Patent Publication Number: US-2016239202-A1

Title: Gesture Input Processing Method and Electronic Device Supporting the Same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Feb. 17, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number 10-2015-0024529, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a method for processing a gesture input about contents in the electronic device. 
     The electronic device may provide an input interface in a number of ways. For example, the electronic device receives a touch input by contact or proximity to the touch object, the user&#39;s voice input, or the like. Furthermore, the electronic device provides an input interface based on a gesture input. For example, the electronic device senses a user motion to the electronic device or a movement of the electronic device and performs a function corresponding to the sensed result. 
     The electronic device provides an input interface which is based on the above-mentioned gesture input, thereby solving a problem due to a touch input or a voice input. For example, in the case where an accurate touch input is impossible in a state (e.g., while driving) where a user is unable to watch a screen or an accurate voice recognition is impossible due to an ambient noise, the electronic device is able to perform a required function through a gesture input. 
     However, to edit contents related to an application through a gesture input, a conventional electronic device has to receive a gesture input through several steps: displaying a menu about an editing function, selecting a specific editing function from the displayed menu, and the like. Furthermore, an area in which a gesture input for editing contents is received may be limited in a conventional electronic device. As such, when editing contents using a gesture input, the conventional electronic device is problematic in that the utilization of a gesture input is lowered due to the complex procedure and the difficulty in manipulation. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a user input processing method which performs processing such that an editing function with the complex procedure and configuration is executed in response to a gesture input when contents are edited based on a gesture input and an electronic device supporting the same. 
     Furthermore, another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a gesture input processing method which expands an area for sensing a gesture input when contents are edited based on the gesture input and an electronic device supporting the same. 
     Furthermore, still another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a gesture input processing method which feeds information associated with an editing function back to a user and an electronic device supporting the same. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a memory configured to store an application, a processor configured to execute the application and to control a editable state of at least one of contents related to the application, and a sensor configured to sense at least one or more gesture inputs related to editing contents in the editable state, and the processor may perform an editing function corresponding to the gesture input. 
     Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronic device associated with a gesture input processing method, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronic device associated with a gesture input sensing and analyzing method, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a gesture mapping table according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram illustrating a select all function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustrating a cut function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5C  is a diagram illustrating a copy function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5D  is a diagram illustrating a copy function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6A  shows an example in which a gesture input test pad is used, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6B  shows an example in which a gesture input tutorial is used, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be described with reference to accompanying drawings. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modification, equivalent, and/or alternative on the various embodiments described herein can be variously made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. With regard to description of drawings, similar components may be marked by similar reference numerals. 
     In the disclosure disclosed herein, the expressions “have”, “may have”, “include” and “comprise”, or “may include” and “may comprise” used herein indicate existence of corresponding features (e.g., elements such as numeric values, functions, operations, or components) but do not exclude presence of additional features. 
     In the disclosure disclosed herein, the expressions “A or B”, “at least one of A or/and B”, or “one or more of A or/and B”, and the like used herein may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the term “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” may refer to all of the case (1) where at least one A is included, the case (2) where at least one B is included, or the case (3) where both of at least one A and at least one B are included. 
     The terms, such as “first”, “second”, and the like used herein may refer to various elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, but do not limit the elements. For example, such terms do not limit the order and/or priority of the elements. For example, “a first user device” and “a second user device” indicate different user devices. For example, without departing the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. 
     It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it can be directly coupled with/to or connected to the other element or an intervening element (e.g., a third element) may be present. In contrast, when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it should be understood that there are no intervening element (e.g., a third element). 
     According to the situation, the expression “configured to” used herein may be used as, for example, the expression “suitable for”, “having the capacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”. The term “configured to” must not mean only “specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, the expression “a device configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” operating together with another device or other components. For example, a “processor configured to perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) which may perform corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs which are stored in a memory device. 
     Terms used in this specification are used to describe specified embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise defined herein, all the terms used herein, which include technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning that is generally understood by a person skilled in the art. It will be further understood that terms, which are defined in a dictionary and commonly used, should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant related art and not in an idealized or overly formal detect unless expressly so defined herein in various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some cases, even if terms are terms which are defined in the specification, they may not be interpreted to exclude embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. A wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., watch, ring, bracelet, ankle bracelet, necklace, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted-device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing type (e.g., electronic apparel), a physical attachment type (e.g., skin pad or tattoo), or a body implantation type (e.g., implantable circuit). 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic devices may be home appliances. The home appliances may include at least one of, for example, televisions (TVs), digital versatile disc (DVD) players, audios, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, air cleaners, set-top boxes, TV boxes (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), game consoles (e.g., Xbox™ and PlayStation™), electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, electronic picture frames, and the like. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic devices may include at least one of medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices (e.g., a blood glucose monitoring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature measuring device, and the like)), a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT), scanners, and ultrasonic devices) receiving a user input in an idle mode, navigation devices, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic equipment for vessels (e.g., navigation systems and gyrocompasses), avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots, automatic teller&#39;s machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs), or internet of things (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, boilers, and the like). 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic devices may include at least one of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring instruments (e.g., water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave meters, and the like). The electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be one or more combinations of the above-mentioned devices. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may be a flexible electronic device. Also, electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned devices, and may include new electronic devices according to technology development. 
     Hereinafter, electronic devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term “user” used herein may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificial electronic device) that uses an electronic device. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  may include a bus  110 , a sensor  120 , a processor  130 , a memory  140 , an input/output interface  150 , a display  160 , and a communication interface  170 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may not include at least one of the above-described components or may further include other component(s). 
     For example, the bus  110  may interconnect the sensor  120 , the processor  130 , the memory  140 , the input/output interface  150 , the display  160 , and the communication interface  170  and may be a circuit for conveying communications (e.g., a control message and/or data) among the above-described components. 
     The sensor  120  may measure a physical quantity or may sense an operation state of the electronic device  100 . The sensor  120  may convert the measured or sensed information to an electric signal. The electronic device  100  may include at least one or more sensors  120 . The electronic device  100  may include, for example, at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor (e.g., red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric sensor, a temperature/humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, or an ultraviolet (UV) sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device  100  may include, for example, an e-nose sensor, an electromyography sensor, an electroencephalogram sensor, an electrocardiogram sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor. The electronic device  100  may further include a control circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors  120  included therein. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may further include a processor which is a portion of the processor  130  or independent of the processor  130  and is configured to control at least one or more sensors  120 . The processor may control at least one or more sensors  120  when the processor  130  remains at a sleep state. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor  120  may sense a gesture input, for example, a user motion to the electronic device  100  or a movement of the electronic device  100 . For example, if the electronic device  100  is set to a state where the gesture input is capable of being received (or obtained), the sensor  120  may receive (or obtain) a touch input corresponding to the contact or approach of a touch object, such as a portion of the user&#39;s body (e.g., a finger), an electronic pen, or the like, as the gesture input. Furthermore, in the state where the gesture input is received, the sensor  120  may sense an operation, such as a location, a direction, a rotation, or the like, of the electronic device  100  and may receive (or obtain) sensor information corresponding to the above-mentioned operations as the gesture input. 
     The processor  130  may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP). For example, the processor  130  may perform an arithmetic operation or data processing associated with control and/or communication of at least one other component of the electronic device  100 . 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor  130  may process a gesture input. For example, the processor  130  may analyze the sensed gesture input and may perform a function corresponding to the analyzed gesture input. In this regard, the processor  130  may include a gesture analysis module  131  and a contents editing module  133 . 
     The gesture analysis module  131  may analyze the sensed gesture input. For example, the gesture analysis module  131  may analyze a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of the gesture input. In this regard, the type of the gesture input may be classified as a user motion input (a first type input) to the electronic device  100  or a movement input (a second type input) of the electronic device  100 . The first type input may be an input corresponding to a motion using a portion of a user&#39;s body, an electronic pen, or the like. The form of the first type input may include a tap, a swipe, or the like to the display  160 . The second type input may be an input corresponding to a movement, such as a location, a direction, a rotation, or the like of the electronic device  100 . 
     The contents editing module  133  may perform a function, related to the editing of contents (e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, a symbol, or the like), from among functions corresponding to the gesture input. For example, the contents editing module  133  may perform a function of selecting at least a portion of the contents as an editing target and may perform a function of editing the selected editing target. The editing function may include a copy, a paste, a cut, or the like about the editing target. 
     The memory  140  may include a volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. For example, the memory  140  may store instructions or data associated with at least one other component(s) of the electronic device  100 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory  140  may store software and/or a program. The program may include, for example, a kernel, a middleware, an application programming interface (API), an application program (or an application), and/or the like. At least a portion of the kernel, the middleware, or the API may be called as an operating system (OS). 
     For example, the kernel may control or manage system resources (e.g., the bus  110 , the processor  130 , the memory  140 , or the like) that are used to execute operations or functions of other programs (e.g., the middleware, the API, or the application program). Furthermore, the kernel may provide an interface that allows the middleware, the API, or the application program to access discrete components of the electronic device  100  so as to control or manage the system resources. 
     For example, the middleware may perform a mediation role such that the API or the application program communicates with the kernel to exchange data. 
     Furthermore, the middleware may process one or more job requests received from the application program according to a priority. For example, the middleware may assign the priority, which makes it possible to use a system resource (e.g., the bus  110 , the processor  130 , the memory  140 , or the like) of the electronic device  100 , to at least one of the application program. For example, the middleware may process one or more job requests based on the priority assigned to the at least one, thereby performing the scheduling or the load balancing about the one or more job requests. 
     The API may be an interface through which the application controls a function provided by the kernel or the middleware, and may include, for example, at least one interface or function (e.g., an instruction) for a file control, a window control, image processing, a character control, or the like. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the memory  140  may store a gesture mapping table  141 . The gesture mapping table  141  may be a group of data in which there are defined at least one gesture input supported by the electronic device  100  and at least one function corresponding to the gesture input. For example, the memory  140  may store the gesture mapping table  141 , in which there are defined information (e.g., a type, a description, or the like of the function) related to at least one function (e.g., an editing function) specified (or mapped) according to information (e.g., a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of the gesture input) related to at least one gesture input. 
     The input/output interface  150  may transmit an instruction or data, input from a user or another external device, to other component(s) of the electronic device  100 . Furthermore, the input/output interface  150  may output an instruction or data, received from other component(s) of the electronic device  100 , to a user or another external device. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the input/output interface  150  may include a voice output device, for example, a speaker. The input/output interface  150  may output a voice corresponding to information related to the corresponding function through the voice output device in performing the function corresponding to the gesture input. For example, if at least a portion of contents is selected as an editing target, the input/output interface  150  may output information about a type, content, or the like of the selected contents audibly, for example, by voice. Furthermore, the input/output interface  150  may output information about a type, a description, or the like of an editing function audibly, for example, by voice. 
     The display  160  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, or a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display. The display  160  may display, for example, various contents (e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, a symbol, or the like) to a user. The display  160  may include a touch screen and may receive, for example, a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or a portion of a user&#39;s body. 
     For example, the communication interface  170  may establish communication between the electronic device  100  and an external device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ). For example, the communication interface  170  may connect to a network through a wireless or wired communication so as to communicate with the external device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ). 
     The wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, a long-term evolution (LTE), an LTE Advance (LTE-A), a code division multiple access (CDMA), a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a wireless broadband (WiBro), a global system for mobile communications (GSM), or the like, as a cellular communication protocol. Furthermore, the wireless communication may include, for example, a local area network. The local area network may include at least one of, for example, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), a Bluetooth, a near field communication (NFC), a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), or the like. The GNSS may include at least one of, for example, a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (Glonass), a Beidou navigation satellite system (hereinafter referred to as “Beidou”), or an European global satellite-based navigation system (hereinafter referred to as “Galileo”) based on an available region, a bandwidth, or the like. Hereinafter, “GPS” and “GNSS” may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. For example, the wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a recommended standard-232 (RS-232), a plain old telephone service (POTS), or the like. For example, the network may include at least one of telecommunications networks, for example, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)), an internet, or a telephone network. 
     An electronic device  102  may be a device of which the type is different from or the same as that of the electronic device  100 . According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, all or a portion of the operations that the electronic device  100  performs may be executed by another or plural electronic devices  102 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case where the electronic device  100  executes any function or service automatically or in response to a request, the electronic device  100  may not perform the function or the service internally, but, alternatively additionally, it may request at least a portion of a function associated with the electronic device  100  from other device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ). The other electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ) may execute the requested function or additional function and may transmit the execution result to the electronic device  100 . The electronic device  100  may provide the requested function or service using the received result or may additionally process the received result to provide the requested function or service. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  102  may include at least one sensor which senses a gesture input. Accordingly, the electronic device  102  may sense the gesture input and may provide the sensed information to the electronic device  100 . In this case, the electronic device  100  may not include the sensor  120 . The electronic device  100  may analyze the gesture input sensed from the electronic device  102  and may perform a function corresponding to the analysis result. 
     As described above, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device  100  may include a memory configured to store an application, a processor configured to execute the application and to control a editable state of at least one of contents related to the application, and a sensor configured to sense at least one gesture input related to editing contents in the editable state, and the processor may perform an editing function corresponding to the gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a memory configured to store an application, a processor configured to execute the application and to control an editable state at least one of contents related to the application, and a touch screen display configured to sense at least one gesture input related to editing of the contents. The processor may be configured to enter the editable state corresponding to a first gesture input if the first gesture input is obtained in a partial area of the display, to expand an input area for a second gesture input, which is mapped to select at least one type among types of editing function, to an area of the display on which a gesture input is acceptable, and to perform an editing function corresponding to the second gesture input if the second gesture input is obtained on an area on which the gesture input is acceptable. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the memory may store information related to the gesture input which is mapped on information related to the editing function. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the contents may include at least one of a text, an image, or an attached file. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor may be included in an external electronic device which is connected with the electronic device through a communication interface. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor may obtain the gesture input from an external electronic device which is connected to the electronic device through a communication interface. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor may display information related to the editing function on an area of the display or may output the information related to the editing function through a voice output device. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor may display an object on an area of the display or may output voice information corresponding to the object through a voice output device, the object guiding a gesture input corresponding to a related function such that the related function of the editing function is performed at a point in time when the performance of the editing function is completed or in a time interval. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor may select at least a portion of the contents as an editing target corresponding to the second gesture input and may perform a cut function, a copy function, or a paste function with respect to the editing target corresponding to a third gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if the second gesture input is obtained in a state where an input which explicitly indicates an end of the editable state is not obtained, the processor may control so as not to end the editable state until the third gesture input is obtained. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if a gesture input is obtained or an item is selected on an information configuration screen related to the gesture input, the processor may execute a program which supports to practice a gesture corresponding to the gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if a gesture input is obtained or an item is selected on an information configuration screen related to the gesture input, the processor may execute a program which supports to explain at least one of information or a gesture corresponding to the gesture input which is supportable. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronic device associated with a gesture input processing method, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in operation  210 , the electronic device  100  may sense and analyze a gesture input. For example, the electronic device  100  may analyze a gesture input sensed from the sensor  120  or a sensor included in the electronic device  102  which is connected to the electronic device  100  through the communication interface  170 . 
     In operation  220 , the electronic device  100  may determine whether a function corresponding to the analyzed gesture input is a function which indicates to enter an editable state related to an application. If the function does not indicate to enter the editable state, in operation  230 , the electronic device  100  may process a function which is not related to contents editing in response to the gesture input. In this regard, the function which is not related to the contents editing may include, for example, search, selection, execution, or the like of any object (e.g., an icon, a list item, or the like). For example, the electronic device  100  may sequentially search for application icons arranged on a home screen through a general or specific gesture input (e.g., a gesture (e.g., one finger swipe) in which one finger moves to a specific or predetermined direction in a state where the one finger contacts on a gesture input sensing area). In this case, the electronic device  100  may output voice information, for example, a name of an icon, corresponding to an icon of an application to be searched. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may select a specific or predetermined icon with a general, specific, or predetermined gesture input (e.g., a gesture (e.g., one finger double tap) in which one finger contacts on the gesture input sensing area for a specific time and then releases from the sensing area is performed twice in a specific time interval) and may execute an application corresponding to the icon. 
     If the function determined in operation  220  is a function which indicates to enter an editable state, in operation  240 , the electronic device  100  may wait to receive a gesture input which indicates an editing function. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may expand an area, that is, the gesture input sensing area (or an input area), into an entire area on which the sensor  120  is capable of recognizing. The area may be an area for receiving a gesture input (e.g., a gesture input which is mapped to select at least one of types of editing function) which indicates an editing function in entering the editable state. For example, the electronic device  100  may expand the gesture input sensing area into a large portion or the entire area of a touch screen (or an area on which the gesture input is acceptable on the touch screen). Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may sense the gesture input based on the sensor included in the electronic device  102  which is connected through the communication interface  170 . 
     In operation  250 , the electronic device  100  may sense and analyze a gesture input. In operation  260 , the electronic device  100  may perform an editing function corresponding to the gesture input. In this regard, the editing function may include a function of selecting at least a portion of contents as an editing target and a function of editing the editing target. 
     In operation  270 , the electronic device  100  may determine an end of the editable state. For example, in the case where the editing function is the function of selecting the editing target, the electronic device  100  may wait to receive a gesture input corresponding to the function of editing the editing target as far as the editable state is not ended. In the case where the editing function is a function of editing the editing target or an input which indicates the end of the editable state is received, the electronic device  100  may end the editable state. In this case, the electronic device  100  may return to operation  210  and may sense and analyze another gesture input. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case where the input which indicates the end of the editable state is not received even though the editing function is a function of editing the editing target, the electronic device  100  may not end the editable state. Thus, the electronic device  100  may not include an operation, which receives an additional gesture input to enter the editable state. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may associate a different function with a general, specific or predetermined gesture input, based on a state of the electronic device  100  or an application at a point in time when a general, specific or predetermined gesture input occurs. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may enter or end the editable state with the same gesture input. For example, the electronic device  100  enters the editable state through the general, specific or predetermined gesture input; if the same gesture input occurs in the editable state, the gesture input occurred later may be processed to perform a function of ending the editable state. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1 ) associated with a gesture input sensing and analyzing method, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the present disclosure is exemplified as a touch method is one of gesture input recognizing methods which recognize a user motion to the electronic device  100  as a gesture input. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in operation  310 , the electronic device  100  may sense a gesture input. For example, the electronic device  100  may sense a gesture of a touch object, such as a portion of a user&#39;s body, an electronic pen, or the like, using the sensor  120 . If a gesture input is sensed, the electronic device  100  may analyze the sensed gesture input. For example, the electronic device  100  may analyze touch information corresponding to a gesture of the touch object. In this case, the electronic device  100  may refer to the gesture mapping table  141  (of  FIG. 1 ) stored in the memory  140 . 
     In operation  320 , the electronic device  100  may determine a number of the touch objects that occur at substantially the same time. For example, the electronic device  100  may determine whether a touch input is a single touch or a multi-touch and may determine the number of touch points in the case of the multi-touch. 
     In operation  330 , the electronic device  100  may determine a form of the touch input. For example, the electronic device  100  may determine the touch input as a tap input if the touch object is contacted on an area for a time and then is released therefrom. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may determine the touch input as a swipe input if the touch object moves in a specific or predetermined direction with the touch object contacted on an area. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may sample the touch input in a time interval and may determine a form of the touch input based on a location (coordinates), a moving direction, a moving distance, or the like of the sampled touch input. 
     In the case where the touch input is a tap input, in operation  340 , the electronic device  100  may determine the touch input frequency. For example, the electronic device  100  may determine the number of tap inputs inputted during a time. 
     In the case where the touch input is a swipe input, in operation  350 , the electronic device  100  may determine a direction of the touch input. For example, the electronic device  100  may determine the direction of the swipe input. 
     In the case where the touch input frequency or the direction of the touch input is determined, in operation  360 , the electronic device  100  may perform a function corresponding to the touch input. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may determine a function corresponding to the touch input based on the gesture mapping table  141 . 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in operation  370 , the electronic device  100  may provide a feedback about the gesture input to a user. For example, the electronic device  100  may display information, such as a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of a touch input, on the display  160  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice through the input/output interface  150 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may output information corresponding to a type, a description, or the like of a function with regard to the performance of the corresponding function. For example, if at least a portion of contents is selected as an editing target with regard to an editing function, the electronic device  100  may display information, such as a type, a name, content, or the like of the selected contents, on the display  160  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice through the input/output interface  150 . 
     In addition to the forms of the touch input described above, forms of the touch input may include a hold (or press), a pan, a drag, a flick, a pinch out/in, a rotate, or the like. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure is exemplified as a touch method is a gesture input recognizing method. However, the scope and spirit of the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. For example, the method may include a motion method, a vision method, or the like. The motion method may be a method in which an operation of a motion object is recognized by outputting a light to the motion object and measuring strength of the light reflected or refracted based on a light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode. The vision method may be a method in which an operation of an object is recognized by capturing the object and processing the captured image based on a camera module (not shown). 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, both a user motion to the electronic device  100  and a movement of the electronic device  100  may be recognized as a gesture input. For example, a change in a location or an angle of the electronic device  100  may be sensed, and a function corresponding to the sensed change may be performed. 
     As described above, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for processing a gesture input related to contents editing of the electronic device may include sensing at least one gesture input related to the contents editing and performing an editing function corresponding to the gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for processing a gesture input may include obtaining a first gesture input related to the contents editing through a touch screen display included in the electronic device, entering an editable state corresponding to the first gesture input, expanding an input area for a second gesture input, which is mapped to select at least one type among types of editing function to an area of the display on which a gesture input is acceptable, obtaining the second gesture input on an area on which the gesture input is acceptable, and performing an editing function corresponding to the second gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for processing the gesture input may further include storing information related to the gesture input which is mapped on information related to the editing function. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensing of the gesture input may include sensing through a sensor included in an external electronic device which is connected with the electronic device through a communication interface. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the obtaining of the first gesture input or the obtaining of the second gesture input may include obtaining the gesture input from an external electronic device connected to the electronic device through a communication interface. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the performing of the editing function may further include at least one of displaying information related to the editing function on a specific area of the display and outputting the information related to the editing function through a voice output device. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the performing of the editing function may further include at least one of displaying an object on an area of the display and outputting voice information corresponding to the object through a voice output device, the object guiding a gesture input corresponding to a related function such that the related function of the editing function is performed in completing the performance of the editing function or in a time interval. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the performing of the editing function may include selecting at least a portion of the contents as an editing target corresponding to the second gesture input and performing a function, such as a cut function, a copy function, or a paste function about the editing target corresponding to a third gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the selecting of the at least a portion may further include performing control so as not to end the editable state until the third gesture input is obtained, if the second gesture input is obtained in a state where an input which indicates an end of the contents editable state is not obtained. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for processing the gesture input may further include executing a program, which supports to practice a gesture corresponding to the gesture input, if a specific gesture input is obtained or an item is selected on an information configuration screen related to the gesture input. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for processing the gesture input may further include executing a program, which supports to explain at least one of information or a gesture corresponding to the gesture input which is supportable, if a gesture input is obtained or an item is selected on an information configuration screen related to the gesture input. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a gesture mapping table according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device  100  may perform a specific function corresponding to a gesture input. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the electronic device  100  may refer to the gesture mapping table  141  (of  FIG. 1 ) in which functions are defined to correspond to the gesture inputs. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may store the gesture mapping table  141  in the memory  140 . 
     The gesture mapping table  141  may include information, such as a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of at least one gesture input and information about at least one function, which is mapped (or specified) to each of the information. For example, the gesture mapping table  141  may include a symbol  410 , which indicates information, such as a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of the gesture input, a definition  430  of a symbol, and the number of touch objects  450  as classification items. The symbol  410  may be an item for classifying a gesture input and in some embodiments may be divided into information such as a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of the gesture input. For example, the gesture mapping table  141  may classify the symbol  410  into a tap input  470  and a swipe input  490  based on the form of touch inputs. Furthermore, the symbol  410  may include an identifier about the gesture input, for example, a numeral, a character, a symbol, or the like specified to correspond to each of the gesture inputs. In the illustrated diagram, the symbol  410  which is specified to correspond to each of the gesture inputs is stored in the gesture mapping table  141 . Furthermore, the definition  430  which is a definition about each of the gesture inputs may be referred and used at a point in time when the feedback about the gesture input is provided to a user. For example, if the gesture input is sensed, the electronic device  100  may analyze the gesture input and may determine whether the gesture input is a supportable input (e.g., whether the corresponding gesture input is defined in the gesture mapping table  141 ) through the gesture mapping table  141 . In the case where the corresponding gesture input is the supported input (e.g., in the case where the corresponding gesture input is defined in the gesture mapping table  141 ), the electronic device  100  may perform a function corresponding to the corresponding gesture input based on an identifier of the gesture input, that is, the symbol  410 . In this case, the electronic device  100  may display an object (e.g., a text, an image, a voice, or the like), which is stored as the definition  430 , on a screen or may output the object audibly, for example, by voice based on the characteristics of the object. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the gesture input is sensed, the electronic device  100  may process entering to an editable state. For example, as illustrated, if a gesture (e.g., two fingers double tap &amp; hold) in which two fingers contact on a gesture input sensing area more than a time is performed, the electronic device  100  may process to enter an editable state (e.g., selection mode  454 ). Furthermore, in the case where the gesture input is sensed in the editable state, the electronic device  100  may perform an editing function. For example, as illustrated, if a gesture (e.g., two fingers swipe) in which two fingers move to a specific direction in a state where the two fingers contact on a gesture input sensing area is performed in the editable state, the electronic device  100  may perform a function  458 , such as a copy, a paste, a cut, a select all, or the like. 
     Even though the gesture input related to a user motion to the electronic device  100  is exclusively illustrated in the diagram, the gesture mapping table  141  may further include a gesture input related to a movement of the electronic device  100 . 
     An editing function which is based on a gesture input in an editable state will be explained later. If the specific gesture input is sensed in the editable state, the electronic device  100  may perform an editing function corresponding to the gesture input. Furthermore, as far as the input which indicates to end the editable state is not received, the electronic device  100  may continuously perform the editing function based on the gesture input. 
       FIG. 5A  is a diagram illustrating a “select all” function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , the electronic device  100  may display contents and a soft input panel (SIP) on a screen  500  in a contents editable state. For example, the electronic device  100  may display contents  511 , such as a text, an image, a video, an icon, a symbol, or the like, and a cursor  513  on a display area  510  and may display a soft keypad on an area  524  at the bottom of the screen  500 . 
     If a gesture input is sensed in the editable state, the electronic device  100  may analyze the corresponding gesture input and may perform a function corresponding to the gesture input. For example, if a gesture  531  (e.g., two fingers down swipe) in which two fingers move downwardly in a state where the two fingers contact on a gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may select all the contents  511  displayed on the contents display area  510  as an editing target  515 . In this case, the electronic device  100  may use different colors for a background to differentiate states before and after the contents  511  have been selected as the editing target  515 . Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may display information, such as a type, content, or the like of the contents  511  selected as the editing target  515  on an area of the screen  500  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. For example, the electronic device  100  may display a text, such as “All selected” on an area of the bottom of the screen  500  or may output the text audibly, for example, by voice. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if an editing function is performed in an editable state, the electronic device  100  may provide information related to the editing function to a user such that a related editing function is performed. For example, if at least a portion of the contents  511  is selected as the editing target  515  in the editable state, the electronic device  100  may display information, such as a type, a description, or the like of a related editing function, on an area of the screen  500  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may designate an editing function, such as a copy, a cut, or the like of the editing target  515  as the related editing function and may provide information (e.g., a type, a description, or the like of the related editing function) related to the corresponding editing function to the user. Accordingly, the user may perform a gesture input following a guide without remembering the gesture about the editing function. 
       FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustrating a cut function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5B , if a gesture input is sensed in a state where at least a portion of contents  511  is selected as an editing target  515 , the electronic device  100  may perform the corresponding editing function. If a gesture  533  (e.g., two fingers up swipe) in which two fingers move upwardly in a state where the two fingers contact on a gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may perform a cut function about the editing target  515 . In this case, the electronic device  100  may delete at least a portion of the contents  511  selected as the editing target  515  on a display area  510 . Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may display information, such as a type, a description, or the like of the editing function, on an area of the screen  500  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. For example, the electronic device  100  may display a text, such as “Cut, from It to Baudelaire”, on an area of the bottom of the screen  500  or may output the text audibly, for example, by voice. Alternatively, the electronic device  100  may display information, which a user needs to know with regard to the corresponding editing function, on the area of the bottom of the screen  500  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. For example, the electronic device  100  may output information (e.g., the information that the cut contents is stored in a clipboard) which the user needs to know with regard to the cut function. In  FIG. 5B , an embodiment of the present disclosure is exemplified as a text, such as “Copied to clipboard”, is displayed in the form of a pop-up object  551 . 
       FIG. 5C  is a diagram illustrating a copy function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5C , if a gesture input is sensed in the editable state, the electronic device  100  may select at least a portion of contents  511  as an editing target  515  based on a location of a cursor  513 . If a gesture (e.g., one finger up swipe) in which one finger moves upwardly in a state where the one finger contacts on a gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may move the cursor  513  from a current location of the contents  511  to a previous location and may include at least a portion of the contents  511  to the editing target  515 . Likewise, if a swipe gesture  534  (e.g., one finger down swipe) in which one finger moves downwardly in a state where the one finger contacts on the gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may move the cursor  513  from a current location of the contents  511  to next location and may include at least a portion of the contents  511  to the editing target  515 . For example, as illustrated in the leftmost diagram of  FIG. 5C , if the one finger down swipe gesture  534  is sensed, the electronic device  100  may move the cursor  513  from the indicated current location about the contents  511  to a next location and may include the contents (e.g., the text “C”) of the corresponding location in the editing target  515 . Furthermore, the function which selects the editing target may be continuously performed several times. The middle diagram of  FIG. 5C  shows a state that the electronic device  100  selects a text, for example, “Charles Baudelaire”, as an editing target  515  through the method described above. 
     If a gesture input is sensed in the state where the editing target  515  is selected, the electronic device  100  may perform a function corresponding to the corresponding gesture input based on the cursor  513 . For example, if a gesture  535  (e.g., two fingers left swipe) in which two fingers move left in a state where the two fingers contact on the gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may copy an editing target  515 . For example, the electronic device  100  may store the editing target  515  in a temporary storage space (e.g., a clipboard). In this case, the electronic device  100  may release the selection of the editing target  515  with the completion of the editing function (e.g., a copy function) about the editing target  515 . For example, the electronic device  100  may exclude at least a portion of the contents  511  selected as the editing target  515  from the editing target  515  and may use different colors for a background to differentiate the excluded state. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may display information related to the corresponding editing function on an area of the display area  510  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. For example, the electronic device  100  may display a text, such as “Copy, from Charles to Baudelaire”, corresponding to information (e.g., a name of the copy function or information about the copy target) related to the copy function, in the pop-up object  551 . Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may output information (e.g., information that the copied contents are stored in the clipboard) which the user needs to know with regard to the copy function, with a pop-up object  551  which includes a text, such as “Copied to clipboard”, or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. 
       FIG. 5D  is a diagram illustrating a copy function while editing contents based on a gesture input, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5D , if a gesture input is sensed in the state where at least of a portion of a contents  511  is copied into a clipboard, the electronic device  100  may perform a corresponding editing function based on a cursor  513 . For example, if a gesture (e.g., two fingers right swipe)  537  in which two fingers move right in a state where the two fingers contact on the gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may paste at least a portion of the contents  511  stored in the clipboard starting from the location of the cursor  513 . In this regard, the electronic device  100  may display information about the corresponding editing function on an area of the screen  500  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case where information related to an editing function is displayed on an area of the display area  510  or is outputted audibly, for example, by voice, the electronic device  100  may include a type, content, or the like of the contents  511  selected as the editing target  515  into the output information and may include a type, a description, or the like of the corresponding editing function into the output information. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case where the output information includes content of the contents  511 , the electronic device  100  may process differently based on a type of the contents  511 . For example, in the case where the contents  511  are a text, the electronic device  100  may compose the output information so as to include a word indicating the editing function, such as a selection, a copy, a paste, a cut, or the like, as well as a first syllable (or word) and a last syllable (or word) of the text. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device  100  may provide a separate tutorial to guide the user or may provide a guide in the form of a pad for practicing a gesture input such that the user performs the gesture input in such a manner as is defined in the gesture mapping table  141 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows an example in which a gesture input test pad is used, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , the electronic device  100  may display a configuration information list  610 , which includes a configuration of information, supplementary functions or the like related to the gesture input as items, on a screen  600 . The electronic device  100  may configure the configuration information list  610  so as to include an item  611  which is used to practice or guide a gesture input. 
     If the item  611  is selected, the electronic device  100  may delete the previous items from the configuration information list  610  and may compose and display the configuration information list  610  which is configured with sub-items of the item  611 . For example, the electronic device  100  may display the configuration information list  610 , in which a gesture input test pad guide  613  and a gesture input tutorial  615  are configured as items, in response to the selection of the item  611 . The gesture input tutorial  615  may include information about functions defined in the gesture mapping table  141  as details. 
     The electronic device  100  may display a gesture input test pad  650  on the screen  600  in response to the selection of the gesture input test pad guide  613 . The gesture input test pad  650  may be an example of a logical input device implemented in software and may be a type of application. If a gesture input  651  is sensed through the gesture input test pad  650 , the electronic device  100  may display a symbol definition  653  (e.g., the definition  430  in  FIG. 4 ) which may indicate a type, a form, a frequency, a direction, or the like of the gesture input  651  and information  655  about a function corresponding to the gesture input  651  on an area of the screen  600  or may output the information audibly, for example, by voice. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may display a button  657 , which indicates the end of the gesture input test pad  650 , on a specific area of the screen  600 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the button  657  is selected, the electronic device  100  may end the output of the gesture input test pad  650  and may return to a previous output screen, for example, a screen on which the configuration information list  610  is displayed. 
       FIG. 6B  shows an example in which a gesture input tutorial is used, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , if the gesture input tutorial  615  is selected on a screen on which the configuration information list  610  is displayed, the electronic device  100  may display a tutorial screen  670  on the screen  600 . Contents  671  to be used in a tutorial may be displayed on an area of the tutorial screen  670  and the corresponding area may be used to receive a user&#39;s gesture input. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may display an object  673  (e.g., a text, an image, or the like) which guides the user to perform an indicated gesture on an area of the tutorial screen  670 . In this case, the electronic device  100  may output voice related to the indicated gesture with the display of the object  673 . According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the state where the voice related to the indicated gesture is outputted, the electronic device  100  may process so as not to perform the corresponding function even though the gesture input is sensed. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may display a previous button  675  and a next button  677 , which are used to change the order of the tutorial to “Previous” and “Next,” on an area of the tutorial screen  670 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the state where the voice output related to the indicated gesture is ended, if the user inputs a gesture input  691  following the direction, the electronic device  100  may perform a function corresponding to the gesture input  691 . Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may continue the tutorial to the following sequence of the corresponding function and may change the object  673  to display information about a function associated with the following sequence. The illustrated diagram shows that the electronic device  100  starts the tutorial after the sensing of the gesture input  691 . 
     If the tutorial is started, the electronic device  100  may guide gesture inputs, which the electronic device supports, in a specific sequence. The illustrated diagram shows a screen in which the electronic device  100  performs a function corresponding to the corresponding gesture input based on the analysis result about the gesture input inputted according to the indicated gesture, for example, a function of moving a cursor  679  to a specific location of the contents  671 . If a gesture (e.g., one finger up swipe)  693  in which one finger moves upwardly in a state where the one finger contacts on a gesture input sensing area is performed, the electronic device  100  may move the cursor  679  from a current location of the contents  671  to a previous location. In this regard, the electronic device  100  may change the object  673  to display information related to a function which is indicated as the following sequence in the sequence of the tutorial. Furthermore, the electronic device  100  may output information corresponding to the object  673  audibly, for example, by voice. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if an item among the details of the gesture input tutorial  615  is selected on a screen on which the configuration information list  610  is displayed, the electronic device  100  may guide the gesture input corresponding to the item. In this case, the electronic device  100  may return to a previous screen after guiding the gesture input corresponding to the item or may guide a gesture input corresponding to the previous or next sequence in the tutorial sequence based on the item. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, if a gesture input is sensed in satisfying a condition, the electronic device  100  may display a configuration information list  610  on the screen  600 . For example, in the case where the electronic device  100  is not in an editable state, if a gesture input is sensed to display the configuration information list  610 , the electronic device  100  may perform the corresponding function. Furthermore, if a gesture input is sensed at a point in time when a condition is satisfied, the electronic device  100  may perform control to execute the gesture input test pad guide  613  or the gesture input tutorial  615 . 
     The term “module” used herein may represent, for example, a unit including one or more combinations of hardware, software and firmware. The term “module” may be interchangeably used with the terms “unit”, “logic”, “logical block”, “component” and “circuit”. The “module” may be a minimum unit of an integrated component or may be a part thereof. The “module” may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. The “module” may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, the “module” may include at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic device for performing some operations, which are known or will be developed. 
     At least a portion of an apparatus (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or a method (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be, for example, implemented by instructions stored in a computer-readable storage media in the form of a program module. 
     A module or a program module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the above elements, or a portion of the above elements may be omitted, or additional other elements may be further included. Operations performed by a module, a program module, or other elements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic method. Also, a portion of operations may be executed in different sequences, omitted, or other operations may be added. 
     According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a user input procedure may be simplified by processing such that an editing function with the complex procedure and configuration is executed in response to a specific gesture input when contents are edited based on a gesture input. 
     Furthermore, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the ease of a gesture input may be improved by expanding a gesture input sensing area. 
     Furthermore, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the availability of a gesture input may be increased by providing feedback information corresponding to an editing function to a user. 
     While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.