Patent Publication Number: US-2007123205-A1

Title: Mobile terminal with a plurality of input units

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2005-0102632 filed on Oct. 28, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a plurality of input units that may receive two or more signal inputs.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
      Many mobile terminals, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart handheld devices and MP3 players have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Mobile terminal technology has also undergone tremendous advancement. Mobile terminals are typically small enough to be clipped to a belt or other article of clothing or to be stored in a pocket, briefcase or purse.  
      Some mobile terminals provide telecommunication functions. Some mobile terminals also provide primitive calendar, contact/address book, and/or email functions. Various functions, such as generating background music, a digital camera, a TV, a camcorder, a game, and wireless Internet access have been added to some mobile terminals. As functions were added to mobile terminals, menus for selecting the various functions have also increased and the directory structure of the menus has become complicated.  
      As mobile terminals have become an indispensable part of the daily lives of their users, they often store personal information, such as a telephone directory and a time schedule in the memory. This information is closely connected with the lives of their users.  
      As the character input or the menu selection has increased for mobile terminals, there is a greater necessity for effectively displaying the results and simplifying the character input or menu selection procedures.  
      Mobile terminals use various input units, such as a keypad, a joystick, a jog dial, and a navigation key, in order to input characters or perform menu selection. However, these input units are not efficient for the increased character input or menu selection.  
      Mobile terminals having conventional input units are often very complicated and require much time for selecting a menu or a mode corresponding to the various functions. Furthermore, because it is impossible to select the menu or the mode and input information when a cover of the mobile terminal is closed, the cover must be opened for performing such simple functions, thereby adding to user inconvenience.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
      An object of the present invention is to solve at least the problems and disadvantages of the related art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal equipped with a plurality of multi-input units that may quickly, easily and simply select a desired menu or mode.  
      In one aspect of the present invention, a mobile communication terminal is provided. The mobile communication terminal includes a body, a first multi-input unit and a second multi-input unit installed on the body, at least a first display screen and a second display screen adapted to display predetermined menus and a controller adapted to respond to an input from the first multi-input unit to move and execute a first predetermined menu displayed on the first display screen and respond to an input from the second multi-input unit to move and execute a second predetermined menu displayed on the second display screen.  
      It is contemplated that the body includes a main body and a cover coupled to the main body and the first display screen is located on the main body and the second display screen is located on the cover. It is further contemplated that at least one of the first display screen and second display screen is divided into at least two portions.  
      It is contemplated that the second predetermined menu is a sub menu of the first predetermined menu. It is further contemplated that the body further includes a hinge adapted to couple the main body to the cover and the first multi-input unit and the second multi-input unit are located at opposite sides of the hinge.  
      It is contemplated that one of the first multi-input unit and the second multi-input unit is either a jog dial or a jog shuttle and the other of the first multi-input unit and the second multi-input unit is one of a jog dial, a jog shuttle, a multi-key, a side key and a navigation key. It is further contemplated that the body includes a main body and a cover coupled to the main body such that the mobile communication terminal has an open configuration and a closed configuration and the input from the first multi-input unit and the input from the second multi-input unit may be generated regardless of the open or closed configuration of the mobile communication terminal.  
      It is contemplated that at least one of the first display screen and the second display screen is an outer display screen located on an outer surface of the cover. It is further contemplated that the input from the first multi-input unit and the input from the second multi-input unit are related to one of character input, number input, setting time, setting a menu and changing a displayed background.  
      It is contemplated that the first display screen is located on an inner surface of the main body and the second display screen is located on an inner surface of the cover. It is further contemplated that the mobile communication terminal further includes a first identifier and a second identifier, the first identifier located either on a surface of the first multi input-unit or adjacent the first multi-input unit and the second identifier located either on a surface of the second multi-input unit or adjacent the second multi-input unit, and wherein the first identifier indicates that the first multi-input unit controls moving and executing the first predetermined menu displayed on the first display screen and the second identifier indicates that the second multi-input unit controls moving and executing the second predetermined menu displayed on the second display screen.  
      It is contemplated that at least one of the first display screen and the second display screen includes a touch screen. It is further contemplated that the mobile communication terminal further includes a camera and wherein the input from the first multi-input unit controls the moving and execution of a menu related to photographing an image and the input from the second multi-input unit controls the moving and execution of a menu related to storing, retrieving and deleting photographed images.  
      It is contemplated that the mobile communication terminal further includes a text input mode and wherein the input from the first multi-input unit selects a type of input character and the input from the second multi-input unit selects the input character. It is further contemplated that the mobile communication terminal further includes a multimedia mode and wherein the input from the first multi-input unit controls the moving and execution of a menu related to the selection and execution of a type of multimedia and the input from the second multi-input unit controls the moving and execution of a menu related to screen size, screen capture and volume level.  
      It is contemplated that the mobile communication terminal further includes a music replay mode and wherein the input from the first multi-input unit controls the moving and execution of a main menu and the input from the second multi-input unit controls at least one of volume and an equalizer. It is further contemplated that the mobile communication terminal further includes at least one of a menu view mode, a menu search mode and a message inquiry mode and wherein the input from the first multi-input unit controls the moving and selection of a main page or an upper directory and the input from the second multi-input unit controls the moving and selection of a detailed page or a lower directory.  
      It is contemplated that the first input is generated by rotation of the first multi-input unit and the second input is generated by rotation of the second multi-input unit. It is further contemplated that the first multi-input unit includes a first input button and the second multi-input unit includes a second input button and wherein the first input is generated by either rotation of the first multi-input unit or manipulation of the first input button and the second input is generated by either rotation of the second multi-input unit or manipulation of the second input button.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile communication terminal is provided. The mobile communication terminal includes a main body, a cover, a hinge adapted to couple the main body to the cover such that the mobile communication terminal has an open configuration and a closed configuration, a first multi-input unit and a second multi-input unit located at opposite sides of the hinge, at least a first display screen located on the main body and a second display screen located on the cover, the first display screen and second display screen adapted to display predetermined menus and a controller adapted to respond to an input from the first multi-input unit to move and execute a first predetermined menu displayed on the first display screen and respond to an input from the second multi-input unit to move and execute a second predetermined menu displayed on the second display screen, wherein the input from first multi-input unit and the input from the second multi-input unit may be generated regardless of the open or closed configuration of the mobile communication terminal.  
      Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.  
      These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like numerals refer to like elements. The accompany drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention before it is opened.  
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view illustrating a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention after it is opened.  
       FIG. 2  is a system configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 3A  to  3 D are perspective views showing operational modes of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 4A  to  4 C are additional perspective views showing operational modes of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention after it is opened. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Embodiments of the present invention will be described in a more detailed manner with reference to the drawings.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention after it is, respectively, closed and opened.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the mobile communication terminal  10  includes a cover  16 , a hinge  20  and a main body  28 .  
      The cover  16  includes an outer display screen  12  and a first inner display screen  14 . The outer display screen  12  is formed on an outer surface of the cover  16 . The first inner display screen  14  is formed on an inner surface of the cover  16 .  
      The outer display screen  12  displays an image or information when the mobile communication terminal  10  is closed, with the cover  16  over the main body  28 . The outer display screen  12  may be one of various display devices, such as a liquid crystal display LCD, an organic light emitting display OLED and a light emitting display LED.  
      The hinge  20  connects the cover  16  to the main body  28 . A camera  21 , a first jog dial  22  and a second jog dial  24  are installed in or on the hinge  20 .  
      The main body  28  includes a second inner display screen  26 . The second inner display screen  26  is formed on an inner surface of the main body  28 .  
      The first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  displays an image or information when the mobile communication terminal  10  is open, with the cover  16  pivotally rotated to expose the main body  28 . The first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  may be one of various display devices, such as a liquid crystal display LCD, an organic light emitting display (OLED) and a light emitting display (LED). Since the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  include, respectively, a first touch screen  15  and a second touch screen  27 , they may perform an input function as well as display an image or information.  
      The first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  display an image or information that are related or correspond to each other. For example, the first inner display screen  14  displays upper menus or main menus while the second inner display screen  26  displays lower menus or sub menus of the upper menus or the main menus displayed on the first inner display screen.  
      The main menu displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the sub menu displayed on the second inner display screen  26  are related, for example, having an upper and lower relationship on the base of a tree structure of a menu designed by a user. For example, if the main menu is the uppermost menu, the sub menu may be the lower menu of the uppermost menu. On the other hand, if the sub menu is a list of performance data that is the lowermost menu, the main menu may be the upper menu for the list of performance data.  
      Typical menus displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  are illustrated in table 1.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the camera  21  takes a picture of a subject and provides an image. The camera  21  may be operated regardless of whether the mobile communication terminal  10  is open or closed.  
      When the mobile communication terminal  10  is closed, the image photographed by the camera  21  is displayed on the outer display screen  12 . When the mobile communication terminal  10  is open, the photographed image is displayed on the first inner display screen  14  or the second inner display screen  26 .  
      The first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  are located at opposite ends of the hinge  20 . The first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  act as a multi-input unit or multi-input device  25  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) in order to input at least two signals. The first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  are exposed both when the mobile communication terminal  10  is closed, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and when the mobile communication terminal  10  is open, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B .  
                           TABLE 1                                   First inner   Second inner           display screen   display screen                                                Menu   Main menu   Detailed menu           Detailed menu   List of performance Data       Camera/Video   Photographed   Image processing menu       mode   image           Photography   Control and edit menu           related menu       Multimedia   Selecting type   TV image and moving       mode   of multimedia,   picture control menu, such           such as TV,   as image size, image           moving picture   capture, volume control           and execution       MP3 mode   Basic menu   Volume or sound quality,               such as volume, equalizer       Document view   Contents   Every page       or menu search,   Previous page   Next page       message inquiry       Directory   Upper directory   Lower directory                  
 
      The first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  may be used to perform a task, such as simple character input, input a telephone number, set time, set a menu, and change a background when the mobile communication terminal  10  is closed. Therefore, users may perform a simple manipulation, such as a telephone call or send a message, by using the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  when the mobile communication terminal  10  is closed.  
      When the mobile communication terminal is open, the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  may be used to execute and/or move a main menu that is displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and a sub menu that is displayed on the second inner display screen  26  according to their rotation. The first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  are capable of multi-signal input regardless of whether the mobile communication terminal  10  is open or closed.  
      A user may manipulate the main menu displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  and the detailed menu by grasping the mobile communication terminal  10  with both hands and rotating the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  with the thumb of each hand, respectively.  
      An input button (not shown) that generates a specific input signal by a perpendicular input may be formed in the sides of the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24 . On the other hand, when the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  have elastic forces, a specific input signal may be generated by the perpendicular input. Menu or mode switching, detailed menu selection advancement or list selection advancement may be determined according to the perpendicular input.  
      Typical instructions related to moving and executing the main menu and the detailed menu displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  according to the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  are illustrated in table 2.  
      For example, in a camera/video mode, the image photographed by the camera  21  is displayed on the first inner display screen  14 . When image processing menus are displayed on the second inner display screen  26 , the first jog dial  22  is used to input a signal which causes a picture of the image displayed on the first inner display screen  14  to be taken and stored in a memory. The second jog dial  24  is used to input a signal for selecting image-processing menus related to storage, revival, deletion and video composition.  
      In a multimedia mode, the first jog dial  22  is used to select a menu related to selection and execution of a multimedia type, such as a TV image and moving picture. The second jog dial  24  may be used to select a detailed menu related to control of the TV image and moving picture, such as image size, image capture and volume level.  
      In a music replay mode, such as MP-3 file replay, the first jog dial  22  is used to select a main menu. The second jog dial  24  may be used control the volume or an equalizer.  
                           TABLE 2                                   First jog dial   Second jog dial                                                Menu   Main menu   Detailed menu           Detailed menu   List of performance Data       Camera/Video   Photographed   Image processing menu       mode   image           Photography   Control and edit menu           related menu       Multimedia   Selecting type   TV image and moving       mode   of multimedia,   picture control menu, such           such as TV,   as image size, image           moving picture   capture, volume control           and execution       MP3 mode   Basic menu   Volume or sound quality,               such as volume, equalizer       Document view   Contents   Every page       or menu search,   Previous page   Next page       message inquiry       Directory   Upper directory   Lower directory                  
 
      In a mode including a document view, menu search, and message inquiry, the first jog dial  22  is used to select a main page or an upper directory. The second jog dial  24  may be used to select a detailed page or a lower directory.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , an identifier or a mark  23  showing a direction, such as “▴” or “▾”, is printed on the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  in order to indicate that the first jog dial and the second jog dial are used to select which menu or the mode is displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26 . According to the identifier  23 , a user knows how to move or execute the main menu displayed on the first inner display screen  14  using the first jog dial  22  and how to move the detailed menu displayed on the second inner display screen  26  using the second jog dial  24 .  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a system configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mobile communication terminal  10  includes a controller  30  for controlling the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal, a radio circuit unit  34  sending and receiving a radio frequency signal through an antenna ANT and a memory  32  for storing various data or programs, as well as a multi-input unit  25  including the first jog dial  22  and second jog dial  24 , the outer display screen  12 , the first inner display screen  14 , the second inner display screen  26 , and the camera  21 . The first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  include, respectively, touch screens  15  and  27 .  
      The detailed function or the operation will be omitted for those elements for which a detailed description has already been provided. The main function of the controller  30  will be illustrated in detail.  
      The controller  30  receives a multi-signal from the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24 . The controller  30  executes the corresponding input signals from the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24 . For example, the controller  30  controls moving or executing the main menu displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the sub menu displayed on the second inner display screen  26  according to the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24 .  
      Furthermore, as illustrated in table 2 with respect to moving and executing according to a sequential rotational input or a perpendicularity input of the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24 , the controller  30  controls the execution of the multi-signal from the first jog dial and the second jog dial.  
       FIGS. 3A  to  3 D illustrate operation of a mobile communication terminal  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3D , a user may select the main menu of the first inner display screen  14  and the detailed menu of the second inner display screen  26  by rotating the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  using the thumb of each hand.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the first inner display screen  14  displays the main menu of the mobile communication terminal  10  for a function, such as a telephone call, image setting, scheduling, camera or MP3, while the second inner display screen  26  displays the detailed menu of each main menu. For example, if the main menu is related to a telephone call, the second inner display screen  26  displays a detailed menu, such a the telephone directory, abbreviated number administration, a calling list, a telephone call timer or favorites. The first jog dial  22  moves or executes the main menu of the first inner display screen  14  according to its rotation while the second jog dial  24  moves or executes the detailed menu of the second inner display screen  26  under control of the controller  30  (see  FIG. 2 ).  
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the selection of a calling list by rotating the second jog dial  24  in a clockwise direction when a telephone function mode is selected on the main menu.  FIG. 3C  shows the selection of a camera function on the main menu by rotating the first jog dial  22  in a clockwise direction.  FIG. 3D  shows the selection of a special shooting mode by rotating the second jog dial  24  in a clockwise direction when the camera function is selected on the main menu.  
       FIGS. 4A  to  4 C illustrate additional operations of a mobile communication terminal  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. A user may select a detailed menu and a sub menu of the detailed menu or execute a function of the detailed menu by rotating the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  using the thumb of each hand.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the first inner display screen  14  displays the detailed menus of the selected camera mode, such as photograph shooting, videotaping, special shooting, video album and slide show. The second inner display screen  26  displays the execution screen of each detailed menu or the sub menu of the detailed menu.  
      The first jog dial  22  is used to select the detailed menu of the first inner display screen  14 , while the second jog dial  24  is used to execute the detailed menu of the second inner display screen or select the sub menu of the detailed menu. The controller  30  controls execution or selection according to the rotation of the second jog dial  24 .  
       FIG. 4B  illustrates selection of a video album by rotating the first jog dial  22  in a clockwise direction when the camera mode has been selected.  FIG. 4C  illustrates selection of a sub menu of the video album, such as video sending, album server sending and name editing, with the name editing sub menu selected by rotating the second jog dial  24  in a clockwise direction.  
      In the embodiment illustrated, the first jog dial  22  and second jog dial  24  are used to execute and move the main menu and the sub menu displayed on the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26 . However, at least one of the outer display screen  12 , the first inner display screen  14  and the second inner display screen  26  may be divided into at lease two display portions in a widthwise or lengthwise configuration in order to display the main menu and sub menu respectively, as described in table 1.  
      The first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  may also be used to move and execute the main menu and sub menu displayed on the divided display portion. Additionally, an input means or input method for moving or executing the main menu and sub menu of a specific display portion by the first jog dial  22  and the second jog dial  24  would also be provided.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a mobile communication terminal  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a cover  116 , a hinge  120  and a main body  125 . The cover  116  includes one inner display screen  114  that is divided two display screens  112  and  113 .  
      Display screens  112  and  113  may display an image or information related to or corresponding to each other, as previously illustrated for display screens  14  and  26  of the first embodiment of the present invention in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . For example, the first display screen  112  may display the main menu and the second display screen  113  may display the sub menu according to a tree structure.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal used for telecommunication. However, the present invention may be applied to an image apparatus or sound apparatus, such as information electronic appliances or an MPEG-3 player, in addition to a mobile communication terminal. The present invention may be applied to any mobile terminal, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), smart handheld device or MP-3 player.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which a cover is connected to a main body about a rotation axis. However, the present invention is not limited to a single type or structure of mobile communication terminal and may be applied to a folder-type, swing=type, slide-type, flip-type, bar-type, or hinged-type mobile terminal.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal with an outer display screen and first and second inner display screen. However, the present invention is not limited in this way. Only a portion of those elements may exist in the present invention or a touch screen may not be included in the present invention.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which first and second jog dials are used to move and execute the main menu and the sub menu displayed on a first inner display screen and—a second inner display screen. However, in the present invention, the first and the second jog dials may be used to move and execute the main menu and the sub menu or the upper menu and the lower menu regardless of the configuration of the display screens on which the main menu and sub menu are displayed. On the other hand, the first and the second jog dials may be used to move and execute the menu displayed on the first and the second inner display screen regardless of the relative position of the upper and lower menu.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which the multi-input unit of the first and the second jog dials may be used to move and execute the menu. However, in the present invention, the first and the second jog dials may be used for document input.  
      For example, in a text input mode, while the first jog dial is rotated to select a Korean consonant, the second jog dial may be used to select a Korean vowel to complete the input of a Korean word. On the other hand, while the first jog dial selects Korean, the second jog dial may be used to select English in order to create a document in which Korean and English are mixed.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which first and second jog dials generate signals related to a menu or document input. However, the first and the second jog dials may generate signals that move two points or a cursor displayed on a display screen. For example, in a mobile communication terminal that supports a multimedia game mode, the first and the second jog dials may simultaneously input multi-signals by generating moving signal for two points displayed on the display screen.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which the jog dials are multi-input units. However, various jog devices, such as a jog shuttle, may be utilized in the present invention.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which only the first and the second jog dials are multi-input units. However, input units such as a keypad, a side key, a navigation key, a multi-key and a joystick, may be used with the first and the second jog dials in order to input multi-signals.  
      For example, a jog dial or jog shuttle may be used with another jog dial or jog shuttle or with a multi-key, side key or navigation key. Furthermore, both devices may be positioned facing each other to input multi-signals.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which an identifier or mark is formed on the hinge in order to indicate the display screen controlled by the first and the second jog dials. However, the identifier or mark may be printed on the first and second jog dials or may be temporarily displayed on the first inner display screen and the second inner display screen. Furthermore, different colors may be used for the first and the second jog dials in order to differentiate between the jog dial functions.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which first and second jog dials are located at opposite ends of a hinge. However, the first and second jog dials may be located at opposite ends of the main body or the cover when they face each other.  
      The embodiments have been illustrated with regard to a mobile communication terminal in which specific menus are displayed on the outer display screen and the first inner display screen and second inner display screen. However, the present invention is not thus limited.  
      Particularly, with respect to the menu displayed on the first inner display screen and the second inner display screen, the sub menu or the lower menu may be displayed on the first inner display screen with the main menu or the upper menu displayed on the second inner display screen. Furthermore, switching of the relative display screens may be performed with an additional input means or an additional input method. Moreover, if the display screens are divided into portions as described herein, the same method may be used for the present invention.  
      The present invention allows a desired menu or mode to be easily and simply selected quickly by using two multi-input devices. Furthermore, the present invention facilitates multi-signal input regardless of whether the mobile communication terminal is open or closed. Moreover, various functions may be used when the mobile communication terminal is closed.  
      It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.  
      As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.  
      The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structure described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.