Mobile terminal, controlling method thereof, and recording medium thereof

A touchscreen displays an edit region for writing a message to transmit to at least one counterpart and an attach region for displaying an attachment file attached to the message. While a multimedia file is displayed on the attach region by being set as the attachment file of the message, and if the multimedia file displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the edit region, the controller controls the multimedia file to be displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region. While the multimedia file is displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region, and if the multimedia file displayed on the edit region is touched and dragged to the attach region, the controller controls the multimedia file to be set as the attachment file of the message.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2012-0141764, filed on Dec. 7, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for switching a multimedia file inserted in a text of a message to an attachment file or inserting a multimedia file set as an attachment file in a text.

Discussion of the Related Art

A mobile terminal is a device which may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such functions include data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display.

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to a presence or non-presence of mobility. And, the mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to availability for hand-carry.

There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components which form the mobile terminal.

A mobile terminal has been traditionally used as a means for performing a communication with a different terminal. Recently, owing to the functional enlargements of a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal can communicate with other terminals through various paths including an instant message, an email and the like as well as a voice call and a text message.

In case of attempting to communicate with a different mobile terminal using such a message as a text message, an instant message, an email and the like, a user of a mobile terminal is able to send the message by inputting a text of a content to send to a counterpart or setting a file to send to a counterpart as an attachment file. Having received the message from the mobile terminal, the counterpart checks the inputted text and/or the attachment file attached to the message.

Yet, in case that the file to be sent to the counterpart is set as the attachment file, the counterpart has difficulty in checking a content of the attachment file because the attachment file should be saved in the mobile terminal of the counterpart and then executed manually.

Therefore, the demand for facilitating the attachment file content to be checked by the counterpart without setting the file to be sent to the counterpart as the attachment file is rising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which user's convenience is enhanced.

In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which a multimedia file set as an attachment file can be inserted in a text region of a message in a simple manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which a multimedia file inserted in a text region of a message can be set as an attachment file in a simple manner.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in the disclosure herein as well as the accompanying drawings. Such aspects may also be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a mobile terminal according to the present invention may include a touchscreen configured to display an edit region for writing a message to transmit to at least one counterpart and an attach region for displaying an attachment file attached to the message and a controller configured to, while a multimedia file is displayed on the attach region by being set as the attachment file of the message, if the multimedia file displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the edit region, control the multimedia file to be displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region, and while the multimedia file is displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region, if the multimedia file displayed on the edit region is touched and dragged to the attach region, controlling the multimedia file to be set as the attachment file of the message.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention may include the steps of displaying an edit region for writing a message to transmit to at least one counterpart and an attach region for displaying an attachment file attached to the message, while a multimedia file is displayed on the attach region by being set as the attachment file of the message, if the multimedia file displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the edit region, displaying the multimedia file in a manner that the multimedia file is inserted in the edit region, and while the multimedia file is displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region, if the multimedia file displayed on the edit region is touched and dragged to the attach region, setting the multimedia file as the attachment file of the message.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention may include a mobile terminal controlling method having 1stto 3rdcommands recorded therein, wherein the 1stcommand is configured to display an edit region for writing a message to transmit to at least one counterpart and an attach region for displaying an attachment file attached to the message, wherein while a multimedia file is displayed on the attach region by being set as the attachment file of the message, if the multimedia file displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the edit region, the 2ndcommand is configured to display the multimedia file in a manner that the multimedia file is inserted in the edit region, and wherein while the multimedia file is displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region, if the multimedia file displayed on the edit region is touched and dragged to the attach region, the 3rdcommand is configured to set the multimedia file as the attachment file of the message.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ are used for elements in order to facilitate the disclosure only. Therefore, significant meanings or roles are not given to the suffixes themselves and it is understood that the ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ can be used together or interchangeably.

The present invention can be applicable to a various types of mobile terminals. Examples of such terminals include mobile phones, user equipments, smart phones, digital broadcast receivers, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, portable multimedia players (PMP), navigators and the like.

Yet, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a configuration according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification is applicable to such a fixed terminal as a digital TV, a desktop computer and the like as well as a mobile terminal.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a mobile terminal100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1shows the mobile terminal100according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit110, an A/V (audio/video) input unit120, a user input unit130, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, a memory160, an interface unit170, a controller180, a power supply unit190and the like.FIG. 1shows the mobile terminal100having various components, but it is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

In the following description, the above elements of the mobile terminal100are explained in sequence.

First of all, the wireless communication unit110typically includes one or more components which permits wireless communication between the mobile terminal100and a wireless communication system or network within which the mobile terminal100is located. For instance, the wireless communication unit110can include a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless internet module113, a short-range communication module114, a position-location module115and the like.

The broadcast receiving module111receives a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast managing server via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. At least two broadcast receiving modules111can be provided to the mobile terminal100in pursuit of simultaneous receptions of at least two broadcast channels or broadcast channel switching facilitation.

The broadcast managing server generally refers to a server which generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or a server which is provided with a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and then transmits the provided signal or information to a terminal. The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, among others. If desired, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information includes information associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast service provider, etc. And, the broadcast associated information can be provided via a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcast associated information can be received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcast associated information can be implemented in various forms. For instance, broadcast associated information may include an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) and electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module111may be configured to receive broadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems. By nonlimiting example, such broadcasting systems include digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), Convergence of Broadcasting and Mobile Service (DVB-CBMS), Open Mobile Alliance-BroadCAST (OMA-BCAST), China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB), Mobile Broadcasting Business Management System (MBBMS), the data broadcasting system known as media forward link only (MediaFLO®) and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T). Optionally, the broadcast receiving module111can be configured suitable for other broadcasting systems as well as the above-explained digital broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information received by the broadcast receiving module111may be stored in a suitable device, such as a memory160.

The mobile communication module112transmits/receives wireless signals to/from one or more network entities (e.g., base station, external terminal, server, etc.) via a mobile network such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA) and so on. Such wireless signals may represent audio, video, and data according to text/multimedia message transceivings, among others.

The wireless internet module113supports Internet access for the mobile terminal100. This module may be internally or externally coupled to the mobile terminal100. In this case, the wireless Internet technology can include WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) etc.

Wireless internet access by Wibro, HSPDA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or the like is achieved via a mobile communication network. In this aspect, the wireless internet module113configured to perform the wireless internet access via the mobile communication network can be understood as a sort of the mobile communication module112.

The position-location module115identifies or otherwise obtains the location of the mobile terminal100. If desired, this module may be implemented with a global positioning system (GPS) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module115is able to precisely calculate current 3-dimensional position information based on at least one of longitude, latitude and altitude and direction (or orientation) by calculating distance information and precise time information from at least three satellites and then applying triangulation to the calculated information. Currently, location and time informations are calculated using three satellites, and errors of the calculated location position and time informations are then amended using another satellite. Besides, the GPS module115is able to calculate speed information by continuously calculating a real-time current location.

Referring toFIG. 1, the audio/video (A/V) input unit120is configured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobile terminal100. As shown, the A/V input unit120includes a camera121and a microphone122. The camera121receives and processes image frames of still pictures or video, which are obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. And, the processed image frames can be displayed on the display151.

The image frames processed by the camera121can be stored in the memory160or can be externally transmitted via the wireless communication unit110. Optionally, at least two cameras121can be provided to the mobile terminal100according to environment of usage.

The user input unit130generates input data responsive to user manipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of such devices include a button136provided to front/rear/lateral side of the mobile terminal100and a touch sensor (constant pressure/electrostatic)137and may further include a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch and the like [not shown in the drawing].

The sensing unit140provides sensing signals for controlling operations of the mobile terminal100using status measurements of various aspects of the mobile terminal. For instance, the sensing unit140may detect an open/close status of the mobile terminal100, relative positioning of components (e.g., a display and keypad) of the mobile terminal100, a change of position of the mobile terminal100or a component of the mobile terminal100, a presence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal100, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal100. By nonlimiting example, such sensing unit140include, gyro sensor, accelerate sensor, geomagnetic sensor.

As an example, consider the mobile terminal100being configured as a slide-type mobile terminal. In this configuration, the sensing unit140may sense whether a sliding portion of the mobile terminal is open or closed. Other examples include the sensing unit140sensing the presence or absence of power provided by the power supply190, the presence or absence of a coupling or other connection between the interface unit170and an external device. And, the sensing unit140can include a proximity sensor141.

The output unit150generates outputs relevant to the senses of sight, hearing, touch and the like. And, the output unit150includes the display151, an audio output module152, an alarm unit153, and a haptic module154and the like.

Some of the above displays can be implemented in a transparent or optical transmittive type, which can be named a transparent display. As a representative example for the transparent display, there is TOLED (transparent OLED) or the like. A rear configuration of the display151can be implemented in the optical transmittive type as well. In this configuration, a user is able to see an object in rear of a terminal body via the area occupied by the display151of the terminal body.

At least two displays151can be provided to the mobile terminal100in accordance with the implemented configuration of the mobile terminal100. For instance, a plurality of displays can be arranged on a single face of the mobile terminal100in a manner of being spaced apart from each other or being built in one body. Alternatively, a plurality of displays can be arranged on different faces of the mobile terminal100.

In case that the display151and the touch sensor137configures a mutual layer structure (hereinafter called ‘touch screen’), it is able to use the display151as an input device as well as an output device. In this case, the touch sensor can be configured as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touchpad or the like.

The touch sensor137can be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display151or a variation of a capacitance generated from a specific portion of the display151to an electric input signal. Moreover, it is able to configure the touch sensor137to detect a pressure of a touch as well as a touched position or size.

If a touch input is made to the touch sensor137, signal(s) corresponding to the touch is transferred to a touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal(s) and then transfers the processed signal(s) to the controller180. Therefore, the controller180is able to know whether a prescribed portion of the display151is touched.

Referring toFIG. 2, a proximity sensor (141) can be provided to an internal area of the mobile terminal100enclosed by the touchscreen or around the touchscreen. The proximity sensor is the sensor that detects a presence or non-presence of an object approaching a prescribed detecting surface or an object existing around the proximity sensor using an electromagnetic field strength or infrared ray without mechanical contact. Hence, the proximity sensor has durability longer than that of a contact type sensor and also has utility wider than that of the contact type sensor.

The proximity sensor can include one of a transmittive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor and the like. In case that the touchscreen includes the electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, it is configured to detect the proximity of a pointer using a variation of electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touchscreen (touch sensor) can be classified as the proximity sensor.

For clarity and convenience of the following description, as a pointer becomes proximate to a touchscreen without coming into contact with the touchscreen, if the pointer is perceived as situated over the touchscreen, such an action shall be named ‘proximity touch’. If a pointer actually comes into contact with a touchscreen, such an action shall be named ‘contact touch’. A proximity-touched position over the touchscreen with the pointer may mean a position at which the pointer vertically opposes the touchscreen when the touchscreen is proximity-touched with the pointer.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch duration, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch shift state, etc.). And, information corresponding to the detected proximity touch action and the detected proximity touch pattern can be outputted to the touchscreen.

The alarm unit153is output a signal for announcing the occurrence of a particular event associated with the mobile terminal100. Typical events include a call received event, a message received event and a touch input received event. The alarm unit153is able to output a signal for announcing the event occurrence by way of vibration as well as video or audio signal. The video or audio signal can be outputted via the display151or the audio output unit152. Hence, the display151or the audio output module152can be regarded as a part of the alarm unit153.

The haptic module154generates various tactile effects that can be sensed by a user. Vibration is a representative one of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module154. Strength and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module154are controllable. For instance, different vibrations can be outputted in a manner of being synthesized together or can be outputted in sequence.

The haptic module154can be implemented to enable a user to sense the tactile effect through a muscle sense of finger, arm or the like as well as to transfer the tactile effect through a direct contact. Optionally, at least two haptic modules154can be provided to the mobile terminal100in accordance with the corresponding configuration type of the mobile terminal100.

The memory unit160is generally used to store various types of data to support the processing, control, and storage requirements of the mobile terminal100. Examples of such data include program instructions for applications operating on the mobile terminal100, contact data, phonebook data, messages, audio, still pictures (or photo), moving pictures, etc. And, a recent use history or a cumulative use frequency of each data (e.g., use frequency for each phonebook, each message or each multimedia) can be stored in the memory unit160. Moreover, data for various patterns of vibration and/or sound outputted in case of a touch input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memory unit160.

The identity module is the chip for storing various kinds of information for authenticating a use authority of the mobile terminal100and can include User Identify Module (UIM), Subscriber Identify Module (SIM), Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and/or the like. A device having the identity module (hereinafter called ‘identity device’) can be manufactured as a smart card. Therefore, the identity device is connectible to the mobile terminal100via the corresponding port.

The controller180typically controls the overall operations of the mobile terminal100. For example, the controller180performs the control and processing associated with voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. The controller180may include a multimedia module181that provides multimedia playback. The multimedia module181may be configured as part of the controller180, or implemented as a separate component.

Moreover, the controller180is able to perform a pattern (or image) recognizing process for recognizing a writing input and a picture drawing input carried out on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively.

The power supply unit190provides power required by the various components for the mobile terminal100. The power may be internal power, external power, or combinations thereof.

A battery may include a built-in rechargeable battery and may be detachably attached to the terminal body for a charging and the like. A connecting port may be configured as one example of the interface170via which an external charger for supplying a power of a battery charging is electrically connected.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable medium using, for example, computer software, hardware, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 2is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal100shown in the drawing has a bar type terminal body. Yet, the mobile terminal100may be implemented in a variety of different configurations. Examples of such configurations include folder-type, slide-type, rotational-type, swing-type and combinations thereof. For clarity, further disclosure will primarily relate to a bar-type mobile terminal100. However such teachings apply equally to other types of mobile terminals.

Referring toFIG. 2A, the mobile terminal100includes a case (101,102,103) configuring an exterior thereof. In the present embodiment, the case can be divided into a front case101and a rear case102. Various electric/electronic parts are loaded in a space provided between the front and rear cases101and102.

Occasionally, electronic components can be mounted on a surface of the rear case102. The electronic part mounted on the surface of the rear case102may include such a detachable part as a battery, a USIM card, a memory card and the like. In doing so, the rear case102may further include a backside cover103configured to cover the surface of the rear case102. In particular, the backside cover103has a detachable configuration for user's convenience. If the backside cover103is detached from the rear case102, the surface of the rear case102is exposed.

Referring toFIG. 2, if the backside cover103is attached to the rear case102, a lateral side of the rear case102may be exposed in part. If a size of the backside cover103is decreased, a rear side of the rear case102may be exposed in part. If the backside cover103covers the whole rear side of the rear case102, it may include an opening103′ configured to expose a camera121′ or an audio output unit152′ externally.

The cases101,102and103are formed by injection molding of synthetic resin or can be formed of metal substance such as stainless steel (STS), titanium (Ti) or the like for example.

A display151, an audio output unit152, a camera121, user input units130/131and132, a microphone122, an interface180and the like can be provided to the case101or102.

The display151occupies most of a main face of the front case101. The audio output unit152and the camera121are provided to an area adjacent to one of both end portions of the display151, while the user input unit131and the microphone122are provided to another area adjacent to the other end portion of the display151. The user input unit132and the interface170can be provided to lateral sides of the front and rear cases101and102.

The input unit130is manipulated to receive a command for controlling an operation of the terminal100. And, the input unit130is able to include a plurality of manipulating units131and132. The manipulating units131and132can be named a manipulating portion and may adopt any mechanism of a tactile manner that enables a user to perform a manipulation action by experiencing a tactile feeling.

Content inputted by the first or second manipulating unit131or132can be diversely set. For instance, such a command as start, end, scroll and the like is inputted to the first manipulating unit131. And, a command for a volume adjustment of sound outputted from the audio output unit152and the like can be inputted to the second manipulating unit132, a command for a switching to a touch recognizing mode of the display151and the like can be inputted to the second manipulating unit133.

FIG. 3is a perspective diagram of a backside of the terminal shown inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 3, a camera121′ can be additionally provided to a backside of the terminal body, and more particularly, to the rear case102. The camera121has a photographing direction that is substantially opposite to that of the former camera121shown inFIG. 2and may have pixels differing from those of the firmer camera121.

Preferably, for instance, the former camera121has low pixels enough to capture and transmit a picture of user's face for a video call, while the latter camera121′ has high pixels for capturing a general subject for photography without transmitting the captured subject. And, each of the cameras121and121′ can be installed at the terminal body to be rotated or popped up.

A flash123and a mirror124are additionally provided adjacent to the camera121′. The flash123projects light toward a subject in case of photographing the subject using the camera121′. In case that a user attempts to take a picture of the user (self-photography) using the camera121′, the mirror124enables the user to view user's face reflected by the mirror124.

An additional audio output unit152′ can be provided to the backside of the terminal body. The additional audio output unit152′ is able to implement a stereo function together with the former audio output unit152shown inFIG. 2Aand may be used for implementation of a speakerphone mode in talking over the terminal.

A broadcast signal receiving antenna116can be additionally provided to the lateral side of the terminal body as well as an antenna for communication or the like. The antenna116constructing a portion of the broadcast receiving module111shown inFIG. 1can be retractably provided to the terminal body.

For clarity and convenience of the following description, assume that a mobile terminal mentioned in the following description includes at least one of the components shown inFIG. 1. In particular, assume that a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes the display unit151and the controller180. In more particular, an edit region for writing a message to send to at least one counterpart and an attach region for displaying an attachment file attached to the message are displayed on the display unit151. When a multimedia file is set as the attachment file of the message and displayed on the attach region, if the multimedia file displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the edit region, the controller180controls the multimedia file to be displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region. When the multimedia file is displayed by being inserted in the edit region, if the multimedia file displayed on the edit region is touched and dragged to the attach region, the controller180sets the multimedia file as an attachment file of the message. Moreover, the mobile terminal according to the present invention may further include the wireless communication unit110for sending a message to a prescribed counterpart and the memory160configured to store a message.

‘Message’ mentioned in the description of the present invention may include data transceived with a prescribed counterpart using at least one of an email, a text message (e.g., SMS, LMS, MMS, etc.), a mobile messenger, an instant message using RCS (rich communication suite) and the like. For the facilitation of the accompanying drawings, assume that a type of a message includes an email.

‘Multimedia file’ mentioned in the description of the present invention includes at least one of an image file, a video file, a music file and a document file and may means a file that handles data of various types including image, video, music, text and the like. The multimedia file can be created and read by such a computing device as a mobile terminal mentioned in the description of the present invention. And, a document file may include such a file of every format for reading an application runnable through a mobile terminal as a phonebook file (e.g., a file of a vcard format), a schedule file linked to a schedule application and the like as well as a document file created through a processor. Moreover, the document file may include a webpage having URL address linked thereto.

‘Touch drag’ mentioned in the description of the present invention may mean an action of touching a prescribed object displayed on a touchscreen and then dragging & dropping the touched object onto a prescribed region. For instance, if A is touched and dragged to B, it may mean that an object A is touched and the dragged & dropped onto a region B. Moreover, if a prescribed object is ‘touched’, it may mean a user input for selecting the prescribed object by a touch input. In this case, ‘touch’ can be conceptionally understood as one of a simple contact touch, a long touch (i.e., maintaining a contact for prescribed duration), a proximity touch and the like.

A user input for ‘touching’ a prescribed object can be performed using a pointer. In this case, the pointer may mean such a body part or object, which is configured to touch a touchscreen, as a finger, a stylus pen and the like.

If a display module or unit of a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a touchscreen, implementation of the following embodiments may be further facilitated. Therefore, the following description is made on the assumption that the display module or unit includes the touchscreen. If the display unit does not include the touchscreen, the mobile terminal according to the present invention may further include a separate input device configured to receive a user input.

In the following description, a mobile terminal according to the present invention is explained in detail with reference to an operational flowchart shown inFIG. 4. For clarity of the following description, a user intending to use a mobile terminal according to the present invention may be named ‘user’ and a user becoming a reception target of a message created through a mobile terminal according to the present invention or a terminal of the user may be named ‘counterpart’.

FIG. 4is a flowchart for a method of controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, in case that a user intends to send a message to a prescribed counterpart, the controller180can control the touchscreen to display a message writing screen [S401]. When the message writing screen is displayed on the touchscreen, the controller180can control the message writing screen to include an edit region for writing a text of the message to be sent to the prescribed counterpart and an attach region for displaying information of an attachment file attached to the message. The edit region and the attach region shall be described in detail with reference toFIG. 5as follows.

FIG. 5is a diagram for one example to describe a message writing screen.

Referring toFIG. 5, the controller180can control a message writing screen, which includes an edit region510for inputting a text of a message and an attach region520for displaying information of an attachment file attached to the message, to be displayed on the touchscreen.

The edit region510is provided to input a text content of a message. And, a user can input a text content, which is to be sent to a prescribed counterpart, to the edit region510. In particular, the controller180can display a text on the edit region510based on a user input or can insert such a multimedia file as an image, a video, a music, a document and the like in the edit region510. In case that a multimedia file is inserted in the edit region510, the controller180controls the multimedia file or a control panel, which is provided to control a playback of the multimedia file, to be displayed depending on a type of the inserted multimedia file. If the multimedia file is displayed on the edit region510, it may mean that a content of the multimedia file is displayed on the edit region510. In this case, the content of the multimedia file can include one of an image, a thumbnail of video, a document file preview and the like depending on a type of the multimedia file. In case that a multimedia file is inserted in the edit region510, an output of the touchscreen is described with reference toFIG. 6as follows.

FIG. 6is a diagram for one example to describe an output of a touchscreen if a multimedia file is inserted in an edit region.

FIG. 6 (a)shows one example of a case that an image file610is inserted in an edit region510. Referring toFIG. 6 (a), if the image file610is inserted in the edit region510, the controller180can control the inserted image file610to be displayed on the edit region510. Hence, if the image file610is inserted in the edit region510, a counterpart receives a message from the mobile terminal and is then able to directly check a content of the image file610through a text content of the message. In case that the image file610is inserted in the edit region510, a display size of the image file610can be automatically adjusted depending on a resolution or image size of the image file610. Optionally, the image size of the image file610can be manually adjusted according to the example shown inFIG. 6 (f).

In case that the image file610is displayed on the edit region510, the controller180can control a thumbnail of the image file610to be displayed on the edit region510. If the thumbnail of the image file610in the edit region510is touched, the controller180can control an original image file610to be displayed.

FIG. 6 (b)andFIG. 6 (c)show examples of inserting a video file in the edit region510. If a video file is inserted in the edit region510, the controller180may control a still cut620in a specific view of the inserted video file to be displayed [FIG. 6 (b)]. Alternatively, if a video file is inserted in the edit region510, the controller180may control a control panel630, which is provided to control a playback of an inserted video, to be displayed [FIG. 6 (c)]. In this case, the control panel630may include at least one of a play/pause button632and a stop button634to control the playback of the video file. Moreover, the control panel630may further include a save button636for saving the video file, which is inserted in the edit region510, as a file.

If the video file is inserted in the edit region510, a counterpart having received a message from the mobile terminal can touch a still cut displayed on a text of the message or play the video file using the control panel displayed on the text. Moreover, the counterpart can save the video file inserted in the text through a save button of the control panel in a manner of separating the video file from the message.

FIG. 6 (d)shows one example of a case that a music file is inserted in the edit region510. Referring toFIG. 6 (d), if a music file is inserted in the edit region510, the controller180can control a control panel640, which is provide to control a playback of the inserted music file, to be displayed. If the music file is inserted in the edit region510, a counterpart having received a message from the mobile terminal can play the music file using the control panel640displayed on a text. Moreover, the counterpart can save the music file inserted in the message through a save button of the control panel640in a manner of separating the music file inserted in the message from the message.

FIG. 6 (e)shows one example of a case that a document file is inserted in the edit region510. Referring toFIG. 6 (e), if a document file is inserted in the edit region510, the controller180can control a preview650of the document file to be displayed. In particular, if the document file includes a plurality of pages, the controller180images a prescribed page of the document file and can control a preview650of the document file to be displayed on the touchscreen. Furthermore, the controller180can control a page turn button660to be further displayed, as shown inFIG. 6 (e), to enable the pages of the document file to be turned.

AlthoughFIG. 6 (e)shows one example that a prescribed page of the document file including a plurality of pages is outputted as the preview650, it is able to control a plurality of pages to be simultaneously outputted as a preview unlike the example shown inFIG. 6 (e).

In case that a document file is inserted in the edit region510, a counterpart having received a message from the mobile terminal can check the document file through the preview650. If the page turn button660is displayed on a text, the counterpart can perform an action of turning a page of the document file displayed as the preview650using the page turn button660.

Instead of the page turn button660shown inFIG. 6 (e), the controller180can control a page turning action of turning a page of the document file to be performed based on a touch input applied to the preview650of the document file. For instance, if a flicking touch with a pointer in a 1stdirection is performed on the preview650of the document file, the controller180can control a next page to be displayed. For another instance, if a flicking touch with a pointer in a 2nddirection is performed on the preview650of the document file, the controller180can control a previous page to be displayed.

A display size and location of a multimedia file or a control panel for controlling a playback of the multimedia file, which is displayed on the edit region510, can be arbitrarily changed by user settings. For instance, if a prescribed touch input is applied to an image file displayed in a manner of being inserted in the edit region510, referring toFIG. 6 (f), the controller180can control a handler660, which is provided to adjust a size of the image file, to be displayed. In particular, a user can adjust a display location of the image file by dragging the image file or can adjust a size of the image file displayed on the edit region510by dragging the handler.

Meanwhile, the attach region520shown inFIG. 5is the region for displaying information of an attachment file attached to a message.

The controller180can set the multimedia file selected by the user input as the attachment file of the message. For instance, a user can complete the settings of the attachment file in a manner of touching the file attach button530and then selecting the multimedia file intended to be set as the attachment file by the user.

If the attachment file is selected by the user input, the controller180can control the information of the attachment file set as the attachment file to be displayed on the attach region520. In this case, the information of the attachment file may include at least one of a file name of the attachment file, an icon corresponding to a type of the attachment file, a preview of the attached multimedia file, and a size of the attached multimedia file. A process for displaying the information of the attachment file on the attach region520is described in detail with reference toFIG. 7as follows.

FIG. 7is a diagram for one example to describe a process for displaying an information of an attachment file on an attachment region.

For instance, referring toFIG. 7 (a), the controller180can control file names702and704of attachment files to be displayed on an attach region520. A user is then able to identify files attached to a message using the file names702and704of the attachment files.

For another instance, referring toFIG. 7 (b), the controller180can control an icon corresponding to a type of an attached multimedia file to be displayed on the attach region520. For example, if multimedia files set as the attachment files include an image file and a music file, as shown inFIG. 7 (b), the controller can control an image icon712and a music icon714, which indicate that the attached files are the image file and the music file, respectively, to be displayed on the attach region520. For another example (not shown in the drawing), if the attached multimedia file includes a video file, a video icon may be displayed on the attach region520. For another example (not shown in the drawing), if the attached multimedia file includes a document file, a document icon may be displayed on the attach region520.

If the attachment files set as the attachment files include image files and/or video files, referring toFIG. 7 (c), the controller180can control thumbnails722,724,726and728of the attached image and/or video files to be displayed on the attach region520. If the attachment file includes a file that is neither an image file nor a video file, as shown inFIG. 7 (b), the controller180may control an icon corresponding to a type of the attachment file to be displayed.

The controller180can adjust information of a multimedia file displayed on the attach region520depending on a display size of the attach region520. For instance, referring toFIG. 7 (d), while icons732,734,736and738corresponding to types of attached multimedia files are displayed, if a size of the attach region520is increased by a user input, the controller180can control thumbnails742,744,746and748to be displayed on the attach region520. In the state shown inFIG. 7 (d), if the size of the attach region520is further increased, the controller180can control a size of each of the thumbnails displayed on the attach region520to further increase.

Moreover, the controller180can control a combination of at least two of a file name of an attachment file, an icon corresponding to a type of the attachment file and a preview of the attachment file to be displayed on the attach region520. For instance, referring toFIG. 7(e), the controller180can control a file name752of an attached multimedia file and a corresponding icon754to be simultaneously displayed on the attach region520.

For another instance, when a multimedia file set as an attachment file includes an image/video file, if the image/video file displayed on the attach region520is selected by a touch input, the controller180can control a thumbnail of the selected image/video file to be displayed in response to the touch input.

For instance, if a prescribed touch input is applied to an information of an image file displayed on the attach region520, referring toFIG. 7 (f), the controller180can control a popup window760, which is provided to display a thumbnail of a selected image file, to be displayed. If the prescribed touch input includes a long touch, the controller180can control the popup window760, on which the thumbnail of the selected image file is displayed, to be displayed only if a pointer maintains its contact. For another instance, the controller180discriminates a simple contact touch and a proximity touch from each other. Subsequently, if the simple contact touch is performed on the information of the image file, the controller180activates the selected image file. If the proximity touch is performed on the information of the image file, the controller180can control the popup window760, on which the thumbnail of the selected image file is displayed, to be displayed.

In the above-described examples, a multimedia file is set as an attachment file. Yet, it is not mandatory for a multimedia file to be set as an attachment file. For instance, files in other formats failing to be determined as multimedia files may be set as attachment files of a message [not shown in the drawing].

In case that a multimedia file is inserted in the edit region510, as mentioned in the foregoing description of the example shown inFIG. 6, the multimedia file inserted in a text of a message or a control panel for playing the inserted multimedia file can be displayed. In this case, a counterpart having received a message from the mobile terminal according to the present invention can simultaneously perform both one action of checking the message text and another action of checking the inserted multimedia file.

On the contrary, if a multimedia file is set as an attachment file and then displayed on the attach region520, a counterpart having received a message saves the attachment file and is then able to check the multimedia file by activating the saved attachment file. Yet, in case that the attachment file is an image file or a video file, a message text content and a preview of the attachment file may be exceptionally displayed at the same time.

InFIG. 5, the region for displaying the information of the attachment file is defined as the attach region520. Yet, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the display region of the file attach button for setting attachment files can be understood as included in the attach region520in the example shown inFIG. 5.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the controller180inserts a multimedia file in the edit region [S402] or sets the multimedia file as an attachment file [S403], based on the user input.

If the multimedia file is inserted in the edit region, as mentioned in the foregoing description of the example shown inFIG. 6, the controller180can control the multimedia file or a control panel, which is provided to control a playback of the multimedia file, to be displayed on the edit region. On the other hand, if the multimedia file is set as the attachment file, as mentioned in the foregoing description of the example shown inFIG. 7, the controller180can control information of the attachment file to be displayed on the attach region.

While the multimedia file is inserted in the edit region, if the multimedia file inserted in the edit region is touch-dragged to the attach region, the controller180can control the multimedia file to be set as the attachment file [S404]. In case that the multimedia file previously inserted in the edit region is set as the attachment file, it may be deleted form the edit region or remain in the edit region as it is. Yet, in order to prevent a redundant transmission of the same data, the multimedia file set as the attachment file may be preferably deleted from the edit region.

In the following description, a process for setting a multimedia file inserted in an edit region as an attachment file is explained in detail with reference toFIG. 8.

FIG. 8is a diagram for one example to describe a process for setting a multimedia file inserted in an edit region as an attachment file. For clarity of the following description, assume that a multimedia file inserted in an edit region810includes an image file.

Referring toFIG. 8, if an image file830is inserted in an edit region810, the controller180can control the image file830to be displayed on the edit region810[FIG. 8 (a)]. Subsequently, if the image file inserted in the edit region810is touched and then dragged to an attach region820[FIG. 8 (b)], the controller180sets the touch-dragged image file as an attachment file and is then able to control an information840of the image file set as the attachment file to be displayed on the attach region820[FIG. 8 (c)].

In case that the multimedia file previously inserted in the edit region810is set as the attachment file, the multimedia file displayed on the edit region810may be deleted form the edit region810or remain in the edit region810as it is. According to one embodiment of the present invention, referring toFIG. 8 (d), the controller180can control a popup window850, which is provided to adjust whether to maintain the image file in the edit region810, to be displayed before setting the image file as the attachment file. If a ‘copy’ region852is touched in the popup window850shown inFIG. 8 (d), the controller180can control the image file to be set as the attachment file by maintaining the image file in the edit region810. On the other hand, if a ‘move’ region854in the popup window850is touched, the controller180can control the image file to be set as the attachment file by deleting the image file from the edit region810.

AlthoughFIG. 8shows one example that the multimedia file includes the image file, the description with reference toFIG. 8can be exactly applied to such a multimedia file as a music file, a document file, a video file and the like. In particular, if the music/document/video file displayed on the edit region810is touched and dragged to the attach region820, the music/document/video file can be set as an attachment file as well.

In the example shown inFIG. 8, if the multimedia file displayed on the edit region810is touched and dragged to the attach region820, the multimedia file is set as the attachment file. Unlike the example shown inFIG. 8, if a file attach button within the attach region820is touched and dragged to a multimedia file displayed on the edit region810, the controller180may control the multimedia file inserted in the edit region810to be set as an attachment file. This is described in detail with reference toFIG. 9as follows.

FIG. 9is a diagram for another example to describe a process for setting a multimedia file inserted in an edit region as an attachment file. Like the former assumption made forFIG. 8, assume that a multimedia file inserted in an edit region910includes an image file.

Referring toFIG. 9, after a file attach button930of an attach region920has been touched [FIG. 9 (a)], if the file attach button930is dragged to an image file940displayed on an edit region910[FIG. 9 (b)], the controller180sets the multimedia file inserted in the edit region910to be set as an attachment file and is then able to control an information950of the multimedia file set as the attachment file to be displayed on the attach region920[FIG. 9 (c)].

In particular, on the contrary to the former example shown inFIG. 8, if a drag input from an attach region to an edit region is applied, a multimedia file inserted in the edit region can be set as an attachment file.

Like the example shown inFIG. 8, the description with reference toFIG. 9can be exactly applied to such a multimedia file as a music file, a document file, a video file and the like as well as to an image file.

In setting a multimedia file inserted in an edit region as an attachment file, the controller180may set an original copy of the multimedia file inserted in the edit region as the attachment file as well. Moreover, like the example shown inFIG. 6 (f), if a size of a multimedia file (particularly, an image file) is adjusted by a user, it is able to control the size-adjusted image file to be set as an attachment file. For instance, if an image size of an image file in an edit region is adjusted into ½, an image file set as an attachment file can be set to have a size amounting to ½ of an original copy file.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in case that a type of a multimedia file inserted in an edit region is set as an attachment file is a 1stfile type, the controller180can control the type of the multimedia file to be manually or automatically changed into a 2ndfile type. This is described in detail with reference toFIG. 10as follows.

FIG. 10is a diagram for one example to describe a process for changing a 1stfile type of a multimedia file into a 2ndfile type. For clarity of the following description, assume that a multimedia file described with reference toFIG. 10includes an image file, that a 2ndfile type includes an image having an extension ‘png’, and that a 1stfile type includes an image having an extension other than that of the 2ndfile type.

Referring toFIG. 10 (a), if an image file1030displayed on an edit region1010is touched & dragged to an attach region1020, the controller180can determine whether the image file1030corresponds to a 1stfile type or a 2ndfile type. As a result of the determination, if the image file is determined as corresponding to the 1stfile type or as not corresponding to the 2ndfile type, referring toFIG. 10 (b), the controller180can control a popup window1040, which is provided to adjust an extension of an image file to be attached, to be displayed. In the example shown inFIG. 10 (b), if a region ‘Original format’ is touched, the controller180can set the image file of the 1stfile type as an attachment file. Otherwise, if a region ‘PNG file’ is touched in the example shown inFIG. 10 (b), the controller180changes the 1stfile type of the image file into the 2ndfile type and is then able to set the image file of the 2ndfile type as an attachment file. Referring toFIG. 10 (c), an information1050of the image file having its format changed into ‘png’ file format is displayed on the attach region1020.

In displaying the popup window1040for guiding the 1stfile type of the image file to be changed into the 2ndfile type, the controller180can control the popup window1040to display a size of the image file saved as the 1stfile type and a size of the image file saved as the 2ndfile type. Through this, in case that the 1stfile type is changed into the 2ndfile type, a user is facilitated to determine how much size will be saved. For instance, referring toFIG. 10 (b), if the image file is saved in Original Format, a size of the image file is 500 Kbytes. If the image file is attached by being changed into a PNG file, a size of the image file is 26 Kbytes. Hence, a user can recognize that about 474 Kbytes can be saved.

In the example shown inFIG. 10, an image file of a 1stfile type is manually adjusted into an image file of a 2ndfile type in response to a user's touch input. Yet, such a process can be automatically performed by the controller180. In doing so, if the image file is determined as the 1stfile type, the controller180can automatically change the image file into the 2ndfile type without displaying the popup window shown inFIG. 10 (b).

Preferably, the 2ndfile type has a compression ratio higher than that of the 1stfile type. This is to reduce a file size of a multimedia file set as an attachment file in a manner of changing the multimedia file of the 1stfile type set as an attachment file into the multimedia file of the 2ndfile type having a higher compression ratio. By means of reducing a size of the attachment file, a time taken to complete a message transmission can be decreased and a data transmission amount of the mobile terminal can be saved.

For instance, for an image file, assume a case that a 1stfile type is set as one format of JPG, GIF, TIFF, WMF and BMP and that a 2ndfile type is set as PNG format having a compression ratio higher than that of the 1stfile type. In this case, by changing the image file of the 1stfile type into the 2ndfile type, a file size of the image file set as an attachment file can be reduced. Hence, it is able to lower a transmission amount of a message transmission.

The above-mentioned extensions corresponding to the 1stor 2ndfile type are enumerated for the clarity of the description only, by which the present invention may be non-limited. In some cases, the 1stfile type can be set to an extension other than the 1nd file type.

Moreover, it is not mandatory for the 2ndfile type to be always set to have a compression ratio higher than that of the 1stfile type. For instance, the settings of the 1stand 2ndfile types may be adjusted by a user or a manufacturer of the mobile terminal.

Furthermore, the description with reference toFIG. 10can be exactly applied to such a multimedia file as a music file, a document file, a video file and the like as well as to an image file.

Referring now toFIG. 4, when the multimedia file is set as the attachment file, if the information of the attachment file displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the edit region, the controller180can control the multimedia file to be inserted in the edit region [S405]. In doing so, although the multimedia file previously set as the attachment file may lose its status of the attachment file, it may maintain the status of the attachment file after being inserted in the edit region. Yet, in order to prevent a redundant transmission of the same data, the multimedia file inserted in the edit region may preferably lose its status of the attachment file.

In the following description, a process for inserting a multimedia file set as an attachment file in an edit region is explained in detail with reference toFIG. 11.

FIG. 11is a diagram for one example to describe a process for inserting a multimedia file set as an attachment file in an edit region. For clarity of the following description, assume that a multimedia file set as an attachment file includes an image file.

Referring toFIG. 11, the controller180can control an information of an image file set as an attachment file to be displayed on an attach region1120[FIG. 11 (a)]. In doing so, if the information1130of the image file displayed on the attach region1120is touched and then dragged to an edit region1110[FIG. 11 (b)], the controller180can control the image file1140to be displayed on the edit region1110[FIG. 11 (c)].

If the information1130of the image file displayed on the attach region1120is touched and then dragged, while the drag action is performed, i.e., while a pointer comes in contact with the touchscreen, the controller180can control a thumbnail of the image file to be displayed along the pointer. This is to facilitate a user to check a content of the image file attempted to be inserted in the edit region1110by the user.

In case that the image file previously set as the attachment file is inserted in the edit region1110, the image file set as the attachment file may maintain or lose its status of the attachment file. According to one example of the present invention, referring toFIG. 11 (d), before the image file is inserted in the edit region1110, the controller180can control a popup window1150, which is provided to determine whether an attachment file status of the image file will be maintained, to be displayed. In the popup window1150shown inFIG. 11 (d), if a ‘copy’ region1152is touched, the controller180can control the image file to be inserted in the edit region1110while having the attachment file status of the image file maintained. On the other hand, if a ‘move’ region1154of the popup window1150is touched, the controller180can control the image file to be inserted in the edit region1110while controlling the attachment file status of the image file to be lost.

AlthoughFIG. 11shows one example that the multimedia file includes the image file, the description with reference toFIG. 11can be exactly applied to such a multimedia file as a music file, a document file, a video file and the like as well as to an image file. In particular, if an information of a music/document/video file displayed on the attach region1120is touched and then dragged to the attach region1120, the controller180can control the music/document/video file to be inserted in the edit region1110.

In case that an image file set as an attachment file is inserted in an edit region, the controller180can adjust a resolution or image size of the image file automatically or on the basis of a user input. In particular, as the resolution or image size of the image file is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, if it is determined that the image file needs not to be displayed in an original size, the controller180can display the resolution or image size adjusted image file on the edit region. This is described in detail with reference toFIG. 12as follows.

FIG. 12is a diagram for one example to describe a process for displaying a resolution or image-size adjusted image file on an edit region.

Referring toFIG. 12 (a), if an information1230of an image file displayed on an attach region1220is touched and dragged to an edit region1210, the controller180can determine a resolution or image size of the image file which is to be inserted in an image region. In doing so, if the resolution or the image size of the image file is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, the controller180can control a popup window1240, which is provided to adjust the resolution or image size of the image file, to be displayed. For instance,FIG. 12 (b)shows one example that the popup window1240for adjusting the image size of the image file is displayed. In the popup window1240shown inFIG. 129b), if ‘Original size’ is touched, the controller180can control the image file in an original size to be exactly displayed on the edit region1210without adjusting the image size of the image file. On the other hand, if ‘Fit to screen’, ‘Half size’ or ‘Quarter size’ is selected, the controller180adjusts the image size of the image file and is then able to control the image size adjusted image file to be inserted in the edit region1210. In this case, ‘Fit to screen’ may be provided to adjust the image size to fit for a length of one side of the touchscreen, ‘Half size’ may be provided to adjust the image size into ½ of an original image size, and ‘Quarter size’ may be provided to adjust the image size into ¼ of the original image size. If an item to be adjusted is the resolution, the controller180may control a popup window, which is provided to adjust the resolution of the image file, to be displayed instead of displaying the former popup window1240shown inFIG. 12 (b).

In the example shown inFIG. 12, a resolution or image size of an image file is manually adjusted in response to a user's touch input. Moreover, the above-described process can be automatically performed by the controller180. In this case, if the resolution or image size of the image file is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, the controller180can automatically adjust the resolution or image size of the image file by omitting the popup window displaying step shown inFIG. 12 (b). For instance, if a length of a horizontal side of the image file is greater than a width of the touchscreen or a length of a vertical side is greater than a height of the touchscreen, since the image file exceeds a maximum size that can be outputted by the touchscreen, the controller180can adjust the image size of the image file into a range within the maximum size that can be outputted by the touchscreen. This is to enable a user to check a content of the image file without scrolling the touchscreen.

When one multimedia file set as an attachment file is intended to be inserted in an edit region, if another multimedia file is already inserted in the edit region, the controller180can combine the multimedia file previously inserted in the edit region and the multimedia file to be newly inserted in the edit region together. In this case, if two multimedia files are combined together, it may mean an operation of merging the two multimedia files into a single file or an operation of setting the two multimedia files to a single playlist to enable the two multimedia files to be consecutively played.

In particular, if an information of one multimedia file displayed on an attachment file region is dragged to a region on which another multimedia file already inserted in an edit region is displayed, the controller180can combine the multimedia file previously inserted in the edit region and the mobile media file to be newly inserted in the edit region together. On the other hand, if the information of the multimedia file displayed on the attachment file region is dragged to an outside of the region on which the multimedia file already inserted in the edit region is displayed, the controller180can control the multimedia file previously inserted in the edit region and the multimedia file newly inserted in the edit region to be separately or individually displayed.

In particular, the controller180can determine how to combine the multimedia files in a manner of discriminating one case of dragging the information of one multimedia file displayed on the attachment file region to a region on which another multimedia file already inserted in an edit region from the other case of dragging information of the multimedia file displayed on the attachment file region to an outside of the region on which the multimedia file already inserted in the edit region is displayed. This shall be described in detail with reference toFIG. 13andFIG. 14as follows. First of all, for clarity of the following description, one multimedia file, which used to set as an attachment file and will be inserted in an edit region, shall be named a 1stmultimedia file. Another multimedia file, which has been already inserted in the edit region before the 1stmultimedia file is inserted in the edit region, shall be named a 2ndmultimedia file. And, assume that each of the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file includes an image file inFIG. 13andFIG. 14.

FIG. 13andFIG. 14are diagrams for examples to describe a process for combining a 1stmultimedia file and a 2ndmultimedia file together.

Referring toFIG. 13 (a)andFIG. 14 (a), if a 1stimage file is set as an attachment file and a 2ndimage file is inserted in an edit region1310/1410, the controller180can control an information1330/1430of the 1stimage file to be displayed on an attach region1320/1420and can control the 2ndimage file to be displayed on a region1340/1440of the edit region1301/1410.

In doing so, referring toFIG. 13 (b), if the information1330of the 1stimage file displayed on the attach region1320is touched and dragged to an inside of the region1340on which the 2ndimage file is displayed, the controller180can control the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to be combined together. In particular, the controller180controls the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to merge into a single image file. Alternatively, the controller180sets the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to a single playlist and is then able to control the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to be played as a slide show.

In case of combining the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file together, in order to indicate that the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file are combined together, referring toFIG. 13(c), the controller180can control the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to be displayed on the edit region1310in a manner of overlay1332and1340. If the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file are displayed in a manner of overlaying each other, a user can recognize that the two images files are combined together.

In case of merging the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file into a single image file, the merged image file may have a moving image file format. On the other hand, in case of setting the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to a single playlist, referring toFIG. 13 (d), the controller180can control a play button1350to be displayed on the edit region1410. If the play button1350is touched, the controller180can control the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to be played as a slide show.

While the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file are combined together, if an appropriate user input is received, the controller180can demerge the combined 1stand 2ndimage files into two files again or release the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file from the single playlist setting.

For instance, if a rearrange button1360shown inFIG. 13 (e)is touched, referring toFIG. 13 (f), the controller180can control the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to be individually displayed by being separated from each other [1332,1340].

In the example shown inFIG. 13, each of the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file includes an image file. Moreover, the process for combining two multimedia files together can be applied to such a multimedia file as a music file, a video file, a document file and the like. For instance, in case that each of the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file includes a music file or a video file, the controller180can merge the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file into a single file or can control the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file to be automatically played in a manner that the 2ndmultimedia file is played after completion of a playback of the 1stmultimedia file, and vice versa. For another instance, if each of the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file includes a document file, the controller180merges a 1stdocument file and a 2nddocument file into a single file or can merge the 1stdocument file and the 2nddocument file together in a manner of displaying a 1stpage of the 2nddocument file after displaying a last page of the 1stdocument file or displaying a 1stpage of the 1stdocument file after displaying a last page of the 2nddocument file.

Moreover, it may be unnecessary for the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file, which are to be combined together, to belong to the same species. For instance, when the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file include an image file and a music file, respectively, the controller180can control the 1stmultimedia file to be outputted in the course of playing back the 2ndmultimedia file in a manner of combining the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file together.

Unlike the example shown inFIG. 13, if the information1430of the 1stimage file displayed on the attach region1420is touched and dragged to an outside of the region1440on which the 2ndimage file is displayed [FIG. 14 (b)], the controller180can control the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file to be separately displayed on the edit region (1432,1440) [FIG. 14 (c)]. Hence, the controller180can determine how to combine the 1stmultimedia file and the 2ndmultimedia file together based on whether the information1430of the 1stimage file previously displayed on the attach region is touched and dragged to the inside or outside of the display region1440of the 2ndimage file.

Even if the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file are separately displayed on the edit region, the two image files can be combined together by a user input later. For instance, if the 1stimage file is dragged to the inside of the display region1440of the 2ndimage file or the 2ndimage file is dragged to an inside of the display region1432of the 1stimage file [FIG. 14 (d)], the controller180can combine the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file together [FIG. 14 (e)]. In particular, even if the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file are separately displayed, the controller180can combine the 1stimage file and the 2ndimage file together in response to a user input later. How to separate the combined 1stand 2ndimage files from each other can refer to the former description with reference toFIG. 13 (e)andFIG. 13 (f), and its details shall be omitted from the following description.

Like the case shown inFIG. 13, the case shown inFIG. 14can be applied to such a multimedia file as a music file, a video file, a document file and the like as well as to an image file.

In the example shown inFIG. 4, in case of dragging an information of a multimedia file displayed on an attach region to an edit region or dragging a multimedia file displayed on the edit region to the attach region, the multimedia file set as an attachment file is inserted in the edit region or a multimedia file inserted in the edit region is set as an attachment file. Unlike the example shown inFIG. 4, the controller180can insert a multimedia file set as an attachment file in an edit region using a copy or cut function or can set a multimedia file set in the edit region as an attachment file. This is described in detail with reference toFIG. 15andFIG. 16as follows.

FIG. 15is a diagram for one example to describe a process for inserting a multimedia file set as an attachment file in an edit region using a copy or cutting. For clarity of the following description, assume that a multimedia file includes an image file.

Referring toFIG. 15, if an image file is set as an attachment file, the controller180can display an information1530of the image file on an attach region1520[FIG. 15 (a)]. In doing so, in order to select the image file displayed on the attach region1520, if an appropriate touch input is applied to the information1530of the image file, the controller180can control a popup window1540, which is provided to determine whether to copy or cut the selected image file, to be displayed [FIG. 15 (b)]. For instance, in the popup window1540shown inFIG. 15 (b), a ‘Copy’ item1542may be provided to copy a selected image file and a ‘Cut’ item1544may be provided to cut a selected image file.

After the selected image file has been copied or cut in the example shown inFIG. 15 (b), if an appropriate touch input is applied to the edit region1510, the controller180can control a popup window1550, which is provided to paste the copied or cut image file, to be displayed [FIG. 15 (c)]. If the copied or cut image file is pasted, the controller180can control the image file1560to be displayed on the edit region1510[FIG. 15 (d)].

If ‘Copy’ is selected inFIG. 15 (b), the controller180inserts the image file in the edit region1510and can also control the image file to maintain its status of the attachment file as it is. On the other hand, if ‘Cut’ is selected inFIG. 15 (b), the controller180inserts the image file in the edit region1510and can also control the image file to be released from the status of the attachment file.

FIG. 16is a diagram for one example to describe a process for setting a multimedia file inserted in an edit region using a copy or cutting as an attachment file. For clarity of the following description, like the case shown inFIG. 15, assume that a multimedia file includes an image file.

Referring toFIG. 16, if an image file is inserted in an edit region1610, the controller180can control the image file1630to be displayed on the edit region1610[FIG. 16(a)]. In doing so, in order to select the image file displayed on the edit region1610, if an appropriate touch input is applied to the image file displayed on the edit region1610, the controller180can control a popup window1640, which is provided to determine whether to copy or cut the selected image file, to be displayed [FIG. 16 (b)]. For instance, in the popup window1640shown inFIG. 16 (b), a ‘Copy’ item1642may be provided to copy a selected image file and a ‘Cut’ item1644may be provided to cut a selected image item. After the selected image file has been copied or cut in the example shown inFIG. 16 (b), if an appropriate touch input is applied to the attach region1620, the controller180can control a popup window1650, which is provided to paste the copied or cut image file, to be displayed [FIG. 16 (c)]. If the copied or cut image file is pasted on the attach region1620, the controller180sets the image file as an attachment file and can also control an information1660of the image file, which is set as the attachment file, to be displayed on the attach region1620[FIG. 16 (d)].

In the example shown inFIG. 16 (b), if ‘Copy’ is selected, the controller180sets the image file as an attachment file and can also control the image file to be displayed on the edit region1610as it is. On the other hand, if ‘Cut’ is selected inFIG. 16 (b), the controller180sets the image file as an attachment file and can also delete the image file displayed on the edit region1610.

In the above-described example, an operation of a mobile terminal attempting to send a message to a counterpart is explained. In the following description, an operation of a mobile terminal having received a message from a counterpart is explained in detail.

FIG. 17is a flowchart for an operation of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 17, in case of receiving a message from a counterpart via the wireless communication unit110, the controller180can control the message received from the counterpart to be displayed on the touchscreen [S1701]. If an attachment file exists in the message received from the counterpart, the controller180can control the message received from the counterpart to be displayed in a manner of discriminating a text region for displaying a text content of the message received from the counterpart from an attach region for displaying the attachment file attached to the message received from the counterpart.

FIG. 18is a diagram for one example to describe a process for displaying a message received from a counterpart on a touchscreen.

Referring toFIG. 18, the controller180can control a text region1810and an attach region1820to be displayed. In this case, the text region1810is provided to display a text content of a message received from a counterpart and the attach region1820is provided to display an information of an attachment file attached to the message received from the counterpart. As mentioned in the description of the example shown inFIG. 6, if a message having a multimedia file inserted in an edit region is received, the multimedia file may be displayed on the text region1810.

Thereafter, referring now toFIG. 17, while the message received from the counterpart is displayed through the touchscreen, if the information of the attachment file, which is displayed on the attach region, is touched and dragged to the text region [S1702], the controller180can control a queue object for activating the attachment file to be displayed on the text region [S1703]. Subsequently, if the queue object displayed on the text region is touched [S1704], the controller180can control a popup window for activating the attachment file to be displayed [S1705].

In the following description, a process for displaying a queue object to activate an attachment file on a touchscreen is explained with reference toFIG. 19.

FIG. 19is a diagram for one example to describe a process for displaying a queue object to activate an attachment file on a touchscreen. For clarity of the following description, assume that an image file is set as an attachment file.

Referring toFIG. 19, if an image file is attached to a message received from a counterpart, the controller180can control an information of the image file to be displayed on an attach region1920[FIG. 19 (a)]. In doing so, if an information1930of the image file, which is displayed on the attach region1920, is touched and then dragged to a text region1910[FIG. 19(b)], the controller180can control a queue object1940, which is provided to guide an activation of the image file, to be displayed at a pointer released point [FIG. 19 (c)]. In particular, in displaying the queue object1940, the controller180can control an icon, which corresponds to a type of the attachment file, to be included in the queue object1940. Since the image file is set as the attachment file inFIG. 19 (c), the controller180may control the icon corresponding to the image file to be included in the queue object1940.

Thereafter, referring toFIG. 19 (d), if a user touches the queue object1940, the controller180can control a popup window1950, which is provided to display an image set as the attachment file, to be displayed. Like the example shown inFIG. 19 (d), an activation result of the attachment file is displayed on the popup window1950, whereby a content of the attachment file can be checked without switching a screen. In the example shown inFIG. 19 (d), the user can check the content of the attachment file while checking the text content of the message.

Moreover, when the activation result of the attachment file is displayed on the popup window1950, in order to minimize a portion of the popup window1950that covers the touchscreen, the controller180may control the popup window1950to be displayed semi-transparently [not shown in the drawing].

In case that a screen switching of the touchscreen occurs, the controller180of the present invention can control the queue object to keep being displayed on the touchscreen. For instance, referring toFIG. 19 (c), after the message received from the counterpart has been checked, even if a different application is activated, the controller180can control the queue object1940to keep being displayed. This is to control the attachment file, which is attached to the message received from the counterpart, to be activated while the different application is active.

In the example shown inFIG. 17, if the queue object displayed in response to an action of touching and dragging the attachment file to the text region is touched, the attachment file can be activated. On the other hand, a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention can control a popup window, which is provided to activate an attachment file directly without displaying a queue object, to be displayed if the attachment file is touched and dragged to a text region.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide various effects and/or features.

First of all, the present invention provides a mobile terminal, by which user's convenience is enhanced.

In particular, the present invention provides a mobile terminal, by which a multimedia file set as an attachment file can be inserted in a text region of a message in a simple manner. And, the present invention provides a mobile terminal, by which a multimedia file inserted in a text region of a message can be set as an attachment file in a simple manner.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be specified into other form(s) without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions.

In addition, the above-described methods can be implemented in a program recorded medium as processor-readable codes. The processor-readable media may include all kinds of recording devices in which data readable by a computer system are stored. The processor-readable media may include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy discs, optical data storage devices, and the like for example and also include carrier-wave type implementations (e.g., transmission via Internet).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.