Abstract:
A method and an electronic device for scrolling a display on a touchscreen are disclosed. The scrolling method for the electronic device includes setting a scroll direction based on a first touch input movement direction, and scrolling a display image in the scroll direction, based on a second touch input movement distance, irrespective of a second touch input movement direction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to an application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 30, 2013 and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0010359, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to a scrolling method and an electronic device thereof. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Portable electronic devices require user interfaces that enable users to easily access various services for the purpose of satisfying their various desires. 
         [0004]    The portable electronic device needs user interfaces considering limited display areas because the limited display areas are needed for increasing portability. For example, if a portion of content that a user wants to see is displayed on the display unit of a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device provides a user interface that enables the user to scroll that content so that he/she may see another portion of the content that is not displayed. 
         [0005]    When a touch screen is used, the portable electronic device may scroll content to respond to the touch information sensed through the touch screen. For example, if a drag operation on the touch screen (a touch input→a touch move→a touch release is sensed, the portable electronic device may scroll content based on a drag direction and a drag distance. 
         [0006]    However, when there are a lot of areas that are not displayed on the display unit of the portable electronic device, there is inconvenience that a user of the portable electronic device needs to repetitively perform the same touch input for a scroll operation. For example, when a portion of E-book content that includes a plurality of pages is displayed on the display unit of the portable electronic device, there is inconvenience that a user of the portable electronic device needs to repetitively perform a drag operation (which might include a first touch input, then a second touch move, then a third touch release) to see areas that are not displayed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a device and method for efficiently scrolling a screen in an electronic device. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a device and method for simplifying user&#39;s operations for scrolling a screen in an electronic device. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a device and method for simplifying user&#39;s touch input procedures for scrolling a screen in an electronic device including a touch screen. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a device and method for scrolling a screen based on a touch move distance in an electronic device including a touch screen. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a device and method for scrolling a screen in a fixed direction based on a touch move distance in an electronic device including a touch screen. 
         [0012]    The present invention provides a device and method for determining a fixed scroll direction based on an angle between a first touch point for scrolling and a second touch point for a fixed scroll mode switch in an electronic device including a touch screen. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides a scrolling method for an electronic device that includes setting a scroll direction based on a first touch input movement direction, and scrolling a displayed image in the scroll direction based on a second touch input movement distance irrespective of a second touch input movement direction. 
         [0014]    Setting the first scroll direction may include sensing a first touch input, setting a reference area based on a first touch input, and setting the scroll direction based on the first touch input movement direction if the first touch input location is moved out of the reference area. 
         [0015]    Setting a scroll interval as a full page in response to a reversal of the second touch input movement direction relative to the first touch input movement direction. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a fixed scrolling method for an electronic device includes detecting based on a touch duration for a first touch input whether a fixed scroll switch event occurs, setting a scroll direction in response to the first touch input being maintained statically for a reference time, and scrolling a display image in the scroll direction based on a second touch input movement distance irrespective of a second touch input movement direction. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device includes a touch screen, and at least one processor, wherein the processor is configured to set a scroll direction based on a first touch input movement move direction, and scroll a display image in the scroll direction based on a first touch input movement distance irrespective of the second touch input movement direction. 
         [0018]    The processor may be configured to set a reference area based on a first touch input location, and set the scroll direction based on the first touch input movement direction if the first touch input location moves out of the reference area. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device includes a touch screen, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to set a scroll direction based on a first touch input movement direction, and scroll a displayed image in the scroll direction based on a second touch input movement distance irrespective of a second touch input movement direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The above features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram of a processor according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C ,  FIG. 5D  and  FIG. 5E  illustrate example screen configurations for scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  illustrate screen configurations for scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9A ,  FIG. 9B ,  FIG. 9C  and  FIG. 9D  illustrate screen configurations for scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates a screen configuration for scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Example embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions related to well-known functions or configurations will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure subject matters of the present disclosure. In addition, since the terms are defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, they may vary depending on an operator intention or practice. Therefore, the definition needs to be made based on details in various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0033]    A technology for scrolling a screen in an electronic device is described below. 
         [0034]    In the following description, the electronic device may include at least one of a mobile communication terminal having a touch screen, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a PC, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a net book, a TV, a mobile internet device (MID), an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a tablet PC, a navigation device, a smart TV, a digital camera, and an MP3 player. 
         [0035]    In the following description, a touch indicates a state when a touch input is sensed, and may be referred to as a “touch down.” A touch release indicates a state when the touch input is finished, and may be referred to as a “touch up.” A “touch move” may indicate a state when a point of touch contact moves while the touch contact is maintained, and may be referred to as a “touch travel.” 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  100  includes a memory  110 , a processor unit  120 , an audio processing unit  130 , an input and output control unit  140 , a display module  150 , and an input device  160 . In this example, the memory  110  may also be in plural forms. 
         [0038]    The memory  110  includes a program storage unit  111  storing programs for controlling the operations of the electronic device  100 , and a data storage unit  112  storing data generated during the execution of the programs. 
         [0039]    The program storage unit  111  includes a graphic user interface (GUI) program  113 , a scroll control program  114 , and at least one application program  115 . In this example, the programs included in the program storage unit  111  indicate a set of instructions and may be represented by an instruction set. 
         [0040]    The GUI program  113  includes at least one software component for providing a user interface by using graphics. For example, the GUI program  113  may control the display unit  150  so that information on an application program executed by the processor  122  is displayed on the display unit  150 . 
         [0041]    The scroll control program  114  includes at least one software component for scrolling a screen based on touch information. For example, when a fixed scroll mode is set, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in a fixed scroll direction based on a touch move distance. In this case, the scroll control program  114  may determine, as the fixed scroll direction, a touch move direction taken when a touch move is sensed. 
         [0042]    As another example, if the touch move is sensed, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on the touch move direction and distance. If a touch point gets out of a reference area due to the touch move, the scroll control program  114  may switch a scroll mode to the fixed scroll mode. In this case, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the scroll control program  114  may determine the fixed scroll direction based on a scroll direction taken before the touch point gets out of the reference area. If a touch is sensed, the scroll control program  114  may set the reference area on a location spaced by a reference distance from the touch point based on a scrollable direction. For example, if it is possible to perform a vertical scroll operation, the scroll control program  114  may set the reference area on a location spaced horizontally by the reference distance from the touch point. If it is possible to perform a horizontal scroll operation, the scroll control program  114  may set the reference area on a location spaced vertically by the reference distance from the touch point. In this example, the reference distance may be set based on the number of reference pixels or dots per inch (DPI). 
         [0043]    In another example, if the touch move is sensed, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on the touch move direction and distance. After the touch move, if a touch input is maintained that exceeds a reference time, the scroll control program  114  switches the scroll mode to the fixed scroll mode. Here, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the scroll control program  114  may determine the fixed scroll direction based on a direction at the specific touch point touch-maintained for the reference time for a first touch point where the touch is sensed. 
         [0044]    In yet another example, if the touch move is sensed, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on the touch move direction and distance. After the touch move, if the touch is maintained for a time that exceeds the reference time, the scroll control program  114  determines the fixed scroll mode based on the scroll direction taken before the touch duration was maintained for the reference time. If the touch move is subsequently sensed, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that scrolling is selectively provided in the fixed scroll direction based on an angle of the touch move. For example, if the angle of the touch move is larger than a reference angle, the scroll control program  114  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. 
         [0045]    Additionally, the scroll control program  114  may also determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0046]    The application program  115  includes a software component for at least one application program that is installed in the electronic device  100 . 
         [0047]    The processor unit  120  includes a memory interface  121 , at least one processor  122 , and a peripheral device interface  124 . In this example, the memory interface  121 , at least one processor  122 , and the peripheral device interface  124  that are included in the processor unit  120  may be in at least one integrated circuit or implemented as separate components. 
         [0048]    The memory interface  121  controls so that components such as a processor  122  or a peripheral device interface  123  access the memory  110 . 
         [0049]    The peripheral device interface  124  controls the coupling between the input and output peripheral device of the electronic device  100  and the processor  122  or the memory interface  121 . 
         [0050]    The processor  122  uses at least one software program so that the electronic device  100  provides various multimedia services. In this case, the processor  122  executes at least one program stored in the memory  110  and provides a service corresponding to that program. For example, the processor  122  may execute the scroll control program  114  so that the scroll is scrolled based on touch information. 
         [0051]    The audio processing unit  130  provides an audio interface between a user and the electronic device  100  through a speaker  131  and a microphone  132 . 
         [0052]    The input and output control unit  140  provides an interface between input and output devices, such as the display unit  150  and the input device  160 , and the peripheral device interface  124 . 
         [0053]    The display unit  150  displays state information on the electronic device  100 , texts input by the user, moving pictures and still images. For example, the display unit  150  displays information on an application program executed by the processor  122 . 
         [0054]    The input device  160  provides input data generated by user selection to the processor  120  through the input and output control unit  140 . In this case, the input device  160  includes a key pad including at least one hardware button and a touch pad sensing touch information. For example, the input device  160  provides touch information such as the touch, the touch move, and the touch release, that is sensed through the touch pad, to the processor  122  through the input and output control unit  140 . 
         [0055]    Additionally, the electronic device  100  may include a communication system that performs communication functions for voice communication and data communication. In this case, the communication system may be divided into a plurality of communication sub modules that support different communication networks. For example, the communication includes, but is not limited to, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) network, an EDGE network a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a W-CDMA network, a long term evolution (LTE) network, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) network, a wireless LAN, a Bluetooth network, and near field communication (NFC). 
         [0056]      FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram of a processor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the processor  122  includes an application program execution unit  200 , a scroll control unit  210 , and a display control unit  220 . 
         [0058]    The application program execution unit  200  executes at least one program  115  stored in the program storage unit  111  (from  FIG. 1 ) and provides a service corresponding to that application program. In this case, the application program execution unit  200  may provide a scroll service for that application program based on scroll control information provided from the scroll control unit  210 . 
         [0059]    The scroll control unit  210  executes the scroll control program  114  stored in the program storage unit  111  (from  FIG. 1 ) and controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on touch information. For example, when a fixed scrolling mode is set, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scroll direction based on a touch move distance. In this case, the scroll control unit  210  determines a touch move direction taken when a touch move is sensed, as the fixed scroll direction. 
         [0060]    As another example, if the touch move is sensed, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on the touch move direction and distance. If a touch point gets out of a reference area due to the touch move, the scroll control unit  210  switches a scrolling mode to the fixed scroll mode. If the scroll mode is switched to the fixed scrolling mode, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the scroll control unit  210  may determine the fixed scroll direction based on a scrolling direction taken before the touch point gets out of the reference area. If a touch is sensed, the scroll control unit  210  may set the reference area on a location spaced by a reference distance from the touch point based on a scrollable direction. In this example, the reference distance may be set based on the number of reference pixels or dots per inch (DPI). 
         [0061]    As another example, if the touch move is sensed, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on the touch move direction and distance. After the touch move, if a touch duration is maintained exceeding a reference time, the scroll control unit  210  switches the scroll mode to the fixed scrolling mode. If the scroll mode is switched to the fixed scrolling mode, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the scroll control unit  210  may determine the fixed scroll direction based on a direction where the specific touch point is maintained for the reference. 
         [0062]    As another example, if the touch move is sensed, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled based on the touch move direction and distance. After the touch move, if the touch duration for the specific touch point exceeds the reference time while the touch is maintained, the scroll control unit  210  determines the fixed scroll direction based on the scroll direction taken before the touch duration is maintained for the reference time. If the touch move is subsequently sensed, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that scrolling is selectively provided in the fixed scroll direction based on an angle depending on the touch move. For example, if the angle depending on the touch move is larger than a reference angle, the scroll control unit  210  controls the screen so that the screen is scrolled in the fixed scrolling direction based on the touch move distance. 
         [0063]    Additionally, the scroll control unit  210  may also determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0064]    The display control unit  220  executes the GUI program  113  stored in the program storage unit  111  (from  FIG. 1 ) and controls the GUI program  113  so that a user interface is displayed with graphics. For example, the display control  220  controls the display unit  150  so that information on an application program executed by the processor  200  is displayed on the display unit  150 . 
         [0065]    In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device  100  may perform a scroll operation on the application program execution unit  200  based on scroll information determined by the scroll control unit  210 . 
         [0066]    In another embodiment, the electronic device  100  may be configured so that the application program execution unit  200  determines the scroll mode based on touch information and performs the scroll operation. 
         [0067]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the electronic device senses a touch in step  301 . For example, the electronic device senses a touch by user&#39;s fingers or a touch pen through the touch pad of the input device  160 . 
         [0069]    If the touch is sensed, the electronic device determines a fixed scroll direction based on a touch move direction in step  303 . For example, the electronic device determines the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move direction taken when a move for the touch sensed in step  301  is sensed. As another example, if a touch point gets out of a reference area due to the move for the touch sensed in step  301 , the electronic device may the fixed scroll direction based on a scroll direction taken before the touch point gets out of the reference area. 
         [0070]    If the fixed scrolling mode is determined, the electronic device scrolls a screen in the fixed scroll direction based on a touch move distance. In this case, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance without considering the touch move direction. Therefore, the screen may be scrolled in a direction completely unrelated to the actual direction indicated by the touch move direction. 
         [0071]    As described above, the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the electronic device may determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. For example, if the touch move is sensed, the electronic device determines the scroll control variable based on the touch move information. Subsequently, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the scroll control variable and the touch move distance. In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0072]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the electronic device checks whether a fixed scroll mode is set, in step  401 . For example, the electronic device may check through a menu configuration whether the fixed scroll mode is set. 
         [0074]    If the fixed scroll mode is not set, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. For example, the electronic device may scroll a screen based on a touch move direction and a touch move distance. 
         [0075]    On the other hand, if the fixed scroll mode is set, the electronic device senses a touch in step  403 . For example, the electronic device senses a touch by user&#39;s fingers or a touch pen through the touch pad of an input device  160 . 
         [0076]    If the touch is sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch move is sensed in step  405 . For example, the electronic device checks whether a first touch point  501  sensed in step  403  varies due to the touch move as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0077]    If the touch move is not sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch is released in step  413 . 
         [0078]    If the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a scroll operation is not performed. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0079]    On the other hand, if the touch is not released in step  413 , the electronic device checks whether the touch move is sensed in step  405 . 
         [0080]    On the other hand, if the touch move is sensed, the electronic device determines a fixed scroll direction based on a touch move direction in step  407 . In this case, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move direction taken when the touch move is sensed. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5A , if the first touch point  501  varies to a second touch point  503  due to the touch move, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction as an upward direction. That is, the electronic device determines that a scroll up operation is performed according to the fixed scroll mode. 
         [0081]    If a fixed scrolling direction is determined, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance in step  409 . In this case, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance without considering the touch move direction. For example, the electronic device may scroll up the screen as shown in  FIG. 5B  in response to the touch move distance from point  501  to point  503  shown in  FIG. 5A . Subsequently, if the touch point moves from point  503  to point  505  according to the touch move as shown in  FIG. 5B , the electronic device may scroll up (the fixed scroll direction) the screen as shown in  FIG. 5B , according to the touch move distance, as measured between points  503  and  505 . Referring now to  FIG. 5C , if the touch point moves from point  505  to point  507 , the electronic device may scroll up (i.e., in accordance with the fixed scroll direction), with the results as shown in  FIG. 5D , the scrolling distance correlating to the touch move distance between points  505  to  507 . The electronic device may continue to scroll the screen according to continued touch move. 
         [0082]    The electronic device checks whether the touch is released in step  411 . 
         [0083]    If the touch is not released, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction according to the touch move distance in step  409 . 
         [0084]    On the other hand, if the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a scroll operation is finished. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0085]    As described above, the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the electronic device may determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. For example, if the touch move is sensed, the electronic device determines the scroll control variable based on the touch move information. Subsequently, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the scroll control variable and the touch move distance. As another example, the electronic device may change a scroll interval only when the touch move direction is switched. For example, if as shown in  FIG. 5C , the touch move direction is switched to the reverse direction of the touch move direction as shown in  FIG. 5B , the electronic device may switch pages of E-book content displayed on the screen, as shown in  FIG. 5E , in response to switch of the touch move direction. Subsequently, the electronic device may also scroll up (i.e., the fixed scroll direction) according to the touch move distance from, for example, points  505  to  507  of  FIG. 5C . In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0086]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the electronic device senses a touch in step  601 . For example, the electronic device senses a touch by user&#39;s fingers or a touch pen through the touch pad of an input device  160 . 
         [0088]    If the touch is sensed, the electronic device determines a reference area for a fixed scroll operation based on a touch point in step  603 . In this case, the electronic device determines the reference area based on a scrollable direction. For example, when a vertical scroll operation is performed, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the electronic device may set a reference area  703  on a location spaced horizontally by a reference distance from a first touch point  701  where the touch is sensed. In this case, the reference area may be displayed on the display unit  150  so that it may be perceived by a user. In this example, the reference distance may be set based on the number of reference pixels or dots per inch (DPI). 
         [0089]    If the reference area is identified, the electronic device checks whether a touch move is sensed in step  605 . 
         [0090]    If the touch move is not sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch is released in step  617 . 
         [0091]    On the other hand, if the touch move is sensed in step  605 , the electronic device checks whether the touch point moved out of the reference area in step  607 . That is, the electronic device checks whether there is a fixed scroll switch event. 
         [0092]    If the touch point did not move out of the reference area, the electronic device scrolls the screen based on the touch move direction and the touch move distance in step  615 . For example, when the touch point various due to the touch move from  701  to  705  as shown in  FIG. 7A  does not get out of the reference area, the electronic device may scroll up the screen in the touch move direction according to the touch move distance from  701  to  705  as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
         [0093]    The electronic device checks whether the touch is released in step  617 . 
         [0094]    If the touch is released, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0095]    On the other hand, if the touch is not released in step  617 , the electronic device checks whether the touch move is sensed in step  605 . 
         [0096]    On the other hand, if the touch point moves out of the reference area, the electronic device switches a scroll mode to the fixed scroll mode. Thus, the electronic device determines a fixed scroll direction based on the touch move direction in step  609 . That is, the electronic device determines the fixed scroll direction based on a scroll direction taken before the touch point gets out of the reference area. For example, when the touch point moves due to the touch move from point  705  to point  707  out of the reference area  709 , as shown in  FIG. 7B , the electronic device may determine, as the fixed scroll direction, the scroll direction indicated immediately before the touch point moved out of the reference area (which, in the example of  FIG. 7A and 7B , would be a scroll up). 
         [0097]    If the fixed scrolling direction is determined, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance in step  611 . In this case, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance without considering the touch move direction (as previously shown in  FIGS. 5B-5D ). 
         [0098]    The electronic device checks whether the touch is released in step  613 . 
         [0099]    If the touch is not released, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction according to the touch move distance in step  611 . 
         [0100]    On the other hand, if the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a fixed scroll operation is finished. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0101]    As described above, the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the electronic device may determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. For example, if the touch move is sensed, the electronic device determines the scroll control variable based on the touch move information. Subsequently, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the scroll control variable and the touch move distance. In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0102]    In the above-described embodiment, if the touch point moves out of the reference area, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction in step  609 . That is, the electronic device switches the scroll mode to the fixed scroll mode and may then determine the fixed scroll direction. 
         [0103]    In another embodiment, the electronic device may determine a scroll direction before the touch point moves out of the reference area. That is, the electronic device may also determine a fixed scroll direction before switching a scroll mode to a fixed scroll mode. For example, if the screen is scrolled according to the touch move in the reference area, as in step  615 , the electronic device may determine the scroll direction of the screen as the fixed scroll direction. In this case, if the scroll direction of the screen varies, the electronic device updates the fixed scroll direction according to the varied scroll direction of the screen. 
         [0104]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the electronic device senses a touch in step  801 . For example, the electronic device senses a touch by user&#39;s fingers or a touch pen through the touch pad of an input device  160 . 
         [0106]    If the touch is sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch move is sensed in step  803 . 
         [0107]    If the touch move is not sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch is released in step  815 . 
         [0108]    If the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a scroll operation is not performed. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0109]    On the other hand, if the touch is not released, the electronic device checks whether the touch move is sensed in step  803 . 
         [0110]    On the other hand, if the touch move is sensed in step  803 , the electronic device scrolls a screen based on a touch move direction and a touch move distance in step  805 . For example, if the touch move is sensed as shown in  FIG. 9A , the electronic device may scroll the screen in the touch move direction according to the touch move distance from point  901  to point  903  as shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         [0111]    The electronic device checks whether a touch duration for a touch point exceeds a reference time in step  807 . For example, the electronic device checks whether a time duration for a second touch point  903  as shown in  FIG. 9A  exceeds the reference time. That is, the electronic device checks whether there is a fixed scroll switch event. 
         [0112]    If the touch duration for the touch point does not exceed the reference time, the electronic device scrolls the screen based on the touch move direction and the touch move distance in step  805 . 
         [0113]    On the other hand, if the touch duration for the touch point exceeds the reference time, the electronic device switches a scroll mode to a fixed scroll mode. Thus, the electronic device determines a fixed scroll direction based on the touch point that was maintained exceeding the reference time in step  809 . For example, if the touch duration for the second touch point  903  as shown in  FIG. 9A  exceeds the reference time, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction is the direction of the second touch point  903  relative to the first touch point  901 . That is, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction based on the angle  905  depicted, as determined from a line drawn between the first touch point  901  and the second touch point  903 . 
         [0114]    If the fixed scroll direction is determined, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction according to the touch move distance in step  811 . In this case, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance without considering the touch move direction. For example, if the touch point varies from  903  to  907  according to the touch move as shown in  FIG. 9B , the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the angle  905  as shown in  FIG. 9A . Similarly, if the touch point varies from  907  to  909  according to the touch move as shown in  FIG. 9C , the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on angle  905  as shown in  FIG. 9A . In this case, the electronic device may continue to scroll the screen according to the touch move. 
         [0115]    The electronic device checks whether the touch is released in step  813 . 
         [0116]    If the touch is not released, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction according to the touch move distance in step  811 . 
         [0117]    On the other hand, if the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a fixed scroll operation is finished. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0118]    As described above, the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the electronic device may determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. For example, if the touch move is sensed, the electronic device determines the scroll control variable based on the touch move information. Subsequently, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the scroll control variable and the touch move distance. In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0119]    In the above-described embodiment, if the time durations for the first touch point where the touch is sensed and another touch point exceed the reference time, the electronic device may switch to the fixed scroll mode. 
         [0120]    In another embodiment, if the time duration for the first touch point where the touch is sensed exceeds the reference time, the electronic device may also switch to the fixed scroll mode. In this case, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction based on the angle between a preset reference point and a first touch point. 
         [0121]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of a procedure of scrolling a screen based on a touch move in an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0122]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the electronic device senses a touch in step  1001 . For example, the electronic device senses a touch by user&#39;s fingers or a touch pen through the touch pad of an input device  160 . 
         [0123]    If the touch is sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch move is sensed in step  1003 . 
         [0124]    If the touch move is not sensed, the electronic device checks whether a touch is released in step  1021 . 
         [0125]    If the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a scroll operation is not performed. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0126]    On the other hand, if the touch is not released, the electronic device checks whether the touch move is sensed in step  1003 . 
         [0127]    On the other hand, if the touch move is sensed in step  1003 , the electronic device scrolls a screen based on a touch move direction and a touch move distance in step  1005 . For example, if the touch move is sensed as shown in  FIG. 11 , the electronic device may scroll up the screen in the touch move direction based on the touch move distance from  1101  to  1103 . 
         [0128]    Subsequently, the electronic device checks whether a touch duration for a touch point exceeds a reference time in step  1007 . For example, the electronic device checks whether a time duration for a second touch point  1103  as shown in  FIG. 11  exceeds the reference time. That is, the electronic device checks whether there is a fixed scroll switch event. 
         [0129]    If the touch duration for the touch point does not exceed the reference time, the electronic device scrolls the screen based on the touch move direction and the touch move distance in step  1105 . 
         [0130]    On the other hand, if the touch duration for the touch point exceeds the reference time, the electronic device switches a scroll mode to a fixed scroll mode. Thus, the electronic device determines a fixed scroll direction in step  1109 . For example, the electronic device may determine a fixed scroll direction based on a touch point where a touch is maintained to exceed the reference time. In particular, if the touch duration for the second touch point  1103  as shown in  FIG. 11  exceeds the reference time, the electronic device may determine the fixed scroll direction based on the direction of the second touch point  1103  relative to the first touch point  1101 . As another example, the electronic device may also determine the fixed scroll direction based on a scroll direction taken before the touch duration exceeds the reference time. In particular, if the touch duration for the second touch point  1103  as shown in  FIG. 11  exceeds the reference time, the electronic device may also determine the fixed scroll direction based on a scroll direction varied due to the touch move to the second touch point  1103 . 
         [0131]    The electronic device checks whether touch move is sensed in step  1011 . For example, if the touch duration for the second touch point  1103  as shown in  FIG. 11  exceeds the reference time, the electronic device checks whether the touch move from the second touch point  1103  is sensed. Although not shown, the electronic device may also terminate the present algorithm if the touch is released before the touch move is sensed. 
         [0132]    If the touch move is sensed, the electronic device checks the angle of the touch move direction relative to the fixed scroll direction in step  1013 . For example, if the touch move from the second touch point  1103  is sensed as shown in  FIG. 11 , the electronic device checks the angle  1107  of a third touch point  1105  relative to the fixed scroll direction. 
         [0133]    If the angle of the touch move direction is checked, the electronic device checks whether the angle of the touch move direction exceeds a reference angle in step  1015 . 
         [0134]    When the angle of the touch move direction is equal to or smaller than the reference angle, the electronic device recognizes that a fixed scroll operation is not performed. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0135]    On the other hand, if the angle of the touch move direction exceeds the reference angle, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction according to the touch move distance in step  1017 . In this case, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance without considering the touch move direction (as shown earlier in  FIGS. 5B to 5D ). 
         [0136]    Subsequently, the electronic device checks whether the touch is released in step  1019 . 
         [0137]    If the touch is not released, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction according to the touch move distance in step  1017 . 
         [0138]    On the other hand, if the touch is released, the electronic device recognizes that a fixed scroll operation is finished. Thus, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0139]    As described above, the electronic device may scroll the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the touch move distance. In this case, the electronic device may determine a scroll control variable based on touch move information. For example, if the touch move is sensed, the electronic device determines the scroll control variable based on the touch move information. Subsequently, the electronic device scrolls the screen in the fixed scroll direction based on the scroll control variable and the touch move distance. In this example, the touch move information may include at least one of a touch move speed, an area where the touch move is sensed, and a touch move angle, and the scroll control variable may include at least one of a scroll interval and a scroll speed. 
         [0140]    In the above-described embodiment, if the angle of the touch move direction is smaller than or equal to the reference angle, the electronic device may terminate the present algorithm. 
         [0141]    In another embodiment, if the angle of the touch move direction is smaller than or equal to the reference angle, the electronic device may also check whether the touch is released. If the touch is not released, the electronic device may also check whether the touch move is sensed in step  1011 , in order to check whether it is possible to perform a fixed scroll operation. 
         [0142]    It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in a non-transient computer readable storage medium. The non-transient computer readable storage medium stores one or more programs (software modules), the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors in an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the present invention. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing device or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a machine-readable storage storing such a program. Still further, such programs may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same. 
         [0143]    Any of the functions and steps provided in the Figures may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both and may be performed in whole or in part within the programmed instructions of a computer. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for”. 
         [0144]    The functions and process steps herein may be performed automatically or wholly or partially in response to user command. An activity (including a step) performed automatically is performed in response to executable instruction or device operation without user direct initiation of the activity. 
         [0145]    The terms “unit” or “module” referred to herein is to be understood as comprising hardware such as a processor or microprocessor configured for a certain desired functionality, or a non-transitory medium comprising machine executable code, in accordance with statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. §101 and does not constitute software per se. 
         [0146]    As described above, it is possible to simplify a user input procedure for scrolling the screen because the screen is scrolled in a fixed direction based on a touch move distance in an electronic device including a touch screen. 
         [0147]    While particular embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present invention, several variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments but be defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.