and in response to a selection of a layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, editing only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer.

The controlling method of the electronic device may further include displaying a menu indicating the handwriting tools used for the input handwriting, and in response to a selection of a handwriting tool in the displayed menu, selecting a layer corresponding to the selected handwriting tool.

The controlling method of the electronic device may further include in response to a selection of a part of an area in which the handwriting is input, determining a handwriting tool corresponding to the handwriting input in the selected part, and selecting a layer corresponding to the determined handwriting tool.

The editing may include selecting one layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, executing an eraser tool, and deleting only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer according to a manipulation by the eraser tool.

The editing, in response to a selection of layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, may move a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer according to a manipulation by a touch input.

The displaying may display the layers divided according to the handwriting tool by dividing as subordinate layers according to a color of the input handwriting, and the editing, in response to a selection of a layer among subordinate layers divided according to the color of the input handwriting, may edit only a handwriting input in a color corresponding to the selected subordinate layer.

According to a variety of exemplary embodiments, a handwriting can be edited selectively according to a used handwriting tool, thereby convenience of the user may be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior to explaining exemplary embodiments, an explanation will be made on a method by which embodiments of the present disclosure and drawings are disclosed.

First of all, the terms used in the present specification and the claims are general terms selected in consideration of the functions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on intention, legal or technical interpretation, emergence of new technologies, and the like of those skilled in the related art. Further, some of the terms may be ones arbitrarily selected by the applicant. Unless there is a specific definition of a term, the term may be construed based on the overall contents and technological common sense of those skilled in the related art.

Further, like reference numerals indicate like components that perform substantially the same functions throughout the specification. For the sake of explanation and understanding, different embodiments are described with reference to like reference numerals. That is, even if all the components in the plurality of drawings have like reference numerals, it does not mean that the plurality of drawings refers to only one embodiment.

Further, the terms including numerical expressions such as a first, a second, and the like may be used to explain various components, but there is no limitation thereto. These terms are used only for the purpose of differentiating one component from another, without limitation thereto. For example, a numerical expression combined with a component should not limit the order of use or order of arrangement of the component. When necessary, the numerical expressions may be exchanged between components.

The singular expression also includes the plural meaning as long as it does not differently mean in the context. In this specification, terms such as ‘include’ and ‘have/has’ should be construed as designating that there are such characteristics, numbers, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof in the specification, not to exclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as “module”, “unit”, “part”, and the like are terms used to indicate components that perform at least one function and operation, and these components may be realized in hardware, software or in combination thereof. Further, except for when each of a plurality of “modules”, “units”, “parts”, and the like needs to be realized in an individual hardware, the components may be integrated in at least one module or chip and be realized in at least one processor (not illustrated).

Further, in embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is described that a portion is connected to another portion, the portion may be either connected directly to the other portion, or connected indirectly via another medium. Further, when it is described that a portion includes another component, it does not exclude the possibility of including other components, that is, the portion may further include other components besides the described component.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the electronic device100according to an exemplary embodiment includes a display110and a processor120.

The electronic device100may be implemented as a smart phone, a cell phone, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a MP3 player, a tablet PC, and a personal navigation apparatus and the like, which include a touch display in which a handwriting can be input by touch input of a user.

In the exemplary embodiments, the electronic device100is implemented only as a smart phone, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The electronic device100may be implemented as a variety of apparatuses mounting a touch screen including the above mentioned apparatuses.

The display110may receive a handwriting by touch through a finger or a touch pen and display the input handwriting. Specifically, the display110may be implemented as a display panel (not illustrated) performing a function of displaying information output from the electronic device100, and a touch display which is composed of an input sense panel (not illustrated) performing an input function corresponding to touch by a user.

Here, the display panel may be composed of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) and the like, and may be realized by being structurally integrated with the input sense panel. The display panel may display a variety of screens such as all sorts of states of movement, states of menu, states of executing an application, services, and the like including a handwriting screen of the electronic device100.

Input sense panel may sense all sorts of inputs such as a single or multi touch input, a drag input, a handwriting input, and a drawing input by a user using all sorts of objects such as a finger and an electronic pen. The input sense panel may be realized by using one panel in which both finger inputs and pen inputs can be sensed, or using two panels such as a touch panel in which a finger input can be sensed and a pen recognition panel in which a pen input can be sensed.

The processor120controls an overall operation of the electronic device100. Especially, the processor120may provide an area in which a handwriting by touch can be input and a handwriting tool through the display110. Here, the handwriting tool is a virtual tool capable of inputting a handwriting which may include a variety of handwriting tools such as a pencil, a ballpoint pen, a brush, a highlighter, and the like. If a handwriting is input by a selected handwriting tool, the processor120may control a handwriting effect corresponding to the selected handwriting tool to be displayed on the input handwriting. In addition, the handwriting tool may include a figure drawing tool, a text input tool, and the like.

The processor120may display a menu window in which one handwriting tool among a plurality of different handwriting tools can be selected, and if one handwriting tool in the menu window is selected, control to input a handwriting by the selected handwriting tool. Here, the processor120may manage a handwriting input by the selected handwriting tool as one layer. Here, if another handwriting tool is selected on a single screen provided through the display110and a handwriting is input by the selected handwriting tool, the processor120may generate a layer additionally and manage the handwriting input by another handwriting tool on the additionally generated layer. That is, if at least two handwriting tools are selected among different handwriting tools and a handwriting is input by the selected tools, the processor120may constitute a handwriting input screen by dividing layers according to the selected handwriting tools. Here, on the display110, one handwriting screen in which a plurality of layers overlap is displayed.

If one layer is selected among the layers divided according to the handwriting tools, the selected layer is activated to be in an editable state, and the processor120may edit only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer according to a manipulation of a user.

This will be explained in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 2 and 8.

FIG. 2is a view to explain a handwriting screen provided by an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the electronic device100input a handwriting through the display110and provide a handwriting screen in which the input handwriting can be displayed. Here, the handwriting screen may be provided as an application including a handwriting function installed in the electronic device100is executed. The handwriting screen may be composed of a handwriting area and a menu bar21located at a top of the handwriting area. The menu bar21may set a handwriting method input to the handwriting area, or include a function of editing a handwriting.

If a user selects a pen menu22in the menu bar21, the processor120may display a subordinate menu for selecting a sort of handwriting tool, and if a user selects an eraser menu23, the processor120may display a subordinate menu for deleting a part of or an entire input handwriting. If a user selects a text menu24, the processor120may convert a handwriting input mode into a text input mode so a typing input can be performed on a handwriting area. If a mode is converted into the text input mode, the processor120may display a text cursor to input a text.

FIG. 3is a view illustrating a handwriting tool selection menu provided in a handwriting screen according to an exemplary embodiment.

If a user selects the pen menu22in the menu bar21, the processor120may display a subordinate menu30including a sort selection area in which a user can select a sort of handwriting tool, a thickness adjusting area in which a user can select a thickness of a handwriting tool, and a color selection area in which a user can select a color of a handwriting tool.

If a handwriting is input by a handwriting tool selected among a plurality of handwriting tools (31-1˜13-7) displayed on the sort selection area, the processor120may generate a layer corresponding to the handwriting tool used to input the handwriting, and control to input only a handwriting input by the corresponding handwriting tool on the generated layer.

As a user manipulates a thickness adjusting bar32in the thickness adjusting area, the processor120may adjust a thickness of a handwriting input by a selected handwriting tool, and if one color among a plurality of colors (33-1˜33-9) displayed on the color selection area is selected, the processor120may set the selected color as a color of a handwriting input by the selected handwriting tool.

FIG. 4is a view illustrating a screen in which a handwriting is input by different handwriting tools according to an exemplary embodiment.

After selecting a first handwriting tool among a plurality of handwriting tools and inputting a handwriting, a user may select a second handwriting tool which is a different kind of tool from the first handwriting tool and input a handwriting by the second handwriting tool in the same area where a handwriting by the first handwriting tool is input. According to a conventional art, there is a problem that because a handwriting input by the first handwriting tool and a handwriting input by the second handwriting tool overlap, when a user tries to edit only a handwriting input by the first handwriting tool or only a handwriting input by the second handwriting tool, it is difficult to edit the handwritings separately. For example, if a user performs an operation of deleting a part of a handwriting input by the first handwriting tool by using an eraser tool, a handwriting overlaps the corresponding part or a handwriting input by the second handwriting tool near the corresponding part may be also deleted by the eraser tool, and thus it is inconvenient for a user to erase only a part where the user wants to delete. However, if a handwriting is displayed by dividing a layer according to a handwriting tool, only a layer selected by a user is activated to be in an editable status, and thus the problem of inconvenience may be solved.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, after selecting a pencil among a plurality of handwriting tools and inputting a handwriting, a user may highlight an important part among an input handwriting by using a highlighter. Here, the user may highlight parts41,42and43where the user wants to highlight among a handwriting input by a pencil, by selecting a highlighter among a plurality of handwriting tools.

Here, the processor120may display the handwriting input by a pencil and the handwriting input by a highlighter by dividing the handwritings on different layers, and the handwritings input on a handwriting area may be edited separately for each layer.

As an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, a handwriting screen51in which ‘etiquette’, ‘user’, ‘prevention’ and ‘energy’ among a handwriting input by a first handwriting tool are highlighted by a second handwriting tool may be divided into a first layer52-1which only includes a handwriting input by the first handwriting tool and a second layer52-2which only includes a highlight that is a handwriting input by the second handwriting tool. Here, a screen in which the first layer52-1and the second layer52-2overlap is shown to a user.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8are views illustrating a process of editing a screen input by a specific handwriting tool according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, if an eraser menu23in the menu bar21at a top of a handwriting screen is selected, the processor120may control to display a subordinate menu60in which a method to delete an input handwriting can be selected. In the subordinate menu60, a radio button may be displayed, in which a deleting method such as deleting by a stroke61, deleting a touched area62, deleting a specific pen63and the like can be selected. The processor120may display handwriting tools used to input a handwriting, as a thumbnail image64-2, on an area62in which the deleting a specific pen63can be selected, and if a user touches a conversion icon64-1, the processor120may select a specific handwriting tool on the thumbnail image64-2rotationally. A layer corresponding to the specific handwriting tool selected according to the above mentioned method is chosen as a layer to be edited.

After one layer among layers divided according to a handwriting tool used to input a handwriting is selected first, the processor120may control to delete only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer by a manipulation of the eraser tool as an eraser tool is executed in the menu bar21.

A menu indicating a handwriting tool used for an input handwriting may be displayed separately. If a user selects the deleting a specific pen63, the processor120may display a menu indicating the handwriting tool used for the input handwriting separately, and if one handwriting tool is selected in the separately displayed menu, a layer corresponding to the selected handwriting tool may be selected.

For an another exemplary embodiment, if a part of an area in which a handwriting is input is selected, the processor120may determine a handwriting tool corresponding to the handwriting input in the selected part, and select a layer corresponding to the determined handwriting tool. Specifically, if a user touches an area in which a handwriting is input, the processor120may determine a handwriting tool used to input a handwriting corresponding to the touched area, and activate a layer corresponding to the determined handwriting tool to be in an editable status. However, if an area in which handwritings input by different handwriting tools overlap is selected, the processor120may display a menu for selecting one of the handwriting tools corresponding to the handwritings input on the overlapped area.

FIG. 7illustrates that a layer corresponding to a first handwriting tool is selected on a handwriting input screen illustrated inFIG. 4, and a part of an input handwriting is deleted on the selected layer. Specifically, when a layer corresponding to the first handwriting tool is activated, a user may delete some items such as ‘at a training institute’, ‘Hyodong's house’ and ‘to prepare material in advance’ among a handwriting input by the first handwriting tool with an eraser tool. Accordingly, deleted areas71,72and73may be displayed as a blank as illustrated inFIG. 7.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, a user may substitute the deleted handwriting to other contents by writing changed contents such as ‘at a household appliances building’, ‘Tuna's house’, and ‘to be careful security material’ on the areas71,72and73which are displayed as a blank.

In the above-described exemplary embodiments, an operation to delete an input handwriting according to a handwriting tool has been described. However, all editings including applying effect such as deleting, moving, copying, cutting, coloring, decorating and the like may be possible for each handwriting tool.

For example, the processor120may control to move a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to a selected layer on a screen according to an operation by a touch input. A handwriting area which moves at this time may be an entire or a part of a handwriting area included in a selected layer.

The processor120may display layers divided according to a handwriting tool by dividing into subordinate layers according to a color of an input handwriting, and in response to one subordinate layer among the subordinate layers divided according to the color of the input handwriting being selected, control to edit only a handwriting input by a color corresponding to the selected subordinate layer. For example, handwritings having different colors are input, even if the handwritings are written by the same handwriting tool, the processor120may generate a subordinate layer of a layer corresponding to the corresponding handwriting tool by a color, and divide the input handwriting into different subordinate layers by a color. Accordingly, if a user tries to edit only a handwriting input by a specific color, a user may select a subordinate layer corresponding to the specific color and edit only the handwriting input by the color. Here, the processor120may display a menu for selecting one of the colors used for the input handwriting, and if one color is selected in the displayed menu, the processor120may activate only a layer corresponding to the selected color and change the layer to be in an editable status.

FIG. 9is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an electronic device according to another exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the electronic device100′ according to another exemplary embodiment may include a display110, the processor120, a storage130, a communicator140, an audio processor150, an audio output unit160, a video processor170and a user interface unit180. Hereinafter, explanation of the duplicate configuration as illustrated inFIG. 1will be omitted.

The storage130may store a variety of modules to operate the electronic device100′.

Specifically, the storage130may further store a base module which processes a signal transmitted from each hardware included in the electronic device100′, a storage module which manages a database or a registry, a security module, a communication module and the like.

The communicator140is an element which performs communication with an external device according to various types of communication methods. The communicator140may include a WiFi chip, a Bluetooth chip, a wireless communication chip and the like, and perform a communication with another electronic device including a server.

The audio processor150is an element which performs processing on audio data.

The audio output unit160is an element which outputs audio data processed in the audio processor150.

The video processor170is an element which performs various image processings such as decoding, scaling, noise filtering, frame rate converting, resolution converting and the like on an input image.

The user interface180is an element to detect a user interaction to control an overall operation of the electronic device100′. Especially, the user interface180may include various interaction sensing apparatuses such as a camera (not illustrated), a microphone (not illustrated) and the like.

The processor120may control an overall operation of the electronic device100′ by using all sorts of modules stored in the storage130.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the processor120includes a Random Access Memory (RAM)121, a Read Only Memory (ROM)122, a graphic processor123, a CPU124, first to nth interfaces125-1to125-n, and a bus126. Here, the RAM121, the ROM122, the graphic processor123, the CPU124, and the first to nth interfaces125-1to125-nmay be connected with one another via the bus126.

The ROM122stores a command set, etc., for booting a system. The CPU124copies various application programs stored in the storage130into the RAM121, and performs various operations by executing the application programs copied into the RAM121.

The graphic processor123generates a screen including various types of objects such as an icon, an image, a text, etc., by using an operator (not illustrated) and a renderer (not illustrated). The operator calculates attribute values, such as coordinate values, shapes, sizes, colors, etc., at which the objects are to be respectively displayed according to a layout of the screen. The renderer generates a screen of various layouts including objects based on the attribute values that are operated by the operator.

The CPU124accesses the storage130and performs booting using an O/S stored in the storage130. In addition, the CPU124performs various operations using various programs, contents, and data stored in the storage130.

The first to the nth interfaces (125-1to125-n) are connected to the above-described various elements. One of the interfaces may be a network interface connected to an external apparatus via network.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, display a handwriting input by at least two handwriting tools selected among different handwriting tools provided through the display by dividing layers of the handwriting according to a handwriting tool S1010.

Here, a menu indicating the handwriting tool used for the input handwriting can be displayed, and if one handwriting tool is selected in the displayed menu, a layer corresponding to the selected handwriting tool can be selected.

As another exemplary embodiment, if a part of an area in which the handwriting is input is selected, a handwriting tool corresponding to the handwriting input in the selected part is determined, and a layer corresponding to the determined handwriting tool can be selected.

After then, if one layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool is selected, only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer is edited S1020.

Here, if an eraser tool is executed according to a user command after one layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tools is selected, only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer can be deleted according to a manipulation by the eraser tool. In addition, if one layer is selected among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool, a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer can be moved according to a manipulation by a touch input.

According to various exemplary embodiments as in the above, a handwriting may be selectively edited according to a handwriting tool or a color, and thus a user may edit only a handwriting that the user wants to edit easily.

The controlling method of an electronic device100according to the above-described various embodiments may be implemented as a program and stored in various recording mediums. That is, a computer program that has been processed by various processors and therefore has become capable of executing the aforementioned control methods may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium and be used.

For example, anon-transitory computer readable medium may be provided, which stores a program performing displaying a handwriting input by at least two handwriting tools selected among different handwriting tools provided through the display by dividing layers of the handwriting according to a handwriting tool, and if one layer among the layers divided according to the handwriting tool is selected, editing only a handwriting input by a handwriting tool corresponding to the selected layer.

The non-transitory computer readable medium is not a medium that stores data temporarily, such as a register, a cache, and a memory, but means medium that semi-permanently stores data and is readable by a device. Specifically, the above-described various applications or programs may be stored in a non-temporal recordable medium such as Compact Disk (CD), DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, Universal Serial Bus (USB), memory card, ROM, and the like, and provided therein.