Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for displaying data in a wireless terminal. The method includes receiving, at the wireless terminal, a message including image data, from another wireless terminal; informing a user of the wireless terminal that the message is received; detecting a first selection of the message; upon detecting the first selection of the message, identifying a type of the image data included in the message; displaying a thumbnail image of still image data, if the identified type of the image data included in the message is the still image data; displaying a thumbnail image of dynamic image data, if the identified type of the image data included in the message is the dynamic image data; detecting a second selection of the thumbnail image of the still image data or the dynamic image data; and displaying the image data of the message, in response to the second selection.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/385,708, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 22, 2006, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2005-0035674, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 28, 2005, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for displaying data in a wireless terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for displaying data in a wireless terminal, which displays attached data in the form of a thumbnail image. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Presently, the message service of wireless terminals is used more frequently than the general phone service. 
         [0006]    The message service may be classified into a short message service (SMS) and a multimedia message service (MMS). Text input by a user is transmitted to a predetermined receiver in an SMS. Both text and an attached file are transmitted to a predetermined receiver in a multimedia message service. The multimedia message service represents a service in which music, photo, video files, and content created by a user may be transmitted to a predetermined receiver. 
         [0007]    If the user of a wireless terminal attaches a file in a multimedia message mode, the display unit of the wireless terminal displays an icon reporting an attachment. Therefore, the user cannot view the attached file. In an email service of the wireless terminal, an attached file is displayed with a file title. Therefore, the user cannot view the attached file. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for allowing a user to view an attached file if the user of a wireless terminal attaches a file in a multimedia message or email mode. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention is made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of displaying data in a wireless terminal, which displays attached data in the form of a thumbnail image. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for processing a message at a wireless terminal. The method includes receiving, at the wireless terminal, a message including image data, from another wireless terminal; informing a user of the wireless terminal that the message is received; detecting a first selection of the message; upon detecting the first selection of the message, identifying a type of the image data included in the message; displaying a thumbnail image of still image data, if the identified type of the image data included in the message is the still image data; displaying a thumbnail image of dynamic image data, if the identified type of the image data included in the message is the dynamic image data; detecting a second selection of the thumbnail image of the still image data or the dynamic image data; and displaying the image data of the message, in response to the second selection. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a wireless terminal is provided, which includes a display; and a controller configured to receive a message including image data, from another wireless terminal, inform a user of the wireless terminal that the message is received, detect a first selection of the message, by the user, to check the message, upon detecting the first selection of the message, identifying a type of the image data included in the message, display a thumbnail image of still image data, if the identified type of the image data included in the message is the still image data, display a thumbnail image of dynamic image data, if the identified type of the image data included in the message is the dynamic image data, detect a second selection of the thumbnail image of the still image data or the dynamic image data, and display the image data of the message, in response to the second selection. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for generating a message at a wireless terminal. The method includes displaying still image data and dynamic image data to be attached to the message; if the still image data is selected, attaching the selected still image data to the message, displaying a thumbnail image of the attached still image data, and transmitting the message with attached the still image data; and if the dynamic image data is selected, attaching the selected dynamic image data to the message, and displaying a thumbnail image of the attached dynamic image data, and transmitting the message with the attached dynamic image data. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a wireless terminal is provided, which includes a display; and a controller configured to display still image data and dynamic image data to be attached to the message, if the still image data is selected, attach the selected still image data to the message, display a thumbnail image of the attached still image data, and transmit the message with attached the still image data, and if the dynamic image data is selected, attach the selected dynamic image data to the message, display a thumbnail image of the attached dynamic image data, and transmit the message with the attached dynamic image data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an attached file in a message transmission mode of a wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an attached file in an email transmission mode of a wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an attached file in a message or email reception mode of a wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a Radio Frequency (RF) unit  123  performs a wireless communication function of the wireless terminal. The RF unit  123  includes an RF transmitter (not shown) for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of transmitted signals and an RF receiver (not shown) for low-noise amplifying received signals and for down-converting the frequency of the received signals. A modem  120  includes a transmitter (not shown) for coding and modulating the transmitted signals and a receiver (not shown) for demodulating and decoding the received signals. An audio processor unit  125  may include a codec. The codec includes a data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec for processing audio signals such as voice signals. The audio processor unit  125  converts digital audio signals received from the modem  120  into analog signals through the audio codec for reproduction. Alternatively, the audio processor unit  125  converts analog audio signals generated from a microphone into digital audio signals through the audio codec and transmits the digital audio signals to the modem  120 . The codec may be provided separately or included in a controller  110 . 
         [0024]    A memory  130  may include a program memory and a data memory. The program memory may store programs for controlling general operations of the wireless terminal, and programs for controlling attached data to be displayed in the form of a thumbnail image according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The data memory temporarily stores data generated during the execution of the programs. Further, the memory  130  can store the thumbnail image of the attached image data according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The controller  110  performs a function of controlling the general operations of the wireless terminal. The controller  110  may also include the modem  120  and the codec. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller  110  controls the attached image data to be displayed in the form of a thumbnail image in a message transmission mode or a message reception mode. Further, the controller  110  controls the attached image data to be displayed in the form of a thumbnail image in an email transmission mode or an email reception mode. 
         [0026]    A camera unit  140  includes a camera sensor and a signal processor. The camera sensor photographs image data and converts photographed optical signals into electric signals. The signal processor converts analog image signals photographed by the camera sensor into digital data. It is assumed that the camera sensor is a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) sensor. The signal processor may be realized by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Further, the camera sensor may be integrated with the signal processor or the camera sensor may also be constructed separately from the signal processor. 
         [0027]    An image processor unit  150  generates screen data for displaying image signals output from the camera unit  140 . The image processor unit  150  processes the image signals, which are output from the camera unit  140 , by the frame, and outputs the frame image data according to the characteristics and sizes of a display unit  160 . The image processor unit  150  includes an image codec, compresses the frame image data, which is displayed on the display unit  160 , by a predetermined scheme or restores the compressed frame image data into the original frame image data. The image codec may include a JPEG codec, an MPEG4 codec, and a wavelet codec among others. It is assumed that the image processor unit  150  has an On Screen Display (OSD) function, which may output on screen display data according to displayed screen sizes under the control of the controller  110 . 
         [0028]    The display unit  160  displays the image signals output from the image processor unit  150  on a screen, and displays user data output from the controller  110 . The display unit  160  may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). In this case, the display unit  160  may include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, an LCD device, etc. When the LCD has a touch screen function, the display unit  160  may also operate as an input unit. The display unit  160  displays the thumbnail image of the attached image data in the message transmission/reception mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Further, the display unit  160  displays the thumbnail image of the attached image data in the email transmission or reception mode. 
         [0029]    A key input unit  127  includes keys for inputting number and character information and function keys for setting various functions. 
         [0030]    Hereinafter, an operation for displaying the attached data in the form of the thumbnail image in the wireless terminal as described above will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an attached file in the message transmission mode of the wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , if the user of the wireless terminal selects a multimedia message in the wireless terminal, the controller  110  detects the selection of the multimedia message and controls the wireless terminal to switch to a multimedia message creation mode in step  201 . 
         [0033]    If the user selects a title in the multimedia message creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the title in step  202  and switches to a title input mode of the multimedia message in step  203 . If the user inputs content corresponding to the title in the title input mode of the multimedia message of step  203  and selects a confirmation, the controller  110  detects the selection of the confirmation and stores the input content to create the title of the multimedia message in step  203 . 
         [0034]    Further, if the user selects photo and video in the multimedia message creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the photo and video in step  204  and displays the type of photographed and stored image data in step  204 . The image data represents still images and dynamic images. When the user selects an attachment for predetermined image data from the displayed image data, the controller  110  detects the selection of the attachment and attaches the selected image data as attached data of the multimedia message in step  205 . The controller  110  generates a thumbnail image for the image data selected as the attached data and displays the attached image data in the form of the corresponding thumbnail image in step  206 . 
         [0035]    Steps  205  and  206  allow the user to attach the selected image data and easily check the attached image data through the thumbnail image. 
         [0036]    When the selected image is displayed in the format of a thumbnail image is displayed and when the user selects a predetermined thumbnail image, the controller  110  detects the selection of the predetermined thumbnail image in step  207  and displays the original image data of the selected thumbnail image in step  208 . If the user selects a deletion of a thumbnail image in steps  206  or  208 , the controller  110  detects the selection of the deletion in step  209 . Then the controller cancels the attaching of the selected image data and deletes the corresponding thumbnail image in step  210 . 
         [0037]    If the user selects sound in the multimedia message creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the sound and displays the type of stored sound data in step  211 . When the user selects predetermined sound data from the displayed sound data, the controller  110  detects the selection of the predetermined sound data and attaches the selected sound data as attached data of the multimedia message in step  212 . 
         [0038]    If the user selects a message in the multimedia message creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the message in step  213  and switches the wireless terminal to a multimedia message input mode in step  214  to create the message content. Further, if the user inputs message content in the multimedia message input mode of step  214  and selects a confirmation, the controller  110  detects the selection of the confirmation and stores the input content as the content of the multimedia message. 
         [0039]    If the creation of the multimedia message is completed through the above-described steps, the controller  110  detects the completion of the multimedia message in step  215  and transmits the created multimedia message to a predetermined reception number in step  216 . The format of the multimedia message transmitted in step  216  stores the title, the message content, the sound data, the image data, and the thumbnail image data of the image data. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an attached file in the email transmission mode of the wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the user of the wireless terminal selects an email in the wireless terminal, the controller  110  detects the selection of the email in step  301  and switches the wireless terminal to an email creation mode. 
         [0042]    If the user selects a title in the email creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the title in step  302  and switches the wireless terminal to an email title input mode so that the email title is created in step  303 . Further, if the user inputs content corresponding to the title in the email title input mode of step  303  and selects a confirmation, the controller  110  detects the selection of the confirmation and stores the input content as the title of the email. 
         [0043]    When the user selects a file attachment in the email creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the file attachment and displays the type of files stored in the wireless terminal in step  304 . If the user selects an attachment for a predetermined file from the displayed files, the controller  110  attaches the selected file as attached data of the email in step  305 . While attaching the selected file, the controller  110  determines whether the selected file corresponds to image data. If the selected file does not correspond to the image data, the controller  110  detects the determination result in step  306  and displays the title of the selected file in step  307 . 
         [0044]    Alternatively, if the selected file does correspond to the image data, the controller  110  detects the determination result in step  306 , and generates a thumbnail image for the selected image data and displays the attached image data in the form of the corresponding thumbnail image in step  308 . 
         [0045]    Steps  305  through  308  allow the user to attach the selected image data and check the attached image data through the thumbnail image. 
         [0046]    Once the thumbnail image is displayed, if the user selects a predetermined thumbnail image, the controller  110  detects the selection of the predetermined thumbnail image in step  309  and displays the original image data of the selected thumbnail image in step  310 . If the user selects a deletion of a thumbnail image in step  308  or  310 , the controller  110  detects the selection of the deletion in step  311 . Then the controller  110  cancels the attaching of the selected image data and deletes the corresponding thumbnail image in step  312 . 
         [0047]    If the user selects a message in the email creation mode, the controller  110  detects the selection of the message in step  313  and switches the wireless terminal to an email message input mode in step  314 . If the user inputs message content in the email message input mode of step  314  and selects a confirmation, the controller  110  detects the selection of the confirmation and stores the input content as the content of the email message. 
         [0048]    If the creation of the email message is completed through the above-described steps, the controller  110  detects the completion of the email message in step  315  and transmits the created email to a predetermined reception address in step  316 . The format of the email transmitted in step  316  stores the title, the message content, the file excluding the image data, the file including the image data, and the thumbnail image data of the image data. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying an attached file in the message reception mode or the email reception mode of the wireless terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , if the multimedia message or the email is received in the wireless terminal, the controller  110  detects the reception of the multimedia message or the email and informs the wireless terminal user of the reception of the multimedia message or the email in step  401 . If the user selects the multimedia message or the email in order to check the received multimedia message or email, the controller  110  detects the selection of the multimedia message or the email, searches for the format of the multimedia message or the email, and determines if a thumbnail image exists in the received multimedia message or email. 
         [0051]    If the thumbnail image exists in the received multimedia message or email, the controller  110  detects the existence of the thumbnail image and displays the thumbnail image in step  402 . Herein, the controller  110  may display the corresponding title, content, and file title among others, stored in the format of the multimedia message or the email. 
         [0052]    If the user selects a predetermined thumbnail image in step  402 , the controller  110  detects the selection of the predetermined thumbnail image in step  403  and displays the original image data of the selected thumbnail image in step  404 . 
         [0053]    As described above, the present invention displays attached data in the format of a thumbnail image, so that a user can easily check the attached data. 
         [0054]    While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.