METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING OPTIONAL KEY MAP OF PORTABLE TERMINAL

An optional key map operation and apparatus of a portable terminal are provided for compensating for the fixedness of a key map to facilitate generating input signals. A method for operating an optional key map of a portable terminal according to the present invention includes displaying at least one basic key map generated according to a predetermined standard, and displaying at least one optional key map linked to the at least one basic key map along with the at least one basic key map.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an optional key map operation and apparatus of a portable terminal for compensating for the fixedness of a key map to facilitate generating input signals.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable terminal is a device that has a plurality of useful functions and that a user can transport with ease. These two advantages have resulted in the widespread use of portable terminals. Typically, a portable terminal is provided with at least one input device for receiving user input. For example, the conventional portable terminal is provided with a keypad which is arranged on a side of the terminal body and has a plurality of alphanumeric keys for receiving alphabetic and numeric key inputs. Recently, in order to ensure adequate space for a relatively large display without compromising portability which depends on the physical size of the terminal, the traditional keypad has been replaced by a touchscreen that functions as an input device as well as a display device.

Conventional touchscreen-enabled portable terminals tend to be designed with key maps that are displayed on the screen to receive the user input without an additional input device, resulting in a light weight and a slim design. Typically, since the key maps of a portable terminal are designed according to a specific standard, it is required for the user to adapt to the standard and manage to use the key maps according to the standard. However, with the conventional key map-based portable terminal, the user has to make input with repetitive key manipulation especially for inputting a character repeatedly or a specific character according to the rule of the standard, resulting in the user's inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an optional key map operation and apparatus of a portable terminal that is capable of facilitating a user-intended character, resulting in improving a user's convenience.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for operating an optional key map of a portable terminal is provided. The method includes displaying at least one basic key map generated according to a predetermined standard, and displaying at least one optional key map linked to the at least one basic key map along with the at least one basic key map.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for operating an optional key map of a portable terminal is provided. The apparatus includes a storage unit for storing at least one basic key map generated according to a predetermined standard and at least one optional key map linked to the at least one basic key map, a control unit for controlling to display the at least one basic key map and the at least one optional key map simultaneously according to an input signal for displaying the basic key map, and a touchscreen for displaying the at least one basic key map and the at least one optional key map.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The terms and words used in the description and claims are not to be limited to ordinary meanings or dictionary definitions. Under the principles that the inventors are entitled to act as his or her own lexicographer in order to explain his or her own invention in the best way, those terms and words are to be construed so as to conform to the technical concept of the present invention. The constructions disclosed in the specification and drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention, but do not represent all the technical concepts of the invention. It is therefore understood that at the time of filing this application, various alternatives and modifications to these constructions may occur to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal supporting an optional key map control mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the portable terminal100includes a Radio Frequency (RF) unit110, an input unit120, an audio processing unit130, a touchscreen140, a storage unit150, and a control unit160.

The portable terminal100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can display a basic key map151and an optional key map153, which are stored in the storage unit150, on the touchscreen140according to the user's manipulation such that the user can input specific and/or special characters with the user-specific optional key map153as well as the basic key map151. Here, the basic key map151denotes one or more key maps predesigned according to a specific standard, and the optional key map153denotes the one or more key maps including supplementary keys customized by the user. A description is made of the internal function blocks of the portable terminal100hereinafter.

The RF unit110is responsible for establishing a communication channel for exchanging data related to the voice and video calls under the control of the control unit160. That is, the RF unit110can establish a radio channel with a mobile communication system for voice, data, and video communications. For this purpose, the RF unit110includes an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying transmission signals and an RF receiver for low-noise-amplifying and down-converting received signals. The user can make a call with the RF unit100by selecting an information item corresponding to a recipient from a phonebook or inputting a number representing the recipient. More particularly when the portable terminal is provided with a touchscreen other than a keypad or buttons, the basic key map151having numeric characters is displayed on the touchscreen140. Here, the basic key map151can be a 3×4 key map, a 4×3 key map, and the like.

The input unit120includes a plurality of alphanumeric and function keys for inputting alphabetic and numeric information and various function execution commands. The function keys can include navigation keys, side keys, and shortcut keys. The input unit120can include side keys formed on a side of the terminal casing, especially when the portable terminal has a touchscreen, without additional key buttons or a keypad. In case of a touchscreen-enabled portable terminal, the portable terminal is provided with the basic key map151having a plurality of keys. The basic key map151can be implemented in the form of a QWERTY key map, a 3×4 key map, a 4×3 key map, a menu map, a soft key map, etc. More particularly, the input unit120can include an optional key map153formed with specific characters and special characters selected from the basic key map151. The optional key map153is arranged near the basic key map151. A description is made of the display of the optional key map153below with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

The audio processing unit130includes a speaker (SPK) for outputting audio data of an ongoing call, a voice message, an audio file stored in the storage unit150, and the like. The audio processing unit130also includes a microphone (MIC) for receiving a user's voice and other audio signals. The audio processing unit130can be configured to output, when the basic key map151and the optional key map153are displayed on the touch screen140, a specific sound effect alarming of the presentation of the key maps151and153. In case that the optional key map153is displayed while the basic key map151has been displayed already, the audio processing unit130can output a sound effect alarming of the presentation of the optional key map153. The sound effect output can be turned on or off according to the user settings.

The touchscreen140includes a display panel141and a touch panel143. The touchscreen140can be configured such that the front surface of the touch display panel141is covered by the touch panel143. The size of the touchscreen140can be determined by the size of the touch panel143. For example, the touchscreen140can be implemented over the entire surface of the display panel141(i.e., in the form of a full touchscreen).

The display panel141displays the various menus of the portable terminal100and information input by and provided to the user. That is, the display panel141displays various execution screens such as an idle mode screen, a menu screen, a message composition screen, and a call progressing screen. The display panel141can be implemented with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an Organic Light Emitted Diode (OLED). In case that the display panel141forms the touchscreen140together with the touch panel143, the touchscreen140can work as a part of the input unit120. More particularly, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display unit141can display the basic key map151stored in the storage unit150under the control of the control unit160. The display panel141also can display the optional key map153stored in the storage unit150under the control of the control unit160. The optional key map153can be generated or modified by referencing the basic key map151which has been already displayed on the display panel141. A description is made of generating and modifying the optional key map153below with reference to drawings.

The touch panel143is arranged over the upper surface of the display panel141to detect a touch made at a position of an image or an item presented on the display panel141. The touch panel143can be configured such that, when the basic key map151is displayed on the display panel141, it is set adaptive to the basic key map151. Once the touch panel143has been set, the user can input a specific alphanumeric character or a special character of the basic key map151by making a touch at a position of the touch panel143.

The storage unit150can store application programs required for executing functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the basic key map151for operation with the touchscreen140. The basic key map151can include a key map, a menu map, and a soft key map. Here, the key map and menu map can be formed in various types. That is, the key map can be implemented in the form of a keyboard map, a 3×4 key map, a QWERTY key map, an application-specific control key map for controlling the currently running application program, and the like. Also, the menu map can be an application-specific menu map showing the menu items related to the currently running application program or a common menu map showing various menu items representing menus provided by the portable terminal100. The storage unit150can include a program region and a data region.

The program region stores an Operating System (OS) for booting the portable terminal100and managing internal function blocks and application programs for processing various types of data files such as a communication application program responsible for supporting communication functions of the portable terminal100, a web browser for supporting Internet access, an MP3 application program for playing MP3 audio resources, a picture display application program for displaying pictures including photographs, a video playback application program for playing motion picture files, and the like. More particularly, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the program region stores the application program for supporting the optional key map control mechanism.

The optional key map application program can support configuration of the optional key map153while the basic key map151is displayed. The optional key map application program can operate such that the user can generate an optional key map or modify the previously generated optional key map while the basic key map151is displayed. For this purpose, the optional key map application program includes a routine for extracting the optional key map153linked to the basic key map151when the basic key map151is displayed in response to a user's manipulation, a routine for controlling such that the optional key map153linked to the basic key map151is displayed at a preset position of the display panel141, and a routine for controlling such that an object such as a character located at a position where a touch is made is applied to the currently running application program. The optional key map application also can include a routine for defining an optional key registration region to generate the optional key map153in response to a user's manipulation after the display of the basic key map151on the display panel141, a routing for creating an optional key map153or modifying the previously created optional key map153by moving the user-selected character to the optional key registration region in response to the user's request, and a routine for storing the optional key map153along with the link to the currently displayed basic key map151. The optional key map application program can call the optional key map153which is previously stored in the data region, when the optional key map153is required to be modified. When a specific basic map151is displayed on the display panel141as a consequence of the activation of a specific function, the aforementioned routines are loaded on the control unit160for outputting, creating, and/or modifying the optional key map153.

The data region stores the data generated during the operation of the portable terminal100and various types of data such as phonebook data and objects such as icons representing contents and widgets. In case that the display panel141is implemented as a part of the touchscreen140, the data region can store the touch event signals corresponding to the user inputs input on the touchscreen140. More particularly, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the data region can store various types of basic key maps151and user-specific optional key maps153. As aforementioned, the basic key maps151are the key maps designed by a designer according to a predetermined standard. The optional key map153is a post-registered map generated with the characters selected by the user from the basic key map151. The optional key map153can be generated with the links to multiple basic key maps151according to the user settings and include the information on the links to the basic key maps151and/or other optional key maps.

The control unit160controls a power supply to initialize the internal function blocks of the portable terminal100and controls the functions blocks to output the user interface for supporting the optional key map153and display the optional key map153in response to an input signal. More particularly, the control unit160controls such that a specific user function is activated in response to an input signal and a basic key map151related to the specific user function is displayed on the display panel141. When a specific application program is activated, the control unit160determines whether an optional key map linked to the basic key map151exists and, if the optional key map linked to the basic key map151exists, controls such that the optional key map is displayed at a specific position of the display panel141. In case that a plurality of optional key maps are linked to the basic key map151, the control unit160controls such that the plural optional key maps are displayed at specific positions in relation to the position of the basic key map151. The optional key maps153linked to the basic key map151can be different from each other in shape. If a user manipulation (such as a menu item selection, a key input, or a touch event) requesting creation or modification of an optional key map is detected while the basic key map151is displayed, the control unit160can control to display the user interface for supporting the creation or modification of the optional key map153. A description is made of the type, creation, and modification of the optional key map153in more detail below with reference to drawings.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a process for creating an optional key map in an optional key map operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The description is made with a set of exemplary basic key maps155(i.e., a 3×4 key map) and a special key map156.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, when a user powers up the portable terminal100, the control unit160controls in response to a menu selection such that a specific basic key map151(i.e., 3×4 key map155) is displayed on the display panel141. In more detail, the control unit160of the portable terminal100controls such that a menu screen having a list of application programs operating with the 3×4 key map155is displayed. The user can select an application program (e.g., a voice call execution item) from the menu screen. If the voice call execution item is selected by the user, the control unit160controls such that a voice call execution screen having the 3×4 key map155occupying the lower half of the display panel141is displayed and a text window145occupying the upper half of the display panel141is displayed and displaying the alphanumeric characters selected on the 3×4 key map155.

The portable terminal user can activate a function for creating an optional key map153including special characters while the 3×4 key map155is displayed on the display panel141. For example, the user can activate a menu and select a menu item for displaying the special character key map156including special characters such that the special character key map156is displayed on the display panel141as shown in the screen image202. Here, the special character key map156can be configured to be displayed when a predetermined hot key is activated as well as when an item is selected from the menu. While the special character key map156is displayed, the portable terminal user can select one of the special characters (e.g., “?”). Next, the user can generate an input signal for registering the special character with the optional key map153. For example, the user may touch a position where the special character is presented on the touchscreen140displaying the special character key map156and maintain the touch over a predetermined time duration to select the desired character.

If the touch event and the hold event are detected, the control unit160of the portable terminal100can output the user interface to allow registering special characters with the optional key map153. In more detail, the control unit160can control such that an optional key registration region53is displayed at a region on the display unit141. For example, the control unit160can control such that the optional key registration region53is overlaid on the special character key map156. Next, the portable terminal user can drag and drop the intended special character at a specific position in the optional key registration region53. The optional key registration region53can be formed as a single section or a set of multiple sections (e.g., three separate areas) as shown in the drawing. Accordingly, the user can move the selected special character to one of the sections of the optional key registration region53. At this time, in order for the user to recognize the movement of the special character to be registered, the control unit160can control such that the movement progress of the selected character is expressed on the display panel141in synchronization with the drag and drop event. If the dragged special character is dropped at the section B of the optional key registration region53(i.e., a touch-up event is detected) the control unit160determines that an input signal for registering the special character has occurred. Although the description is directed to the case where the character is dragged and dropped to the optional key registration region53, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the portable terminal user can register a specific character with the optional key map153in any of various manners supported by the portable terminal100. For example, the control unit160of the portable terminal100can recognize a predetermined number of tap events made at a position for the intended-character as an input command to move the corresponding character to the optional key registration region53automatically. The optional key registration region53is configured such that a plurality of characters can be registered therewith. In case that the optional key registration region53is divided into three sections (i.e., regions A, B, and C) as shown in the screen image205, the user can register one special character with each section of the optional key registration region53. Of course, the optional key registration region53can be provided with more than three sections depending on the user settings. For example, the portable terminal user can increase the number of sections of the optional key registration region53(e.g., 4, 6, or 9 sections) by executing a touch event at a corner and a touch-drag event in a diagonal direction.

After the special key registration with the optional key map has been completed by performing steps represented by screen images202and205, the user can generate an input signal to return to the screen image presenting the 3×4 key map155. Here, the input signal can be generated in any of various manners supported by the portable terminal100(e.g., by selecting a menu item or a hot key assigned for the command to return to a previous screen item). The control unit160of the portable terminal100can control such that the 3×4 key map155and the optional key map153are displayed at one side of the display panel141as shown in the screen image207. At this time, the control unit160can control such that the text window145is adjusted in size and thus the optional key map153is arranged between the text window145and the 3×4 key map155. Although the optional key map153is depicted having three sections in the screen image207, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the control unit160can control such that the optional key map153is presented only with the sections to which specific characters are assigned, according to the user settings or default terminal configuration.

After the optional key registration has been completed as shown in the screen image205, if the optional key map153is displayed as shown in the screen image207, the control unit160of the portable terminal100can control such that the optional key map153is saved along with the link to the 3×4 key map155as the basic key map151. Afterward, if an input signal for activating the same user function is detected, the control unit160of the portable terminal100controls such that the screen images201to207are presented. In the meantime, the portable terminal100can be configured to provide a mode in which the optional key map153is displayed along with the basic key map as shown in the screen image207. That is, the portable terminal100can support a dual key map display mode for displaying the optional key map153with the basic key map151simultaneously and a single key map display mode for displaying only the basic key map. The portable terminal100displays only the basic key map151or both the basic key map151and the optional key map153depending on the key map display mode selected by the user. At this time, the basic key map151can be maintained in a predetermined size, and each of the key sections of the optional key map153is identical with an individual key section of the basic key map151in size.

As aforementioned, the portable terminal100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an optional key map153as well as a basic key map151in order for the user to input characters more easily, especially with the user-defined optional key map.

Although the description is directed to the case where the optional key map153is generated by referencing a special character key map displayed following the 3×4 key map155and saved along with the link to the 3×4 key map155, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the optional key map153can be generated in accordance with the input signal for displaying the aforementioned optional key registration region53while the 3×4 key map155is displayed and saved along with the link to the 3×4 key map155. The optional key map153generated based on the special character key map156can be saved with the link to the special character key map156as well as the 3×4 key map155according to the user selection.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a user interface providing an optional key map in a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the display panel141displays an execution screen having a text window145, an optional key map153, and a basic key map151, (e.g., 3×4 key map155). The user can manipulate the portable terminal100to activate a specific user function. If an input signal for activating a specific user function is detected, the control unit160of the portable terminal determines the basic key map151linked to the corresponding user function and whether any optional key map153linked to the basic key map151exists. At this time, the control unit160can also determine whether the current map display mode is the dual key map display mode for displaying both the basic and optional key maps simultaneously in advance. In case that the portable terminal is in the dual key map display mode, the control unit160of the portable terminal100controls such that the basic key map151related to the corresponding user function (i.e., 3×4 key map) is displayed at the lower part of the display panel141.

Although the basic key map151, the optional key map153, and the text window are depicted in order from the bottom to the top of the display panel141inFIG. 3, the arrangement is not limited thereto but can be changed. That is, the control unit160can control such that the basic key map151is presented at the top of the display panel141with the optional key map153at the bottom of the display panel141and the text window between the basic and optional key maps151and153. The control unit160also can control such that the optional key map153is displayed at the top of the display panel141with the text window145at the bottom of the display panel and the optional key pad153between the basic key pad151and the text window145.

In the illustrated example, the optional key map153includes six sections to which the characters selected by the user can be assigned. The characters assigned to the individual sections can include special characters and/or the alphanumeric characters selected from various basic key maps151. For example, the optional key map153can be created with the characters selected from a primary language key map (e.g., Korean key map), a lower case English key map, an uppercase English key map, a special character key map, and the like.

The control unit160can control such that the optional key map153is maintained in a predetermined size regardless of the display mode of the display panel141such that the user can use the optional key map153and the 3×4 key map155appropriately. For example, the control unit160can control such that the space occupied by the optional key map153in a 2×3 matrix is twice as large as compared with the space occupied by the optional key map153in a 1×3 matrix. The control unit160can also control such that each of the sections of the optional key map153is identical with the size of each section of the 3×4 key map155. For this purpose, the control unit160can adjust the size of the text window145. The optional key map153can be saved with the link to the currently running application program or the basic key map151output with the currently running application program.

Although the description is directed to the case where an optional key map153is created and displayed according to the user's intention, the portable terminal100can load the previously stored optional key map153in response to an input signal for activating an application program such as a text messaging program, a text composition program, an email program, and the like, and calling an optional key map153. At this time, the control unit160can control such that the optional key maps153are displayed in the form of a downsized image list or a multiple image format in order to be recognized more easily by the user. The user can check the downsized images of the optional key maps153and call the corresponding optional key map to register additional characters therewith. The control unit160also can support deleting a specific character registered with the optional key registration region53while the optional key map153is displayed. That is, if the optional key registration region53having registered characters is displayed on the display panel141, the user can make a touch drag out of the corresponding optional key registration region to delete the corresponding character, resulting in deletion of the corresponding character. Although the description is directed to the exemplary case where a single optional key map153is displayed with the basic key map151inFIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible to display a plurality of optional key maps153with a basic key map151on the display panel141.

Until now, the structures and functions of the internal function blocks of the portable terminal supporting optional key maps according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described. An optional key map operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to drawings.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating an optional key map operation for a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 4, in the optional key map operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, once the portable terminal100powers up, the control unit160of the portable terminal100initializes the internal function blocks, executes routines according to a predetermined schedule, and determines whether an input signal for activating an application program requiring a specific basic key map151is generated by means of the input unit120or the touchscreen140in step401. If it is determined in step401that an input signal for activating an application program requiring a basic key map151is not generated, the control unit160executes a function corresponding to the input signal in step403. For example, the control unit160can control such that the portable terminal100executes a file search function, a file playback function, a time checking function, and the like according to the input signal at step403.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step401that an input signal for activating an application program requiring a basic key map151is generated, the control unit160monitors to detect an input signal and, if an input signal is detected, determines whether the input signal is an optional key map creation request signal in step405. As aforementioned, the optional key map creation request signal can be generated by a predetermined touch event made on the touchscreen140, a selection of a predetermined hot key, a selection of a menu item, and the like. If it is determined in step405that the detected input signal is not the optional key map creation request signal, the procedure proceeds to step403such that the control unit160executes a function corresponding to the input signal.

If it is determined in step405that the detected input signal is the optional key map creation request signal, the control unit160displays an optional key registration region53for creating an optional key map153and registers characters selected by the user commands input through the input unit120or the touchscreen140. Next, the control unit160controls such that the optional key map153created with at least one character registered with the optional key registration region53is stored in the storage unit150in step407. At this time, the control unit160can control such that the optional key map153is stored with the link to the currently activated application program or the basic key map151of the currently activated application program. Afterward, if the corresponding application program is activated or the corresponding basic key map151is called, the control unit160controls such that the corresponding optional key map153is displayed.

Once the optional key map153has been saved successfully, the control unit160controls such that the saved optional key map153is displayed on the display panel141in step409. At this time, the control unit160can control such that the text window145is adjusted to display the optional key map in a predetermined size without changing the size of the basic key map151. Next, the control unit160monitors to detect an input signal and, if an input signal is detected, determines whether the input signal is a termination request signal in step411. If it is determined in step411that a termination request signal is not detected, the procedure returns to step401. On the other hand, if it is determined in step411that the termination request signal is detected, the control unit160ends the procedure.

In an exemplary implementation, steps405and407depicted inFIG. 4can be omitted according to the operation mode of the portable terminal100. That is, assuming that an input signal for displaying a specific basic key map151is input despite the user not wanting to use any optional key map, the control unit160can determine whether there is any optional key map153linked to the corresponding basic key map151at step401. If there is any optional key map153linked to the corresponding basic key map151, the control unit160controls such that the optional key map153is displayed at step409. The optional key map generation process can be implemented with steps401,405,407, and409; and the optional key map display process can be implemented with steps401and409.

As described above, the optional key map operation of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is capable of inputting frequently used characters efficiently by allowing the user to register various characters with an optional key map and set the portable terminal to one of a dual key map display mode and a single key map display mode.

The portable terminal100can further include at least one of a short range communication module for short range communication, a camera module for taking a still/motion picture of an object, an interface for supporting data communication according to the wired and wireless communication protocols supported by the portable terminal100, an Internet communication module for supporting Internet access via internet, a digital broadcast module for receiving and playing digital broadcast data, and their equivalents. Although not enumerated here, other devices equivalent to the aforementioned function modules can be further included in the mobile terminal. Also, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that each of the internal function blocks constituting the wireless device100can be omitted or replaced by other equivalent device.

The portable terminal100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be any of the devices supporting basic key maps151and optional key maps153. For example, the portable terminal100can be any of the mobile communication terminals operating with various communication protocols, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a digital broadcast player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a music player (e.g., MP3 player), a portable game console, a handheld PC, and their equivalent multimedia and application devices.

As described above, the optional key map operation and apparatus of a portable terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention are capable of facilitating input of characters using at least one optional key map having characters registered by the user that is presented selectively along with a basic key map.