Patent Publication Number: US-2011066983-A1

Title: Electronic device and method for providing shortcut interface

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to an application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 15, 2009, and assigned Serial No. 10-2009-0086890, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic device and method for providing a shortcut interface. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Typically, an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a personal computer offers a shortcut interface. When a user selects a predefined shortcut key, an electronic device recognizes a user&#39;s selection input, and then performs a particular function assigned to a selected shortcut key. 
     A conventional shortcut interface is typically based on a static one-to-one allotment between a shortcut key and a specific application or function. For example, in most of word processing programs, ‘Save file’ and ‘Save as different name’ are respectively assigned to ‘Ctrl+S’ and ‘Ctrl+A’. So, when a shortcut key ‘Ctrl+S’ is selected, a function to save a file is therefore performed. 
     Unfortunately, such a static allotment style may often be inefficient. For example, in a case where a web browser or news reader adopts a static shortcut key allotment style, it may be difficult to provide a convenient shortcut interface in response to variations in content or items displayed on a screen. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to offer at least the advantages described below. 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide an optimal shortcut interface which is well adapted to variations in content or items displayed on a screen of an electronic device. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a shortcut interface includes allotting a shortcut key to a shortcut target item among items displayed in a display region, depending on shortcut target item information used to distinguish the shortcut target item in the items; displaying the shortcut key in the display region; and when the shortcut key is selected, performing a particular function of the shortcut target item to which the selected shortcut key is allotted. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device for providing a shortcut interface includes a display unit configured to display items in a display region; an input unit configured to receive a selection of a shortcut key; and a control unit configured to allot the shortcut key to a shortcut target item among the items displayed in the display region, depending on shortcut target item information used to distinguish the shortcut target item in the items, and when the shortcut key is selected through the input unit, to perform a particular function of the shortcut target item to which the selected shortcut key is allotted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device for providing a shortcut interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating variations in a screen view on a display unit of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a screen view on a display unit of an electronic device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a screen view of a mobile web browser in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a shortcut interface in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a shortcut interface in an electronic device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a shortcut interface in an electronic device in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating in detail a step of retrieving shortcut target items for a shortcut interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating in detail a step of allotting a shortcut key to a retrieved item in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating in detail a step of allotting a shortcut key to a retrieved item in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the disclosed embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Furthermore, well known or widely used techniques, elements, structures, and processes may not be described or illustrated in detail to avoid obscuring the essence of the present invention. Although the drawings represent certain embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device for providing a shortcut interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  which provides a shortcut interface includes, but is not limited to, an input unit  120 , a control unit  150 , and a display unit  180 . 
     The display unit  180  displays one or more items on a display region thereof, and will be described further hereinbelow. 
       FIG. 2  is a view illustrating variations in a screen view on a display unit of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a web browser, in which the first screen view  210   a  is changed to the second screen view  210   b , depending on a user&#39;s gesture for scrolling. 
     A display region  220  is contained in screen view  210 . In  FIG. 2 , the display region  220  is represented as a rectangular region enclosed by a thick line. 
     In this disclosure, the display region  220  is defined as a changeably displayed part of the screen view  210  rather than the entire screen view  210 . Namely, a view of the display region  220  can be changed in response to a user&#39;s scrolling operation or link selection. One or more items  230 ,  240 ,  245  and  246  may be arranged and displayed in the display region  220 . A user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor may determine or modify the size, shape or location of the display region  220 . 
     Content refers to something displayed in the display unit  220 , following a markup language format such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or XML (eXtensible Markup Language). Such content may, however, be represented in any other suitable format which allows the arrangement of items such as links, images and input boxes. 
     An item refers to a variety of objects, such as links, buttons, text areas, images and videos, allowing a user&#39;s operation. In the case of content written in HTML format, an item may refer to an object expressed by the “a” tag (which means a link), the “input” tag (which means a text input box, a button, a checkbox, etc.), the “javascript” tag (which means JavaScript), the “img” tag (which means an image), or the like. 
     A shortcut target item refers to a particular item to which a shortcut key is assigned. A shortcut target item may be represented by means of a tag, for example, or any other equivalent form in the content. 
     The following is an example of an element written in HTML format and composed of a tag and an item for content to be rendered on the display region. 
     &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/”&gt;samsung 1 &lt;/a&gt; 
     This tag creates a link to “http://www.samsung.com”. Here, if this tag has the “is Shortcut” attribute, the “y” value indicates that an item to be rendered is a shortcut target item, and the “n” value indicates that an item to be rendered is not a shortcut target item. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/” isShortcut=“y”&gt;samsung2&lt;/a&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/” isShortcut=“n”&gt;samsung3&lt;/a&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Namely, when the control unit  150  reads two items “samsung 2 ” and “samsung 3 ” in the content, it interprets “samsung 2 ” as a shortcut target item but considers “samsung 3 ” to not be a shortcut target item. Therefore, the control unit  150  retrieves “samsung 2 ” as a shortcut target item. 
     Additionally, in order to allow a user or administrator to freely add, delete or adjust desired shortcut target items, an interface capable of adding information about shortcut target items to content may be offered to a user or administrator. 
     In another embodiment, the type of shortcut target items may be set up by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. 
     For example, in any content written in HTML format, a user may set up an item having the “a” tag or the “input” tag as a shortcut target item. In this case, each item having the “a” tag or the “input” tag among items contained in the content is regarded as a shortcut target item. 
     In another example, a user may set up, as a shortcut target item, only an item having the “submit” value for the “type” attribute (this item means a query input button) among all items having the “input” tag. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the display region  220  displays a web page as content. As can be seen, this content involves eight shortcut target items  230   a  to  230   h  each of which is a link to a bulletin board. However, a posting message link  240 , a log-in input box  245 , a log-in button  246  and other items are not set up as a shortcut target item even though they are also displayed in the display region  220 . 
     Depending on the size of the display region  220  or a scrolling operation, parts of or all shortcut target items  230  may be displayed in the display region  220 . 
     When a user clicks on the first item  230   a , the first bulletin board is displayed. Namely, the first item  230   a  is a link to the first bulletin board. Similarly, the other items  230   b  to  230   h  are links connected to other boards, respectively. Similarly, items may include various objects allowing a user&#39;s operation, such as links, buttons, text areas, etc. 
     In the first screen view  210   a , the display region  220   a  includes the first item  230   a  to the eighth item  230   h  among the shortcut target items  230 . If the first screen view  210   a  is changed to the second screen view  210   b  in response to a scrolling operation, the first and second items  230   a  and  230   b  may disappear from the second screen view  210   b.    
     Particularly, the control unit  150  allots a specific shortcut key to each of the shortcut target items  230  displayed in the display region  220 . Thereafter, if a user selects a specific shortcut key, the control unit  150  performs a particular function corresponding to the shortcut target item  230  to which the selected shortcut key is allotted. Namely, a shortcut key is allotted to each of the first shortcut target item  230   a  to the eighth shortcut target item  230   h  and, if an input is detected from one of eight shortcut keys, a link of the shortcut target item corresponding to the detected shortcut key is executed. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  for providing a shortcut interface will now be described in detail. 
     The display unit  180  displays one or more items in the display region. The input unit  120  receives a user&#39;s input gesture, such as a touch or press, for selecting a shortcut key. For example, the first screen view  210   a  shown in  FIG. 2  involves eight virtual number keys ( 1 ˜ 8 ) defined as shortcut keys. 
     The control unit  150  detects a change of details displayed in the display region  220 , retrieves shortcut target items  230  among items displayed in the display region  220 , allots a shortcut key to each retrieved shortcut target item  230 , receives a user&#39;s selection of one of shortcut keys through the input unit  120 , and performs a particular function of a specific shortcut target item  230  to which a selected shortcut key is allotted. 
     Additionally, the control unit  150  may control the display unit  180  so that a shortcut key may be displayed within a given distance from a shortcut target item  230 . Namely, the display unit  180  displays a shortcut key for each shortcut target item  230  at a given position under the control of the control unit  150 . In  FIG. 2 , for example, such a shortcut key is displayed as a mark  250  or  251  at the right of each shortcut target item  230 . The position of such a mark  250  or  251  may be set up by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. 
     Furthermore, the control unit  150  may control the display unit  180  so that a mark  250  or  251  of a shortcut key may be displayed as an overlay on each shortcut target item  230 . Namely, a mark  250  or  251  of a shortcut key may be semi-transparently placed on a shortcut target item  230 , thus offering more exact information about a shortcut key to the user without obstructing the view of an underlying shortcut target item  230 . 
     Meanwhile, as discussed above, content may be written in a certain markup language. In this case, the control unit  150  retrieves a predefined tag having the shortcut attribute and then retrieves a shortcut target item  230  rendered in the display region  220  among items corresponding to retrieved tags. 
     In another embodiment, the control unit  150  may retrieve a predefined zone involved in the display region  220  as a shortcut target item  230 . In this case, setting data of content or applications should have information about such zones to be retrieved as a shortcut target item  230 . Coordinate values or any other equivalent values may be used for setting data. 
       FIG. 3  is a larger view illustrating a screen view on a display unit of an electronic device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     If there are too many shortcut target items to be rendered in the display region, the control unit  150  may selectively allot shortcut keys to target items according to priority. 
     The above embodiment with regard to  FIG. 2  is discussed on the assumption that a bulletin board link  230  only is set up as a shortcut target item. However, this embodiment supposes that both a bulletin board link  230  and a posting message link  240  are set up as shortcut target items and that a bulletin board link  230  has a relatively higher priority. The number of shortcut keys to be allotted is limited to a given value (e.g., eight), and therefore the limited shortcut keys are allotted first to a bulletin board link  230  with a higher priority. 
       FIG. 3  shows the same screen view as the first screen view  210   a  in  FIG. 2 . However, the shortcut keys are differently allotted. Specifically, in  FIG. 3 , shortcut keys are allotted respectively to the third item  230   c  which is a link to a “useful site” board, to the fourth item  230   d  which is a link to a “joint purchase” board, to two items  320  of posting message links in a “useful site” board, and to four items  321  of posting message links in a “joint purchase” board. This allotment scheme is exemplary only and may be varied according to a change in priority. Such priority may be set up by a user or an administrator. 
     The control unit  150  may retrieve a priority rule which is contained in the content itself or offered as separate data. In the former case, original content may require modification depending on a user&#39;s or administrator&#39;s setting for priority. Also, any interface may be offered so that a user or administrator can establish a rule of determining priority regarding shortcut target items. 
     For example, in the case of content written in HTML format, an interface may allow a user to establish a priority rule in which a priority  10  is assigned to the “input” tag and a priority  5  is assigned to the “a” tag. According to such a priority rule, the priority of items defined by the “input” tag such as a text input box, a “submit” button, a radio button or a checkbox is higher than that of link items defined by the “a” tag. Therefore, shortcut keys are allotted first of all to items with an “input” tag and then, if there is any shortcut key left over, allotted to items with an “a” tag. As mentioned above, the number of shortcut keys to be allotted may be limited to a given value (e.g., eight). 
     In another embodiment, a priority value of each item may be contained in the content. The control unit  150  may retrieve each priority value and then allot a shortcut key according to a retrieved priority value. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a screen view of a mobile web browser in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Since a mobile web browser is offered on the display unit with a relatively smaller size, it may cause much trouble to select one of the items by means of navigation keys of a keypad or other alternative. Therefore, a mobile web browser really needs a shortcut interface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in the first screen view  410 , a shortcut key ‘ 1 ’ is allotted to a text input box  421  and represented as the first shortcut mark  431  with an overlay form. Similarly, a shortcut key ‘ 2 ’ is allotted to the first submit button  422  and represented as the second shortcut mark  432  with an overlay form. In addition, a shortcut key ‘ 3 ’ is allotted to the second submit button  423  and represented as the third shortcut mark  433  with an overlay form, and also a shortcut key ‘ 4 ’ is allotted to a link item  424  and represented as the fourth shortcut mark  434  with an overlay form. 
     In this screen view  410 , priority values are assigned in the order of the text input box  421 , the first submit button  422 , the second submit button  423  and the link item  424 , and hence the allotment of shortcut keys follows the above order. Such priority values of respective items may be determined by a user, administrator, etc. and may be contained in the content or separately offered. 
     If two or more items have the same priority, a shortcut key may be allotted in order from the uppermost or leftmost item in the screen view. Additionally, a detailed order may be set up by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. 
     Meanwhile, in the second screen view  460 , a shortcut key ‘ 1 ’ is allotted to a text input box  471  and represented as the fifth shortcut mark  481  with an overlay form. Similarly, a shortcut key ‘ 2 ’ is allotted to the first link item  472  and represented as the sixth shortcut mark  482  with an overlay form. In addition, a shortcut key ‘ 3 ’ is allotted to the second link item  473  and represented as the seventh shortcut mark  483  with an overlay form, and also a shortcut key ‘ 4 ’ is allotted to the third link item  474  and represented as the eighth shortcut mark  484  with an overlay form. 
     In this screen view  460 , priority values are assigned in the order of the text input box  471 , the first link item  472 , the second link item  473  and the third link item  474 , and hence the allotment of shortcut keys follows the above order. Such priority values of respective items may be determined by a user, administrator, etc. and may be contained in the content or separately offered. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a shortcut interface in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the control unit  150  allots a shortcut key to a shortcut target item among items displayed in a display region, depending on shortcut target item information in step  510 . 
     Shortcut target item information refers to details used to distinguish a shortcut target item in items. Such shortcut target item information may be contained in the content or separately offered. In particular, shortcut target item information may be offered in the manner of associating predefined tags with shortcut target items or of rendering an identification list of shortcut target items. Additionally, shortcut target item information may be a rule of determining shortcut target items. As an example of such a rule, shortcut target items may be designated by the “a” tag only or a tag only having the “y” value for the “is Shortcut” attribute. Depending on such shortcut target item information, the control unit  150  retrieves a shortcut target item and then allots a shortcut key to a retrieved shortcut target item. This process will be described below with reference to steps  630  and  640  of  FIG. 6 , and steps  730  and  740  of  FIG. 7 . 
     The control unit  150  may periodically allot a shortcut key to a shortcut target item or alternatively may again allot a shortcut key to a shortcut target item when detecting a change in a display view caused by a line scrolling or a page turning over. The latter case will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Additionally, the control unit  150  controls the display unit  180  so that a shortcut key allotted to a shortcut target item  230  can be displayed as a suitable mark  250  in step  520 . Namely, the display unit  180  displays the mark  250  indicating a shortcut key under the control of the control unit  150 . 
     Preferably, the shortcut key mark  250  is required to inform a user that there is a shortcut key. In one embodiment, the shortcut key mark  250  may be displayed within a given distance from a corresponding shortcut target item  230 . This case will be described below with reference to  FIG. 6 . In another embodiment, the shortcut key mark  250  may be displayed in an overlay form on a corresponding shortcut target item  230 . This case will be described below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     Next, the control unit  150  receives a user&#39;s selection of a specific shortcut key through the input unit and then performs a particular function of a shortcut target item to which a selected shortcut key is allotted in step  530 . 
     For example, if a shortcut key ‘ 1 ’ allotted to the first item  230   a  is selected through the input unit  120 , a function assigned to the first item  230   a  is performed. Namely, depending on link information in the first item  230   a , the first bulletin board is displayed. 
     The input unit  120  may be a typical input device based on a button type such as a keypad or keyboard. The input unit  120  may allow a user to easily use a desired function through a shortcut key selection. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a shortcut interface in an electronic device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Briefly, a shortcut key is initially allotted to a displayed target item in step  605 . When a change of details displayed in the display region is detected in step  610 , the control unit retrieves a shortcut target item displayed in the display region in step  630  and allots a shortcut key to a retrieved item in step  640 . Then a shortcut key is displayed within a given distance from a corresponding shortcut target item in step  650 . If a change of details is not displayed in step  610 , and a selection of a specific shortcut key is detected in step  620 , the control unit performs a particular function of a specific shortcut target item to which a selected shortcut key is allotted in step  660 . 
     In step  605 , the control unit  150  initially allots shortcut keys to respective shortcut target items displayed in the display region, so that details initially displayed in the display region become the target of shortcut key allotments. This step of allotting shortcut keys to shortcut target items will be described below in detail with reference to steps  630  and  640 . An initial display may be considered to be similar to a change in display, so both cases may be treated equally. 
     Particularly, in step  610 , the control unit  150  determines whether a change of details displayed in the display region  220  is detected. If a display change is detected, the control unit  150  performs the step  630 . If no change is detected, the control unit  150  performs the step  620 . A change of details displayed in the display region  220  may be caused by a specific event such as a page turning over, a link selection, a line scroll, etc. In particular, even a case of a line scroll with no change of content is considered as a change of details displayed in the display region  220 . The reason is that shortcut keys are allotted to display details in a screen view. 
     Content displayed in the display region may be written by means of a markup language format such as HTML or XML. Alternatively, such contents may be expressed in any other suitable format capable of representing the arrangement of items such as links, images and input boxes. 
     Display details are particulars actually contained in the display region. Namely, parts disappearing from the display region by a scroll or zoom-in are not considered as display details. 
     In step  630 , the control unit  150  retrieves shortcut target items from all items displayed in the display region, depending on the changed details. 
     Additionally, in order to allow a user or administrator to freely add, delete or adjust desired shortcut target items, an interface capable of adding information about shortcut target items to content may be offered to a user or administrator. Through such an interface, the control unit  150  may retrieve specific items, actually displayed in the display region, from shortcut target items. 
     Since a process of retrieving shortcut target items has been discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a detailed description will be omitted herein. 
     In step  640 , the control unit  150  allots a shortcut key to a retrieved shortcut target item. 
     It is noted that before display details are changed, the control unit allots shortcut keys  1  to  8  to the first to eighth items  230   a  to  230   h  of  FIG. 2 , respectively. Such information on shortcut keys becomes useless as screen view is changed, and therefore is updated with information on newly allotted shortcut keys. Herein, the repetition of the same as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  will be avoided. 
     In step  650 , the control unit  150  controls the display unit  180  so that a shortcut key allotted to each shortcut target item can be displayed within a given distance (e.g., within 10 pixels) from the shortcut target item as shortcut key marks  250  and  251  in  FIG. 2 , and the position of such marks  250  and  251  may be set up by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. 
     In step  620 , the control unit  150  determines whether a certain shortcut key is selected through the input unit  120 . Here, a shortcut key is one of shortcut keys allotted in the aforesaid step  605  or  640 . 
     For example, in the first screen view  210   a  in  FIG. 2 , shortcut keys  1  to  8  are allotted. When a user selects one of them, the control unit  150  detects a selection of a specific shortcut key and then performs step  660 . If there is no selection, the control unit returns to step  610 . 
     In step  660 , the control unit  150  performs a particular function of a specific shortcut target item to which a selected shortcut key is allotted. 
     For example, in the first screen view  210   a  in  FIG. 2 , when shortcut key  3  is selected, the control unit  150  performs a function of the third item  230   c  to which shortcut key  3  is allotted. A particular function of each item may be set up by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. In the above example, the third item  230   c  is one of link items. Therefore, when shortcut key  3  is selected, the control unit  150  displays a new page through a link defined in the third item  230   c  as if a user clicks on the third item  230   c.    
     A particular function performed by a selection of a shortcut key may be a given function normally executable through a shortcut target item. For example, a function of a link item may be to move to a linked page designated for the link item. Additionally, a function of a radio button item may be to select the radio button. A function of a script item may be to execute a corresponding script. A function of a button item may be to execute a given operation designated for a click on the button item. A function of a text input box may be to enter a state of inputting text into a text input box, namely, to place a cursor in the text input box. A function of an image item may be to save and/or copy an image. 
     The above discussed functions of respective items are only given as examples and may be differently defined by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a shortcut interface in an electronic device in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , step  705  corresponds to the aforesaid step  605  in  FIG. 6 . In addition, steps  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  740  and  760  in  FIG. 7  correspond to the aforesaid steps  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  760  and  660  in  FIG. 6 , respectively. Therefore, a description regarding the above steps will be omitted herein. 
     However, step  750  in  FIG. 7  differs from the aforesaid step  650  in  FIG. 6 . 
     In step  750 , the control unit  150  controls the display unit  180  so that a shortcut key allotted to a shortcut target item can be displayed in the form of overlay on the shortcut target item. Namely, the display unit  180  displays a shortcut key over each corresponding shortcut target item under the control of the control unit  150 . Referring to the example of  FIG. 2 , shortcut key marks  250  and  251  are displayed in the form of overlay on shortcut target items  230  to which shortcut keys are allotted. Namely, shortcut key marks  250  and  251  may be semi-transparently placed on shortcut target items  230 . The position and transparency of such marks  250  and  251  may be determined by a user, administrator, device manufacturer or software distributor. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating in detail a step of retrieving shortcut target items for a shortcut interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Namely,  FIG. 8  shows a detailed process of the aforesaid steps  630  and  730 . 
     In steps  630  and  730 , the control unit  150  retrieves shortcut target items from all items displayed in the display region, depending on a change of display details. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 8  is based on the assumption that content actually displayed in the display region are written in a markup language format such as HTML or XML. Here, objects expressed by the “a” tag (which means a link), the “input” tag (which means a text input box, a button, a checkbox, etc.), the “javascript” tag (which means JavaScript), the “img” tag (which means an image), and the like may be items. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the control unit  150  retrieves predefined shortcut target tags from content written in a markup language in step  810 . 
     The following is an example of element written in HTML format and composed of a tag and an item for content to be rendered on the display region. 
     &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/”&gt;samsung 1 &lt;/a&gt; 
     As described above in the discussion of  FIG. 2 , this tag creates a link to “http://www.samsung.com”. Here, if this tag has the “is Shortcut” attribute, the “y” value indicates that an item to be rendered is a shortcut target item, and the “n” value indicates that an item to be rendered is not a shortcut target item. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/” isShortcut=“y”&gt;samsung2&lt;/a&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/” isShortcut=“n”&gt;samsung3&lt;/a&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As also described above, when the control unit  150  reads two items “samsung 2 ” and “samsung 3 ” in the content, it interprets “samsung 2 ” as a shortcut target item but considers “samsung 3 ” to be not a shortcut target item. Therefore, the control unit  150  retrieves “samsung 2 ” as a shortcut target item. 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , the control unit  150  retrieves specific items currently displayed in the display region, as shortcut target items, from all items  230  corresponding to shortcut target tags in step  820 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in the display region  220   a  of the first screen view  210   a , eight items  230   a  to  230   h  only are displayed among all items  230  corresponding to shortcut target tags. Therefore, these displayed items  230   a  to  230   h  only are retrieved as shortcut target items. On the contrary, in the display region  220   b  of the second screen view  210   b , six items  230   c  to  230   h  only are displayed and hence retrieved as shortcut target items. 
     Even though the same content is displayed, currently displayed items only may be retrieved as shortcut target items from all items involved in the content. Then shortcut keys are allotted to such retrieved items only. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating in detail a step of allotting a shortcut key to a retrieved item in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Namely,  FIG. 9  shows a detailed process of the aforesaid steps  640  and  740 . 
     In the steps  640  and  740 , the control unit  150  allots shortcut keys to respective shortcut target items retrieved in the previous steps  630  and  730 . 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 9  is based on the assumption that a priority rule is offered to the device  100  in the form of being contained in the content or being separate from content. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the control unit  150  retrieves a priority rule in step  910 . 
     As discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , different priority rules may be applied to the same display view. Therefore, shortcut keys may be allotted depending on different priority rules as shown respectively in the first screen view  210   a  of  FIG. 2  and the screen view  310  of  FIG. 3 . 
     A priority rule may be contained in content itself or offered as separate data. In the former case, original contents may require modification depending on a user&#39;s or administrator&#39;s setting for priority. Also, any interface may be offered so that a user or administrator can establish a rule of determining priority regarding shortcut target items displayed in the display region  220 . 
     For example, in the case of content written in HTML format, an interface may allow a user to establish a priority rule in which a priority  10  is assigned to the “input” tag and a priority  5  is assigned to the “a” tag. According to such a priority rule, the priority of items defined by the “input” tag such as a text input box, a “submit” button, a radio button or a checkbox is higher than that of link items defined by the “a” tag. Therefore, shortcut keys are allotted first of all to items with “input” tag and then, if there is any shortcut key left over, allotted to items with “a” tag. As mentioned above, the number of shortcut keys to be allotted may be limited to a given value (e.g., eight). 
     The control unit  150  then allots shortcut keys to the target items according to the priority rule in step  920 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating in detail a step of allotting a shortcut key to a retrieved item in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Namely,  FIG. 10  shows another detailed process of the aforesaid steps  640  and  740 . 
     This embodiment in  FIG. 10  is based on the assumption that a priority value of each shortcut target item is contained in the content. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the control unit  150  retrieves a priority value of each shortcut target item from the content in step  1010 . 
     For example, in any content written in HTML format, the “priority” attribute may be offered as a priority value for a shortcut target tag. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/” priority=“10”&gt;samsung2&lt;/a&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;a href=“http://www.samsung.com/” priority=“5”&gt;samsung3&lt;/a&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, the “samsung 2 ” item has a priority value  10 , and the “samsung 3 ” item has a priority value  5 . If both items are displayed in the display region, a shortcut key is allotted first to the “samsung 2 ” item and then allotted to the “samsung 3 ” item. Since the number of shortcut keys allotted to target items is normally limited, shortcut keys are allotted in order from specific items having relatively higher priority values. 
     An interface capable of setting up priority values may be offered to a user or administrator. Through such an interface, a user may determine his or her own specialized shortcut interface by selectively designating a priority value for each item. 
     The control unit  150  then allots shortcut keys to the target items according to the priority value in step  1020 . 
     An electronic device according to the present invention may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a music player, a digital broadcasting receiver, a car navigation system, a Personal Computer (PC), a notebook, a laptop computer, an interactive TV, and any other device capable of displaying a user&#39;s input on a screen. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain 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 invention as defined by the appended claims.