Method of operating a background content and terminal supporting the same

A method of outputting background content, which includes outputting a complex area by outputting a background content area in which a background content designated as a start content is output and outputting a function selection area to the background content area, the function selection area including items for selecting at least one specific function supported by a terminal, receiving an input signal for removing the function selection area, and outputting a background screen including only the background content area according to the received input signal for removing the function selection area.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean patent application filed on Oct. 28, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2011-0111469, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a background content of a terminal, and more specifically, to a method of operating background content and a terminal supporting the same in which a background content area provided as default to a terminal may be actively controlled.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable terminal supports call functionality and is used in various ways due to its convenience of use and ease of portability. The portable terminal provides various input methods to provide user functionality. For example, a conventional portable terminal provides a touch screen including a touch panel and a display unit such that a user's operation performed to select a specific image outputted to the display unit is processed on the touch panel. Also, the portable terminal generates a touch event according to a corresponding user's operation and controls an application program corresponding to a user function based on the generated touch event.

Also, the conventional portable terminal is constructed to provide a large size screen in order to support various user functionality. Accordingly, a user places icons or images for operating various user functions on the large size screen and uses a specific user function by selecting a corresponding icon or image to execute the associated user function.

Additionally, the conventional portable terminal provides a background screen function. Accordingly, the user places various content such as a specific picture, image or avatar on a background screen and views the various content. However, in an environment in which the large size screen is supported, a background screen operating function is rather degraded. That is, in a recently developed portable terminal, in order to enable prompt selection and operation of the user function, an icon or image for selecting the user function described above is placed on an upper layer of the background screen, and thus, an image of the background screen is covered by such icon or image. Namely, in operating the portable terminal, a technology that allows faster and easier operation of a user's function of convenience rather causes difficulty to display a picture or image that is placed on the background screen for user's viewing.

In addition, in the conventional mobile terminal, in order for the user to replace a picture or image disposed on the background screen with another picture or image, the user must select a specially prepared menu to select various low sub-categories. Accordingly, there exists inconvenience in changing the background screen. Consequently, in order to avoid the above-described inconvenience, the general practice is to not replace a picture or image of the background screen. Accordingly, a benefit of the background screen, in which a picture or image desired and needed by the user is visible and viewable, is not often utilized, such that the background screen is degenerated into a useless feature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems and/or disadvantages, and provides a method of operating a background content and a terminal supporting the same in which various content desired by a user is easily viewed in a background screen while maintaining a technology for prompt operation of a user function.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of outputting background content includes a complex area by outputting a background content area in which a background content designated as a start content is outputted and outputting a function selection area to the background content area, the function selection area including items for selecting at least one specific function supported by a terminal, receiving an input signal for removing the function selection area, and outputting a background screen comprising only the background content area according to the received input signal for removing the function selection area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of outputting background content includes a complex area by outputting a background content area in which a background content designated as a start content is outputted and outputting a function selection area to the background content area, the function selection area including items for selecting at least one specific function supported by a terminal, receiving at least one of a long touch event, a tap touch event, a flick or a drag touch event for removing the function selection area generated in an area other than at least one icon area that is disposed on the function selection area, and outputting a background screen comprising only the background content area according to the received touch event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a terminal for supporting background content output includes a touch screen configured to display a complex area including a background content area in which a screen element corresponding to a background content designated as a start screen is outputted and a function selection area in which a screen element corresponding to items for selecting a specific function supported by the terminal is outputted on the background content area, at least one of an input unit and the touch screen configured to generate an input signal for removing the function selection area, and a controller configured to control to output the background screen comprising only the background content area to the touch screen according to the received input signal.

Various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or like reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements. Detailed description of well-known functions and structures is omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a terminal that supports a background content operating function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, a terminal100of the present invention includes a communication unit110, an input unit120, an audio processing unit130, a touch screen140, a storage unit150, and a controller160.

The terminal100supports to selectively remove a function selection area from a start screen, which is configured as a complex area including a screen element output to the function selection area after booting of the terminal100is completed and a screen element output to a background content area. Accordingly, the terminal100supports to allow only background content to be viewed. The terminal100, according to the user's request, easily returns to the start screen in which the function selection area is output, thereby being capable of maintaining promptness and convenience in operating a user function. Hereinafter, each element of the terminal100will be described in detail with respect to its role and function in operating the background content according to the present invention.

First, the communication unit110, under control of the controller160, forms a communication channel for a voice call and a communication channel for a video call, and a communication channel for transmitting a data such as an image or a message. That is, the communication unit110forms a voice call channel, a data communication channel, and a video call channel between mobile communication systems. The communication unit110includes a radio frequency transmission unit for performing frequency up conversion and amplification of a signal to be transmitted and a radio frequency receiving unit for performing low noise amplification and frequency down conversion of a received signal. Specifically, the communication unit110receives data corresponding to the background content from an external such as, for example, other terminal or a web server, and a received background content is transmitted to the controller160to be stored in an area of the storage unit150according to the control of the controller160.

The background content includes content in various forms according to various user preferences such as, for example, a picture, a still image, a video, a slide image, an avatar, a text, or a family motto. The background content is defined as being stored in the background content storage unit150and output to the background content area of the start screen according to the control of the controller160. Alternatively, the background content is a content received by the user from a specific web server in real time, at a predetermined interval, or upon a certain event occurring. The content received in real time or received at a predetermined interval includes text information such as news, and real time image information of a specific area that is updated at a predetermined interval or a blog that is updated at a period in which an event occurs. The user designates various content desired by the user as at least one background content, thereby outputting the various content as the start screen during a process of driving the terminal100. Accordingly, the user easily recognizes an update of a content that changes continuously or intermittently through the start screen and views only a photograph or image during a time period desired by the user without the function selection area blocking the specific photograph or image.

When the background content is content that changes in real time, at a predetermined interval, or in a period in which an event occurs, as described above, the communication unit110forms a communication channel for collecting a corresponding content by accessing a network, which can collect the corresponding content, upon an event occurring, in real time, or at a predetermined interval. Also, the communication unit110receives background content update information to be transmitted to the controller160, based on the formed communication channel.

The input unit120includes a plurality of input keys and function keys for receiving numeral or character information and setting various functions. The function keys includes, for example, an arrow key, a side key, and a shortcut key that are set to perform a specific function. Also, the input unit120generates a key signal associated with user setting and a function control of the terminal100and transmits the key signal to the controller160. When a display unit of the terminal100is formed as the touch screen140, the input unit120is implemented as, for example, a QWERTY key map, a DVORAK key map, a 3*4 key map, or a 4*3 key map, which includes a plurality of keys outputted to the touch screen140. That is, the input unit120is replaced by an input function of the touch screen140. Specifically, the input unit120provides an input button that can generate an input signal, for example, a home key input signal for outputting the start screen comprising the function selection area and the background content area and a turn-on signal of the terminal100.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with respect to performing a function according to a touch operation for a background content area search, the background content area search is supported through the input unit120. That is, the input unit120is provided with, for example, a specific key button or a hot key to generate, according to activation of a corresponding key, an input signal for outputting the background screen comprising only the background content or an input signal for searching for other background content on the background screen comprising only the background content.

Additionally, the input unit120generates an input signal for configuring a background content list to be outputted to the background content area. For example, when using a plurality of pictures as the background content, the user designates only a specific picture among the plurality of pictures as an item of the background content list, and in this case, the input unit120generates an input signal according to a corresponding user's request and transmit the generated input signal to the controller160.

The audio processing unit130includes a speaker SPK for outputting, for example, an audio data transmitted and received during a call, an audio data included in a message, and an audio data stored in the storage unit150and includes a mike MIC for collecting a user's voice or various audio signals during the call. The audio processing unit130supports an output of various audio data required for performing a background content operating function of the present invention. For example, the audio processing unit130supports an output of an audio data associated with designating the background content or completing receipt of the background content during a process of downloading the background content from an external. Also, when specific background content is associated with a specific audio file and an input signal for searching for corresponding background content is generated, the audio processing unit130supports an output of an audio data According to reproducing of the associated audio file. The specific background content is at least one of a still image, a video, an avatar, or a slide image. Also, when the background content changes in real time, at a predetermined interval, or upon an event occurring, as described above, the audio processing unit130supports to output a corresponding alarm, i.e., an alarm or announcement that notifies the change. A function of the audio processing unit130of outputting the announcement, the alarm, or a sound effect described above is omitted according to user setting.

The touch screen140includes a display panel141and a touch panel143. The touch screen140includes a structure in which the touch panel143is disposed on an entire surface of the display panel141.

The display panel141displays various menus of the terminal100as well as information inputted by the user or information provided to the user. Namely, the display panel141provides various screens according to use of the terminal100such as, for example, a standby screen, a message writing screen, or a call screen. The display panel141is implemented as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an Organic Light Emitted Diode (OLED). Also, the display panel141is disposed on an upper portion or a lower portion of the touch panel.

Specifically, the display panel141of the present invention outputs the start screen including the function selection area and the background content area. Also, the display panel141supports to change a screen according to a change to the start screen in response to an input signal generated from, for example, the touch panel143or the input unit120. That is, when an input signal for removing the function selection area is generated from the start screen, the display panel141configures a screen only by the background content area. A background content screen configured only with the background content area outputs not only a specific background content screen preset by the user but also various background content registered in the background content list. Here, an output of the various background content is performed by changing the background content according to an input signal generated from the touch panel143or the input unit120and the various background content that are automatically registered in the background content list according to pre-setting is changed to be outputted. The start screen outputted through the display panel141will be described in detail with reference to a screen interface described below.

The touch panel143is positioned on at least one of upper and lower portions of the display panel141, generates a touch event according to a touch by an object, for example, a user's finger, and transmits the generated touch event to the controller160. Here, a sensor which configures the touch panel143is arranged in a matrix form, and regarding a touch event generated on the touch panel143, information of a corresponding location and information of a type of the touch event is transmitted to the controller160. Specifically, according to a user's operation control, the touch panel143generates a touch event corresponding to, for example, an input signal for removing the function selection area when the start screen is being outputted, an input signal for recalling the removed function selection area, and an input signal for searching for a plurality of background content in the start screen comprising only the background content area. The generated touch event is transmitted to the controller160to be treated as a command According to a corresponding input signal.

The storage unit150stores an application program required for operating a function according to an embodiment of the present invention as well as a key map or a menu map for operating the touch screen140. The key map and the menu map includes various forms. The storage unit150includes a program area and a data area.

In the program area, an operating system (OS) for booting the terminal100and operating the above described elements, an application program for supporting various user functions of the terminal100such as, for example, an application program for reproducing various files, an application program for supporting a call function of the terminal100, a web browser for connecting to an internet server, an MP3 application program for reproducing various sound sources, an image outputting application program for searching, for example, a picture, or a video reproducing application program. Specifically, a background content operation support program151is stored in the program area of the present invention.

The background content operation support program151includes a routine for detecting an input signal for removing the function selection area among input signals generated in the start screen, a background content output routine for supporting to output the start screen comprising only the background content area when a corresponding input signal is generated, and a routine for supporting to recall the removed function selection area to be outputted. The background content output routine includes a routine for identifying the background content list153, a routine for searching for the background content designated as a start content in the background content list153when outputting the start screen, and a routine for supporting to output the searched start content to a lower portion of the function selection area. Also, the background content output routine includes a routine for supporting to output other background content registered in the background content list153to the display panel141according to a corresponding input signal when an input signal for searching for the background content is generated while the background content is being outputted.

Also, the background content operation support program151includes a list configuring support routine for supporting to configure the background content list153. That is, when a specific content is designated as the background content, the background content operation support program151includes a routine for newly registering the specific content to the background content list153and a routine for removing a specific item from the background content list153among items registered in the background content list153according to the user's request. Additionally, the background content operation support program151includes a routine for controlling the communication unit110for receiving corresponding content update information when the background content is operated based on the update information as described above and a routine for supporting to update the background content based on the received background content update information and to output the updated background content to the display panel141.

The data area is an area in which a data produced according to the use of the terminal100is stored and at least one icon according to a phone book data and a widget function as well as various content is stored in the data area. In addition, a user input received through the touch panel143is stored in the data area. Specifically, the data area supports a function to temporarily store the background content list153and the background content update information for supporting the updated background content when receiving the background content update information. With respect to the background content having an update function, entire update information thereof is stored in the data area or update information of a most recently updated background content is stored for the sake of efficiency of the storage unit150.

The controller160controls power supply to each element of the terminal100to support to perform an initialization process. The controller160controls various signal flows for supporting a background content operation function of the terminal100. The controller160includes a configuration shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of the controller160according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, the controller160of the present invention includes an input signal collection unit161, a background content output support unit163, and a background content list support unit165.

The input signal collection unit161is configured to determine whether an input signal for activating a background content search function of the present invention is collected from at least one of the input unit120and the touch screen140. Also, when the input signal for the background content search function is generated, the input signal collection unit161transmits a corresponding input signal to the background content output support unit163. Also, the input signal collection unit161collects an input signal associated with setting the background content and setting the background content list153of the present invention. For example, when an input signal for removing specific background content included in the background content list153from a corresponding list is collected, the input signal collection unit161transmits a corresponding input signal to the background content list support unit165. Also, when an input signal for designating a specific content as the background content is collected, the input signal collection unit161transmits a corresponding input signal to the background content list support unit165. Also, when the background content screen comprising only the background content area is outputted and an input signal for searching for a specific other background content is generated, the input signal collection unit161transmits a corresponding input signal to the background content output support unit163.

The background content output support unit163supports an output of the start screen comprising the function selection area and the background content area and an output of the background screen comprising only the background content area. Also, the background content output support unit163supports an output of a screen that supports searching for other background content according to an input signal transmitted by the input signal collection unit161and an output of a screen that supports updating the background content that is to be disposed on the start screen. More specifically, the background content output support unit163identifies a situation in which the start screen of the terminal100is outputted such as, for example, the start screen is outputted according to a set schedule after a booting process is completed or according to a home key being pressed or according to completing a specific user function. Then, the background content output support unit163identifies the background content set to be outputted to the start screen among background content stored in the storage unit150and supports to output a corresponding background content to the display panel141. Additionally, the background content output support unit163supports to output the function selection area to the background content area in which the background content is outputted. The function selection area includes, for example, a menu selection screen comprising a plurality of menu icons or a widget selection screen comprising a plurality of widget icons.

Also, when the input signal for removing the function selection area is generated, the background content output support unit163supports an output of the background content screen comprising only the background content area. Next, the background content output support unit163supports to output other background content to the display panel141according to an input signal additionally inputted in the background content screen or according to a predefined method. During this process, the background content output support unit163supports to output various background content in the background content screen according to a slide method in which the background content is changed at a predetermined time interval.

When the background content outputted to the background content screen is a content that is updated according to the update information, the background content output support unit163controls to receive the background content update information, at least one of, at a predetermined interval, in real time, or upon an event occurring. Also, the background content output support unit163controls to update the background content currently outputted to the display panel141by using the received background content update information. A function of updating the background content applies to the background content area even when the function selection area is outputted to the background content area. Accordingly, the user identifies an update of the background content even when the function selection area is outputted to the background content area and removes the function selection area to perform a background content search.

Also, when a specific input signal for recalling the function selection area is generated in a state where the background screen comprising only the background content area is being outputted, the background content output support unit163recalls the function selection area to configure the start screen. The background content output support unit163recalls the function selection area on the background content that is currently displayed to configure the start screen. Therefore, in a situation in which the user searches for other background content that is different from the background content previously outputted and recall the function selection area, a new start screen that is different from a previous screen is configured. The start screen configured in this manner is maintained to be provided in a subsequent situation where the start screen needs to be outputted.

The background content list support unit165supports a function to register a specific content in the background content list153, remove a registered item, or set the start screen. That is, when an input signal for designating the specific content as the background content according to the user's request is generated, the background content list support unit165controls to register a corresponding specific content to the background content list153. Next, the background content list support unit165provides the background content list153to the background content output support unit163during a background content search process. Also, the background content list support unit165supports to remove the specific background content from the list during the background content search process. Further, the background content list support unit165supports a function such as, for example, providing a screen for searching the background content list153, removing a specific background content from the background content list153through a corresponding screen, or designating the specific background content as a background content to be used in the start screen.

With reference toFIGS. 3 through 6, various screen interfaces associated with operating the background content described the above will be described in detail.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a user interface for searching background content in a background content operating function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, the user requests the start screen including the function selection area and the background content area in a process of operating the terminal100, and accordingly, as shown in a screen301, the terminal100outputs a first start screen40including a function selection area41and a first background content area43According to an output of a first background content to the display panel141. For example, during operating the terminal100, the user activates a home key, change the terminal100in a turn off state to a turn-on state to complete booting, or generate an input signal instructing to complete a corresponding user function when a specific user function is being performed with the first start screen40being outputted. Then the controller160of the terminal100outputs the start screen according to preset schedule information, wherein the first start screen40in which the function selection area41is disposed on the first background content area43is outputted as illustrated inFIG. 3. The controller160identifies the background content list153to identify the background content set as the start content, i.e., the first background content to control to output the first background content to the first background content area43of the first start screen40.

The user instructs the terminal100to search the background content instead of selecting a specific menu or widget of the function selection area41while the first start screen40is being outputted. For example, the user generates a predefined touch event in a predetermined area of the screen301in which the function selection area41is not disposed. When the predefined touch event such as, for example, a long touch event generated on the first background content area43or a specific gesture event generated in a specific area including at least one tap event, a flick or a drag, for outputting the background screen comprising only the first background content area43is generated from the touch panel143, the terminal100supports to output a first background screen45comprising only the first background content area43to the display panel141, as shown in a screen305via a screen303. The screen303illustrates an example in which the function selection area41is faded out in a background screen output process, however, alternatively, the function selection area41is removed from the screen303in various manners such as, for example, as being pushed to the left and right, i.e., toward an edge portion. Here, an input signal for outputting the background screen comprising only the first background content area43includes not only the above described touch event but also an input signal from the specific key button or the hot key of the input unit120mentioned above.

Accordingly, the user views in the screen305only the first background screen45in which only the first background area43is displayed by removing the function selection area41. Accordingly, when the user designates a specific content such as, for example, a picture or an image preferred by the user as the background content to be disposed on a screen, a corresponding background content fully viewed by the user without being blocked by the function selection area41.

The function selection area41includes icon areas arranged in a matrix, as shown in screen302. Thus, an area in which icons are not disposed includes the background content area. In the above description, an icon is arranged in a matrix form, however, alternatively, the area in which the icons are disposed is divided by icons disposed horizontally and a touch operation for calling the background content area is performed in an area in which icons are not outputted in a horizontal direction. Also, when the area in which the icons are disposed is divided by icons disposed in a vertical direction, the user performs a touch operation for calling the background content area in an area between icon areas arranged in a vertical direction. That is, it should be noted that the icon area of the present invention can be arranged in various ways according to how the icon is arranged to be output, and accordingly, when the touch operation is applied to call the background content area, a corresponding touch operation includes a touch operation performed in a specific area in which the icons are not outputted.

Consequently, the user performs an operation for generating a specific event for calling the background screen comprising only the first background content area43in an area in which icons corresponding to the function selection area41are not outputted. Accordingly, when the above mentioned predefined touch event is generated in an area other than the icons comprising the function selection area41, the controller160controls to output the background screen comprising only the background content area.

When the user requests to search for other background content, the user performs to generate an input signal for searching for a second background content on the touch screen140in which the first background screen45is outputted, as shown in a screen307. For example, the user performs an operation for generating a flick event or a drag event in a left direction on the first background screen45. Then the touch screen140outputs a second background screen46comprising the second background content that is different from the first background content that is previously outputted, as shown in a screen311via a screen309. The screen309, which is shown to explain a switch from the first background screen45to the second background screen46, can be omitted. InFIG. 6, the first background screen45is moved in the left direction to be removed while the second background screen46is moved from the right to the left to be outputted. Through the above-described method, the user searches for various additional background content or return to the first background screen45comprising the first background content.

When an input signal for searching for the background content is generated in the screen307, the controller160of the terminal100identifies the background content list153stored in the storage unit150. Also, the controller160supports to output other background content registered in the background content list153along with the second background screen46. The background content list153includes information about a search order between background content and the controller160determines the background content to be outputted to the second background screen46according to a corresponding search order and the generated input signal.

In the above description, only the background content such as, for example, an image or a text outputted to the touch screen140is described, however, alternatively, an audio file is reproduced in case of a specific background content. Namely, in a process of registering a specific content to the background content list153as the background content, if the specific content is registered as the background content in association with a specific audio file and a corresponding background content is outputted as the background screen, the controller160controls to search and reproduce the associated audio file as well as outputting the corresponding background content to the touch screen140. Accordingly, the user listens to a reproduced data of the specific audio file as well as searching for the background content.

FIG. 4illustrates an example screen that recalls a removed function selection area according to a background content operating function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, the user searches for various background content registered in the background content list153according to generation of an input signal. Here, when the second background screen46is being outputted to the touch screen140, the user generates an input signal for calling the function selection area41. Namely, as shown in a screen401, when the second background screen46is being outputted, the user generates the input signal for recalling the function selection area41.

Then, the controller160calls the function selection area41to be outputted to the touch screen140, as shown in a screen405via a screen403. The controller160controls to output the function selection area41on the second background screen46previously outputted such that a second start screen40athat is different from the first start screen40is outputted to the touch screen140. The second start screen40ais the same function selection area41but the background content is configured differently from the first start screen40. Thus, the controller160can change setting of the start content in the background content list153. That is, when the first background content is set as the start content in the background content list153such that the first background content is outputted to the first start screen40in the screen301, the controller160controls to change the start content to the second background content according to forming the second start screen40a. Accordingly, when a situation for outputting the start screen subsequently occurs, the controller160controls to output the second start screen40abased on the second background content to the touch screen140.

The screen403is an example effective screen in which the function selection area41is outputted to the second background screen46and shows an intermediate screen with a fade in effect, i.e., an object becomes gradually vivid on the second background screen46from which the function selection area41is removed. As described above, such effective screen is replaced by another effective screen by, for example, a method in which the function selection area41is moved from an edge toward a center.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a screen interface for registering a background content to a background content list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, a user selects a specific menu from various menus outputted to the function selection area41and views a specific image or a text screen according to an operation of a user function provided by a corresponding menu. When the user wants to operate a screen comprising a specific image or text screen as the background screen, the user generates an input signal for registering a corresponding content51as the background content in a screen in which the corresponding content51is outputted, as shown in a screen501. For example, the user generates a touch event for controlling to drag and move a screen output to the touch screen140in a predetermined direction.

Then the touch screen140outputs an item for setting the background content in a blank area53formed by moving the screen in which the specific content51is outputted, as shown in screen503, according to a touch event. Thus, the user performs an operation while maintaining the touch event for moving the specific content51, e.g., the touchdown. When the touchdown is released, the controller160controls the screen in which the specific content51is outputted to return to the screen501. The user selects a background content setting item outputted to the blank area53to designate a corresponding specific content51as the background content. When the input signal for selecting the background content setting item is generated, the controller160controls to update the background content list153stored in the storage unit150. Accordingly, when a background content search is performed subsequently, the touch screen140supports to search for a background content that is newly added according to an input signal for searching.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating a screen interface related to cancellation of a background content registered in a background content list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, according to the user's request, the terminal100outputs a background screen comprising a specific background content, for example, a second background content61, as shown in a screen601. The user performs to generate the input signal for removing the function selection area in the start screen in which the function selection area and the background content area are outputted together. According to generation of a corresponding input signal, the background screen comprising only the background content is outputted to the touch screen140. Thus, the user generates not only an input signal for searching for the background content but also an input signal for removing a specific background content61from the background content list153. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 6, when the background content61to be removed from the background content list153is outputted to the touch screen140, the user generates an input signal for removing the corresponding background content61, e.g., perform a touch operation to drag the background content screen in a certain direction.

Then, the controller160supports to output a setting item to be removed or cancelled from the corresponding background content list153to a blank area63that is generated according to moving a screen of the background content61. The user selects a corresponding setting item to instruct removal of the background content61, which is currently outputted, from the background content list153. When an input signal for cancelling the background content61is generated, the controller160can update the background content list153according to removing the background content61, which is currently outputted from the background content list153. Additionally, the controller160controls removal of the background content61, which is currently outputted, from the touch screen140and to automatically output other background content, which is registered in the background content list153, to the touch screen140. Here, if there exists no other background content registered in the background content list153, the controller160controls to output a screen having no background content, e.g., a screen displaying a single color only. Alternatively, when there exists no other background content, the controller160controls to prevent a current background content from being removed and to output a message indicating that there exists no background content other than a corresponding background content

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of a background content list screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, the user searches for a background content list screen through selecting a specific menu item. The controller160provides a menu item for searching for the background content list153. Also, when a corresponding menu item is selected, the controller160controls to identify the background content list153stored in the storage unit150and to output a list screen comprising items included in the corresponding background content list153to the touch screen140. Thus, the controller160supports to output the background content list153as well as various content that can be used as the background content list153to a corresponding list screen. That is, when outputting the list screen related to the background content list, the controller160supports to output the list screen including a specific content and at least one background content.

Also, the controller160performs indexing for distinguishing items designated as the background content from items not designated as the background content. For example, the controller160adds an index “[background]” with respect to content registered as the background content list, as illustrated inFIG. 7. Also, the controller160adds an index “[ ]” for content not designated as the background content.

The user performs to designate a corresponding content as the background content by selecting the index “[ ]”. That is, the user performs a touch operation on the touch panel area143corresponding to the index “[ ]” to designate the content not designated as the background content as the background content. Then the controller160outputs a popup window71including an item for designating a corresponding content as the background content. The user designates a content not designated as the background content as the background content by selecting an item included in the popup window71.

Also, the user designates a specific content designated as the background content as the start content outputted to the start screen by using the background content list screen. For example, the user performs an operation that generates the touch event selecting the above described the index “[background]”. Then, the controller160outputs an auxiliary window73for designating a corresponding background content as the start content in an area adjacent to an area to which a corresponding content is outputted according to generation of a corresponding touch event. The user designates a specific background content as the start content by using a start content designating item BG included in the auxiliary window73. Namely, when selecting a specific background content in the list screen, the controller160of the present invention160supports to output at least one of an item for removing a corresponding background content from the list of the background content and an item for setting a corresponding background content as the start content to be outputted to the background content area of a complex area. Additionally, the user supports to transmit a corresponding content to a specific terminal by using a content delivery item DELIVER added to the auxiliary window73.

The background content according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a still image as well as various content such as, for example, a video content, a slide content, or an avatar content. InFIG. 7, a reference number70is used to indicate that the avatar content can be included in the background content. The avatar content identified by the reference number70can be replaced by, for example, the video content.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a method of operating a terminal for operating a background content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, in the method of operating the terminal according to the present invention, first, the controller160provides a power necessary for operating each element of the terminal100by using a supplied power (801).

Next, the controller160supports to output the start screen including a set background content in step803corresponding to the start screen output to the touch screen140. The controller160identifies the background content list153stored in the storage unit150to determine which background content is stored as the start content. When identifying the start content is completed, the controller160supports to output the identified start content to the background content area while controlling the preset function selection area on an upper portion of the background content area (803). Here, as described above, the function selection area includes an area in which various menu items, an icon, a widget icon, and the like, for selecting a specific file are disposed according to a preset specification. For example, the function selection area is a menu icon selection screen in which at least one menu icon is disposed, a widget selection screen in which at least one widget icon is disposed, or a file selection screen in which icons corresponding to at least one file are disposed and includes an area in which a screen where various items described above are disposed is outputted.

Next, when a specific input signal is generated from the input unit120and the touch screen140, the controller160determines whether a corresponding input signal is the input signal for removing the function selection area (805). Thus, when the corresponding input signal is not the input signal for removing the function selection area, the controller160supports performing a function corresponding to the input signal (807). For example, when a corresponding input signal is an input signal for selecting an icon related to a specific user function outputted to the function selection area, the controller160supports to execute a user function corresponding to the selected icon.

When a corresponding input signal is the input signal for removing the function selection area in step805, the controller160removes the function selection area and support to output the background screen comprising only the background content area, disposed below the function selection area, to the display panel141(809).

Next, when an additional input signal is generated, the controller160determines whether a corresponding input signal is an input signal for searching for other background content. Here, when the corresponding input signal is the input signal for searching for other background content area, the controller160supports to output other background content to the display panel141according to the corresponding input signal (813), and the controller160returns to step809.

If the corresponding input signal is not an input signal for searching (811), the controller160determines whether the corresponding input signal is the input signal for recalling the removed function selection area (815). If the corresponding input signal is the input signal for recalling the removed function selection area at step815, the controller160controls to fix the background content, currently outputted to the display panel141according to a search, to the background content area and output the function selection area to the fixed background content area (803). Here, if the corresponding input signal is not the input signal for recalling the removed function selection area, the controller160determines whether the input signal is an input signal for termination (817), and if the input signal is not a separate input signal for termination, the controller160performs subsequent steps again (809).

As described above, in a method of operating the background content and a terminal supporting the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, the function selection area is removed such that the background content outputted with the function selection area is fully searched. Also, the present invention supports to enable searching for other background content registered in the background content list153according to the user's request, easily registering certain content as a background content, and removing the registered background content.

Although in the above description, the start screen is defined as a screen in which the background content area and the function selection area are outputted together, alternatively, if there exist an area, in which the background content is provided according to a specific user function, and the function selection area outputted to an area in which a corresponding background content is provided, a function of outputting the background screen comprising only the background content area applies according to generation of the input signal for removing the function selection area of the present invention. Accordingly, the start screen is replaced by a specific user function screen comprising the background content area and the function selection area. The background content outputted to the background content area and a user function selected in the function selection area are configured independently to each other.

The mobile100, according to the form in which the mobile100is provided, may further include an additional element such as a short range communication module for short range communication, an interface for transmitting and receiving a data according to a wired communication method or a wireless communication method of the terminal100, an internet communication module for performing an internet function by communicating with an internet network, and a digital broadcast module for performing to receive and reproduce a digital broadcast content.

Further, the terminal100according to an embodiment of the present invention provides any types of devices that provide the start screen in which the function selection area is outputted on the background content. For example, the terminal100includes all information technology devices, multimedia devices, and their associated application devices, such as a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a digital broadcasting player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a music reproducing device (for example, an MP3 player), a mobile game terminal, a smart phone, a lap top, and a handheld PC, including all mobile communication terminals operating based on communication protocols corresponding to various communication systems, just to name a few possibilities.

In a method of operating the background content and a terminal supporting the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, the function selection area including various icons or images required for operating a user function is temporarily removed according to a user's request such that a content provided to the background content area is easily and promptly viewed while supporting to easily return to the function selection area.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.