Abstract:
A terminal and method for selecting an item displayed on a touch screen are disclosed. The method for selecting an item displayed on the screen includes simultaneously touching the screen at two or more locations to define a selection area and identifying the items within the selection area. The section area may be a rectangle, a horizontal or vertical band of the display, a circle, or sequentially arranged items of a list. Alternatively, a single touch may define a point in the display area and the bounds of the display area are defined by the time the touch is maintained. Recently, with the increasing development of multiple functions on a single terminal, the method can be conveniently applied to the latest terminal where associated items are simultaneously displayed on a single display screen of the terminal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0028977, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a terminal and method for selecting an item displayed on a screen. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In recent times, with the increasing development of information communication technologies, information and communication environments have changed. Particularly, a kiosk (an automated information terminal) installed at public places, such as governmental offices, banks, department stores, and exhibition rooms is considered a requisite for modern society and is widely used throughout the world. 
         [0006]    In addition, mobile communication terminals are also considered requisites for modern society and are widely used throughout the world. 
         [0007]    Recently, with the increasing use of a variety of functions on a single terminal, elements capable of performing a variety of functions have been added to the single terminal. Therefore, there are many cases where a variety of items (i.e., icons) relating to the above-mentioned functions are simultaneously displayed on a single screen. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a terminal and method for selecting an item displayed on a screen that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0009]    An object of the present invention is to provide terminal and method for selecting items allowing a user to quickly and conveniently select one or more items when several items are displayed on a terminal screen. 
         [0010]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0011]    To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method for selecting icons on a screen having a vertical axis and a horizontal axis comprising: defining a selection area on the screen by touching an input device; and selecting the icons that are at least partially within the selection area, wherein the input device is one of a touch screen and a touch pad. 
         [0012]    Defining the selection area may be accomplished in several methods. A first method comprises touching the input device to locate the center of a circle; maintaining the touch for a period of time; and releasing the touch, wherein the circle has a radius according to the period of time the touch is maintained, and wherein the selection area is defined by the circle. 
         [0013]    Another method for defining the selection area comprises touching the input device to locate a first point; while maintaining the touch locating the first point, touching the input device to locate a second point; and releasing the touches locating the first and second points. If the first point and the second point lie on a line parallel to the horizontal axis, the selection area is a vertical band located between the first and the second points. If the first point and the second point lie on a line parallel to the vertical axis, the selection area is a horizontal band located between the first and the second points. If the first point and the second point line lie on a line that is not parallel to the vertical or horizontal axes, the first point and the second point define opposing corners of a rectangle having sides parallel to the vertical and horizontal axes, and wherein the selection area is defined by the rectangle. 
         [0014]    Still another method for defining the selection area comprises touching the input device to locate a first point, while maintaining the touch locating the first point, touching the input device to locate a plurality of additional points, and releasing the touches locating the first point and the plurality of additional points. The first point and the plurality of additional points define the vertices of a closed polygon, and the closed polygon defines the selection area. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the present invention, a terminal is provided comprising: an input unit; a screen having a vertical and a horizontal axis for displaying icons; and a controller for defining a selection area of the screen and for selecting icons that are located at least partially within the selection area, wherein the input device is one of a touch screen and a touch pad. The selection area is a circle having a center located by a touch on the input unit and a radius according to a period of time the touch is maintained. 
         [0016]    Alternatively, the selection area is defined by a first point and a second point, the first point located by a first touch of the input device, and the second point located by a second touch of the input device while maintaining the first touch. If the first point and the second point lie on a line parallel to the horizontal axis, the selection area is a vertical band located between the first and the second points. If the first point and the second point lie on a line parallel to the vertical axis, the selection area is a horizontal band located between the first and the second points. If the first point and the second point line lie on a line that is not parallel to the vertical or horizontal axes, the first point and the second point define opposing corners of a rectangle having sides parallel to the vertical and horizontal axes, and wherein the selection area is defined by the rectangle. 
         [0017]    Yet another aspect of the invention is a terminal comprising: an input unit; a screen displaying a list of items; and a controller for selecting items, wherein a first touch of the input devices identifies a first item of the list and a second touch of the input device while maintaining the first touch identifies a second item of the list, wherein when the first touch and the second touch are released, the first item and the second item, and all items therebetween are selected. 
         [0018]    Still another aspect of the invention is a terminal comprising: an input unit; a screen displaying a list of items; and a controller for selecting items, wherein a first touch of the input device selects a first item and sequential items are selected while the first touch is maintained. 
         [0019]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 2A˜2D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A˜4D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A˜6D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 8A˜8D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10A˜10D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0033]    It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to mobile terminals (e.g., mobile phones, PDAs, and game machines) and kiosk terminals (e.g., ATMs). 
         [0034]    However, for the convenience of description and better understanding of the present invention, it is assumed that the present invention is applied to mobile terminals such as mobile phones. Therefore, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following explanation and embodiments and can be applied to other examples as necessary. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the present invention. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the mobile terminal  100 , according to the present invention, includes a memory unit  110 , a display  120 , an input unit  130 , a Radio Frequency (RF) unit  140 , and a controller  150 . 
         [0037]    The mobile terminal  100  may include not only the above-mentioned constituent components but also other components; however, the other components are not directly associated with the present invention, such that a detailed description will be omitted for convenience, 
         [0038]    The memory unit  110  includes software programs for executing a plurality of functions provided by the mobile terminal  100  and associated data (e.g., an MP3 file, an image file, a document file, a list of phone-numbers, a list of calls, a list of SMS messages, a list of E-mails, and a list of MMS (Multimedia Message Service) messages). 
         [0039]    The display  120  may display a variety of icons (e.g., an MP3-file icon, an image-file icon, a document-file icon, and a program-execution icon) for executing a variety of functions. Also, the display  120  may display a list of phone numbers, a list of calls, and a list of SMS messages, etc. 
         [0040]    For the convenience of description, each of the icons or each of the lists is generically called an “item”. 
         [0041]    Preferably, an item displayed on the touch-screen may be directly selected by a user who touches the touch-screen. 
         [0042]    Preferably, the display  120  may be configured in the form of a touch-screen. The touch-screen may be configured by at least one of an electrostatic capacitive, a resistive overlay, an infrared beam, a surface acoustic wave, an integral strain gauge, and a piezo-electric method. 
         [0043]    However, the following item selection method can be conveniently implemented by the user who uses his or her fingers to operate a touch screen. Therefore, the present invention assumes that the display  120  is indicative of the touch-screen. 
         [0044]    The input unit  130  allows the user to enter a variety of commands or information in the mobile terminal  100 . The input unit  130  is a requisite for the mobile terminal  100  if the display  120  is not implemented with the touch-screen. Otherwise, if the display  120  is implemented with the touch-screen, the input unit  130  can be selectively contained in the mobile terminal  100 . The input unit  130  may also be a keypad, a touch-wheel, a touch-pad, or a voice recognition device. 
         [0045]    The RF unit  140  processes a variety of RF signals to allow the mobile terminal  100  to communicate with a communication system using voice-call service or SMS service. 
         [0046]    The controller  150  controls all operations of the terminal including the memory unit  110 , the display  120 , the input unit  130 , and the RF unit  140 . Particularly, the controller  150  controls the item selection method to be implemented in the mobile terminal  100 . 
         [0047]    Embodiments of the item selection method for use in the terminal will be described. 
         [0048]    A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A˜2D  and  3 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 2A˜2D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of MP3 music file icons are displayed on the display of the mobile terminal as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0050]    A method for conveniently selecting a few icons (i.e., “Music 3” icon, “Music 4” icon, and “Music 5” icon) from among the icons according to the first embodiment of the present invention while the icons are displayed on the display of the mobile terminal will be described. 
         [0051]    It should be noted that there is no need for the icons to be MP3 music file icons in the first and other embodiments, and the icons may also be items associated with image or document files as necessary. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the user simultaneously performs a first touch and a second touch at desired places on the touch-screen of the display  120  shown in  FIG. 3  at step S 310 . 
         [0053]    In this case, it should be noted that the simultaneous performance of the first and second touch does not indicate that the beginning and end times of the first and second touch performances must be identical with each other. 
         [0054]    According to the present invention (including this and other embodiments), it is considered that the first touch and the second touch are simultaneously performed if the user performs the second touch while the first touch is not yet ended even though the first touch begins earlier than the second touch. 
         [0055]    In other words, if both of the first touch and second touch performed by the user are in contact with the touch screen  120  at a specific moment, it is considered that the first touch and the second touch are simultaneously performed. Likewise, the operation is also applied to the other case where the second touch begins earlier than the first touch. 
         [0056]    If the first touch and the second touch are simultaneously performed on the touch-screen  120 , a first point corresponding to the first touch and a second point corresponding to the second touch are entered from the touch-screen  120  as shown in  FIG. 2C  at step S 320 . Then, an area  230  defined by the first and second points is established at step S 330 . 
         [0057]    Preferably, the defined area  230  may be configured in the form of a rectangle having the first and second points as opposing corners, as shown in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0058]    Area  230  may be configured in the form of a closed curve. For example, the area  230  may be in the form of a circle having the center as the first point and a radius as the second point. 
         [0059]    In another example, the area may also be defined by a pair of parallel lines passing through the first and second points. However, for the convenience of description and better understanding of the present invention, it is assumed that the defined area is configured in the form of a rectangle. 
         [0060]    Although the first and second points and the defined area  230  are visually denoted for better understanding of  FIG. 2C , the first and second points or the area  230  may be virtually denoted on the touch-screen  120 . 
         [0061]    If the defined area  230  is established, icons (i.e., “Music 3” icon, “Music 4” icon, and “Music 5” icon) contained in the area  230  are selected at step S 340 . The selected icons may be processed in different ways according to the user&#39;s selection of the terminal functions. 
         [0062]    For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the selected icons may be deleted by a Deletion icon  210  pressed by the user, or may be sequentially played by a Play icon  220  pressed by the user. 
         [0063]    Likewise, if the user simultaneously performs the first and second touches on the touch-screen  120 , a plurality of items can be simultaneously selected/processed, resulting in greater convenience of the user. 
         [0064]    As can be seen from  FIG. 2B , the user simultaneously performs several touches using his or her fingers. However, it should be noted that the user may also touch a plurality of points of the touch-screen using a plurality of stylus pens. The operations may also be applied to the remaining embodiments other than the first embodiment. 
         [0065]    The first embodiment has disclosed the specific case where the user performs two touches on the touch-screen. However, the touching performance is not limited to the two touches, and may also be three or more touchings as necessary. The operations may also be applied to the remaining embodiments other than the first embodiment. 
         [0066]    For example, if the user performs three-touching actions, a triangular-shaped area corresponding to three touching points may be established. 
         [0067]    A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4A˜4D , and  5 .  FIGS. 4A˜4D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0068]    A method for conveniently selecting a few icons (i.e., “Music 3” icon, and “Music 4” icon) from among the icons according to the second embodiment of the present invention while the MP3 music file icons are displayed as shown in  FIG. 4A  will be described. 
         [0069]    In  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the user simultaneously touches two or more icons on the touch-screen  120  of the display at step S 510 . Although  FIG. 4B  shows only two icons touched by the user for the convenience of description, it should be noted that the second embodiment can also be applied to other cases where three or more icons are simultaneously touched by the user. As a result, the simultaneously-touched two or more icons are selected at the same time as shown in  FIG. 4C  at step S 520 . 
         [0070]    The selected icons can be simultaneously processed according to the user&#39;s selection and a plurality of functions of the terminal. For example, the selected icons may be simultaneously deleted by the Deletion icon  210  pressed by the user, as shown in  FIGS. 4C˜4D . 
         [0071]    A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6A˜6D , and  7 .  FIGS. 6A˜6D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0072]    If the SMS reception list is displayed as shown in  FIG. 6A , a method for conveniently selecting some icons (e.g., “SMS3” icon, “SMS4” icon, “SMS5” icon, “SMS6” icon) from among the displayed list according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
         [0073]    Under the SMS display situation of  FIG. 6A , the user simultaneously touches the “SMS2” and “SMS5” icons on the touch-screen as shown in  FIG. 6B  at step S 710 . 
         [0074]    If the “SMS3” icon and the “SMS6” icon are simultaneously touched by the first touch and second touch, respectively, not only the “SMS2” and “SMS5” icons, but also the “SMS3” and “SMS4” icons are simultaneously selected as shown in  FIG. 6C  at step S 720 . 
         [0075]    The selected SMS icons may be processed in different ways according to the user&#39;s selection and a variety of functions of the terminal. For example, all the icons (i.e., “SMS3” icon, “SMS4” icon, “SMS5” icon, and “SMS6” icon) can be simultaneously deleted by the Deletion icon  210  pressed by the user, as shown in  FIGS. 6C˜6D . 
         [0076]    Although the third embodiment has disclosed the SMS list, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may also be applied to phone-number and mail lists. 
         [0077]    In addition, the third embodiment has disclosed a plurality of vertically-displayed items, it should be noted that the items may also be sequentially displayed in any direction. 
         [0078]    In the meantime, if the user simultaneously touches the “SMS2” icon and the “SMS5” icon under the display situation of  FIG. 6A , the third embodiment may consider that only the “SMS2” and “SMS5” icons have been selected as necessary. The aforementioned operations are similar to those of the second embodiment, such that a detailed description thereof will herein be omitted for the convenience of description. 
         [0079]    A fourth embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to  FIGS. 8A˜8D , and  9 .  FIGS. 8A˜8D  exemplarily show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0080]    If the SMS reception list is displayed as shown in FIG. BA, a method for conveniently selecting some icons (e.g., “SMS2” icon, “SMS3” icon, and “SMS4” icon) from among the displayed list according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described. 
         [0081]    In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the user touches the “SMS2” icon on the touch-screen  120  ( 8   b - 1 ) at step S 910 . Therefore, the “SMS2” icon is selected as shown in ( 8   b - 2 ) of  FIG. 8B . In this case, if the user takes his or her finger off of the touch-screen, only the “SMS2” icon is selected. 
         [0082]    However, if the user continuously touches the “SMS2” icon for a predetermined period of time, the “SMS3” icon is also selected as shown in ( 5   b - 3 ) of  FIG. 8B . If the user further maintains contact with the “SMS2” icon for another predetermined period of time, the “SMS4” icon is selected as shown in FIG. ( 8   b - 4 ) of  FIG. 8B . In this case, if the user takes his or her finger off of the “SMS2” icon of the touch-screen as shown in ( 8   b - 5 ) of  FIG. 8B , all of the “SMS2”, “SMS3”, and “SMS4” icons are completely selected at steps S 920  and S 930 . 
         [0083]    The selected SMS messages may be processed in different ways according to the user&#39;s selection and a variety of functions of the terminal. For example, if the user touches the Deletion icon  210  as shown in  FIGS. 8C and 8B , all of the “SMS2”, “SMS3”, and “SMS4” icons may be deleted at the same time. 
         [0084]    Although the fourth embodiment discloses the SMS list, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this example, and may also be applied to phone-number and E-mail lists. 
         [0085]    Although, the fourth embodiment discloses a plurality of vertically-displayed items, it should be noted that the items may also be sequentially displayed in any direction. 
         [0086]    The fourth embodiment discloses that if a single item is continuously touched for at least one predetermined period of time, items following the selected single item are sequentially selected. However, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to this example, 
         [0087]    For example, if a single item is continuously touched for at least a predetermined period of time, items prior to the selected single item may be selected in inverse order, or neighboring items (i.e., previous and following items) of the selected item may also be selected as necessary. 
         [0088]    A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 10A˜10D , and  11 .  FIGS. 10A˜10D  show display images of a mobile terminal associated with an item selection method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating an item selection method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0089]    If the MP3 music file icons are displayed as shown in  FIG. 10A , a method for conveniently selecting some icons (e.g., “SMS3” icon, “SMS4” icon, and “SMS5” icon) from among the displayed list according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
         [0090]    Under the icon display situation of  FIG. 10A , the user touches a predetermined point on the touch-screen  120  as shown in ( 10   b - 1 ) of  FIG. 10B  at step S 1110 , and maintains the point-touching state for a predetermined period of time at step S 1120 . 
         [0091]    A closed-curve area  230  is formed on the basis of the point shown in ( 10   b - 2 ) of  FIG. 10B  at step S 1130 . Although  FIG. 10B  shows the circular-shaped area  230 , it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this example. 
         [0092]    Although the area  230  has been visually denoted for better understanding of  FIG. 10B , the area  230  may also be virtually denoted on the touch-screen  120  as necessary. 
         [0093]    If the user continuously touches the area  230  for a predetermined period of time as shown in ( 10   b - 3 ) of  FIG. 10B , the size of the area  230  becomes larger such that the area  230  is able to include the “Music 3”, “Music 4”, and “Music 5” icons. 
         [0094]    In this case, if the user takes his or her finger off of the touch-screen as shown in ( 10   b - 4 ) of  FIG. 10B , all of the “Music 3”, “Music 4”, and “Music 5” icons are completely selected at step S 1140 . 
         [0095]    In this way, the selected icons may be processed in different ways according to the user&#39;s selection and a variety of functions of the terminal. For example, if the user selects on the Deletion icon  210  as shown in  FIGS. 10C and 10D , all of the “Music 3”, “Music 4”, and “Music 5” may simultaneously be deleted as necessary. 
         [0096]    The item selection method and the terminal for implementing the same according to the present invention have the following effects. 
         [0097]    As apparent from the above description, the item selection method and the terminal for implementing the same according to the present invention can allow a user to conveniently and simultaneously select a plurality of desired items from among many items displayed on the screen. 
         [0098]    In recent times, with the increasing development of convergence capable of providing a user with a variety of functions via a single terminal, the present invention can be conveniently applied to the latest terminal where a plurality of associated items are simultaneously displayed on a single display screen of the terminal. 
         [0099]    Although the present invention has disclosed the display configured in the form of a touch-screen, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the this example and can be applied to other examples as necessary. For example, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can also be applied to a non-touchscreen-type terminal equipped with a touch-pad substituting for the touch-screen. 
         [0100]    It will be apparent to 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.